March 11, 2010
Topics:Industries:
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Your Franchise Strategic Alliance News SourceFranchise News Watch brings you the latest in franchising strategic alliance 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 Strategic Alliance News
Century 21 Real Estate LLC Selects New Marketing AgenciesCentury 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, is pleased to announce MRM Worldwide as the lead agency for national advertising and Mullen as the lead agency for the brand's... The Dwyer Group Announces Agreement with Sunshine Grounds Care to Franchise The Grounds Guys in the United StatesThe Dwyer Group has announced a business agreement with Canadian-based Sunshine Grounds Care and will market franchises in the United States under the brand of The Grounds Guys, effective immediately. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
GNC Announces Entry to China's Nutritional Products in Partnership with Bright FoodGeneral Nutrition Centers, Inc. (GNC), a leading global retailer of nutritional products, announced today that it, together with its parent company, has entered into a memorandum of understanding to form a strategic partnership with Bright Food (Group)... Regis Corporation Implements Transportation Management System From CAPE SystemsCAPE Systems Group, Inc. (Plink Sheets: CYSG), a leading provider of supply chain optimization technologies, today announced that it has implemented a Transportation Management System (TMS) for Regis Corporation, the global leader in the hair care... In Just a Few Months, More Than 10,000 Greater Phoenix Residents Sign up to Take Advantage of Dutch Bros. Coffee Text Deals Powered by RocketBuxA Phoenix-based business owner is reaping the benefits of a new marketing channel. In just a few months, more than 10,000 greater Phoenix residents opted in to receive special promotions at Dutch Bros. Coffee stores. Local franchise owner, Jim Thompson... Ruby Tuesday to Partner with Penske Racing as Sponsor of the No. 22 Nationwide Series Dodge in 2010Ruby Tuesday has established a new partnership with Penske Racing for the 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series season. Ruby Tuesday will serve as primary sponsor for six races on the No. 22 Dodge driven by series standout Brad Keselowski. Snap-on Expands Relationship With NHRA Legend Cruz PedregonBuilding on a successful 18-year relationship, Snap-on Tools announced today that it will be expanding its partnership with NHRA legend Cruz Pedregon. In 2010, Snap-on will serve as the primary sponsor for Cruz's NHRA Funny Car team.
Zaxby's Recruits Terry Bradshaw for Ad CampaignZaxby's has recruited Terry Bradshaw to tout its Kickin' Chicken Sandwich Meal in the chain's ongoing "Indescribably Good" ad campaign. A menu staple, the sandwich is the favorite of founders Zach McLeroy and Tony Townley, who opened the first Zaxby's...
Papa Bello Enterprises Engages PacWest Solutions to Administrate All Healthcare and Employee Related ActivitiesPapa Bello (Pink Sheets: PAPA) announced today that the company has engaged Northern California based PacWest Solutions to handle all aspects of Papa Bello's payroll, employee relations, and benefits for corporate stores and franchisees.
Interstate All Battery Center Powers Up With New Point-of-Sale TechnologyInterstate Batteries Franchise and Development, the franchisor of Interstate All Battery Center (IABC) announces it will implement the MICROS-Retail Xstore point-of-sale system in all franchise locations across all 50 states. Red Lion Hotels Selects Newmarket International's Delphi(R) and MeetingBroker(R)Newmarket International, Inc., the leader in sales and catering solutions for the hospitality industry, today announced Red Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) has implemented MeetingBroker as its lead distribution platform and standardized on Delphi... Red Lion Hotels Taps Worktopia to Reach Small Meetings MarketRed Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) has made its inventory of small meeting rooms available for real-time booking through a new marketing agreement with Worktopia, Inc., the leading real-time booking engine for small and simple meetings. Red Lion Hotels Joins Cvent Supplier NetworkRed Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) today announced that all 45 Red Lion Hotels have become participants in the Cvent Supplier Network. Cvent is the leading provider of web-based software for the $350 billion meetings and events industry and its... Aaron's Signs Continued Partnership with the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers and Philips ArenaAaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), the nation's leader in the sales and lease ownership and specialty retailing of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, announced today a continued partnership with the... kathy ireland Home and Budget Blinds Provide Solutions to Keep Kids Safe at Home(TM)Every home should provide a safe haven, but hidden dangers lurk in virtually every home. Window treatments are often overlooked as potential hazards. Yet, since 1990, over 200 strangulation deaths have occurred in the United States after young children... Sports Clips Launches Mobile Billboard Campaign with Bulldog Mobile BillboardsBulldog Mobile Billboards is excited to announce that new client DalClips LLC, a multi-unit Sport Clips Franchisee, has hit the streets with a mobile billboard advertising campaign. Taking advantage of Bulldog's new oversize mobile billboards and its...
