Franchise Industry Expansions

New Hotel and Retail Complex Offer New Accommodations, Shopping, and Dining Destination for Travelers
CHICAGO - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H), Interstate Hotels & Resorts and Carpenter & Company today announce the grand opening of Hyatt Place Boston/Braintree, marking the first Hyatt Place on the South Shore and the second Hyatt Place in Massachusetts. Located across the street from South Shore Shopping Plaza in Braintree, the 204-room hotel offers business and leisure travelers comfortable and functional amenities in close proximity to a number of local businesses, restaurants, and Boston’s Logan International Airport.
South Shore Place, which is a project led by Carpenter & Company, is adjacent to the hotel and will officially open this summer...

Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies welcome Tony Mai as their newest Franchisee who plans to begin with a fixed kiosk location in Austin, Texas.
Greenwood Village, Colo. (PRWEB) May 16, 2012 - Maui Wowi Hawaiian has selected their newest franchisee to bring more of the all-natural smoothie and Hawaiian coffee brand to the Austin, Texas area. Franchisee Tony Mai is on track to begin building a business that will serve quality products in a laidback Hawaiian atmosphere.
“I love the concept and products that Maui Wowi brings to the table. The brand and the logo stand out and are different from any other smoothie place out there,” said Mai. “I have been looking for a business that I can enjoy, have fun and put smiles on every customer’s face every time they walk in the store; Maui Wowi is that business!”
Mai originally lived in Louisiana and has extensive food and beverage experience, owning a convenience store, a Chinese restaurant, as well as a pizza business...

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...

Following an $18m Renovation to Historic Hotel Property
May 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // NEW ORLEANS, LA – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and the owner of Hyatt French Quarter, a joint venture between Carey-Watermark Investors and HRI Properties today announce the opening of Hyatt French Quarter in New Orleans. This marks the third Hyatt hotel to enter the New Orleans market within the last year. Hyatt French Quarter connects the downtown Central Business District with the French Quarter, providing both business and leisure travelers with a luxurious and convenient location in The Big Easy.
Hyatt French Quarter will remain a cornerstone property in the city’s most popular neighborhood, capturing the old world charm of New Orleans in a modern setting...

Zack Fight of Kentucky, Wes Parkinson of Michigan Overcome Tornado, Knee Damage to Open Chem-Dry Locations
NASHVILLE, TN--(Marketwire - May 15, 2012) - The two newest members of the Chem-Dry franchise family are longtime small businessmen who fought through injury and natural disaster to open their Chem-Dry locations in areas new to the world's largest carpet cleaner.
Wes Parkinson of Grand Rapids, Mich., was all set to move forward with his training and opening in late spring. Then, a few weeks ago, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in one of his knees while playing pickup basketball at lunch.
Parkinson plans to open in July now. But the injury hasn't deterred him. "We offer something better," he said. "If I didn't believe in it, I wouldn't do it...

Local Franchisee, Brian Herczeg, Opens First Cousins Subs® Location on Thursday, May 17
May 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // Menomonee Falls, Wis. – Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based Cousins Subs® today announced they will be unwrapping a new location in Glendale, Ariz. on Thursday, May 17. Wisconsin native, Brian Herczeg and his partners – father Les Herczeg, sister Christina Herczeg, and brother-in-law Matt Walsh - will be opening their first Cousins Subs location at 5350 W. Bell Road, Suite 108, Glendale, Ariz. 85308. Matt will be leading the efforts as part owner and manager of the new store.
The newest Cousins Subs store will offer deli-style sandwiches with freshly sliced meats and vegetables, and will be one of the first stores in the area to serve-up fries and grilled sandwiches...

Rapidly Growing Auto Repair and Maintenance Franchise Signs Co-Region Developer Agreement to Open New Locations throughout Indianapolis, Ind., Louisville, Ky. and Cincinnati, Ohio
May 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // INDIANAPOLIS – Honest-1 Auto Care, the only national full-service auto repair and maintenance franchise that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, has announced plans to open more than 20 new locations throughout Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio during the next 5 to 7 years. Mark Carney and John Bontreger, new Co-Region Developers of Honest-1 Auto Care, are responsible for growing the brand throughout these key markets.
Currently, both Carney and Bontreger are co-owners of Riverstone Partners, a boutique real estate development company that specializes in multi-family projects, condos and townhomes...

