Webinars, free delivery, and a $2 billion stimulus package are the biggest headlines of the day.
With the coronavirus crisis ongoing, many brands are enacting policies and changes to protect the wellbeing of staff and consumers. We’ve collated all of the biggest news and information below, for today’s franchise daily digest:
Senate leaders and Trump administration reach agreement on $2tn stimulus package
Many employees and employers worldwide are feeling the very real impact of coronavirus on their businesses and livelihoods. In the U.S., the much anticipated plan to alleviate some of this concern has now been finalized: a $2tn stimulus package that is designed to lessen the negative financial fallout from this international crisis.
Included in the package are plans to send many Americans a cheque for $1,200, to flood the economy with capital, and a $367bn loan program for small businesses.
“At last we have a deal,” said Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell. “After days of intense discussion, the Senate has reached a bipartisan agreement on a historic relief package for this pandemic…I’m thrilled that we’re finally going to deliver for the country that has been waiting for us to step up.”
Dale Carnegie launches free webinars for educators and communities
Dale Carnegie, an international professional development franchise, is launching free webinars designed to help teachers learn how to educate virtually, and individuals manage stress and worries. In a world where working remotely is now a necessity, these webinars are essential.
“We want to help teachers who are faced with the challenge of teaching full-size classrooms of young students remotely, or individuals struggling with the stress of living under shelter-in-place orders and quarantines,” said Joe Hart, CEO. “We all owe it to one another to do what we can during this challenging time.”
The webinars are completely free to attend, and will focus on how to “Engage Your Students in Live Online Learning”. The first is happening on Friday, March 27 at 3pm ET, and the subsequent session takes place on Saturday, March 28, at 11am ET. If attendees can’t make these sessions, then the recordings will be available after the event.
International Franchise Association to co-host webinar with All Points PR
The IFA has previously hosted webinars focused on leading an organization through change, as well as how to commercially clean during a pandemic. This Friday, a new session will be held and co-hosted by Jamie Izaks, president of All Points PR, focused on how franchisors and franchisees can manage business changes such as layoffs or unit closures.
Taking place on Friday, March 27 at 1:35pm CT, the webinar, titled ‘If You Have to Make Layoffs, Furloughs, or Close a Unit’, will be free to attend and will cover everything you’ll need to know about managing a business in these trying times.
Presman & Colard provides assistance to businesses in need
Presman & Colard, an organization that provides franchises and other businesses with consultancy services, has announced it will provide investment funding to food and beverage or hospitality brands that have been adversely affected by the current international crisis. This includes businesses that require a cash injection to stay afloat.
The organization requests that any interested parties get in touch directly, so that a bespoke solution can be established.
PerCurra to create volunteer list of former nurses to fill care shortages
PerCurra, an in-home care franchise based in the U.K., is aiming to create a national list of healthcare volunteers, as more and more healthcare staff are self-isolating amidst the global crisis.
The care brand has stressed that this list isn’t solely individuals who will work for PerCurra, but instead so that people can be put into contact with their local authorities to fill care vacancies in their communities. PerCurra will still provide a full Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on all of the volunteers, however, and where necessary, will provide training and support.
“At a time of national crisis it’s up to all care providers to play their part,” said Gill Heppell, founder of PerCurra. “We are in unchartered waters with regard to the impact the coronavirus will have on those needing care and their care providers.”
d&t launches portal for latest information about COVID-19
d&t, a chartered accountants and business advisory firm, has launched a dedicated portal to provide the latest information outlining up-to-date government support offered to businesses following the outbreak of COVID-19.
“The current situation will have an impact on every business to a greater or lesser degree,” said James Thomas QFP, commercial manager at d&t. “From a financial perspective, it is important that business owners can access the most up-to-date facts quickly and easily. Therefore, we have published guidelines on the latest help the government is offering and how this relates to elements such as VAT deferral, payroll and SSP (Statutory Sick Pay) and other important aspects of business.”
7-Eleven waives delivery fees on 7NOW app
Effective through April 30, 2020, the 7NOW delivery app from 7-Eleven will waive all delivery fees on orders made. To activate the perk, customers just need to apply the code ‘FREE4U’ upon checkout.
“7-Eleven is a neighborhood store known for convenience, and we believe it’s our responsibility to help shoppers get what they need, where and when they need it, especially during this unprecedented pandemic,” said 7-Eleven president and CEO, Joe DePinto. “As citizens do the right thing by social distancing, quarantining, or sheltering in place, we want to make it easy for them to access essential food and household items.”
The app is currently available in nearly 400 cities, giving around 35 million households access to thousands of items they made need during self-isolation.
Yum! Brands implements next phase of COVID-19 response
Yum! Brands, the parent company of more than 50,000 restaurants in more than 150 countries, including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, is enacting further steps to support its franchisees and employees during the coronavirus pandemic. It has been reported that Yum! Brands will be closing around 7,000 stores around the world because of the COVID-19 crisis.
In a four-part plan released by the organization, further support for employees directly affected by COVID-19 was detailed. This includes paying employees who either can’t make it into work, or have had their restaurant closed, their full contacted hours. Restaurants that are able to stay open are incorporating further safety and low-contact measures, and franchisees can now defer all capital obligations for remodels and new unit developments until the end of 2020.
Saladworks encourages ‘paying it forward’ with $5 giftcard promotion
Saladworks, a prominent make-it-yourself salad franchise, is encouraging staying at home and looking after your community with a $5 giftcard being given to anybody who makes an order of $20 or more. This can then be used on your next purchase, or, as the brand promotes, can be given to somebody in need to help them enjoy their next meal.
“The heart of the Saladworks brand is quite simply our people – including our franchisees and team members as well as our valued guests and the communities we serve,” said Kelly Roddy, CEO of Saladworks. “During this unprecedented time of change and uncertainty, we know there are many people who need help securing fresh, flavorful and healthy food to nourish their bodies, minds and spirits. So, we’re encouraging all those who are able to enjoy a Saladworks meal with their family or friends to ‘pay it forward’ by giving the $5 gift card reward to someone in need. We are all in this fight together and we will all get through it together if we allow the very best in all of us to shine through.”
Hyatt furloughs workers and sets up Hyatt Care Fund to support those with pressing financial needs
Hyatt, the international hospitality franchisor with a portfolio of around 900 hotels, has taken steps in the wake of coronavirus to adapt its operations and protect long-term prospects for the organization. These include suspending operations at some hotels, temporary furloughs, and pay and work reductions for all Hyatt corporate colleagues from April 1 through May 31.
Hyatt is in the process of setting up the Hyatt Care Fund, which will be seeded by 100 per cent of Hyatt’s leadership team’s salary reductions as an initial contribution. The proceeds of this fund will be distributed to colleagues with the most pressing financial needs due to loss of income.
Titus Zoom franchise conference taking place today at 11:00am EST
The Titus Center for franchising’s Zoom conference, focusing on pertinent legal issues, relief packaging, and what brands are doing differently to prevail, will be taking place today, Thursday, March 26, at 11:00am EST.
Hosts include Ray Titus, founder of United Franchise Group, AJ Titus, president of Signarama, Geoff Seiber, CEO of FranFund, and Alan Burger, attorney for McDonald Hopkins.
