Food Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Store Fulfills Cravings with Family-Friendly Treats
January 30, 2015 // Franchising.com // ALGONQUIN, Ill. – Menchie's, the friendliest place on earth with a mission to make every guest smile, opens its newest store at Randall Crossing, located at 2531 North County Line Road, Algonquin, IL 60102. Offering high quality, delicious self-serve frozen yogurt, Menchie's is sure to become an Algonquin favorite!
To celebrate the opening, Menchie's will spread smiles with a seven-day grand opening celebration from Saturday, January 31 to Friday, February 6, packed with free giveaways including t-shirts, Menchie's merchandise, family-friendly activities and free servings of its best-in-class frozen yogurt.
"Menchie's has something for everyone to enjoy from gluten-free to non-dairy treats in a fun and welcoming atmosphere," said franchisee, Tracy Elbert...

Cross-Promotional Relationship Kicks Off at World-Renown Off-Road Automotive Event
January 30, 2015 // Franchising.com // IRVINE, California – Wienerschnitzel, the world's largest Hot Dog chain, has announced its newly-formed partnership with 4 Wheel Parts, the global leader in off-road, Jeep and aftermarket performance products, and Smittybilt, a supplier of innovative truck and SUV accessories to thousands of active dealers and distributors worldwide. To kick off the relationship, Wienerschnitzel will join the two brands and event sponsors at the 2015 Nitto King of the Hammers Presented by 4 Wheel Parts, deemed one of the toughest and largest four-wheel drive, off-road vehicle races where contenders battle through a 200-mile natural terrain course...

Bagel Giveaway Commemorates Company's 32nd Birthday
January 30, 2015 // Franchising.com // BURLINGTON, Vt. – Bruegger's Bagels celebrates its 32nd birthday on Thursday, Feb. 5, with its annual Three Free Bagel giveaway for each guest who brings a coupon to any one of Bruegger's 285+ bakeries from open to 11a.m.
Since opening its doors, Bruegger's has baked authentic New York-style bagels daily in each of its bakeries using an original recipe, with five basic ingredients.
"For 32 years, we've been serving up our famous New York-style bagels, and we love celebrating that tradition with our annual Three Free Bagel giveaway," said Bruegger's Bagels Vice President of Marketing Judy Kadylak. "We're happy to show our guests how special they are to Bruegger's by giving them the gift of bagels on our birthday...

The Dairy Queen® system creates one-of-a-kind Red Velvet Cupid Cake and Red Velvet Spoon Case to help fans seeking more originality in Valentine's Day gifting.
January 30, 2015 // Franchising.com // MINNEAPOLIS - The Dairy Queen system, a Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B) company, is helping fans raise America's romance grade. According to a national poll*, the average American gives their significant other an "F" on Romance, and 62 percent of Americans receive clichéd Valentine's gifts. The DQ® brand aims to raise the grade and #breakthecliche of unimaginative Valentine's Day gifts by introducing the "perfect for two" Red Velvet Cupid Cake, which includes dreamy soft serve blended with romantic red velvet cake pieces, and the Red Velvet Spoon Case for Valentine's Day...

Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Store Fulfills Cravings with Family-Friendly Treats
January 30, 2015 // Franchising.com // SHERWOOD, Or. – Menchie's, the friendliest place on earth with a mission to make every guest smile, opens its newest store at Parkway Village, located at 21430 SW Langer Farms Parkway, Suite 148, Sherwood, OR 97140. Offering high quality, delicious self-serve frozen yogurt, Menchie's is sure to become a Sherwood favorite!
To celebrate the opening, Menchie's will spread smiles with a seven-day grand opening celebration from Saturday, January 31 to Friday, February 6, packed with free giveaways including t-shirts, Menchie's merchandise, family-friendly activities and free servings of its best-in-class frozen yogurt...

Jan. 9, 2015 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Unified Supply Chain, Inc. (USCI), a wholly owned subsidiary of International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), has named Montgomery-based U.S. Foods Alabama as Distributor of the Year.
According to USCI Chief Supply Chain Officer Roger Hubbard, U.S. Foods Alabama is a true partner of the Dairy Queen® system that consistently delivers the highest level of service. “U.S. Foods Alabama is a leader in the industry. The team’s attention to detail ensures that our Dairy Queen and Orange Julius® franchisees throughout Alabama operate seamlessly, efficiently and successfully. We appreciate their dedication to outstanding service.”
Distributor of the Year is one of several awards presented annually by USCI to partners who provide superior service and outstanding support to the Dairy Queen system...

