One of the responsibilities of a franchisor (and its development team) is to establish realistic franchisee expectations.  Of course, this includes an accurate disclosure of expected return on investment, but it needs to go beyond “the numbers.”

Attorneys and consultants who work with associations see their share of troubled boards of directors. In fact, I believe that troubled boards outnumber focused efficient boards by a substantial margin. Notwithstanding their problems, most boards seem to get by, although they could be better.

According to CCH, the Internal Revenue Service Chief Counsel has concluded that qualified restaurant property and qualified retail improvement property are eligible for fifty percent bonus depreciation in both 2008 and 2009.

On July 19, 2011, the United States District Court, District of Connecticut, Warren W. Eginton, Senior District Judge ruled that EA Independent Franchisee Association, LLC ("plaintiff") could proceed with its lawsuit against Edible Arrangements International, Inc. ("EA") , and certain affiliates thereof (collectively, "defendants").

After attending the Franchise Expo South in Miami last weekend, a couple of trends seemed to be prevalent.