February 06, 2012
 |
 |
 |
|
News & Information:
Conferences:
|
|
Your Childrens Franchise News SourceFranchise News Watch brings you the latest in childrens franchising news from around the web. As a news aggregator for the childrens franchise industry, Franchise News Watch streams the latest ground breaking franchise articles, features, guides, blogs, news and more directly to your desktop.  Childrens Franchise NewsToys"R"Us, INC. Appoints Roger Mclaughlan Managing Director, Toys"R"Us, U.K.Toys"R"Us, Inc. today announced the appointment of Roger McLaughlan as Managing Director, Toys"R"Us, U.K., effective January 16, 2012. Just Between Friends Franchise Systems Inc. Announces Top Achievers of the YearJust Between Friends Franchise Systems Inc., is pleased to announce that 32 franchises were named Top Achievers for 2011. Goddard Systems, Inc. Named Strategic Council Member of The Partnership for 21st Century SkillsThe “Number 1 Childcare Franchise in the U.S.,” Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), franchisor of The Goddard School©, is pleased to announce its recognition as Strategic Council Member of the important national organization The Partnership for. National Leader in Educational Child Care, Primrose Schools®, Makes New Jersey DebutPrimrose Schools (www.primroseschools.com), the nation’s leader in educational child care with more than 240 schools nationwide, will make its flagship entrance into New Jersey on Jan. 23 with the opening of the Primrose School of Warren. Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2011 Results Release Date, Webcast and Conference CallBuild-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW), an interactive, entertainment-based retailer of customized stuffed animals, will report results for its fiscal 2011 fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, on February 16, 2012 prior to the opening. Francorp Helps Mary Sears Children's Academy Expand Through FranchisingThe Mary Sears Children’s Academy is currently in the process of franchising its high end children’s educational concept. Founded in 1964, and currently with seven units in the Chicagoland area.
Goddard Systems, Inc., Franchisor of The Goddard School, Earns Middle States Corporate AccreditationGoddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the nation’s No. 1 childcare franchise, received Middle States Corporate Accreditation in recognition of its high quality early childhood educational programs. Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) Successfully Launches buildabearville.com(TM)Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) Guests are bringing their furry best friends to life in buildabearville.com(TM). The new virtual world, which launched on December 11, is on track to reach one million unique monthly visitors by the end of January. Make-Your-Own Victoria Justice Bear at Build-A-Bear WorkshopBuild-A-Bear Workshop(R), the interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, has launched the Victoria Justice Bear ($23), now available in stores and online at buildabear.com(R). Gap Inc. Announces Plans To Extend International Presence To Greece And Other Balkan Markets Through Franchise AgreementGap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced a franchise agreement to bring the Gap and Banana Republic brands to customers in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Croatia. Toys"R"Us, Inc. Urges Parents And Caregivers To Help Remove Unsafe Items From The Marketplace During Upcoming ‘great Trade-in’ EventToys"R"Us, Inc. today issued a new call to action for customers to rid their homes of potentially unsafe old and second-hand baby products and exchange them for savings on a new item during the “Great Trade-In” event. Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) Launches Ultimate Buildabearville.com(TM) SweepstakesGuests who visit Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) from Feb. 15 to March 10 will have the opp-bear-tunity to enter the Ultimate Buildabearville.com(TM) Sweepstakes. Gap Inc. Reports January SalesGap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today reported that January 2012 net sales decreased 1 percent compared with last year. What Scares Students and Parents This Time of Year? No, Not Spiders, Witches, or Ghouls; It's AlgebraA recent survey by Kelton Research, conducted for Sylvan Learning, finds that most eighth and ninth graders consider Algebra to be their toughest, scariest, subject. Love is the Stuff Inside at Build-A-Bear WorkshopBuild-A-Bear Workshop(R), the interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, is continuing its support for The Children’s Heart Foundation (CHF) this Valentine’s Day. Toys“R”Us, Inc. Announces December 2011 Comparable Store SalesToys"R"Us, Inc. today announced its comparable store net sales and total sales for the month of December 2011. Private Party Giants Pump It Up and BounceU `Leap' into New Arenas with Children's Art and Structured Play OfferingsAs many U.S. companies scale back on services, spending and workforces to meet slimmer 2009 budgets, the nation's largest multi-brand franchisor of indoor inflatable playgrounds announced today it has made significant investments to expand consumer... Coca-Cola Announces First-Ever College Scholarship Contest With Chuck E. Cheese'sCoca-Cola, in conjunction with Chuck E. Cheese's -- the home of safe, fun family entertainment -- is teaming up on a college scholarship promotion. For