Ottawa, ON – May 9, 2012 – On Saturday, May 12, the Giant Tiger store on 1251 Huron Street in London, Ontario will reveal its new look! With over 17,000 sq.ft. of selling space, this store is sure to impress as it showcases a “new store experience” renovation, with an outstanding new interior decor, merchandising and signage program.
“Many thanks to our store team for working so hard through these renovations. It wasn’t always easy, but everyone persevered knowing that the end product was well worth the effort” says Store Owner, Sam Sanfilippo. “Our customers are already in love with their beautiful new store and they can rest assured that they will continue to enjoy the same low prices and outstanding value they’ve come to expect from Giant Tiger...

Kid's Closet Connection expands to Columbia, Mo. Kid's Closet Connection offers a proven and profitable business model to savvy moms who understand just how profitable children's consignment franchises can be.
Columbia, MO, May 14, 2012 - (PR.com) - A treasure trove of like-new children’s clothing and toys can be found in nearly every household. Kids consignment sales, like Kid’s Closet Connection, continue to explode in popularity as more families sell gently used items through consignment to supplement income and buy children’s items at up to a 90% savings over retail to stretch their budgets. It is no wonder that Kid’s Closet Connection’s proven and profitable franchise model is attracting business savvy moms like Ashley Boock, one of the company’s newest franchise owners...

Tripoli, IA
May 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // Tripoli, Iowa - Chester's, the leading fried chicken foodservice offering in the convenience store category, is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Tripoli, IA. Chester's is located in Guppy's Market.
The new location will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food will be served from 11:00am - 9:00pm. They will offer Chester's signature menu items such as fried bone-in chicken, chicken tenders, potato wedges, and biscuits, as well as additional menu offerings to be complemented with Chester's branded sauces.
"Customers have been asking for several weeks when Chester's will be open," stated Tim Harnisch, General Manager of Guppy's Market. Lisa Smith, Deli Manager for Guppy's Market continued to say, "Chester's is a great product...

Wilmington, MA
Wilmington, MA (May 8, 2012) - Chester's, the leading fried chicken foodservice offering in the convenience store category, is proud to announce the grand opening of its location in Wilmington, MA - home of the bright red Baldwin Apple.
Chester's Chicken "On The Fly" opened it's doors Monday, April 30 at The Corner Store, which is just minutes from Cranberry Bog. The hours of operation are 11:00am - 8:00pm. They will have menu items such as Chester's tenders, Chester's signature potato wedges, and biscuits. In addition to those, other menu offerings and combos are offered. The customer also has the choice of 6 different Chester's branded sauces to compliment the meal.
Krish Patel stated, "Chester's will be a great addition to the fine products we already offer...

New Restaurant in Loves Park Tops Hardee’s Domestic Sales Mark in First Week
ST. LOUIS - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Burger lovers in Loves Park, Illinois wasted no time welcoming Hardee’s® back into the community last week. The newly opened Hardee’s in the Rockford area set a company sales record in its opening week in Loves Park, topping the previous Hardee’s domestic sales mark at a Sioux Falls, South Dakota restaurant in October 2010.
“We knew the people of Loves Park missed Hardee’s and were excited for the new opening but this surpassed our expectations,” said Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc., parent company of Hardee’s. “Obviously, as our results in the Rockford area show, the people of northern Illinois love our big, delicious burgers and Made From Scratch Biscuits™...

New FroYo concept aims to change lives, one cup at a time.
May 14, 2012 // Franchising.com // CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Beginning this weekend, Charlottesville residents will be able to enjoy flavorful FroYo from a new location on a mission to serve up more than just a sweet treat.
Bloop Frozen Yogurt will open in a 1,800-square-foot location at 1430 Rolkin Court, adjacent to the new Wells Fargo Bank, just off Richmond Road/Highway 250 in Luxor Shopping Center. Grand Opening festivities are planned this Saturday, May 19, beginning at 11 a.m. Guests will have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including free yogurt for a year.
Bloop offers guests 12 original flavors of frozen yogurt at a time rotating on a monthly basis, all crafted with real fruits, cocoas, coffee and more, plus a toppings bar featuring a wide variety of items including fresh fruit, when in season...

35 Shops Expected to Open by 2018
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation announced today that it has signed its first development agreement in India, a regional agreement with new franchisee Bedrock Food Company Pvt., Ltd. Under the new agreement, Bedrock Food Company is expected to open 35 stores over the next five years. The stores will be located in six states in the North region of India, which includes the cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Lucknow.
Jeff Welch, Krispy Kreme President, International commented, "We are excited to partner with Bedrock Food Company in taking the great taste and experience of Krispy Kreme to the people of North India. Manpreet Gulri and his team are leaders in the QSR segment in India...

