September 03, 2010
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Your Franchise News SourceFranchise News Watch brings you the latest in franchising news from around the web. As a news aggregator for the franchise industry, Franchise News Watch streams the latest ground breaking franchise articles, features, guides, blogs, news and more directly to your desktop.  Franchise NewsNational Kitchen and Bath Company Recognizes Wichita FranchiseEach month national kitchen and bath remodeling franchise, Kitchen Tune-Up, honors a franchisee with the "National Customer Service" Award. Locations across the country compete for the award, which recognizes the most outstanding customer service across t Nurse Next Door Launches U.S. Franchise OperationsNurse Next Door Home Healthcare Services, one of North America's fastest growing franchise systems, is taking a major step towards achieving its long-term vision. The leading senior home care franchise system in Canada is now launching its much anticipate Sotheby's International Realty Brand Expands Network Presence into SwedenSotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that leading Swedish real estate firm Skeppsholmen Fastighetsmakleri in Stockholm has joined its luxury real estate network.
Smashburger Franchise Announces New Location In CypressBurger lovers in the Cypress district of Houston will be treated to a new dining destination when Smashburger, a fast-casual "better burger" restaurant, opens its ninth Houston-area location on Wednesday, September 22, 2010. The restaurant will open at 14 FASTSIGNS(R) Franchise Vernon HIlls, IL Experiences Sales Growth and Success in Difficult EconomyAfter facing the most difficult economy in recent history, many businesses considered themselves fortunate to have survived; achieving an increase in sales was a seemingly impossible challenge. Calling all Citizens: If You Want Your Free Paciugo Pack, We'll Need to See Your PassaportoPaciugo Gelato & Caffè is inviting customers on a sweet travel journey that offers big rewards and freebies. Pizza Inn Franchise Veteran Bob Singh Signs Area Development Agreement for Another 20 YearsPizza Inn, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) today announced that veteran franchisee and Mississippi area developer Bob Singh, of Greenwood, Miss., who has been with the system for more than 30 years, has signed a new Area Development Agreement, committing to another 20 Fitness Franchise, Fitness Together Named to The Inc. 5000Fitness Together Holdings, Inc., has been named to The Inc. 5000, Inc. Magazine's Fourth Annual Exclusive List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy, Am
The Fans Have Spoken:"Project: Aloft Star" Reveals Three Finalists in Aloft Hotels' Franchise Online Talent CompetitionRemember the names Adrian Bourgeois, The Jen Lowe Band and Jake Smith. Spicy Pickle Franchising, Inc. Reports Second Quarter ResultsSpicy Pickle Franchising, Inc. (OTCBB: SPKL), fast casual restaurant operator and franchisor of its Spicy Pickle and Bread Garden Urban Café brands, announced today its results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010. Sotheby's International Realty Brand Franchise Expands Network Presence Into SwedenSotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that leading Swedish real estate firm Skeppsholmen Fastighetsmäkleri in Stockholm has joined its luxury real estate network. Pro Energy Consultants Franchise Invests in Resources to Manage GrowthPro Energy Consultants, the leading national building performance franchise, continues to experience healthy growth despite the weak U.S. economy. As such, the company continues to invest in its infrastructure by adding additional resources to manage this
Massage Envy(R) Franchise to Host Massage for the Cure Fundraising Event to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R)On Tuesday, September 14, 2010, Massage Envy will team up with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help win the fight against breast cancer by hosting Massage for the Cure. During this national one-day Massage for the Cure event, Massage Envy centers will offe
Schlotzsky's Franchise Cruises the Mother Road with Three Hot New ChicksAs the weather cools down and fall breezes in, Schlotzsky's wildly successful Route 66 promotion is winding its way toward California, offering three new limited-time-only signature sandwiches and a chance to win a classic American car perfect for the dri
ActionCOACH Franchise Names Ron Mathewson Team Member of the MonthActionCOACH has named Ron Mathewson Team Member of the Month. Burger King Holdings, Inc. Franchise to Be Acquired by 3G CapitalBurger King Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BKC) (the "Company") and 3G Capital today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which affiliates of 3G Capital will acquire the stock of the Company for $24.00 per share, or $4.0 billion, incl Better Ingredients. Better Pizza. Better Football. Papa John's Franchise Calls All-Out Blitz in Support of NFL SponsorshipWith the NFL's regular season just days away, as the Official Pizza Sponsor of NFL, Papa John's is kicking off its busiest season of the year with an integrated marketing program designed to make the football season better than ever for fans and pizza lov Starwood Hotels & Resorts Launches Its First Application for BlackBerry SmartphonesStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest(R) program