Spring 2019 – Let’s Talk about PEOs!  With an Update on Joint Employment

Please join us for breakfast and a cup of “joe” for the Joe Merlot Franchise Business Exchange.
Topic: What is Your Ops Manual For?
When: May 1, 2019, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s, Northpark Mall, Dallas, Texas

Cheryl Mullin will provide a brief overview of the joint employment landscape, including proposed regulations by the Department of Labor.

Teresa Thompson, a veteran PEO consultant, will debunk a few of the most common misconceptions and set the record straight, as well as, give some pointers on how to select the best type of PEO for your organization.

Winter 2019 – What is Your Ops Manual For?

Please join us for breakfast and a cup of “joe” for the Joe Merlot Franchise Business Exchange.
Topic: What is Your Ops Manual For?
When: February 6, 2019, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s, Northpark Mall, Dallas, Texas
Please join us on February 6, 2019, for the next installment of our Franchise Development Series: What is your operations manual really for, and how to ensure that it remains a document that will defend you rather than the other way around. The presentation will feature Kit Vinson, owner of FranMan and host of The Franchise Manual Podcast.

Kit is a marketing specialist with over 20 years of experience from the ground up and has a special way of making a boring topic like operations manuals fun.

Summer 2018 – Overcoming Objections and Closing the Deal

Please join us for breakfast and a cup of “joe” for the Joe Merlot Franchise Business Exchange.
Topic: Overcoming Objections and Closing the Deal
When: August 1, 2018, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s, Northpark Mall, Dallas, Texas
Please join us on August 1, 2018, for the next installment of our Franchise Development Series: Overcoming Objections and Closing the Deal. The presentation will feature franchise development specialist, Mike Pollock, and franchise attorneys Laura Canada Lewis and Cheryl Mullin, who will discuss techniques and creative solutions for resolving franchisee concerns during the sales process.

Mike Pollock, is the founding principal of FranLift, a professional provider of franchise development services to emerging and mature brands. Mike has more than 20 years’ experience in franchise development, having worked with the leading franchise referral networks and outsource development firms in the industry. Cheryl Mullin and Laura Canada Lewis are shareholders of Mullin Law, PC, a commercial law firm recognized internationally in the area of franchise law.

Spring 2018 – Successful Tips for Franchisors

Please join us on May 8th (it’s a Tuesday!) for “Successful Tips for Franchisors,” presented by Cordell Riley, Founder and President of Tortal Training, a leading provider of training solutions in the franchise industry.   Successful franchising begins with successful franchisees. Mr. Riley will discuss the franchisor’s key roles within a franchise system, and the effective use of communication and training tools to cultivate franchisee prosperity.
Topic: Successful Tips for Franchisors
When: May 8, 2018, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s, Northpark Mall, Dallas, Texas
Please join us for breakfast and a cup of “joe” for the Joe Merlot Franchise Business Exchange.

Winter 2018 – When the Government Knocks on Your Door

Please join us for breakfast and a cup of “joe” for the Joe Merlot Franchise Business Exchange.
Topic: When the Government Knocks on Your Door
When: February 7, 2018, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s, Northpark Mall, Dallas, Texas
Join us on Wednesday, February 7th, as we explore the “When the Government Knocks on Your Door” How businesses can manage federal business regulation and oversight. Our panel of experts will cover this and more in a very timely and candid discussion.

Fall 2017 – Straight Talk About Franchise Development

Topic: Straight Talk About Franchise Development
When: November 8, 2017, 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s, Northpark Mall, Dallas, Texas
Join us on Wednesday, November 8th, as we explore the franchise sales process. What are the current trends in lead generation? How do you find candidates who meet your profile? What are the differences between lead generation firms and franchise development firms? What are the steps for closing a sale? Our panel of experts will cover this and more in a very timely and candid discussion.

Summer 2017 – Putting the Merlot in Joe Merlot!

