A virtual cup of coffee with DDIFO Executive Director Ed Shanahan

It’s Time!!!  As states around the country prepare to end their states of emergency and lift all restrictions on business operations, we are anxious to get back to some semblance of normal. In that vein, we will sponsor two IN-PERSON meetings next month at which, we will cover some very important and timely information. On Wednesday, June… Read More »

In-Person Protocols  Being able to deliver critical education and information to our members has been a long time coming, and at long last, it is here! We’re thrilled to be getting back in the business of serving our members and all Dunkin’ franchise owners with in-person programming and interactive meetings. We’ve all been through a lot over… Read More » RRF Funding Portal Closes Monday  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced yesterday that the application portal for the agency’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) would close at 8:00 PM next Monday, May 24. Notwithstanding that the RRF was funded with almost $29 billion and was thought to be a big benefit for the entire restaurant industry, the program has exhausted… Read More »

Remaining COVID Relief $$ Going Too  It’s a similar situation with SBA’s popular Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which was funded for a 2nd round of forgivable business loans in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act. The PPP loan portal was closed to most applicants earlier this month despite the fact that the program was officially extended until May 31. There… Read More » Government Giveth, Then Taketh Away  We just detailed two costly programs initiated specifically to help businesses get back on their feet and now having exhausted all available funding. The financial assistance was crucial for some to keep their doors open and others to keep staff on the payroll. Now that all that largesse has largely been expended, we get the… Read More » COBRA Notice Deadline May 31  In the onslaught of changes in employment law resulting from the pandemic and other initiatives, one could be excused for missing one deadline or another, but that’s not the case with the government. In fact, one of the provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act subsidizes COBRA premiums for “Assistance Eligible Individuals” between April 1… Read More »

House Passes Pregnancy Fairness  Early this week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1065, also known as the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. By a vote of 315 – 101, the legislation was sent to the Senate, where it faces a tougher – albeit not impossible chance of being adopted and sent to the President for his signature. The legislation,… Read More » Save Local Business Act Filed  Republicans have introduced a counter-measure to the joint employer expansion contained in the PRO Act, which as we’ve reported previously, has already passed the House. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Representative James Comer (R-KY) introduced the Save Local Business Act, which seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and Fair Labor Standards Act… Read More » Upcoming Webinars  The next presentation in DDIFO’s Wednesday Webinar series is set for next Wednesday, May 26 from 2:00 – 3:00 PM EST. “Are You Prepared for the New Lease Accounting Standard?” will feature CEO and Co-Founder of Leasecake, Taj Adhav, joined by Mike Jerman, Managing Partner at Hollywell Partners explaining what ASC 842 is, how it… Read More »

May 21, 2021

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