Franchise Industry News & Announcements

East Anglia coach is the epitome of an ActionCOACH Business Coach.
February 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // Las Vegas – Kent Rhodes won the ActionCOACH award at the company’s EMEA Conference Awards ceremony, which took place at De Vere Wokefield Park in Reading, Berkshire, England.
The ActionCOACH award is given to the coach who best exemplifies what it means to be an ActionCOACH Business Coach. ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars presented the award to Rhodes.
“Kent is now a platinum coach and has made incredible strides since becoming an ActionCOACH in 2009,” Sugars said. “Before taking on a personal assistant this past summer, Kent was doing it all himself, and doing a great job...

LA Boxing Seeing Growth as a Result of Changing Attitudes toward Fitness
February 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // SANTA ANA, Calif. – LA Boxing, the world’s largest boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) fitness franchise, has its finger on the pulse of a changing industry. The concept has embraced the nation’s boredom with routine fitness by being the only major gym focused on popular boxing, kickboxing, and MMA-related workouts. With nearly 75 gyms open and another 50 in the development pipeline LA Boxing has seen the effects of a growing demand for an alternative to large impersonal fitness centers.
“People are tired of going to the gym and doing the same 30-minute run on the treadmill,” said Philip Jacobs, LA Boxing Director of Franchise Development...

Fast Fine Dining Franchise is Poised to Grow Through Corporate and Franchise Development
February 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // Alpharetta, Ga. - New menu items, re-imaged restaurants, leadership changes and grand openings are just a few of the exciting developments ahead that will drive growth for Fresh To Order (F2O) in 2012. Fresh To Order, a niche player in the ‘fast fine’ dining segment, combines the food quality of casual fine dining with the dining environment and price point of fast casual to offer its guests fresh, flavorful food for around $10 in under 10 minutes. The company will use its ‘fast fine’ positioning to guide innovation and growth decisions in the coming year.
To lead and execute F2O growth strategies, two key personnel changes have been made...

$5 Million Was Financed in 2011 to New and Existing Massage Envy Franchisees
February 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services, announced today that new and existing Massage Envy franchisees have exclusive access to $15 million in development capital in 2012. The funding is available through a franchisee lending program agreement Massage Envy entered into with Franchise America Finance™ (FAF) and The Bancorp Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBBK).
With this funding through FAF and The Bancorp Bank, Massage Envy has access to a total of $15 million for both new franchisee development, as well as existing franchisee expansion...

The Nation's Fastest Growing Barbecue Chain is Heading to Green Bay
GREEN BAY, Wis., Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dickey's Barbecue Pit, the largest quick-serve barbecue chain in the country, continues to expand in Wisconsin.
This new location is located at 895 Lombardi Avenue.
"We are so thrilled Dickey's is expanding its reach in Wisconsin," said Roland Dickey, Jr., president of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. "It's an excellent market for a quick-serve fast casual barbecue restaurant."
Texas-based Dickey's Barbecue Pit opened in 1941 and began franchising in 1994. Dickey's Barbecue Pit is well-known for their hot pit-smoked signature meats, complimentary ice cream and the big yellow cups. Dickey's has more than 200 locations in 36 states nationwide...

LARGO, Fla., Feb. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc., a leader in local print and digital coupons, announced today a new incentive program that supports returning U.S. military veterans seeking to start a Valpak franchise. Valpak will waive start-up fees for qualified, honorably discharged veterans, making it easier for them to start their franchise business and receive training at no direct cost. This savings is estimated at approximately $32,500.
"Providing opportunities to our honorably discharged veterans recently returning from deployment is not only good business, but it's the right thing to do to support their patriotic investment," said Rick McElwain, vice president of network sales development at Valpak...

Scottish ActionCOACH awarded for efforts of Business Excellence Award winning client.
February 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // Las Vegas - ActionCOACH, the world’s number one business coaching firm, named Tony Hoskins the winner of the award for Best Client Results at the EMEA Conference Awards ceremony, which took place at De Vere Wokefield Park in Reading, Berkshire, England.
Hoskins earned the award, in large part, thanks to the outstanding performance of one of his clients, Waterman’s Solicitors, who earned Fastest Growing Company under 50 Employees at the EMEA Business Excellence Awards.
ActionCOACH Founder and Chairman Brad Sugars presented the award to Hoskins.
“Every client we coach is important, but when one client far exceeds expectations it is part of the ActionCOACH culture to celebrate their success,” Sugars said...