The World's Largest Barbecue Chain Turns up the Heat on Barbecue University
DALLAS, May 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dickey's Barbecue Pit is kicking up its heels while celebrating the newly expanded training university and development of their Barbecue Pit Master Program.
"Training is the backbone of our growing franchise," said Roland Dickey, Jr. president of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. "Solid training is essential to guarantee our franchise will be successful year after year and we take that education program very seriously."
Barbecue U is Dickey's "barbecue boot camp." It's a development program that infuses owners and employees with the Dickey family secrets to running a successful restaurant. The training focuses on food preparation, business systems and the personality behind the brand...

European Wax Center Cary - Tryon Village opened in March, already sets a standard for guest service and loyalty in the Raleigh-Durham area.
Cary, NC (PRWEB) May 12, 2012 - European Wax Center, named by Inc. Magazine as the fastest growing franchise and industry leader, has come to Cary, North Carolina. Since its recent Grand Opening, it has already generated quite a buzz in the community by bringing the latest in hair removal in Morrisville, Cary, North Carolina to Cary.
To welcome all first time guests, European Wax Center Cary – Tryon Village is presenting a Free Wax Offer to both women and men. Women can choose between a free eyebrow waxing, underarm waxing, or bikini waxing in Apex, Cary, North Carolina. Men are eligible for a free ear wax, nose wax, or eyebrow waxing in Holly Springs, Cary, North Carolina...

5/1/2012 - Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., the franchise division of Weichert, Realtors®, continues to raise its profile throughout the country with the addition of three new franchise offices to its growing network. The new Weichert offices are located in key markets within New York, Pennsylvania and Nebraska.
“We are happy to welcome these talented sales teams to our franchise network,” said Martin J. Rueter, president of Weichert Real Estate Affiliates. “Under the Weichert banner, they will be able to access our tools and resources, use them to provide better service to customers and offer more opportunities for their sales agents to succeed.”
The new affiliates that joined the Weichert network include:
Weichert, Realtors® - The Spiesman Group: Broker Randy Spiesman, a long-time Weichert Realtor, recently purchased Weichert, Realtors’ Kingston, N...

Maui Wowi Hawaiian opens a mobile unit on the 16th Street Pedestrian Mall in Downtown Denver to serve all-natural fresh fruit smoothies to visitors.
Greenwood Village, CO (PRWEB) May 11, 2012 - Maui Wowi Hawaiian has officially opened a mobile fresh fruit smoothie cart on the 16th Street Mall in Denver, Colorado. The outdoor location opened May 10, 2012 between Glenarm and Tremont Streets, and will be joining other mobile vendors to offer more food and beverage options to the downtown area.
Mobile food and beverage vendors have become a fixture in many metropolitan areas, bringing the convenience of quick service restaurants together with quality local fare. With so many options to choose from these days, Maui Wowi Hawaiian sets itself apart with their one of a kind, all-natural, fresh fruit smoothies...

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions has opened up a new location in Charleston, SC. The franchise is rapidly expanding its eco-friendly services across Charleston.
Charleston, SC (PRWEB) May 11, 2012 - The Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions franchise has been practicing sustainability solutions internationally ever since its inception in 1996. As the years have progressed, the eco-friendly franchise has opened its services in various cities and its most recent location in Charleston, SC will be headed by Todd Barnum. Mr. Barnum has already began servicing some major accounts in his area including the Boeing Plant, Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, various local restaurant establishments, Sheraton Hotels, and Beaufort Memorial Hospital. “I’ve been offering Filta’s services for the past few months and my business has expanded so rapidly that I am looking to getting a second van!” Todd stated...

Chicago Ridge Mayor Eugene Siegel to Open First New Look Coffee House in Chicago Ridge
SYDNEY, May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Lovers of Gloria Jean's Coffees will be in for a treat when they visit the new look coffee house in Chicago Ridge. Gloria Jean's Coffees launches on Monday, 14th of May in Chicago Ridge revealing their new Coffee House of the Future vision.
This is the first coffee house in the United States to incorporate the Coffee House of the Future vision, the biggest and most significant change to the brand in the company's history.
Gloria Jean's Coffees International Executive Chairman, Nabi Saleh will mark its official opening on Monday by cutting the ribbon, in front of Chicago Ridge Mayor, Eugene Siegel, and esteemed guests...