announce the launch of the SPG Appfor BlackBerry(R) smartphones. To celebrate the launch, SPG will give away 100,000 Starpoints(R) to two l Aloft Franchise Hotels Makes Landmark Debut in EuropeStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE:HOT) and its new destination sensation brand, Aloft(R) Hotels, announce that Aloft Brussels Schuman, the first Aloft hotel in Europe, opens today. Aloft Hotels delivers urban-inspired, modern design a PuroClean Franchise Sees Three-Year Sales Growth of 182%, Ranks No. 1579 on Inc. Magazine's 2010 List of 5000 Fastest- Growing Private CompaniesInc. magazine ranked PuroClean No. 1579 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy -America's indepen SFN Group, Inc. to Present at CL King's 8th Annual Best Ideas ConferenceSFN Group, Inc. (NYSE: SFN), a strategic workforce solutions company, today announced that Roy Krause, president and CEO, and Mark Smith, executive vice president and CFO, will present at the CL King 8th Annual Best Ideas Conference in New York, N.Y. on W Business Coaching Expert Offers Free Webinar for Landscape Contractors throughout SeptemberJonathan Goldhill, owner of The Growth Coach of Los Angeles, a business coaching franchise that serves small business owners throughout the region, is offering landscape contractors nationwide a free webinar throughout the month of September. The webinar, 'The Back-Up Plan' Tops Weekly BLOCKBUSTER(R) Franchise Hit List of Top 10 Renting DVDsTopping the BLOCKBUSTER® (Pink Sheets: BLOKA, BLOKB) Hit List of "Top 10 Renting DVD Titles" for the week ending August 29, 2010 is "The Back-Up Plan." Tired of dating and determined to be a mother, Zoe (Jennifer Lopez) decides she can't wait any long John F. Bowie is Named President, US Operations of Church's Chicken FranchiseChurch's Chicken announced today that John F. Bowie has joined the company as President, US operations for the globally recognized QSR chain. John will be responsible for overseeing all company and franchise restaurants operations. He joins a team of vete SERVPRO Offers Emergency Preparedness TipsThroughout September, in recognition of the seventh annual National Preparedness Month (NPM), activities and events will take place across the country to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and to promote individual involvement in preparati "Project of the Month" Award Goes to Garry Skinner of Kitchen Tune-Up FranchiseEach month national kitchen and bath remodeling franchise, Kitchen Tune-Up, honors a franchisee with the "Project of the Month" Award. Locations across the country compete for the award, which recognizes the most outstanding kitchen or bath makeover acros Investors "Shape Up" Portfolios with RetroFitness(R) FranchiseRetroFitness has the "workout regimen" for today's investors. 30 Years of El Pollo Loco Franchise Calls for 30 Days of SavingsEl Pollo Loco has plenty to crow about as the restaurant chain celebrates 30 years of flame-grilled perfection. For this milestone, you won't find the corporate office holding obligatory award banquets or giving out traditional 30th anniversary gifts like Celebrating National Shake Month, Johnny Rockets Franchise Debuts Deluxe Shakes and Online ContestJohnny Rockets, known worldwide for its authentic, all-American menu, announces the addition of 17 Deluxe Shakes to its Company-wide selection of classic Shakes and malts. In celebration of the national Deluxe Shake roll-out and September's National Shake
BrightStar Franchise Announces International Expansion Into CanadaAfter nearly six years of exponential franchise growth in the United States, BrightStar, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides both medical and non-medical homecare, announces its expansion into Canada with the award of a Master Franchis Margaritas Mexican Restaurant Franchise Named Tops in New EnglandDiners have spoken, and the verdict is clear: Margaritas Mexican Restaurant is the best place to find south-of-the-border cuisine in New England. Bruegger's Franchise Announces Second Quarter Financial ResultsBruegger's Enterprises, Inc. (BEI) announced today that the system showed positive sales growth during the second quarter ending July 13, 2010. The 428-unit restaurant operator recognized sales of $58.7 million, a 2.5 percent increase over the second quar St. Jude, Chili's Franchise Expand Online Giving Efforts During Seventh Annual Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer CampaignSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital(R) and Chili's(R) Grill & Bar are tapping into the power of the digital world, making it easier than ever for guests to donate to St. Jude during the seventh annual Create-A-Pepper to Fight Childhood Cancer campai First Gamer Doc(R) Video Games Franchise in Alabama Now OpenGamer Doc®, the retail video game store franchise that delivers a new and interactive customer experience, today announced the opening of its first Alabama store. The Huntsville Gamer Doc offers a family friendly environment and a "Pro Player" room. T At Four Points Franchise, Every Eligible Stay Will Earn One Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Credit Through Exclusive PromotionEvery eligible stay at a Four Points by Sheraton hotel will earn one Southwest Rapid Rewards(R) credit through a promotion launched exclusively for members of Starwood Preferred Guest(R) and Southwest Rapid Rewards.