The First Time Ever, Toys″R″Us(R) Stores Nationwide To Open At 9pm On Thanksgiving NightToys″R″Us(R)announced that its stores nationwide will open their doors at 9pm on Thanksgiving night to welcome Black Friday shoppers as they kick off the holiday shopping season. Appleton Learning Names New Director of Franchise DevelopmentAppleton Learning, a private education organization and franchise that provides individualized tutoring, test preparation, academic testing and assessments for students of all ages, announces that Alissa Ramsay has been named director of franchise. Winmark Corporation Selected by Forbes as one of the Top 20 Small Public Companies in AmericaWinmark Corporation, the franchisor of well-known brands Play It Again Sports(R), Once Upon a Child(R), Plato's Closet(R) and Music Go Round(R) that buy, sell, and trade new and gently used merchandise, today announced it was ranked No. 11 on Forbes' Top. Children’s Lighthouse Learning Centers Recognized As A World-Class FranchiseThe Franchise Research Institute has identified 25 World-Class Franchises for 2012, and Children’s Lighthouse Learning Centers has made the prestigious list. Appleton Learning Gains Momentum With Multi-Unit Franchise AgreementAccording to Steve Caldeira, CEO of the International Franchising Association, in regards to successful businesses, franchising is doing better than most industries due to its proven business model with 40 percent growth over the past decade. Sky Zone Opens Its Doors In Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis residents no longer need to travel far and wide for the ultimate 3-D play experience, as Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, creator of the world's first all-trampoline walled playing court, announced its grand opening on December 12. Gap Inc. Announces Resignation of Tom Wyatt, President of Old NavyGap Inc. today announced that Tom Wyatt, president of its Old Navy brand, has resigned in order to take a position at another company outside of the apparel retail business, effective February 3, 2012. Rainbow Academy Unwraps the Newest Addition to Its Lineup of Early Learning Centers in Time for the HolidaysA family-focused company that employs over 350 team members serving more than 1800 children through eleven centers across New Jersey in Bergen, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Morris, Monmouth and Union counties is proud to announce the opening of its newest... Primrose Schools® Reports Record Year for Franchise Sales, Signs Agreement for First California LocationIn a year when U.S. franchise companies continued to see restricted growth due to lack of access to credit and the prolonged effects of the recession, Primrose Schools awarded 36 new franchises and opened 18 schools in 2011.
Chuck E. Cheese's Celebrates 30 Years of SuccessAfter 30 years of successfully evolving the place Where a Kid can be a Kid(R), fun-loving and ever-youthful Chuck E. Cheese, with his timeless staying power, is still the star of the show. To celebrate, the company is offering special 30th anniversary ... COA Listed in Child Care Exchange's Top 50 For-Profit Child Care OrganizationsEach year, Childcare Exchange Magazine, one of the foremost child care program periodicals, publishes The Exchange Top 50, listing the largest for-profit child care organizations in North America Winmark Corporation Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend and Special DividendWinmark Corporation (Nasdaq: WINA) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend to shareholders. Toys″R″Us(R) Announces 2011 Holiday Toy TrendsToys R Us today announced four top trends anticipated to influence toy sales in the coming months. Build-A-Bear Workshop Named One of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For"Build-A-Bear Workshop(R), the interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, has been named one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For." DIGIKIDS®, an Onsite Child ID Company, Offers an Excellent Way for Businesses to Support Child SafetyAs business owners consider how to spend their marketing dollars in 2012 by bringing awareness to their products and services, they just might also want to think about how their efforts can benefit the greater good of their community. Children’s Lighthouse Learning Centers Lead Community Support for Navy SEAL FoundationIn support of Navy SEALs families seeking greater comfort, Children’s Lighthouse Learning Centers has formed a philanthropic partnership with the Navy SEAL Foundation.
SeekingSitters Babysitting Company Releases New S.T.Y.L.E Sitter Guide With Online Safety Information for Parents and BabysittersSafety is the top priority for SeekingSitters, a nationwide, full service babysitting referral company. Now the company is sharing valuable information and stories with parents and babysitters across the country. Local Business Owners Recognized NationallyStacey Merrell and Marcy Leffingwell, the moms who run the Just Between Friends event in Springfield, believe in giving back and being involved in their community by helping families save and make money in this tough economy. Gap Inc. Names David Zoba Head Of Corporate Real EstateGap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced David Zoba has joined the company as senior vice president of Corporate Real Estate. In this role, Zoba will work closely with the company's Brand presidents in developing and delivering on the company's commitment...