The Frozen event is sponsored by Sub Zero and Play and Learn with Me
LAFAYETTE - January 30, 2014 - Popular ice cream and yogurt franchise Sub Zero announced today a co-sponsored Disney Frozen event with Play and Learn with Me at the Lafayette, Louisiana, Sub Zero store on January 30, 2014 from 4:30P.M.-8:30P.M., located at 2916 Johnston St. Lafayette, LA 70503.
"We look forward to sharing our superior ice cream products and unique experience with those in our community," said Ken Bobbs, Co-Owner of Sub Zero Lafayette. "We will provide a special Olaf Sensation ice cream for this one night only and will pass out temporary tattoos," says Bobbs.
Sub Zero Lafayette opened in July of this year and began serving up gourmet ice cream and yogurt that is flash frozen with liquid nitrogen to create custom made experience...

Owners Celebrate With Free Sub Fundraiser
January 16, 2015 // Franchising.com // Greenfield, WI - Jersey Mike's Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs, opened in Greenfield on January 14. Franchise owners David Deason and Bill Everett held a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wednesday, January 14 to Sunday, January 18 to support Wedgewood Park International School, Edgewood Elementary School, and Greenfield High School.
The new restaurant, located at 7925 W Layton Ave., circulated 15,000 coupons throughout the community offering a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution to Wedgewood Park International School, Edgewood Elementary School, or Greenfield High School.
"Greenfield is a very tight-knit and involved community," said Everett...

Jamba Juice® Continues to Bring Health and Wellness to Los Angeles County
EMERYVILLE, Calif. - January 30, 2015 - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Offering splashes of goodness and empowering a healthy lifestyle, Jamba Juice® today announced it's expanding its presence in Los Angeles County and has opened its first store in Santa Fe Springs. The location marks the fourth store for Jamba franchise partner, CMCS Juice LP. The new store is located at 10124 Carmenita Road, conveniently situated inside the Santa Fe Springs Plaza.
The opening continues Jamba Juice's rich tradition of providing a wide variety of nutritious and freshly-prepared offerings that are wholesome and healthy. The Jamba Juice menu offers beverage choices for every palette and taste, with strong roots in their hallmark freshly-squeezed juices, made to order with whole food ingredients...

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – For the second consecutive year, Galliker Dairy in Johnstown, Pa. has been named Dairy of the Year by Unified Supply Chain, Inc. (USCI), a wholly owned subsidiary of International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ).
"We have partnered with Galliker Dairy for more than 15 years, and they continue to receive superior ratings in product quality and customer service," said Roger Hubbard, Chief Supply Chain Officer for USCI. "Partners like Galliker Dairy are extremely important to our treat business. Galliker Dairy continues to exceed our stringent guidelines."
Every year, the Dairy Queen® system recognizes partners that provide excellent service to Dairy Queen and DQ Grill & Chill® locations in the United States...

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. - Jan. 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., (Nasdaq:RRGB), a casual dining restaurant chain focused on serving an innovative selection of high-quality gourmet burgers in a family-friendly atmosphere, today announced that it will release results for the quarter ended December 28, 2014, on Friday, February 13, 2015. The Company will host a conference call to review financial results on Friday, February 13, 2015, at 10:00 AM ET.
The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (888) 312-3046, or for international callers (719) 325-2425. A replay will be available from two hours after the end of the call and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 for international callers; the conference ID is 2573559...

Restaurant chain offers free hot and iced coffee nationwide throughout month of February.
ATLANTA - Jan. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ - Regardless of Punxsutawney Phil's forecast about the duration of winter, customers can wake up Monday morning to free coffee at Chick-fil-A. For the entire month of February, Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide will give customers free cups of its new specialty-grade THRIVE Farmers™ hot or iced coffee all day long.
The Atlanta-based restaurant chain partnered with THRIVE Farmers Coffee in August 2014 to introduce the quick-service industry's first-ever specialty-grade coffee. The new coffee qualifies as specialty grade per the standards of the Specialty Coffee Association of America and only the top 10 percent of coffee consumed worldwide meets this quality designation...

HOUSTON, Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cheeseburger in Paradise kicks off 2015 with a dedicated menu designed for guests hoping to substantially reduce their gluten intake while still enjoying fulfilling foods and flavors. Boatloads of options, ranging from appetizers and salads to specialties and sides, make finding a diet-friendly option a breeze. Cheeseburger in Paradise is listed on Gluten Free Registry, a database of more than 39,000 gluten-free friendly restaurants around the world.
A showcase of the "Gluten-Friendly" program is a delicious, new gluten-free bun paired with some of the tropical bar and grill chain's most popular burgers – six in total – which also avoid traditionally gluten-laden ingredients. Options include the Baja with fresh avocado, sour cream, shredded lettuce, jalapenos, onions, pepper jack cheese and salsa; the Cajun spiced Black and Bleu with bleu cheese, applewood smoked bacons, shredded lettuce, tomatoes and red onions; plus the Good Egg featuring bacon, American cheese, mayonnaise and a topper of an over-easy fried egg...

