Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Boca Raton, FL (PRWEB) April 17, 2014 - Home Care Assistance of Boca Raton, a leading provider of non-medical, in-home senior care, recently opened doors to serve the greater Boca Raton and Delray Beach communities with its newest office. Located in the Polo Club Shoppes at 5030 Champion Boulevard, Suite G-4, the location is the 90th Home Care Assistance office in North America.
"I am excited to further our mission of changing the way the world ages in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and the surrounding areas," said Meredith LaPira, President of Home Care Assistance of Boca Raton. "We are passionate about living well at home and look forward to improving the quality of life of seniors in our community through the Balanced Care Method, our holistic approach to care that promotes healthy mind, body, and spirit, and the Cognitive Therapeutics Method, an activities-based program designed to delay the onset of cognitive decline...

Interbake to Distribute Mini Cookies in National Grocery Stores This Spring
RICHMOND, Va. - April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Mrs. Fields Famous Brands ("Mrs. Fields") and Interbake Foods LLC ("Interbake Foods") today announced the arrival of Nibblers® miniature cookies in grocery stores this spring.
Soft-baked and snack size, Nibblers® Cookies have been a favorite since their debut in the 1980s, but until now have been available for purchase only through catalogs, online, and at Mrs. Fields kiosks. Their size makes them perfect for shareable moments like sleepovers, school groups, and book clubs, or if you crave just a taste and not a full-size cookie (though it's pretty hard to eat just one).
Available at national grocery stores including Kroger this spring, Nibblers® Cookies come in Milk Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, and Double Chocolate Fudge flavors, all fudge-dipped for an irresistible new twist...

Jackson, MS (PRWEB) April 17, 2014 = Dan and Hazel Hall knew they wanted to open their own business and, when Dan's parents began to need help with downsizing and relocating, the family saw an opportunity to bring a professional company that could help with senior relocation, downsizing and estate liquidation to the Metro Jackson area.
The Halls, along with their daughter Elizabeth Brassard, just launched Caring Transitions of Metro Jackson, which specializes in organizing and managing senior relocations, downsizing, liquidation of belongings and estate sales for seniors who are moving to a smaller home, back in with their children, or into assisted living facilities as well as others facing life transitions. The Hall/Brassard familycan help withfull and partial liquidations, staging home for sale, interviewing potential realtors, and setting up belonging in a new home...

DENVER - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Apr. 17, 2014 - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2014.
Highlights for the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the first quarter of 2013 include:

Revenue increased 24.4% to $904.2 million
Comparable restaurant sales increased 13.4%
Restaurant level operating margin was 25.9%, a decrease of 40 basis points
Net income was $83.1 million, an increase of 8.5%
Diluted earnings per share was $2.64, an increase of 7.8%
Opened 44 new restaurants

"We are delighted that more and more people are choosing to visit our restaurants every day allowing us to deliver double digit comps during the quarter...

Canadian Franchise Association Recognizes the Signage & Visual Graphics Franchise for Its Dedication to Superior Franchisee Relations, Team Work and Communication
April 18, 2014 // Franchising.com // CARROLLTON, Texas - Constantly receiving top ratings by U.S. organizations for its high levels of franchisee satisfaction, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. - the worldwide franchisor for the more than 545 FASTSIGNS® sign, graphic and visual communications centers - has been recognized by an industry organization for reflecting that same commitment to its Canadian franchise partners.
The franchisor was a Silver finalist in the "Traditional - Mature Franchises" category of the 2014 Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) Award of Excellence in Franchising, and was also named a Franchisee Choice designee for the third consecutive year...

April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // LINCOLN, NE – CruiseOne® has received World-Class Franchise® certification from the Franchise Research Institute®.
The recognition comes after an independent survey conducted by the Franchise Research Institute, in which 70.6 percent of a research control group of 300 CruiseOne franchisees participated.
"One of the most important means of creating and maintaining a truly successful franchise system is to meet or exceed the expectations of its franchisees," says Jeff Johnson, founder and CEO of the Franchise Research Institute. "A key step in this process is to obtain open, honest feedback from franchisees through confidential, third-party research. CruiseOne was not afraid to ask their franchise owners tough questions, and their high marks provide scientific proof that they are consistently meeting franchisees' needs...

Owner Celebrates With Free Sub Fundraiser
April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // Rosemead, CA - Jersey Mike's Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs, opened in Rosemead on April 9. Franchise owner Alvaro Garcia held a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wednesday, April 9 to Sunday, April 13 to support Shuey Elementary School, Encinita Elementary School, Savannah Elementary School, Janson Elementary School, and Muscatel Middle School.
The new restaurant, located at 3614 Rosemead Boulevard, circulated 3,000 coupons throughout the community offering a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution to these schools. Customers must have a coupon to be eligible.
"At Jersey Mike's we are committed to making a difference in the community, "said Garcia...

