Media

May 29th, 2015

Franchisees push back against expansion of joint-employer definition

Franchisees like Veldman have been dragged into the Fight for $15 battle, portrayed as little more than corporate puppets in how they operate and pay their employees. But increasingly some franchisees are railing against that perception, saying they are independent business owners who make their own decisions on hiring and firing and how much they pay employees. During the early years of the franchise, Veldman said, he handpicked employees. Today, he said, he relies on managers to find new talent.

“I don’t need the corporation to have more control,” said Veldman, who earlier this month participated in a roundtable discussion in Kankakee with Democratic U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson. Read more