Franchising's weekly rewind

The PSL is Back! Starbucks has announced an official early start to the fall season with the reintroduction of the Pumpkin Spice Latte — or “PSL” to its fans. However, the early return of the autumnal beverage was connected to customers solving clues Starbucks left online for PSL fans to discover a special password. After the first customer at each Starbucks solved the clue, the beverage would be “unlocked” at that location. Fans can keep up with the famous latte by following @TheRealPSL on Twitter. (The Huffington Post) Oh, Canada Burger King has struck a deal to buy Canadian doughnut and coffee chain Tim Hortons for $11.4 billion. This would make Burger King one of the biggest fast-food operations in the world. The joining of the two companies would form a new global company based in Canada, according to the official release. (Eater National) McDonald’s USA Announces New President After 41 years with McDonald’s, Jeff Stratton will be retiring from the company. With his decision the board has named a new president of McDonald’s USA, Mike Andres, who will take over when Stratton retires Oct. 15. Andres is a former McDonald’s executive and most recently was the CEO and chairman of Logan’s Roadhouse Inc. (QSR Magazine) It’s Bonus Day for The Dwyer Group After private-equity firm TZP sold its majority share in The Dwyer Group to The Riverside Co., Dwyer Group principals have decided to share the wealth and split $1 million in sales proceeds among the company’s 500 employees. On a meeting on Tuesday employees learned that they will be getting a bonus in their paychecks this Friday. (Franchise Times) California Supreme Court Releases Domino’s Pizza from Liability It may now be harder for plaintiffs to hold corporations responsible for the actions of franchise employees in California. This follows the California Supreme Court’s 4-3 decision to release Domino’s Pizza Inc. from a sexual harassment claim brought against a franchisee in the Golden State. This marks the first time California Courts have decided a franchisor’s liability for sexual-harassment claims under the Fair Employment and Housing Act. (The Recorder)