On the heels of the popular Silk Vanilla Almondmilk Fro-Yo, TCBY continues to innovate with a spring-inspired, plant-based, dairy-free frozen yogurt made with Silk Coconutmilk
April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // Denver, Colo. - TCBY™ is thrilled to announce that it is continuing its strong partnership with Silk® with the introduction of a new, purely plant-based ingredient offering. On April 24, 2014, Silk Coconutmilk Frozen Yogurt will be unveiled at TBCY stores nationwide, readying palettes for springtime and balmy weather with the quintessential tropical flavor.
"This is a delicious new way to enjoy our expanding portfolio of dairy-free fro-yo flavors," said Kelly Miano, Director of Marketing at Famous Brands International...

Despite Harsh Winter across the U.S., Leading Smoothie Franchise; Celebrates Same-store Sales of Approximately 7.2 Percent
April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // NEW ORLEANS, La. – Smoothie King Franchises, Inc., the premier smoothie and nutritional lifestyle center, announced today it reported strong same-store sales growth of approximately 7.2 percent for the first quarter of 2014.
"Many quick-serve concepts saw sales and traffic decline because of the severe winter weather we had in many parts of the U.S., but Smoothie King continued to experience impressive same-store sales results," said Smoothie King Global CEO Wan Kim. "As we continue to outpace the competition, Smoothie King has proven to be one of the best franchise opportunities in the segment as consumers’ desire to live a more healthy, active lifestyle drives traffic to our locations year round...

April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // LAS VEGAS - Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, creator of the world's first all-trampoline, walled playing court and the sport of Ultimate Dodgeball, will host the Third Annual Ultimate Dodgeball Championship Friday, Aug. 8 to Sunday, Aug. 10 at Sky Zone Las Vegas. $50,000 in cash prizes will be up for grabs amongst the final eight teams, which will compete in the championship bracket Sunday following the regional brackets Friday and Saturday. The Ultimate Dodgeball event combines the high-flying action and athleticism of Sky Zone's patented playing courts with the tradition of regular dodgeball. The championship bracket will be filmed and later broadcast throughout the U.S.
Prior to the highly anticipated regional and championship brackets in Las Vegas, Local Qualifier tournaments will take place Monday, June 23 to Sunday, June 29 at more than 50 Sky Zone parks throughout the United States and Canada to determine which teams will advance to Las Vegas...

April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // DALLAS – As our nation's healthcare habits shift from costly trips to the emergency room to preventive care, Star Wellness® is at the forefront of educating both employees and employers on the importance of early detection.
With onsite wellness clinics providing a convenient way for a company to offer health screenings to employees, Star Wellness can help avert potentially devastating healthcare crises.
Since 2006, Star Wellness has conducted over 104,000 blood draws and tests, over 21,000 vascular ultrasounds and over 106,000 inoculations (78,000 of those for the flu). While the result can vary from industry to industry, here are the most common health issues Star Wellness has found facing today's workforce:

Obesity / high BMI
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Vitamin D deficiency

Left untreated, these issues can lead to more serious problems ranging from diabetes and thyroid disease to heart disease and various cancers...

April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // Villains! They're what make your favorite heroes heroic. They're the engines that drive conflict in many of the greatest movies. And every now and again they're more interesting, more dynamic than the hero.
This May, the Alamo Drafthouse and Birth.Movies.Death. , the magazine centered on the monthly programming theme at Alamo Drafthouse theaters, are celebrating the truly exceptional bad guys -- the most evil, the most awful and the most awesome. We love villains and we're not ashamed to admit it, and this May is a good month for villain-lovers: Spider-Man's Sinister Six rogue's gallery begins forming in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the X-Men finally face mutant killing Sentinel robots in X-Men: Days Of Future Past and Disney offers us the secret origin of Sleeping Beauty's nasty, occasionally dragon-formed witch with Maleficent...

Award-Winning Casual Dining Franchise Kicks Off Anniversary Year with Bucket List Giveaway
April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // SHARON, PA. - The Award-Winning casual-dining franchise Quaker Steak & Lube®, known for its Best Wings USA and more than 25 sauces, announced today a year-long celebration of the brand's 40th anniversary. The company is commemorating four smokin' hot decades with a national social media promotion, in-restaurant promotions, special menus and a limited edition "throwback" bottle of its popular sauce.
"We are growing aggressively in both new and existing markets while also achieving this incredible milestone of 40 years in business," said Megan Duniec, vice president of marketing, Quaker Steak & Lube®...

