Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Premium retailer makes meal planning for summer occasions convenient and hassle-free.
Atlanta, GA; Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 - Party planners have HoneyBaked on their sides this summer. “What was I thinking?” doesn’t have to cross the minds of summertime hosts with more than 400 HoneyBaked locations offering complete meals ready to serve and enjoy. With Memorial Day quickly approaching and graduations already upon us, there is still time for celebrations that are as easy as pickup, heat up and eat up.
“HoneyBaked is known so well for our premium spiral-sliced hams that customers are sometimes surprised at how many other fully prepared products we offer,” says Craig Kurz, CEO for HoneyBaked...

Company’s Military Ties Include Veteran Franchise Owners and Partnerships with Organizations that Benefit Military Personnel and their Families
Plainfield, Ill. (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 - Memorial Day is a very special occasion for Spring-Green Lawn Care, as the company’s military roots run deep. Veterans who hold corporate leadership positions and those who own franchises have made a significant contribution to the lawn care company’s success. In fact, Spring-Green’s chairman Tom Hofer is a Navy veteran himself.
Hofer is proud of his military background, and strives to help his fellow veterans however he can. Hofer was one of the main reasons why Spring-Green got involved with VetFran, a subsidy program offered through the International Franchise Association that provides support to veterans looking to buy a franchise...

Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt is opening its first store in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 1, 2013.
(PRWEB) May 24, 2013 - On June 1, 2013, Sub Zero Ice Cream & Yogurt hosts its grand opening in Indianapolis, Indiana. As the first store to enter Indiana, storeowners Jason and Melissa Barth are excited to bring flash-frozen desserts to the Hoosier state.
The Sub Zero Indiana location will be at 427 Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis, just 15 minutes from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Though the store is technically open for business now, the Indiana store is offering one free kids ice cream with each adult ice cream purchased for the grand opening.
As first-time franchise owners, the Barths anticipate the opening of their store and are dedicated to providing quality service for every customer...

Battery Giant is excited to announce the opening of our 3rd store in the Chicago area, with our new retail battery store franchise location in Orland Park.
(PRWEB) May 23, 2013 - Battery Giant is excited to announce the opening of our 3rd store in the Chicago area, with our new retail battery store franchise location in Orland Park.
This franchise location is owned and operated by a father and son team, Brian Nolen and Brian Nolen II. “After over 20 years of working in sales and customer services for a major corporation, I felt that it was time to branch out on my own,” stated Brian Nolen I. “I looked for an industry that was continuously growing. I felt that Battery Giant was a company that provided a great opportunity to use my skills and experience to provide excellent products and services...

RICHMOND, Va. - May 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - The long weekend ahead kicks off the unofficial start to summer with outdoor parties, barbeques, parades and celebrations under the stars. However, a perfect storm of weather conditions over the past months have made conditions ripe for what is being predicted as a powerful crop of mosquito and tick populations to wreak havoc on outdoor plans.
Reported cases of Lyme disease continue to rise with more than 280,000 Americans being diagnosed since 2002, with an additional 30,000 diagnoses just last year. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne illness in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An illness that can have lifelong debilitating effects such as arthritis, fatigue and even neurological deficits, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged or deer ticks...

Operator Celebrates Grand Opening with Free Subs
May 17, 2013 - Cary, NC - Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs, opened its fifth Cary location on May 15. Restaurant operator Zach Carroll held a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wednesday, May 15 to Sunday, May 19 to support West Cary Middle School Parent-Teacher-Student Association.
The new restaurant, located at 2055 Renaissance Park Place, circulated 7,500 coupons throughout the community offering a free regular sub with a generous donation to West Cary Middle School Parent-Teacher-Student Association.
Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike's continued its steady growth in 2012 opening 92 new restaurants throughout the country, a 33 percent increase in new store growth over 2011...

Chicago, IL, May 24, 2013 - (PR.com) - A special Educational Presentation on the science of ballooning will be presented to Danielle-Joy Peterson Elementary School in Naperville on May 28 by the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon Team. Ninety 5th grade students at the school, located at 4008 Chinaberry Lane, Naperville, Ill., will learn about various aspects of ballooning, including its history and the scientific principles involved. They will also see a demonstration on how the balloon functions. The interactive educational program was developed for K-12 students and is sponsored by the RE/MAX real estate network in northern Illinois.
The program will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the school gymnasium, giving all students a chance to participate. The 75-foot-tall balloon envelope will be inflated with cold air, permitting students to walk inside it...