Please join us for some appetizers and a glass of Merlot for the Joe Merlot Franchise Business Exchange.
When: August 2, 2017, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lazy Dog in Addison, Texas
Joe Merlot is excited to announce our first Merlot event! Join our group as we meet on August 2nd, 2017 between 5 and 7:30 PM, at the Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar in Addison to network, relax, and avoid traffic.

We will enjoy heavy appetizers and great company, with a cash bar available for those inclined. We look forward to seeing you there!

Spring 2017 – Insights on Data and Marketing Solutions

When: May 3, 2017, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s, Northpark Mall, Dallas, Texas
Our featured speaker: Rom Krupp, CEO of Marketing Vitals
Topics:  Insights on Data and Marketing Solutions
Rom Krupp is the CEO of MarketingVitals.com, a provider of ananalytics software for the restaurant industry.  For over 20 years, he’s worked with hundreds of restaurant groups to design and implement solutions to their most critical business needs, and was recently named BIG’s 2015 Executive of the Year.  While their focus is on restaurants, their insights could be valuable for any industry.  Prepare to never think about data and marketing the same way again!

Winter 2017 – Psychographic Analysis for Franchisors

Please join us for breakfast and a cup of “joe” for the Joe Merlot Franchise Business Exchange.
Topic: Psychographic Analysis for Franchisors
When: February 8, 2017, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s, Northpark Mall, Dallas, Texas
Our featured speaker:
Rebecca Monet, Founder of Zoracle Profiles
How franchisors can use psychometric assessments to improve franchisee performance.
A psychographic analysis tool will help a franchisor in the following ways:

  • Faster ramp-up
    • Better quality franchisee and faster ramp-up
  • Better validation
    • Greater franchisee satisfaction, better validation and less litigation
  • Reduced cost to support
    • Reduced cost to recruit, support and train franchisees
  • Greater retention
    • Stronger franchisee compliance and retention
  • Increased performance
    • Increased franchisee performance and profitability

Fall 2016 – Franchises and the Employment Relationship

On Wednesday, November 2nd, from 7:30 to 9:00 A.M., we’re happy to welcome back Glenna Hecht, to speak on “Franchises and the Employment Relationship.”

The presentation will address joint employment issues in the franchise relationship – specifically, how issues present themselves during franchisee initial training, grand opening assistance, and in-store evaluations.  We’ll identify some real world examples, and Glenna will provide practical advice regarding counseling franchisor employees and managing franchisee expectations to achieve desired results.
Mullin Law attorneys Laura Lewis and Farheen Ibrahim will moderate the discussion and will also talk about what franchisors need to know about the DOL overtime regulations.

Summer 2016 – Cause Marketing:  How Standing for a Cause Builds Customer Loyalty.

Please join us on Wednesday, August 3rd, from 7:30 to 9:00 A.M., where we welcome Andre Angel, founder and CEO of Tango Tab, a free mobile-app that connects socially conscious consumers with great local restaurants.  Andre will presenting on Cause Marketing:  How Standing for a Cause Builds Customer Loyalty.

Spring 2016 – The Employment Challenge, Hiring and Retaining Engaged and Invested Employees

Please join us for breakfast and a cup of “joe” for the launch of the Joe Merlot Franchise Business Exchange.
Topic: Hiring and Retaining Engaged and Invested Employees
When: May 4, 2016, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Maggiano’s, Northpark Mall, Dallas, Texas
Our featured panelists are:

  • Glenna Hecht, principal of Humanistic Consulting, an outsourced human resource and training company
  • Dylan Rafaty, principal of DylanListed, which provides placement services for people with self-identified disabilities
  • Tom Landis, founder of Howdy’s Homemade Ice Cream chains

How do you attract and retain talented workers? How do you find the right people for the job? Glenna will share advice on how to achieve team success, and a model for retaining and engaging employees. Panelists will discuss the importance of a truly diverse workforce and will speak to direct experience in hiring and retaining employees with disabilities. Panelists will also discuss how having a workforce that includes workers with disabilities has improved the company’s performance and enriched the workforce environment.