1851 Franchise Weekly Sizzle

Overtime Pay Now Available to Millions of Americans

On May 18, 2016, the Obama Administration unveiled the long-awaited rule that will make millions of Americans eligible for overtime pay. The new rule will almost double the threshold that executive, administrative, and professional employees are exempt from overtime pay to $47,476 from the current $23,660. The new rule is expected to make 4.2 million additional workers eligible to receive time-and-a-half wages for every hour they work over 40 hours per week. While some are championing this rule as a way to continue building the middle class, many business owners are looking at ways to shuffle employees to ensure they won’t be financially affected.

(From USA Today)

You Can Now Order Whoppers Via Facebook

Fans of the fast food chain Burger King can now order their favorite Whoppers and chicken fries from Facebook’s Messenger app. This is the lastest food brand to add social media into the ordering process. Facebook’s Messenger app lets users connect with the Burger King bot to execute a variety of functions including selecting menu items and choosing a location to pick up from. The bot can provide users with an estimated time the order will be finished. This news comes as Taco Bell launched ordering through Slack, a workplace communication tool, and Domino’s Twitter ordering.

(From Eater)

Just When You Thought It Was Safe to Go Back in the Water

Shark Week is coming to 7-Eleven. The international convenience store chain will be releasing an exclusive collection of shark-themed treats ahead of Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week. This year, the television phenomenon will run from June 26 to July 3, 2016. The Shark Week partnership will lead up to 7-Eleven Day (July 11, 2016), which is also the iconic Slurpee’s 50^th anniversary.

(From Mashable)

Breakfast is Booming

According to the NPD Group, a leading global information company, is forecasting breakfast and morning snacks, in and out of the house, to grow faster than the U.S. population in the next few years. The NPD Group is expecting breakfast occasions to grow by 5 percent through 2019, which is ahead of the expected population growth of 4 percent. Over the past six years, morning snack occasions have increased by 17 percent. While about 70 percent of breakfast meals are consumed at home, the speed and convenience of breakfast items have helped this segment grow.

(From QSR Magazine)

Chicago’s in the Dog Haus

The people of the Windy City love their hot dogs. That’s what Dog Haus is banking on. U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Chicago native, and Dog Haus franchisee, Jesse Koontz, is bringing five new Dog Haus locations to Chicago. Koontz will be opening locations in Lakeview, Lincoln Park, River North, Wicker Park and the West Loop. Dog Haus currently has 18 locations with plans to open more in the upcoming months.