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Features & Special ReportsFranchising With Family Members Can Be Fraught With Danger Or Filled With SuccessIt can be difficult enough to get a franchise up and running on your own, or with other operational and investing partners, but it can be downright arduous if family members are involved in the deal. But that's the route some franchisees take and when done properly this management model can provide years of personal and professional harmony. But there are some secrets to making it work. Go in unprepared and you could break up a business and a family. The Winner's ColumnAs savvy franchise companies continue to flourish in this challenging economy, FUSR will continue to bring you good news each month, highlighting brands that are adding units, increasing comp store sales, striking deals with investors, and continuing to grow despite the economy - maybe even because of it. And, as the U.S. struggles through its "jobless recovery," growth-oriented franchisors continue to look overseas for expansion opportunities. Sales Intelligence for Superior Performance, Part 2Aggressive growth companies measure the performance of their sales personnel just as they do their advertising. With high recruitment expenses you can't afford mediocre selling performance, which costs dearly in lost franchise deals. A policyholder survey by Prudential Insurance revealed that the greatest influencing factor in the buying process is the sales person. Turning Around Struggling FranchiseesTwo years of tight credit and reduced consumer spending have left many franchisees reeling and put a serious crimp in franchisors' royalty streams. Workout professionals and bankruptcy attorneys experienced in franchising discuss what franchisors can do to help turn around distressed units - without spending scarce funds or getting themselves into legal hot water. New Gift Card Regulations Kicked in August 22ndLast year when President Obama signed the Credit Card Act of 2009 (the Act") into law, the nation's attention largely focused on those provisions of the law that aim to change the way credit card companies do business with consumers. However, since the Act imposes requirements on gift card issuers, it also changed the way many retailers and franchise companies will do business with consumers. Strong Cultures Sell More Franchises!Every franchise organization has a culture, the same way every person has a personality. If your franchise brand is serious about growth and development, ask yourself these two questions: 1) Does our franchise system have a strong, positive culture?; and 2) Is it a culture that promotes selling franchises? Special Operations: Franchising in a Strange LandOpening franchise units in nontraditional locations has been the domain of specialists--but not anymore. With the economy still slumping, lending still tight, and suburban expansion at a standstill, many multi-unit franchisees are exploring the viability of sites such as airports, hotels, colleges, senior centers, highway rest stops, hospitals, and military bases. Rolling with the Punches: Franchisors Continue Adapting to ChangeThe rules and methods for franchise sales are changing daily with the general public's increasing awareness of the economy, deficits, lending, the housing market, and more. As some of us "graybeards" can remember, this isn't the first time the rules have changed--and it won't be the last. Change on the HorizonJust like any business, the franchising business is one that I have seen evolve tremendously over the past 30 years. While many of the cornerstones and crucial elements - product, simplicity, control, and support - remain the same, so much is changing. Hiring Entrepreneurs: A Case Study of Hiring the Spirit of SuccessAs we continue to mine Dave Melton's book, <i>Hire the American Dream,</i> I thought it would be interesting to highlight a case study that demonstrates just how successful smart hiring can be. Here Melton describes his experience hiring an immigrant.
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