The Little Gym Suggests Three "Parenting Resolutions" for the New YearEach New Year is a new opportunity for people to focus on making positive changes in their lifestyle, exercise and diet habits.
Toys"R"Us, Inc. Opens First Babies"R"Us Store In HawaiiToys"R"Us, Inc. today announced it will open its first Babies"R"Us store in Hawaii on Friday, September 18 at 9:30am. Located at 1150 Kuala Street in Pearl City, the store will provide local new and expectant parents access to the best and broadest... Boutique Toy Store Goes National...offering Children A Brilliant Solution To Ordinary ToysBrilliant Sky Toys & Books announced today that only five years after opening the first store, its successful business model has expanded nationally to introduce families to extraordinary brands and service that can't be found at Big Box retailers. Appleton Announces geniuStyle Platform that “Grants Schools Flexibility to Teach with Creativity”No one can appreciate that more than an entrepreneur from Huntsville, Alabama who believes it’s his calling to change the status quo of America’s school classrooms through innovative solutions his company, Appleton Learning, has been... RentAGrandma.com Recruiting Wonderful GrandmasThe U.S. economy has tanked. No one seems to be hiring -- no one, that is, except http://www.RentAGrandma.com, helping to bring loving Grandmas to families everywhere. Gap Inc. Names Tom Wyatt President Of Old NavyGap Inc. announced today that Tom Wyatt has been named president of its Old Navy division, effective immediately. 18/8 Fine Men’s Salons “Grooms” Franchise Investors to Carry on Classy TraditionScott Griffiths has cast his golden touch on another breakthrough brand: a stroke of genius that reflects a shining symbol of excellence. Teen Star to Host Celebrity Spring Break Party in buildabearville.com(TM)Buildabearville.com(TM), the online world from Build-A-Bear Workshop(R), is cele-bear-ating the addition of its new beach area with an online Celebrity Spring Break Party hosted by High School Musical star Lucas Grabeel. |
Features & Special ReportsCreating a Cost-Effective Lead Generation StrategyFor many franchisors, the traditional advertising vehicles - portals, print advertising, PR, and broker networks - do not appear to be working as effectively as they were five years ago. New Highlights from the 2012 AFDRIn the previous two issues of FUSR, we published (1) a high-level overview of the 2012 Annual Franchise Development Report (AFDR), followed by (2) a selection of highlights from the report. Finding Your Optimal Buyer: Sellers Must Learn To Look Beyond PriceWhen sellers are contemplating a decision regarding the sale of their business, they overwhelmingly select the bidder with the highest price, only to find afterward that this might not have been the best decision for their circumstances. The Four Steps to Lead Generation Success, Part 4: Wow 'Em!This fourth installment builds on those ideas, showing how you can "wow" your candidates and the importance of how you present your concept to them. The Winner's Column - February 2012As savvy franchise companies continue to flourish in a volatile economy, FUSR continues to bring you good news each month, highlighting brands that are adding units, increasing comp store sales, striking deals with investors, innovating, and continuing to grow, whether domestically or overseas. Jim Collins to Keynote 2012 Multi-Unit Franchising ConferenceMulti-Unit Franchisee Magazine announced today that Jim Collins, business expert and best-selling author, will deliver the opening keynote address at the 2012 Multi-Unit Franchising Conference (MUFC). Growing Up Franchising: Sam Covelli Develops Both His Brands And EmployeesSam Covelli says he grew up in the restaurant business working in his father's McDonald's. Under his father's leadership, Covelli Enterprises eventually grew to 26 locations, one of the largest McDonald's franchisees in the country. Members Only: Ray Harrigill Builds A Successful Membership-Based Business ModelRay Harrigill believes in diversification. His Sunray Companies has restaurants (Bumpers Drive-In), tanning salons (Palm Beach Tan), fitness centers (Koko FitClub), and hotel properties (Hampton Inn), to name a few. That's because of lessons he's learned along the way. Creating Jobs: Zane Tankel Is Taking Matters Into His Own HandsZane Tankel is not waiting on any government job programs to help his business. CMO Roundtable - Using Profiling to Retain More CustomersWhat are some fresh, innovative ways you are using profiling, targeting,<br /> and loyalty programs to acquire and retain more customers? 
|
