Here is a very innovative and timely franchise/licensed program - StilMee, The Leader in Alzheimer Coaching (please see full press release embedded below).

In an effort to enhance communication and create a forum for franchisee representation and negotiation, SuperCoups franchisees have formed the SuperCoups Franchise Owners Association (SCFOA) as a chapter of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD).

The goal of SCFOA is to empower, educate, and passionately represent the franchisees of SuperCoups. A former member of the SuperCoups Advisory Board, Jim McCann, who has been a franchisee (SuperCoups of Mercer County) of SuperCoups for 12 years, reflected on the transition.

McCann noted, “The advisory council fostered communications between the management team of SuperCoups and the franchisees.  Recently the parent company was undergoing an ownership change and the franchisees felt it was important to form an association to make sure there was a forum to communicate among ourselves and directly with the parent company while providing the Advisory Board with added support.” 

Ron Benedetti, one of the first franchisees of SuperCoups, who is excited about the SCOFA as well as joining the AAFD, states, “The AAFD offered an efficient vehicle and expert direction and assistance in helping us create the SCFOA quickly and affordably.” 

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) announced a new program for new and emerging franchise systems to earn AAFD Accredited Contract status.   The new initiative provides accreditation to franchise systems that do not have an established track record of great franchise relationships, but whose franchise agreements substantially conform to AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards.  This new program provides a great tool for prospective franchisees to identify franchise opportunities that respect the rights of franchise owners.

Upon request by a franchisor, the AAFD will conduct a review of the franchise agreement and identify areas in which the franchise agreement needs to be amended to conform to AAFD’s rigid Fair Franchising Standards. Franchise agreements that conform earn AAFD Accredited Contract Certification.  Prospective franchise buyers now have objective criteria by which to judge the fairness of a franchise agreement. This is a strong asset in setting a franchise apart from the many that a prospect is likely to be considering. 

In addition, Franchisors with AAFD Accredited franchise agreements have the opportunity to promote the fact that their franchise agreements comply with AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards.

McGrowth – it is everywhere you look. Franchising is the fastest growing segment of our economy. To take advantage of that trend, the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) has selected PR Works, a Kingston, Mass. firm to make them even more famous.

The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association based in San Diego, California and representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. Formed in 1992, the AAFD is focused on market driven reform to achieve its mission to define and promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total Quality Franchising. Since its formation the AAFD has grown to represent more than 50,000 franchised businesses throughout the United States. The AAFD currently has members in all 50 states and represents more than 100 different franchise systems.

"Fair franchising, the idea of individual franchisees and corporate franchisors collaborating for more harmonious growth is the hallmark of the AAFD. We are excited about reaching out to both established and emerging organizations with that sensible message," noted Robert Purvin, CEO of the organization.

Jack Child, owner-operator of BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT LLC and BLACK DAWG FRANCHISE GROUP LLC, recently announced the expansion of the commercial business division of his Asphalt Maintenance Franchise. By adding staff and increasing marketing efforts, this new focus is geared toward bringing BLACK DAWG’s unique blend of sealcoating expertise and first-rate customer service to New England’s small to medium-sized commercial properties as well as residential customers. BLACK DAWG uses environmentally friendlier, non-toxic, and non-tracking sealing material to give driveways and parking lots a black-as-night new coating while creating a protective barrier against gas, oil, chemicals, and, most importantly, water penetration—asphalt’s worst enemy. The new low-odor sealant employed by BLACK DAWG also slows oxidation and other damaging effects of the sun and ultraviolet rays. “It’s not exactly going out on a limb to say an eye-sore of a parking lot with cracks and faded lines and pavement markings directly impacts the value of a property—both in terms of attracting tenants and, subsequently, customers for those tenants,” said Child.