January 09, 2015 // Franchising.com // KENOSHA, Wisc. – For the second consecutive year, Birchwood Foods in Kenosha, Wis. has been named Supplier of the Year by Unified Supply Chain, Inc. (USCI), a wholly owned subsidiary of International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ).
"The Dairy Queen® system has partnered with Birchwood Farms for almost 40 years," said USCI Chief Supply Chain Officer Roger Hubbard. "Throughout that time, Birchwood has always demonstrated exemplary performance and attention to detail. They provide us with cost saving strategies which are important to our franchisees as we continue to grow our food business."
Birchwood Foods provides ground beef patties to many Dairy Queen and DQ Grill & Chill® locations in the U...

Owner Celebrates With Free Sub Fundraiser
January 16, 2015 - Rialto, CA - Jersey Mike's Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs, opened in Rialto on January 14. Franchise owner Alvaro Garcia held a grand opening and fundraiser from Wednesday, January 14 to Sunday, January 25 to support Carter High School, Eisenhower High School, Frisbie High School, Hughbanks Elementary School, Jehue Middle School, Kolb Middle School, and Rialto Middle School.
The new restaurant, located at 186 E. Easton St., circulated thousands of flyers throughout the community each containing various offers. For each offer redeemed, Jersey Mike's will make a $3 donation to Carter High School, Eisenhower High School, Frisbie High School, Hughbanks Elementary School, Jehue Middle School, Kolb Middle School, or Rialto Middle School...

America's Hometown Burger Restaurant Returns to the Franchise Expo South to Fuel Expansion
January 30, 2015 // Franchising.com // Cheshire, Conn. – Wayback Burgers, recognized as one of the most aggressive and ambitious better-burger brands in the United States, will be exhibiting at the Franchise Expo South (FES) from February 5-7 at booth No. 222 in the NRG Center, formerly Reliant Park, in Houston, Texas. Representing the brand at the expo will be Bill Chemero, Executive Vice President, and Scott Milas, Director of Franchise Development.
As the better-burger segment continues its rapid rise, Wayback Burgers has thrived by growing its brand domestically, internationally and with nontraditional locations. Wayback has differentiated itself with a high-quality and high-variety menu, serving delicious and fresh, hand-made burgers and hand-dipped milkshakes amidst an atmosphere that hearkens back to a simpler place and time...

Seasoned Industry Veteran Believes Multi-Unit Ownership may be the Key to Brand Growth for the 35 Year Old Authentic Southern Barbecue Chain
January 30, 2015 // Franchising.com // Jacksonville, Florida - Having been part of the Woody's Bar-B-Q franchise system as owner of the Powers Avenue location in Jacksonville, Florida for the last year and a half, seasoned industry veteran – Jack Dunsmoor – figured it was time for something new. That something new was the addition of his second Woody's franchise in fourth quarter 2014 – a premier location at the intersection of Baymeadows Road and Philips Highway in Jacksonville… just 4.5 miles away from his current location. While assuming ownership of an additional location in the midst of the holiday rush was far from ideal, Dunsmoor believed it was an opportunity he couldn't let slip by...

Donations will be accepted for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®
MINNEAPOLIS –  Jan. 8, 2015 - To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the Dairy Queen® system (NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B) will offer a great deal at participating locations to all fans on March 16, 2015: a free cone.
On that day, the 75th day of the calendar year, participating Dairy Queen and DQ Grill & Chill® locations will serve fans a free small vanilla soft-serve cone with the signature curl on top.
The DQ® system will also collect donations for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, which raises funds to help save and improve the lives of kids treated at 170 children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada...

Franchise Business Review rates BIGGBY COFFEE as a 2015 top franchise
January 29, 2015 // Franchising.com // EAST LANSING, Mich. – BIGGBY COFFEE, continues to gain steam (pun intended) and generate national attention for being named by Franchise Business Review (FBR) as number 7 in the Top Food Franchises to own nationally. BIGGBY is the top and only coffee franchise ranked on the overall Food Franchise list. The ranking comes at a time that the company continues to grow and set BIGG franchise goals for 2015.
Franchise Business Review leads the market for research in the franchise industry. Franchise Business Review collects reports are gathered through feedback from current franchise owners, which help define the satisfaction of owning a franchise and the overall health of the franchise system...

Rachel and Reuben Subs Help Guests Get in the St. Patrick's Day Spirit
January 29, 2015 // Franchising.com // MILWAUKEE – Cousins Subs® is helping guests celebrate St. Patrick's Day with new limited-time-only sub sandwiches: the Rueben and the Rachel.
The popular Reuben returns on Rye bread with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island dressing.
The Rachel is back but with a new twist. The sub is now served with pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing on Rye bread.
"Our guests always enjoy the Reuben this time of year, and we're happy to bring back a seasonal favorite," said Justin McCoy, vice president of marketing at Cousins Subs. "The new Rachel provides guests with another way to enjoy a taste of St...