February 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // The Metropolitan Lawn and Garden Show brings homeowners, business professionals and home improvement specialist all to one place to view this season's trendy new home products. This year's show, held at The American Royal Center February 10th through 12th, is packed with information, exhibits and speakers that will bring innovative concepts to every outdoor project. The event is drawing special attention to outdoor living areas and gardens. Along with one of the San Francisco Bay area's most sought-after landscape designers, Ahmed Hassan, the show will incorporate a 6,000 sq ft water garden feature.
Water Gardens are the latest trend in outdoor living. After they are completed showcasing the natural beauty of the features can be enhanced with a customized outdoor lighting system...

Charlotte, N.C. - Feb. 8, 2012— This Valentine’s Day Bojangles’ is offering a special tasty treat – Heart-Shaped Bo-Berry Biscuits®. These made-from-scratch biscuits are the perfect sweets to give that special someone and will be available in all company-owned and participating franchise-owned locations from Friday, Feb. 10, through Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, Feb. 14.
“Bojangles’ is always looking for fun ways to celebrate the holidays,” said Bojangles’ Senior Vice President of Marketing Randy Poindexter. “Our mouth-watering Bo-Berry Biscuits have been a customer favorite since we first began offering them more than 20 years ago, and it is fitting for us to celebrate Valentine’s Day with one of our most beloved specialties...

ATLANTA (Feb. 9, 2012) – Primrose Schools, The Leader in Educational Child Care®, has been selected to partner with AdvancED, the world’s largest accrediting and school improvement organization, to develop and pilot the new AdvancED Standards for Quality Early Learning Schools. The Standards will align with AdvancED’s overall accreditation process but are designed to specifically support early childhood education best practices and continuous improvement.
“We chose to partner with Primrose Schools because of its long-standing history of leadership, quality delivery of early childhood education and strong systems approach,” says Claudia Carter, Vice President for Accreditation for AdvancED. “The new AdvancED Standards for Quality Early Learning Schools will be the highest-level accreditation institutions can achieve within the early learning arena...

Massage Envy Spas in the Houston Area offer Murad® Signature Facials for all Skin Types
Houston,TX (PRWEB) February 09, 2012 - Massage Envy Spas offer Murad® Healthy Skin facials, specially formulated for Massage Envy by skincare expert Dr. Howard Murad. These facials are made for all skin types and are expertly applied by Massage Envy estheticians. Treatments include the Environmental Shield® Vitamin C Facial, Clarifying Enzyme Acne Facial, Anti-aging Facial and the Sensitive Skin Facial. Massage Envy Spas also offer an at-home skincare kit to continue treatment in between facial sessions! To learn more about Murad® Healthy Skin facials, visit one of Massage Envy's convenient spa locations.
Facials also make great Valentine’s Day gifts for anyone who has stress in their life...

The Human Bean Coffee Drive-thru is re-opening in Roseburg.
Roseburg, Oregon– February 6, 2012– The Human Bean, a specialty coffee drive-thru franchise, is reopening on Harvard Ave. Monday, February 6th. The coffee drive thru was closed in August due to the owners illness. Arlisa Hoffman recently purchased the Harvard Avenue location.
Arlisa comes to this business with a lot of experience. She has worked for The Human Bean for many years and last spring she became a franchisee with the first mobile unit. "One of my business goals was to purchase a stationary stand. When the Roseburg stand became available and knowing that the area would support the stand, I achieved my goal. Human Bean is simply the best!" says Arlisa...

Paris based ActionCOACH makes big impact in strategy building workshops.
February 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // Las Vegas – Pascale Joly, of Paris, France won this year’s ActionCLUB award at the ActionCOACH EMEA Conference Awards ceremony, which took place at De Vere Wokefield Park in Reading, Berkshire, England.
ActionCLUB is a seven session series of workshops designed to introduce business owners to the hundreds of business building strategies in the ActionCOACH system.
The Founder and President of ActionCOACH, Brad Sugars, presented the award to Joly.
“Building a strong ActionCLUB following takes hard work,” Sugars said. “Pascale has worked hard to make her workshops can’t miss events for business owners in Paris and thanks to those efforts businesses throughout Paris are stronger and more profitable...

