Portland, Maine, joins the list of cities mulling a ban on polystyrene - a move that small-business owners and franchisees say will unfairly increase costs.
While the franchise sector is forecast to grow faster than the broader economy, franchisees are concerned by increasing government regulations and pessimistic about the future of small business.
Banks are expected to make $23.9 billion available to franchise businesses this year, according to a new report by the International Franchise Association.
A franchise advocate is lobbying American Express to allow franchisees from small outfits to take part in its holiday marketing campaign designed to promote independently-owned enterprises.
