Franchise Industry Strategic Alliances

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...

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...

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...

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...

As part of the launch, Jenny announces national support for the American Heart Association's Heart Walk events.
CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenny Craig, one of the world's leading authorities on weight management, announced today its support of the American Heart Association's My Heart. My Life. healthy living initiative by launching a multi-faceted program entitled My Heart. My Life. My Jenny with global superstar Mariah Carey, best-selling female artist of all time, in the month of February during American Heart Month.
Most people don't realize that weight impacts their heart health and maintaining a healthy weight can positively impact risk factors including, blood pressure and cholesterol management, blood sugar levels, and BMI...

European Wax Center franchises in California have partnered up with a professional NBA team.
Folsom, CA (PRWEB) February 08, 2012 - European Wax Center Folsom-Parkway, alongside European Wax Center Folsom-Broadstone, recently announced a sponsorship with the Sacramento Kings for the 2012 regular season. Throughout February European Wax Center Folsom-Parkway and Folsom-Broadstone will be at the Power Balance Pavilion supporting the Sacramento Kings.
Typically providing high quality, professional body waxing in Folsom, El Dorado Hills, CA, European Wax Center Folsom-Parkway will be teaming up with other European Wax Centers in the area to provide their waxing services at several Sacramento Kings home games.
There will be an official European Wax Center tent set up in the indoor concourse at the Power Balance Pavilion where there will be two waxing tables set up, and licensed estheticians will be providing free facial and arm waxing in Folsom, Sacramento, CA for fans at the game...

New Collection of Mini Plush Stuffed Animals Available for a Limited Time
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2012-- Build-A-Bear Workshop®, the interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, announced today the continuation of its relationship with McDonald’s through the McDonald’s Happy Meal program. From February 10 through March 8, a new collection of Build-A-Bear Workshop mini stuffed animals will be featured in the McDonald’s Happy Meal. Guests who purchase a Happy Meal during this time period will also receive a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $30 or more at Build-A-Bear Workshop.
This program marks the fourth collection of mini-plush Build-A-Bear Workshop furry friends to be featured in McDonald’s Happy Meals...

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A 32-year-old waitress in Hollywood, Florida is on the move once again. This time she is organizing a massive jobs initiative that calls for big businesses to offer employment opportunities to the communities that have supported their success. Denny's Restaurants has taken the lead by partnering with The Rebuild Your Life Project, Patterson's empowerment outreach for women.
"I hope that other American big businesses decide to partner with The Rebuild Your Life Project," Patterson said. "This is a great way for big businesses to attract the type of employees that really want to contribute their skills and it helps to debunk the myth that large corporations do not care about the very people who have helped them to achieve their level of success...

Panera Bread's 'Soup for the Soul' Campaign to Benefit Kids Against Hunger
CINCINNATI, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Panera Bread is hosting the second annual Soup for the Soul campaign to benefit Kids Against Hunger. Throughout February at all southwest Ohio bakery-cafes, a portion of soup in a bread bowl sales will be donated to Kids Against Hunger, a family friendly program providing nutrient rich meals to local children and children in need around the world.
From February 1 – February 29 all southwest Ohio bakery-cafes will be participating in Soup for the Soul. Panera Bread guests will be encouraged to upgrade their soup purchases in order to help make a donation to Kids Against Hunger. Panera Bread has a variety of 10 soups on the menu, including the new All-Natural Sonoma Chicken Stew with Dry Jack Cheese Biscuit...

The Filta Group, on behalf of its employees and franchisees, has made a charitable donation to the Orlando Regional Medical Center’s Burn Unit for the relief of burn victims. The company hopes to bring awareness to kitchen safety.
Orlando, FL (PRWEB) February 08, 2012 - The kitchen is arguably the most dangerous place in home and commercial venues. It is the place where most accidents can occur due to the hustle and bustle of trying to get food prepared and out in a timely manner. With all this activity, adults and children are very susceptible to becoming burn victims. That is why Filta has decided to make a donation toward the Burn Unit at the Orlando Regional Medical Center in hopes of helping to relieve some of the financial stress associated with severe burn victims and shedding light on how to prevent the injuries...

DALLAS, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fireman's Contractors, Inc. (OTCBB: FRCN) (OTCQB: FRCN) today announced a new commercial contract with Riverbend Properties, a premier Texas business park located in East Fort Worth. Riverbend Properties offers approximately 1.5 million square feet of office space in its 32-building office park for industrial, commercial and warehouse tenants. Fireman's Contractors recently completed onsite pavement maintenance for Riverbend, and has been contracted to provide additional parking lot maintenance service for the business park.
Commenting on the contract, Renee Gilmore, CEO of Fireman's, stated, "The Riverbend contract further solidifies our strategic initiative to expand Fireman's professional services for commercial and government clients...

Local Carmel Resident Also Donates $10,000 in KFC® Prizes to Local Children's Hospital.
February 07, 2012 // Franchising.com // LOUISVILLE, KY - It was a great party and an even better cause. Kentucky Fried Chicken named Joel Markland of Carmel, Ind. the recipient of KFC's Ultimate Wingman party with football legend and network TV sports commentator, Shannon Sharpe. Instead of keeping the party to himself, Joel hosted a bevy of staff, volunteers and former patients from the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent yesterday at his home. Markland is also donating the $10,000 in prize money, which was earmarked for a media room makeover in his home, to the hospital.
"As the father to three young girls, I want to teach them the importance of giving back...