Massage Envy Spa Honors Moms with Relaxation this Mother's Day, May 11th
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - April 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - Finding that perfect "something" for Mother's Day can be a challenge. One thing is for sure - a day at the spa is something every mom deserves to help relax and de-stress. At Massage Envy Spa, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services, you can treat her to a full day of pampering from head to toe.
With a gift card to Massage Envy Spa, you can start mom on the path to wellness and have her customize her own "ME" day. We suggest beginning with a Swedish massage, which uses light to medium pressure that releases tension and heals aching joints. You can enhance the massage with one of four AromaTherapy blends, such as Lavender Garden or Mint & Rosemary, because mom will love the natural fragrant oils extracted from herbs, flowers and fruits to help relieve stress...

National Educational Child Care Company Expands Brand Presence in Illinois, New Jersey and Missouri
April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // Abingdon, MD – Kiddie Academy®, a nationally recognized provider of comprehensive education-based child care programs, has just opened its newest franchise locations in Naperville, Illinois; West Caldwell, New Jersey and O’Fallon, Missouri this month.
The company, founded in 1981, has been franchising since 1992. The three newest locations join 117 others in the system, totaling 120 academies in 23 states across the country. According to Greg White, vice president of franchise development, the Kiddie Academy team provides thorough support services to all of the academies within the system...

April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // Boston, MA – Stacie B. Collier and Eric Paley will lead Nixon Peabody's national Labor & Employment practice of more than 70 attorneys. The practice covers every angle of the workplace from complex ERISA matters to safety regulations to health care reform.
"The pace of employment law is astounding. Our clients are focused on attracting and retaining top talent, complying with new and more complex employment laws and regulations, and managing rapid advances in technology that are transforming the workplace," said Andrew I. Glincher, CEO and Managing Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP. "Eric and Stacie are focused on the future of the workplace and will lead our team of attorneys in tracking evolving employment laws, market trends and technological advances to spot what's next for our clients...

60 Years of Brand Success, a Robust Franchise Support System and Pent-Up Demand Signifies Aa Bright Future for The Iconic Brand
April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // OKLAHOMA CITY - With more than 60 years in the quick-service game and a robust presence in the South and Central Plains, SONIC® Drive-In (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, is making bold progress in its commitment to expanding across the United States primarily through coast-to-coast franchise development. The brand recently placed in the top six percent of franchise brands in the Entrepreneur 2014 Franchise 500, coming in as the third highest burger chain among all franchise brands reviewed, signifying a strong start to 2014. As a franchise-centric company offering substantial franchisee support services, a national advertising budget in excess of $100 million annually and brand differentiation impossible to duplicate, SONIC Drive-In is primed for expansion with a goal of one thousand new drive-ins in the next 10 years...

April 17, 2014 // Franchising.com // MADISON, N.J. - Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced the launch of "Extraordinary AnglesSM," a new lifestyle video series showcasing unique properties and lifestyles from around the world.
The first four videos in the series focus on kitchens, wine cellars, oceanfront and ski properties, with additional planned. Each three to five minute "webisode" takes viewers on inspiring tours through some of the finest properties represented by the Sotheby's International Realty® brand in the world's most distinct locations. The series is available on the brand's website by going here:[http://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/extraordinary-angles].
"Our research tells us that today's luxury consumer seeks a home that meets their unique lifestyle, so at the Sotheby's International Realty brand, we truly understand the important role lifestyle plays in the purchase of a property," said Wendy Purvey, chief marketing officer, Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC...

FranklinCovey Honors Early Education Leader for Achievements as a Pioneer in the Industry
Glen Allen, Va. (PRWEB) April 17, 2014 - Rainbow Station, a leader in early childhood education, school age recreation and wellness, recently announced its Three Chopt school has achieved Lighthouse Status. Recognized as the first preschool and school age recreation program in the world to hold this position, Rainbow Station now joins a group of 70+ other education systems with this prestigious title. Spearheaded by FranklinCovey, the Leader In Me Lighthouse Status is focused on rewarding schools that have developed and maintained a strong leadership platform.
"It is an honor to be recognized as the first Lighthouse preschool in the world," said Gail Johnson, CEO and Founder of Rainbow Station...

Princeton, N.J. (PRWEB) April 17, 2014 - Intelligent Office, a virtual office facility providing services for mobile executives, small businesses, professional services firms, and independent contractors, has announced it has signed a lease on a new location in Princeton, New Jersey.
The opening of a location in Princeton, New Jersey means that the entrepreneurial ecosystem and professional community can tap into professional services and resources that allow for flexibility and mobility, giving people the ability to easily conduct business anytime, anywhere.
"With the high concentration of people that are critical thinkers in our area and the ongoing innovation that happens as a result of the University, Princeton is an ideal location for services and resources that are targeted specifically to entrepreneurs and professionals," said Tom Smith, President of Intelligent Office Princeton...