GEORGETOWN, Texas - May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Sport Clips Haircuts, the nation's leading men's and boys' hair care provider, is stepping up its already strong commitment to the military this year. From announcing its new sponsorship of the Wounded Warriors Family Support's (WWFS) High Five Tour, to planning a new scholarship program with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), to hiring a new Veterans Affairs Officer, the franchise continues in its mission to provide support for those who serve.
Throughout the year:

Sport Clips provides free calls home to deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members and their loved ones through the VFW's Operation Uplink™ program. The day before Memorial Day, more than 14,000 free phone calls home by U...

May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // DALLAS - Management of Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), will participate in the upcoming Goldman Sachs Lodging, Gaming, Restaurant and Leisure Conference on June 4th at 3:15 p.m. Eastern.
A simulcast of the presentation will be available on the company's Web site - www.brinker.com. An online replay of the presentation will be available for two weeks. To access the live simulcast of the presentation, please go to the company's Web site at least 15 minutes prior to the presentation to download and install any necessary audio software.
Brinker International either owns, operates, franchises, or is involved in the ownership of more than 1,600 restaurants under the names Chili's Grill & Bar® and Maggiano's Little Italy®...

24-Hour Neighborhood Diner to Offer ‘Any Meal Any Time’ in Warm, Friendly Environment
May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // MOUNT VERNON, TX. – Mount Vernon residents are about to experience the ultimate dose of Southern Hospitality. Huddle House, the 24-hour family-friendly restaurant chain celebrated for its comfort food, warm atmosphere and value pricing, will open its newest restaurant in Mount Vernon on May 22, 2013, featuring a refreshing new interior and exterior design.
Located at 533 Interstate 30 W, the Huddle House of Mount Vernon will feature full-service dining and an all-encompassing menu of classic breakfast, lunch and dinner favorites, including premium breakfast platters, waffles, delicious burgers, country fried steak, chicken sandwiches and much more...

May 23, 2013 // Franchising.com // WAYNE, NJ - The Toys"R"Us Children’s Fund today announced a $100,000 donation to Save the Children to provide immediate and longer-term recovery programs for communities in Moore, Oklahoma following this week’s devastating tornado.
To provide urgent assistance to families in shelters, Toys"R"Us, Inc. has made local product donations to help children impacted by the tornado. The company is also encouraging its customers to join in helping the littlest victims of this disaster by donating products through the official Save the Children registry at www.Babiesrus.com/SavetheChildren.
As a national leader in child-focused disaster response and recovery programs, Save the Children is deploying Child Friendly Space kits in shelters, creating safe play areas for kids impacted by the tornado, and is also providing infant and toddler hygiene materials to support the well-being of young children while they are displaced from their homes...

Six new U.S. Lawns franchisees came to Orlando from five locations across the country to attend New Franchise Training at the U.S. Lawns Home Office in Orlando, FL.
Orlando, FL (PRWEB) May 23, 2013 - U.S. Lawns continues to grow, just like the grass that it cuts. Commercial landscape management is a beacon to entrepreneurs, and the backing of an industry-leading franchise is a strong draw.
Their initial week-long training in Orlando immerses them in the system, and familiarizes them with the processes and tools they will use to build their business in their local markets.
“Three of our new May franchises are military vets, one is an experienced franchisee and the one is an experienced business and salesman,” U...

May 23, 2013 // Franchising.com // MADISON, N.J. - Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services, today announced the selection of 15 emerging technology companies that will compete at the Realogy FWD Innovation Summit on Tuesday, June 18. The inaugural event will be hosted at the Company's new state-of-the-art headquarters building in Madison, N.J.
"The response we received from technology entrepreneurs was tremendous, and we are thrilled to be hosting a select group of 15 companies that will compete for the right to be crowned the Realogy FWD Innovation Summit Champion," said Alex Perriello, president and CEO of the Realogy Franchise Group...

Owner Celebrates Grand Opening with Free Subs
May 17, 2013 - Statesboro, GA - Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs, officially opened its doors in Statesboro on May 15. Franchise owner Chris Brown held a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wednesday, May 15 to Sunday, May 19 to support Statesboro High School Football.
The new restaurant, located at 721 South Main Street, circulated 7,500 coupons throughout the community offering a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution to Statesboro High School Football.
Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike's continued its steady growth in 2012 opening 92 new restaurants throughout the country, a 33 percent increase in new store growth over 2011...

Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial, PGA TOUR Players and Fans Rally to Benefit Four Charities
May 23, 2013 // Franchising.com // FORT WORTH, TEXAS – PGA TOUR golfers at the 2013 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial will once again be playing for more than the traditional tartan plaid jacket. This year’s Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts “Charity Foursome” program will benefit four charities: The First Tee of Fort Worth, Year Up Atlanta, Junior Achievement USA and the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) Shelter In A Storm Program. Expect plenty of birdies and eagles over the weekend, with the entire field working hard to shoot low scores for one of the participating organizations. During Saturday and Sunday rounds, each golf pairing will be playing for one of the four charities with IHG’s Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand donating $100 for every birdie and $500 for every eagle made to the pairing’s corresponding charity, up to $50,000...

Glazer, BFS CEO, Nominated as Florida Financial Services Finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year
May 23, 2013 // Franchising.com // CORAL SPRINGS, FLORIDA - Business Financial Services, Inc. (BFS) is pleased to announce that President and CEO Marc Glazer has been named a finalist in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 awards program. Glazer, who co-founded BFS in 2002, is a finalist in the competition’s financial services category in the Florida market.
A serial entrepreneur, Glazer has transformed BFS from an online small business portal to a leading specialty finance company with more than 100 employees. Under his leadership, BFS has become one of the country’s largest providers of working capital to small and medium-size businesses in all 50 states...

May 23, 2013 // Franchising.com // Atlanta, GA - Welcomemat Services celebrated a successful year at its second annual national conference on May 3-4 at Lake Lanier in Atlanta.
The top franchisees were recognized for their hard work by Welcomemat Services founder and CEO Brian Mattingly, who awarded these model franchisees. The top categories were Franchise of the Year, awarded for the second consecutive year to Dave and Sheryl Eickman, and Franchise Runner up of the Year, won by Frank and Shelli Bernardini. The Rookie of the Year award went to David Tabb, and Trainer of the Year was awarded to Julie McCord. Welcomemat Services promotes strong connections between franchisees through business support relationships like trainee positions, as well as through events like the national conference...

Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint, The most popular build-your-own-pizza restaurant, introduces “Maddio Meals” – combo meals that let diners have more options with their pizza.
Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) May 23, 2013 - It’s no secret that almost everyone loves pizza – over 5 billion are sold around the world each year. But sometimes, even pizza lovers want something a little lighter. Keeping true to their promise of “more choices,” Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint recently introduced “Maddio Meals,” combo meals that give diners smaller portions, side dish options, and a drink for $7.99. Maddio Meals also introduce customers to their lesser known but popular paninis, salads, and soups.
“Pizza isn’t usually what you think of when you hear ‘combo meal,’” says Uncle Maddio’s Head Chef and VP of Operations Alex Cook, “but sometimes, you just want a taste of pizza and maybe a salad...

May 23, 2013 // Franchising.com // Local children's music franchise owner, Elizabeth Hawkhead, is celebrating her 10th successful year bringing music classes to the babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers of Leeds.
Former Bank Manager, Elizabeth, bought her Rhythm Time music franchise ten years ago after having her own children. As a bank manager, I had looked after other peoples' businesses and this gave me an appetite to run one of my own. Music was a passion of mine, so Rhythm Time gave me the perfect opportunity to do what I love and have a career that fitted around my young family," she quotes.
The music franchise owner's classes have proved so popular that over the past ten years, over 4000 babies and young children have attended Elizabeth's classes in Leeds...

May 23, 2013 // Franchising.com // Austin, TX - Alamo Drafthouse is proud to announce the launch of its annual Summer Kids Camp screenings, a series of films programmed specifically for families. Not only can families head to their local Alamo to spend quality time together in air-conditioned entertainment bliss, but admission to all Summer Kids Camp films is 100% free.
"Here at the Alamo, many of us have childhood memories of heading to the movies. We want to share our love of movies with our whole community and provide options for affordable family entertainment," said Amy Averett, Alamo Drafthouse Director of Private and Community Events.
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at the lobby box office. Customers are encouraged to arrive early to snag their tickets and enjoy custom family-friendly pre-shows full of eye-popping and laugh-inducing clips and shorts appropriate for all ages! See below for the full Summer Kids Camp 2013 lineup...