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 8, 2012 – Consumers fishing for a great meal deal need look no further. Just in time for the Lent season, Jack in the Box® restaurants are offering for a limited time a Fish Sandwich Combo for only $2.99, plus tax.
Jack’s Fish Sandwich is made with two lightly battered fillets of Alaskan Pollock topped with lettuce and tartar sauce and served on a warm sesame seed bun. The $2.99 Fish Sandwich Combo also includes a small order of fries and small fountain drink.
“Our Fish Sandwich Combo is a filling meal and a great value for our guests,” said Tracy Dunn, director of menu marketing and promotions for Jack in the Box Inc., “especially at this time of year when a lot of people are looking for an alternative to burgers and chicken...

Preschool franchises invite families to discover how playful learning builds skills to help prevent bullying.
King of Prussia, PA (PRWEB) February 09, 2012 - For the second year, Goddard Schools® throughout the country are taking a proactive approach to bully prevention by offering a week-long celebration beginning that places key focus on its FLEXTM Learning Program, a curriculum focused on play-based learning, as well as friendship. The weeklong learning activities will also focus on teaching children about playing well with others and accepting each other's differences.
“Bullying happens every day—even right here in our own community. According to Stompoutbullying.org, one out of every four children is bullied...

Owner Celebrates with Free Subs
February 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // Chantilly, VA
WHO:
Pat White opened his second Jersey Mike’s Subs location in Virginia.  He recently celebrated his first store opening in December 2011 located at 11199 Lee Highway in Fairfax, Va.
WHAT: 
The grand opening and free sub fundraiser will support the Westfield Athletic Booster Club (WABC). Anyone who has a fundraising coupon can get a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution. Fifteen thousand coupons were distributed throughout the community.
WHERE:
The new store is located at 5005 Westone Plaza Blvd., Chantilly, Va. 
WHEN:

Grand Opening – Wed., Feb. 8, 2012 
Fundraiser -- Runs 5 Days from Wed...

Company to Draw on Blum's Branding and Marketing Expertise
DEERFIELD, IL, Feb 09, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --Cosi, Inc. (NASDAQ: COSI), the fast casual restaurant company, and Brad Blum, owner of BLUM Growth Fund, today entered into an agreement for Blum to provide consulting services related to branding, product development, merchandising and marketing in a collaborative effort to maximize long-term shareholder value. This comes on the heels of Carin Stutz's appointment as the new President and CEO of Cosi, and is part of her aggressive plan to drive sales and profitability.
"We are pleased to have Brad join us as we accelerate our work already underway to build momentum and turn this strong brand into a profitable business," said Carin Stutz...

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2012-- Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBOU), the second largest company-owned premium coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses, announced today that it will release financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 after the market close on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Management will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time the same day as the earnings release.
Listeners may also access the call by dialing 1-888-515-2880 or 1-719-457-2631 for international callers. A replay of the call will be available until Wednesday, February 29, 2012, by dialing 1-877-870-5176 or 1-858-384-5517 for international callers; the password is 4192405...

Mister Sparky, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning Launch Endorsement Deal with Three Popular Radio Personalities
Sarasota, FL – January 27, 2012 - Former Secretary of Education, Dr. Bill Bennett, FOX News Channel® contributor Mike Gallagher, and best-selling author Michael Medved will be sharing Mister Sparky®, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing®, and the One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning® mission of on-time service and superior customer care with their millions of devoted listeners in 2012.
The popular personalities, who according to Arbitron have an estimated weekly audience of 2,476,000, have personally endorsed the service companies. Across Salem Radio Network® vast network in the U...

Owner Celebrates with Free Subs
WHO:
Steve Leonard opened his third Jersey Mike’s Subs location in the San Diego area.  Located in Escondido, this restaurant joins Leonard’s Jersey Mike’s franchises in San Marcos (opened August 2010) and Rancho Bernardo (opened July 2011).   Between those two locations, Leonard’s team has raised more than $15,000 for local community schools and sports organizations.  He has been co-area director in the greater San Diego area with partner Cathy Brown for the last three years.  
WHAT: 
A grand opening and free sub fundraiser supported Cancer for College.  Anyone who had a fundraising coupon received a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution...