In 1998 the Asian American Hotel Owners Association identified fair franchising standards for franchisees, only to have their largest franchisor sponsor march out during annual conference in protest. The parting didn't last long.

In 1998 the Asian American Hotel Owners Association identified a set of standards called the 12 Points of Fair Franchising by which to judge the actions of franchise companies.

In 1998, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association identified a set of standards called the 12 Points of Fair Franchising by which to judge the actions of franchise companies. Now, nine years later, AAHOA has updated the 12 points and has embarked on a survey of franchisors to assess their compliance with these fair franchising standards. I highlight Points 9 and 10.

Luxury Portable Toilet Company Starts Franchising

SEYMOUR, Australia (Blue MauMau) - Just when you thought you've heard about everything in franchising, an Australian company gives us one more. The firm has begun offering luxury portable potty franchises that it calls Ensuites on Tow. These are more like a portable shower room with luxury heads than the Jiffy Johns that dot construction sites here.

To: All Super 8 Owners and Operators

From: John Valletta, President

Date: January 7, 2008

Subject: Owners 8 Association

As many of you know, a small group of Super 8® operators has organized an independent owners group called Owners 8 Association. Because the Web site of this group has been filled with distorted, inaccurate and misleading information, I felt it was time to provide you with some facts about our brand and its programs, and to respond to some of the false and derogatory allegations being made by that group.

Writer's Note: In a letter sent to John Valletta, president of Super 8 Motels, Inc., Jay Patel, head of the Owners 8 Association, presented the top issues concerning franchisee members. The main purpose of the letter was to help Super 8 understand their position and to, hopefully, engage the company in a dialogue and discussion that will resolve the issues.

Top 4 Issues with the Super 8 Franchise System

Dear Mr. Valletta:

Spa profits increased greater than the average growth for all departments

It is commonly understood that spas were once an afterthought for operators of hotels and resorts. Yet as living a healthy and better lifestyle has become one of the population's top priorities, spas have grown in popularity and are viewed as essential elements to a hotel or resort's success rather than being just a luxury.

PKF Research Says Meeting Planners Resigned To Seller’s Market, Hotel Managers in Good Negotiation Position

Given the strength of the U.S. lodging market, it is no surprise that meeting planners appear to have accepted the fact that it is a seller’s market. Meeting planners have not abandoned their efforts to control their budgets. However, rising room rates, attrition clauses, and second-tier cities are no longer the “hot button” issues they once were.

Yes, the improving fiscal health of corporations and associations has put less pressure on meeting planners to curb their costs. However, based on our analysis of the attitude of meeting planners, as well as our discussions with hotel sales personnel, the expected shift in bargaining power from buyer to seller is well in evidence in 2007.

Editor’s note: This article has been added to the franchise encyclopedia as a resource for lodging owners and staff. The encyclopedia is open to contributions on franchise terms and history from Blue MauMau members.

PURPOSE: Hotel owners, operators, accountants, consultants, analysts, educators, attorneys, lenders and investors rely on the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry as the guideline for hotel financial statements and statistics. That standard is painstakingly gone over by the Financial Management Committee of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

PROCESS: The Financial Management Committee, consisting of a wide variety of industry participants — owners, operators, educators, accountants, consultants — is charged with updating the USALI in order to reflect current operating conditions in the industry, as well as new accounting rules and regulations. The committee of twenty-plus experts discuss, argue, revise and then finally issue new USALI standards on how accounting and statistical information is to be accumulated and reported.

Writer's note: The place to improve laws governing franchise rules is in the state and provincial capitals. Franchise owners should organize and proselytize their elected state representatives for improvement of the state laws governing franchisor/franchisee relationships.

This year Rhode Island joins the list, as does a host of Canadian provinces.

Rhode Island Improves Franchise Rules

Recently, Rhode Island lawmakers tightened the state’s laws governing franchise contracts by extending the amount of notice franchisors must give franchisees before making significant changes in their agreement including terminations. Rhode Island’s is the first state law of its kind since Iowa passed one in 1992. The law is also similar to a 24-year-old Wisconsin law. Some franchisor lawyers predicted, in a veiled threat, that the new law could cause some franchisors not to franchise in Rhode Island. In 1992, the Iowa franchise law caused Holiday Inns, McDonald’s and other franchisors to boycott the state. If that happens in Rhode Island, it will open the doors to smaller hotel franchise companies such as Vista Inns, Americas Best Value Inns, Budgetel, Settle Inns who operate fair franchising companies.