Franchise Industry News & Announcements

National Senior Care Company Demonstrates Commitment to Quality Care
Gilbert, AZ (PRWEB) May 23, 2012 - SYNERGY HomeCare today announced the completion of a comprehensive national client satisfaction benchmarking research project with Home Care Pulse. SYNERGY HomeCare is now officially a Home Care Pulse certified quality home care provider.
“Home Care Pulse certification reinforces SYNERGY HomeCare’s commitment to provide the highest level of quality care," says Dallas Bennewitz, Vice President of Marketing for SYNERGY HomeCare. “Our clients now have additional proof of our dedication to provide compassionate high quality care and we are proud to have earned Home Care Pulse certification.”
More than one thousand surveys were completed over three months for SYNERGY HomeCare agencies...

Fresh Coat Painters is bringing its professional services to Chicago’s North Shore with the launch of Fred Alsen’s franchise to serve Winnetka, Evanston, Northbrook, Highland Park and their surrounding communities.
Cincinnati, Ohio (PRWEB) May 23, 2012 - With the launch of his Fresh Coat Painters franchise, Fred Alsen hopes to complement his already successful interior design business by providing professional painting services in Chicago’s North Shore communities. “Fresh Coat gets that it’s about client service, being friendly, listening, and being flexible to address each client’s needs,” he said. “I know that starting a business often involves a long process to make it work. With Fresh Coat, I felt all the elements were already in place to make it work...

Buffalo Wild Wings provides the inside pitch with the first installment of its “Voice of the Fan” survey series.
MINNEAPOLIS - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Sports fans are known for their passion, loyalty, superstitions – but most of all – opinions. From the broadcast booth and sideline reporters to sports radio and blogs, the “experts” debate issues in every sport. But where do the fans stand on the hard-hitting questions in the sports world? Buffalo Wild Wings enlisted independent research firm ORC International to conduct its first national “Voice of the Fan” survey to take the temperature of those who know the game, love the game and live the game: the fans.
“Spirited debates are as much a part of sports as home runs, touch downs and league records,” said Kathy Benning, Buffalo Wild Wings executive vice president, global marketing and brand development...

ATLANTA, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, May 28 Hooters will honor all veterans and active duty military personnel with 10 of Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings. All day on Memorial Day, personnel with proof of service or a Military ID will receive 10 free wings. The offer is for either boneless or traditional wings with purchase of a drink and is only available for dine in orders.
Hooters supports various military efforts throughout the year including an annual fundraising effort raising money for The Valentine Fund and Operation Homefront, in honor of fallen hero SOCS Thomas J. Valentine. Over $300,000 has been donated toward the fund supporting the families of Special Forces service members and other military families...

World's Largest Barbecue Franchise Has Smokin' Expansion Plans
PHILADELPHIA, Miss., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dickey's Barbecue Pit is steering growth to Mississippi. The barbecue franchise that boasts lip smackin', great tastin' barbecue currently has five locations in the state and another set to open later this summer.
"The growth rate in Mississippi has been incredible," said Roland Dickey, Jr., president of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. "We're excited about the new Philadelphia location and look forward to continued expansion in the state."
Franchise owner, Doug Wilkerson, just signed a lease for his new location at 280 Canal Place in Philadelphia. He plans to open mid-August. In addition, franchise owner, Steve Early, is currently searching for his second site in the Madison area and has plans for three additional sites...

May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // According to the latest results released by topfranchise.com.au, bedding retailer Snooze has firmed up its ranking as one of Australia’s most desired franchised businesses, leaping up the overall top 10 rankings table from nine to six.
The recent survey was voted for by over 2,000 Australian franchise owners across a range of categories taking into account areas such as support, expansion, lifestyle, passion and referrals.
Managing Director Simon Beaty is thrilled with Snooze’s performance, attributing its improved ranking to a consistent commitment to its franchise partner support and mentorship programs as a top priority for the business.“At Snooze we continually strive to provide best practice support to our franchise partners as they are the lifeblood of our business – without them, we’re nothing...

May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // MINNEAPOLIS and BRUSSELS – Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups, today announced the launch of the Park Inn by Radisson 1+1 Stay One, Get One offer, where the first 20,000 people to register will be eligible to receive 44,000 bonus Gold Points®, enough for a free night at any Park Inn by Radisson hotel worldwide.
“This year marks the one-year anniversary of Club CarlsonSM, our global hotel rewards program, and in celebration, we’d like to encourage new customers around the world to experience the bright, bold and fresh offerings that Park Inn by Radisson has to offer,” said Heather Passe, vice president, Marketing, Loyalty and E-commerce...

May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // CLEVELAND - Proforma is proud to be the recipient of three 2011 American Inhouse Design Awards from Graphic Design USA. “Proforma’s Catalog”, “Quarterly Catalogs” and “ProPortals” were recognized in the competition.
Graphic Design USA sponsors design competitions that spotlight areas of excellence and opportunity for creative professionals. The American Inhouse Design Awards is the original and the premier showcase for outstanding work by inhouse designers. For the sixth consecutive year, Proforma has been honored with multiple InHouse Design Awards.
“We are extremely pleased to receive three American Inhouse Design Awards this year,” said Greg Muzzillo, Founder of Proforma...