Domino's Pizza Partners With GamesThatGive On-line Game CharityDomino's Pizza(R), the world leader in pizza delivery (NYSE: DPZ) has entered into an exciting new partnership with GamesThatGive, an innovative new website that allows consumers to help raise money for their favorite charity simply by playing free... Edible Arrangements Partners With Direct Capital to Fuel U.S. ExpansionEdible Arrangements(R), the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh fruit arrangements, has selected Direct Capital®, a national direct lender, as the exclusive preferred finance company for the brand. The expanded lending program was developed in. Pizza Fusion Selects Revention to be POS PartnerRevention, Inc., a leading developer of complete, customizable restaurant management solutions, is pleased to announce that we have been selected as Pizza Fusion's point-of-sale and technology partner. Revention was selected primarily for its overall...
Del Taco Strengthens Franchise Support with Two New Franchise Business ConsultantsDel Taco, the nation's No. 2 Mexican quick serve chain, today announced the company has strengthened its franchise support services with the addition of two new franchise business consultants. Chip Bialzak has joined Del Taco as senior franchise... Burger King Corporation Teams with Summit Entertainment on 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon'As fan interest reaches a fever pitch, Burger King Corp. today confirmed that it will team with Summit Entertainment for one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year, "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," which arrives in theaters on Nov. 20, 2009. Golden Spoon and EGS Announce Global Development ProgramGolden Spoon Franchising, the second-largest frozen yogurt chain in the U.S. and Southern California's largest frozen yogurt chain, and Edwards Global Services (EGS), the leading global development management consultant firm to U.S. franchise companies... Blockbuster Enters Strategic Alliance With Cable Operators Suddenlink Communications and Mediacom CommunicationsTaking another step in its transformation as a multi-platform provider of media entertainment, Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI, BBI.B), a global leader in entertainment, today announced a strategic alliance with top-10 cable broadband... Two Companies Join Forces to Support Time-Starved Working WomenMaid Brigade, a national house cleaning company, announces its partnership with Mom Corps, the pioneer and leader of the flexible employment market. Maid Brigade and Mom Corps developed their alliance to foster a better sense of work/life balance for... Great Clips franchise launches a $2 million media campaign with FOX.comRob Goggins, vice president of franchise development for Great Clips, Inc., highlighted the brands partnership with FOX.com in an address to prospective franchisees at the company's headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Burger King Corp. Bites into 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' Through Partnership with Sony Pictures AnimationBurger King Corp. (NYSE:BKC) today announced that it is teaming with Sony Pictures Animation's new film Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which opens in theaters on Sept. 18. Inspired and adapted from the bestselling children's book, the film focuses...
Papa Bello Retains Pastore Food Corp to Assist in Corporate Planning and ExpansionPapa Bello Enterprises, Inc. (Pink Sheets: PAPA) is pleased to announce that the company has hired Pastore Food Corp, of Baltimore, Maryland to assist the company in its corporate planning and growth process. Pastores will assist in managing franchise... Regis Corporation Partners with The Entrepreneur's Source To Expand Nine Franchise BrandsMinnesota-based Regis Corporation (NYSE: RGS), the worldwide leader in the $170 billion hair-care industry, has entered into an agreement with The Entrepreneur's Source, the nation's premier franchise coaching firm.
United Shipping Solutions Partners with the U.S. Postal ServiceUnited Shipping Solutions (USS), an agent and franchisee based transportation sales company proudly announces its new partnership with the United States Postal Service (USPS). USS, with 2008 revenues of $78 million, has built their transportation... The Steak n Shake Company and Western Sizzlin Corporation Announce Intent to MergeThe Steak n Shake Company ("SNS") (NYSE: SNS), and Western Sizzlin Corporation ("Western") (Nasdaq: WEST), today jointly announced the execution of a non-binding Letter of Intent relating to a proposed merger of Western into a wholly-owned subsidiary... Hooters Partners With Kenny Chesney's 'No Shoes Radio'Atlanta-based Hooters restaurants has partnered with NoShoesradio.com, Kenny Chesney's new online radio station which launched last week. The station located at www.noshoesradio.com will reflect Kenny's eclectic taste, ranging from country to reggae to... Toys"R"Us, Inc. Partners with Home Safety Council(R) to Help Parents Keep Children Safe at HomeToys"R"Us, Inc. today announced it has partnered with the Home Safety Council, the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing unintentional home-related injuries that result in nearly 21 million medical visits each year.
College Hunks Hauling Junk Partners with iReuse HaulingCollege Hunks Hauling Junk is pleased to join forces with iReuse Hauling to keep more than 80% of junk collected from ending up in landfills by maximizing donation and recycling opportunities.
CENTURY 21 Real Estate and HomeFinder.com(R) Announce Advertising AgreementCentury 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, and HomeFinder.com®, a leading national real estate search site that connects home buyers and sellers with comprehensive property listings... SONIC(R), America's Drive-In(R) and DonorsChoose.org Partner to Support Teachers in Local Communitiesesources and funding for teachers are lessening everyday, and SONIC Drive-In is stepping in to help. Through a new program, Limeades for Learning, SONIC will donate more than half a million dollars to classrooms in local communities across the country... Johnny Rockets Has a Brush With 'FAME'The Johnny Rockets Group, Inc. today announced the launch of an integrated promotion designed to increase brand awareness, drive restaurant traffic and share in the brand equity of MGM Pictures and Lakeshore Entertainment's highly-anticipated film FAME.
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Features & Special ReportsMeasuring Performance: Multi-unit Franchisees Utilize Unit Economics to Help Run a Tighter ShipMulti-unit franchisee Todd Pulley knows all about measuring unit performance and profitability - even though he had no prior financial background before becoming a franchisee. Over the last 15 years though, he has developed and refined his own system for measuring his unit economics at his four PuroClean locations in New Jersey and Delaware. The effort is paying off. Is it Time for an Operating Cost Audit?: Franchise Tenants Unite!When was the last time you challenged a landlord or property manager about the operating expenses or common area maintenance (CAM) charges? Probably not recently or never, right? To clarify, operating costs are the day-to-day management and maintenance expenses charged to the tenant; examples include asphalt repairs, snow removal, property insurance, and so on. Franchise tenants pay a proportionate share of these costs based on the space they occupy. Therefore, if a franchise tenant occupies 12 percent of a building, he or she will pay for 12 percent of the operating costs. Paying by this said ratio is the industry standard but, of course, there are deviations for special circumstances like free-standing buildings and so on. "Old School" Communication: Cell Phone Texting Builds Customer TrafficConsidering the wide-ranging abilities of today's smartphones, simple text messaging may seem passé, but it's a basic social media tool that's working wonders for Chris Kramolis' franchise operation. He's been using text messages to build business and compile a database of his customers--and he doesn't see any reason to deviate from something that's working. Discovering Oil: Multi-unit Operator Strikes it Rich with Oil Change FranchisesDarrell Lamb remembers toiling away in the heyday of the mid-90s stock market. He was always searching for new investors, and on the lookout for hot investments. One day some of his advisers told him about an opportunity - a chance to invest in the Express Oil Change franchise. He had reason to trust the advisers since they were his uncle, who was president of the company, and his dad, an Alabama optometrist who was always interested in investing in growing ventures. Capital AccessDustin Winkle was a victim of the dot-com crash a few years back. While pondering his next career move, he visited with family members who operated some dry cleaning stores. He liked what he heard and purchased his first Martinizing Dry Cleaners stores six hours away in Yakima, Wash. It was a long commute from his home in Boise, Idaho, but he loved the business. Three years later his family was ready to sell its dry cleaning stores and Winkle was more than happy to buy some units closer to home. Today he operates 10 Martinizing Dry Cleaning stores (and one non-Martinizing unit) in the Boise area. Multi-Tasking: What It Takes To Be A Successful Multi-Unit FranchiseeTwenty years ago, franchising meant buying the rights to and opening a single unit or business. But a changing trend has taken hold during the last two decades. Today, it's not uncommon for a single franchise operator to have 5, 6, or even dozens of units. FRANdata research notes the number of multi-unit operators now tops 34,000, and those operators control more than 155,000 franchised units in the U.S. It's a growth strategy that has proven effective but it should be approached with caution. Multi-unit operators are generally wired differently then their single-unit counterparts. Successful multi-unit operators are typically experienced, skilled, professional business executives who have chosen franchising as their business model. They possess the skills, training, capital, infrastructure, and vision to operate numerous units and have the ability to continue adding units to their portfolio--without stressing their organization or their stomach. Episode 006: The Benefits of a Franchise ModelFranchising provides benefits for both seller and buyer. For franchisors, the primary benefit is the ability to use other people's money to expand the brand more rapidly than they could either on their own or through investors or lenders. The initial franchise fee and ongoing royalties they collect allow franchisors to build their brand without sacrificing control to outsiders or the pressure of repaying lenders. Measure for Measure: Unit Economics Plays a Leading Role on Today's Economic StageThe most fundamental business strategy calls for black numbers on the bottom line. In simplest terms, it's proof the business is generating more cash than it is spending. All too often, though, entrepreneurs get involved in businesses without employing a proper system to help them keep a watchful eye on what they're earning and what they're spending. Managing day-to-day operations can be so time-consuming that it leaves little room for financial analysis. Or perhaps key individuals lack a basic understanding of how to read and interpret financial statements. Combine these factors with the down economy, and you'll likely wind up with a troubled business. Service Based Franchising: Where the Action IsLast week we ended our discussion of service concepts with the point that many of these businesses are based on customers making the choice to trade money (surplus) for time (deficit). The example we used was maid services, where time-starved customers spend money to buy time they can spend with their family and friends. Other examples of businesses built on services that customers could perform themselves but choose to pay someone else for include lawn and landscaping services, residential painting, oil change, and installation of home entertainment systems. Seven Steps to Fiscal Fitness: A "Fiscal Physical" Will Help Your Business Survive, Grow, and ProsperIn the few minutes it takes you to read this article, 40 businesses across the nation will fail--and that statistic was [i]before[/i] the economic downturn of the last 24 months. Tragic? Yes. Remarkable? Not at all. The road to business success is littered with the skeletons of companies whose owners--mostly brilliant and skilled individuals--failed to "take care of business" in the financial management of their enterprise.
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