The International Franchise Association claims Seattle's new minimum wage law discriminates against franchisees, and says it's all one labor union's fault.
Outraged that the new law holds them to stricter rules than small-business owners, franchise owners are fighting back with a lawsuit and full-page ad in the 'Seattle Times.'
The International Franchise Association is filing a lawsuit opposing Seattle's plan, which forces franchises to adopt a $15 minimum wage in three years.
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.