The 8 | March 23, 2018

1. Frantastic: McDonald’s started the week with some Frantastic news. The fast food giant reached a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board that’s been years in the making after the organization accused the franchise of using a joint employer system. The settlement—which hasn’t been made public—clarifies that McDonald’s is not a joint employer with its franchisees. The agreement is subject to final approval by the Administrative Law Judge.

2. Franlebrity: This week’s Franlebrity is Brynson Smith, the director of franchise sales for one of the fastest growing brands in the industry, uBreakiFix. With 365 locations in markets across the U.S., the tech brand has differentiated itself by being a customer service company first and a repair company second. Said Smith, “We believe that tech skills can be taught far more easily than interpersonal skills, and we prioritize the customer experience above all else.”

3. Frash Money: Dunkin’ Donuts is embracing technology in order to make more Frash Money. The brand has added mobile ordering with Google Assistant on both iOS and Android devices, allowing customers to order by saying, “Hey Google, talk to Dunkin’ Donuts.” Dunkin’ is also testing online catering orders in 16 locations across four states to see how party packs geared for businesses and family gatherings perform.

4. Frant of the Week: We all know the saying, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” But are franchise brands taking this classic advice to heart when it comes to their businesses and expansion efforts? According to No Limit Agency* CEO Nick Powills’s latest Frant, the majority of franchises aren’t leveraging the data that’s already out there. In a world where very few ideas are brand new, it’s advantageous for brands to learn from what other concepts are doing well in order to piggyback on their growth.

5. Franch Forward: If you’re looking to Franch Forward as an emerging brand in the franchising industry, there are a lot of things you’ll need to keep in mind. That’s why 1851 rounded up 5 things that brands shouldn’t forget when first launching their business ownership opportunities. From fully evaluating your concept and preparing the necessary paperwork to planning for unexpected costs and thinking long-term, these tips will help ensure that your concept can hit the ground running.

6. Fran Funny: How did the franchise attorney pay for his braces? He used his retainer.

7. Franspiration: “You’ve got to have an unyielding passion for [your] business. And always remember regardless of what your product is, we’re in the people business.” – Patrick Cain, Co-Founder of Mr. Mac’s, on how to be successful in franchising.

8. Franemies vs. Frands: Brands that boast environmentally friendly business practices are more likely to have millennials as their Frands. A new study from a Culinary Vision Panel found that 82 percent of consumers prefer dining at establishments that keep the environment in mind, whether that comes in the form of reducing waste or serving ethically sourced foods. Millennial consumers also want these environmentally conscious dining options to be available to-go.