Cousins Subs to Donate Portion of Sales to Local Church After Devastating Fire
February 07, 2012 // Franchising.com // MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. - Menomonee Falls based Cousins Subs® announced today that seven participating stores throughout the Milwaukee area will donate 10 percent of sales on Sunday, February 12 to benefit the St. Alphonsus Parish on West Loomis Road in Greendale. The church suffered smoke and water damage from an overnight fire on December 24, 2011.
"As Cousins Subs franchisees, we are deeply committed to the communities which we serve and do our part to give back," said Tom Jones, owner of four participating Cousins Subs stores. "We encourage everyone to visit a participating Cousins Subs store on February 12 to support the recovery of St...

RYE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RE/MAX LLC, the world’s leading real estate brand, announced an initiative today that the company expects to be a great leap forward in its strategy to support investors in American Housing. RE/MAX has entered into a relationship with OwnAmerica, the leading provider of investment analysis tools, education and technology to the real estate industry. OwnAmerica will train and certify RE/MAX Broker/Owners and sales associates across the globe on using American Housing as a wealth building asset.
“If RE/MAX can tap into the power of investors, and enable a new generation of investor to enter the market, we can play a role in healing the national housing crisis. That is our ultimate goal.”
Dave Liniger, RE/MAX Chairman and Co-founder commented on the new relationship, “We believe investors represent a crucial untapped reservoir of demand that our housing market needs right now...

GLENDALE, Calif., Feb 06, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) --IHOP(R) is launching two programs to raise awareness for its annual free pancake giveaway fundraiser benefitting Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. The family-friendly restaurant chain invites pancake lovers to receive a wake up call on February 28, 2012 - IHOP's National Pancake Day - from a teen heartthrob, an NFL Hall of Famer, a GRAMMY(R)-nominated singer, or one of the most beautiful women in America. Flapjack fanatics can also participate in IHOP's "Stacks for Good Acts" national online contest, which will reward one lucky winner with a year's supply of free pancakes on National Pancake Day.
To spread the word about National Pancake Day, several Children's Miracle Network Hospitals' celebrity supporters have joined forces to "wake up" fans and encourage them to seek out free pancakes on Tuesday, February 28...

Stratus joins the IFA to announce Operation Enduring Opportunity, which pledges to hire and recruit 75,000 veterans and 5,000 wounded warriors. Stratus' Veteran Plan seeks to help transition our veterans with ease into business ownership.
St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) February 06, 2012 - Stratus Building Solutions is a proud member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and excited to share in the announcement of “Operation Enduring Opportunity,” which is a campaign to hire and recruit 75,000 veterans and 5,000 wounded warriors by 2012. Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America, made the November announcement as part of the White House Joining Forces Initiative and is the largest veteran hiring commitment yet...

The source of the leak had stumped local water officials since Friday morning when staff made them aware of the need to pump more water.
City crews spent four days trying to locate the elusive gusher with outdated maps, but they ultimately decided to call in the experts.
Roseburg, Ore. (PRWEB) February 04, 2012 - American Leak Detection technician Dan Schaffner spent three days diligently surveying 20 miles of pipe to locate a hidden leak causing Roseburg to lose 1,200 gallons of treated water per minute, totaling up to 2 million gallons a day. The city’s reservoir supply had dropped so drastically, officials initially asked more than 10,000 water customers to conserve resources.
The source of the leak had stumped local water officials since Friday morning when staff made them aware of the need to pump more water...

North America's Largest Pet Care Franchise Finishes Providing $50,000 "Extreme Makeover" To Western Pennsylvania Humane Society
NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Camp Bow Wow, North America's largest and fastest growing pet care franchise, an INC 5000 company, announces the completion of its "On Our Way Home Project," a philanthropic initiative through its non-profit organization, the Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, which provided a grant for remodeling and operational assistance to the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society's Fallen Timber location.
After multiple phases of the campaign throughout the past year, which included accepting nominations from shelters-in-need across the country, the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society's Fallen Timber location was deemed the winner - chosen as the recipient of the grant based on an internal franchisee-wide voting process and funded entirely from within the Camp Bow Wow franchise system...

RadioShack Marks World Cancer Day With Contribution to LIVESTRONG
February 03, 2012 // Franchising.com // Fort Worth , TX -  In observation for the upcoming annual World Cancer Day on Feb. 4, RadioShack Corp. announced a substantial increase in its total contributions to LIVESTRONG , reaching a yearly total of $5.7 million in 2011. RadioShack, in association with its customers and suppliers, has contributed more than $12 million since 2009 in support of programs and services by LIVESTRONG , the foundation that serves people affected by cancer and empowers them to take action against the world's leading cause of death.
RadioShack's contributions to LIVESTRONG result from a combination of customer donations at the point of sale in its company-operated stores and dealer locations nationwide, direct corporate donations and sales of LIVESTRONG -branded products, including the iconic yellow LIVESTRONG wristband...

February 03, 2012 // Franchising.com // MOORESVILLE, N.C. - Kasey Kahne Racing (KKR) announced today that longtime sponsor, Great Clips, will back Joey Saldana for the 2012 World of Outlaws season. Great Clips has been a sponsor of KKR for the past two seasons on the #91 car with drivers Cody Darrah and Paul McMahan. In 2012, they will be a primary sponsor on the #9 entry with Saldana as well as an associate sponsor on Brad Sweet’s #49 and Cody Darrah’s #5 World of Outlaws cars.
“The folks at Great Clips have been a great partner of mine for years in both my Nationwide Series efforts as well as my sprint car teams and we look forward to continuing that relationship,” said Kasey Kahne, owner of Kasey Kahne Racing...