Business Services Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Growing Demand for Virtual Office Services & Franchising Leads to Expanding North American Presence
DENVER - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Intelligent Office, a virtual, professionally staffed office space for mobile executives, small businesses, professional services firms, and independent contractors, is announcing that they are opening a new office in Denver, Colorado, which will house their new corporate headquarters and business center.
The news of Intelligent Office’s new headquarters comes at a time when virtual office services and co-working spaces are in greater demand, as small businesses and independent contractors work to grow their businesses while maintaining low overhead costs. This demand is leading to growth across North America for Intelligent Office...

Indicates Three-year Decline in Summer Purchase Intentions
LARGO, Fla., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As consumers get ready to kick off summer this Memorial Day, the Valpak annual Consumer Savings Report reveals it's going to be a scaled-back summer for many of them. The third annual summer report* indicates a steady decline in consumers' purchase intentions over the past two years, from 70 percent in 2010 planning to spend the same or more to just 50 percent in 2012. Only 23 percent of consumers plan to spend more this summer over last, down five percent from last year, on purchases ranging from vacations to home improvement to electronics.
Valpak, the 44-year direct and digital savings leader, conducted the report to explore how consumer spending is evolving year over year...

May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // CLEVELAND - Proforma is proud to be the recipient of three 2011 American Inhouse Design Awards from Graphic Design USA. “Proforma’s Catalog”, “Quarterly Catalogs” and “ProPortals” were recognized in the competition.
Graphic Design USA sponsors design competitions that spotlight areas of excellence and opportunity for creative professionals. The American Inhouse Design Awards is the original and the premier showcase for outstanding work by inhouse designers. For the sixth consecutive year, Proforma has been honored with multiple InHouse Design Awards.
“We are extremely pleased to receive three American Inhouse Design Awards this year,” said Greg Muzzillo, Founder of Proforma...

AIM Mail Center Locations Show Support for the United States Military Members
May 14, 2012 (San Diego, CA) – Memorial Day, which is coming up on May 28, 2012, is a day to honor and remember the men and women who have died while serving in the United States military. As the community remembers those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the owners of four AIM Mail Center locations want to provide an opportunity to support and honor the men and women who are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Now through May 31, 2012, these owners are providing free postage for one-ounce letters and postcards mailed to military service members overseas.
“We understand how important it is for service members to receive encouragement from their family, friends, and supporters back home,” said Steve Goble, Vice President of Marketing Communications at Annex Brands, Inc, the franchisor of AIM Mail Centers...

Deal Includes Opportunity to Grow Rapidly Expanding Brand in Washington State
May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // SEATTLE – Instant Imprints, North America’s innovative franchise network of promotional products and sign retail centers, announced today that it has signed an agreement to expand the brand throughout the state of Washington.
Under the agreement, Gagan Bhathal, who has successfully owned and operated multiple Instant Imprints centers in Vancouver, British Columbia and the surrounding suburbs since 2008, can market the franchise opportunity to other motivated, small business-oriented people in Washington. He is currently the Area Franchisee for the Canadian province of British Columbia, and is experiencing significant growth...

Survey: Belief Is Strong That Other Small Businesses Make the Best Partners
SAN DIEGO - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Most small business owners want to work with other small business owners who best understand their complex needs, according to a survey recently conducted by The UPS Store ®franchise network in recognition of National Small Business Week.
Almost 75 percent of survey respondents say it is important to have support from a business resource who understands their issues because they, too, are a small business owner. Yet, only 52 percent of small business owners currently work with such a resource.
“Every small business owner faces his or her own unique set of daily challenges,” said Stuart Mathis, president of The UPS Store franchise network...

PrideStaff, a national staffing organization, is pleased to announce the continuation of their free webinar series, Innovations Live.
Fresno, CA (PRWEB) May 22, 2012 - PrideStaff, a national staffing organization, is pleased to announce the continuation of their free webinar series, Innovations Live. Once per quarter, PrideStaff presents a world-renowned national speaker to provide a one-hour webinar presentation for business professionals.
“At PrideStaff, we're committed to helping our clients grow their businesses and providing our candidates with the tools and training they need to grow professionally," says Tammi Heaton, COO PrideStaff. "Through our Innovations Live webinar series, we are able to secure some of the world's most forward-thinking speakers and trainers—providing both our clients and candidates with advanced training in a variety of areas...

May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // Waco, TX - What started as a monthly donation for the needy at a Pennsylvania church by a Mr. Rooter® employee’s mother turned into a North American donation drive for Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®).
Mr. Rooter Plumbing franchises in the United States and Canada donated $19,000 worth of ‘Wish List’ items to the Ronald McDonald House® program in their communities. Donations included toilet paper and paper towels – the same items that prompted this promotion.
“I had no idea it would get this big,” said Barbara Sullivan, whose daughter Bobbi is a franchise consultant for Mr. Rooter LLC. “It was laid on my heart when a man on disability told me he couldn’t afford toilet paper, and asked if I had any to spare...

13 New Franchise Agreements Inked Thus Far in 2012
May 21, 2012 // Franchising.com // LANSING, Mich. - Leading moving company TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has enjoyed a busy start to 2012 for its U.S.-based operations that includes a new location in Idaho - its first for the state – as well as the signing of three new franchise agreements, the opening of four additional satellite offices, and the transfer of five stores to new ownership. The increased franchise development activity is a result of growing demand for the Company’s local-and-long distance moving services. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® (www.twomenandatruck.com) currently operates 224 locations in 34 states and has grown 33% during the past two years. The company is averaging 19% growth year-to-date in 2012...

Green Movement in California gets a boost with the addition of the Filta Franchise.
Palm Springs, CA (PRWEB) May 18, 2012 - California, a state known for promoting eco-friendly services, adds the Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions Franchise to its roster of green businesses. The Filta Franchise provides sustainability solutions to commercial kitchens across the nation and around the world. As a long time resident of California, New Franchise Owner Robert Wendt has begun offering Filta’s eco friendly services to Palm Springs and its surrounding communities. Mr. Wendt has landed four Fisherman’s Market locations, Tommy Bahamas, and three local hospitals: JFK Memorial, Disera Medical Center, and Eisenhower Medical Center. Robert stated that, “Great customer service and customer relations are a must when expanding a business and I’m really pleased with the growth we have had so far...

May 18, 2012 // Franchising.com // Memphis, Tenn. -  Memphis-based Merry Maids, the world’s largest home cleaning franchise, announced intentions today to hire approximately 1,000 new full and part-time positions to support its 70 company-owned locations and 400 franchised operations throughout the United States.
To support the company’s hiring plans, Merry Maids is hosting a National Hiring Week May 21 – 25 and asks for all interested and qualified candidates to apply online at jobs.merrymaids.com. Local Merry Maids managers have committed to follow up with all of the most qualified applicants within 24 hours for telephone interviews.
The company is seeking motivated and energetic applicants to apply for open teammate positions, with primary job responsibilities to professionally clean customer homes using the Merry Maids unique cleaning procedures and products...

Industry Leader Announces Expansion Plans Calling for 100 U.S. Franchises in 48 Months; Offers One-of-a-Kind Franchise Opportunity
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- While most people go through life avoiding the 'dirty work,' Enviro-Master is taking on the often avoided task of restroom sanitization. This one-of-a-kind concept has positioned itself at the forefront of the multi-billion dollar restroom hygiene industry, offering would-be entrepreneurs a recession-proof franchise opportunity, while enhancing the image of hygiene customers and even increasing their revenues.
With 11 franchises currently open and operating in seven states, Enviro-Master is looking to have a total of 100 U.S. franchises within the next 48 months...

By the year 2030, 40 percent of Americans will be obese.
May 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - Vending machines have traditionally been notoriously known as a "junk food haven." For decades they have overflowed school campuses, business offices and shopping malls, giving customers convenient access to unhealthy foods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been a dramatic increase in obesity rates over the last 20 years, for both adults and children. In fact, they report that one-third of the nation’s adults are considered obese, and 17 percent of children are as well. This has lead to a lot of parents to re-think things like snacking.
“The dark days of junk food vending machines and its archaic and unhealthy choices are coming to an end,” explains Dan Negroni, President of Fresh Healthy Vending...

Ken Demske, a senior business broker with the Milwaukee office of Sunbelt Midwest, completes sale of a franchise lawn care business in Milwaukee. The transaction was completed without bank or seller financing.
Milwaukee, WI (PRWEB) May 17, 2012 - Milwaukee Office of Sunbelt Midwest, the place to go to buy or sell a business, is pleased to announce the sale of a franchise lawn care business. Ken Demske, a senior business broker with scores of successful mid-range business transactions facilitated the franchise sale. The franchise business went on the market in September of 2011 and received multiple offers before the sale was complete on May 4, 2012. The transaction closed without bank or seller financing.
Ken has closed many businesses in diverse industries such as manufacturing, service, distribution, retail and franchises...

Freight and Logistics Concept Continues Leadership Excellence with Two Executive Promotions
May 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // TAMPA, Fla. – BlueGrace Logistics, the nation's most progressive logistics, transportation and technology provider, has implemented internal changes that align with the company’s plan to focus more closely on customers as well as its selling and support processes. Nick Klingensmith has been promoted to Vice President of Sales Development, and Magnus Edling has been promoted to Vice President of Franchise Performance.
Nick Klingensmith has been with BlueGrace since its inception in 2007, and in his new position he will continue to focus his efforts on national sales while also continuing to lead a variety of functions including sales process, training and sales...

Craters & Freighters of Eastern Nebraska is honored with the Hallmark Award by achieving revenues in excess of $650,000 to $1,000,000, and the Outstanding Performance Award by having the largest increase in sales per location.
Omaha, Nebraska (PRWEB) May 15, 2012 - Craters & Freighters of Eastern Nebraska is honored with the Hallmark Award by achieving revenues in excess of $650,000 to $1,000,000, and the Outstanding Performance Award by having the largest increase in sales per location. Additionally, owner Mike Jones elected to Franchise Advisory Council at Craters & Freighters' 2012 Annual Convention. All three honors are a direct result of increasing sales and marketing efforts, outstanding customer service, and being a team player in the Craters & Freighters' network...

Jeannine Beasley, Glass Doctor of Central Carolina Outside Sales Representative, started Operation Pillow Talk, a community effort to collect pillow cases with inspirational bible verses and quotes for wounded U.S. soldiers in Kuwait.
Waco, TX (PRWEB) May 16, 2012 - Jeannine Beasley collects pillow cases. At first, collecting pillow cases seems like an odd hobby, but for Jeannine, it’s a calling to help others.
Last Christmas, Jeannine, who is an employee at Glass Doctor of Central Carolina located in Dunn, N.C., asked fellow church member and U.S. service member Rhonda Henderson, who was serving in Kuwait, what she could send to help troops.
Henderson told her pillow cases. The hospitals in Kuwait are stocked with sheets and blankets, but no pillow cases for wounded soldiers...

Craters & Freighters of New York & New Jersey is honored with Pinnacle Award by increasing revenues in excess of $1 million. Co-owner within the location is elected to Franchise Advisory Council. 
Middlesex, NJ (PRWEB) May 15, 2012 - Robert Poirier and Tom Raia, owners of Craters & Freighters of New York & New Jersey won the prestigious Pinnacle Award at Craters & Freighters’ Annual Convention Awards Ceremony held on May 5th in Denver, CO. The Pinnacle Award is given to the Craters & Freighters’ locations that have achieved revenue in excess of $1,000,000. Both honors are a direct result of increasing sales, marketing, outstanding customer service, and being team players in the Craters & Freighters' network...

Business Coaching Franchise Rekindles Local Entrepreneurs’ Love for Their Businesses
May 16, 2012 // Franchising.com // CINCINNATI – In good economic times, business owners want to aggressively grow their companies and maximize their opportunities. Conversely, in bad economic times, they want to minimize their losses and not lose what they’ve worked so long and hard to create.
To that end, Debra Austin, owner of the local The Growth Coach franchise, is helping businesses in Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Wylie, Rowlett, Sachse, Garland, among other areas, succeed in today’s increasingly unstable economy.
“Economic storm clouds have served as a huge wake-up call for many business owners to get their act together – to become more focused, effective and strategic,” said Austin...

Al Faisal Holding's Artic Subsidiary Enters Strategic Partnership With Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group And Magellan Development Group To Acquire The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago
May 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // Minneapolis - Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group and Magellan Development Group together have entered into a strategic partnership with Seldar Holdings, the North American investment and business development arm of Al Rayyan Tourism and Investment (”ARTIC”). This partnership will own the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago, which opened on November 1, 2011.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group will retain the long-term management contract for the hotel. As a result, the new ownership structure will not affect hotel operations or the guest experience in any way...