AIM Mail Center Locations Show Support for the United States Military Members
May 14, 2012 (San Diego, CA) – Memorial Day, which is coming up on May 28, 2012, is a day to honor and remember the men and women who have died while serving in the United States military. As the community remembers those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the owners of four AIM Mail Center locations want to provide an opportunity to support and honor the men and women who are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. Now through May 31, 2012, these owners are providing free postage for one-ounce letters and postcards mailed to military service members overseas.
“We understand how important it is for service members to receive encouragement from their family, friends, and supporters back home,” said Steve Goble, Vice President of Marketing Communications at Annex Brands, Inc, the franchisor of AIM Mail Centers...

Sub Shop Operator Celebrated Grand Opening with Free Subs
May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // Boca Raton, FL - Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs, opened its fourth location in Boca Raton on May 16. Store operator Scott Coleman held a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wednesday, May 16 to Sunday, May 20 to support Spanish River High School and Boca Raton High School.
The new restaurant, located at 1200 Yamato Road, circulated 10,000 coupons throughout the community and to the schools which allowed the coupon holder to receive a “Free Regular” sub with a minimum $1 donation towards their respective school. To add the element of competition, the school which received the most donations at the end of the five day period was given an additional $1,000 gift from Jersey Mike’s Boca Raton...

Deal Includes Opportunity to Grow Rapidly Expanding Brand in Washington State
May 23, 2012 // Franchising.com // SEATTLE – Instant Imprints, North America’s innovative franchise network of promotional products and sign retail centers, announced today that it has signed an agreement to expand the brand throughout the state of Washington.
Under the agreement, Gagan Bhathal, who has successfully owned and operated multiple Instant Imprints centers in Vancouver, British Columbia and the surrounding suburbs since 2008, can market the franchise opportunity to other motivated, small business-oriented people in Washington. He is currently the Area Franchisee for the Canadian province of British Columbia, and is experiencing significant growth...

May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // Accor unveiled its carbon optimizer for professional customers with an exclusive worldwide preview at the IMEX Frankfurt trade show today. This tool will allow meeting and seminar organizers to know and cut their events’ carbon footprint. Accor is a leading player in meetings and seminars, with venues in roughly 2,000 hotels.
This Carbon Optimizer is interactive, user-friendly and combines a comprehensive set of variables, including the number of participants, the number of nights they plan to stay, how long the seminar will last, how big the meeting rooms are and the energy mix in the host country*. It also factors in food services, i.e. the type of food and whether meals are buffets or table-served...

Owners Celebrated Grand Opening with Free Subs
May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // Tustin, CA - Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs, officially opened its doors in Tustin on May 16. Franchise owners Hector and Jennifer Haget held a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wed., May 16 to Sun., May 20 to support Foothill and Tustin High Schools.
The new restaurant, located at 13681 Newport Ave, circulated 10,000 coupons throughout the community and to the schools which allowed the coupon holder to receive a “Free Regular” sub with a minimum $1 donation towards their respective school. To add the element of competition, the school which received the most donations at the end of the five day period was given an additional monetary gift from Jersey Mike’s Tustin...

Survey: Belief Is Strong That Other Small Businesses Make the Best Partners
SAN DIEGO - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Most small business owners want to work with other small business owners who best understand their complex needs, according to a survey recently conducted by The UPS Store ®franchise network in recognition of National Small Business Week.
Almost 75 percent of survey respondents say it is important to have support from a business resource who understands their issues because they, too, are a small business owner. Yet, only 52 percent of small business owners currently work with such a resource.
“Every small business owner faces his or her own unique set of daily challenges,” said Stuart Mathis, president of The UPS Store franchise network...

Save Some Green and Help the Earth Without Ever Leaving Your Laundry Room
May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // Wash out your family’s green grass stains and wash in even more green savings. The laundry room can be the busiest room in your house, and if your washer and dryer aren’t performing at their best, it could show up on your energy bill. It may be time to give your family’s laundry habits an energy-saving makeover.
“Busy schedules and full households can cause lots of wear and tear on laundry room appliances,” said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance. “Homeowners should take special care when using their washer and dryer to make sure they keep working efficiently. The harder an appliance has to work to do its job, the more energy is wasted in the process...

May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // NEW HOLLAND, PA. - Homeowners and builders both have the opportunity to win an Apple® iPad® in the "Living with Superior Walls Video Contest" running now on Facebook through July 16, 2012.* The promotion allows people ages 18 and older to create and submit a testimonial video online until July 2. Online voting between July 3 and 16 will determine the two winners.
"If you're a homeowner, we want to know why you like --- or love --- living with a Superior Walls foundation in your home," says Jim Costello, president of Superior Walls of America. "And, if you're a builder, we invite you to submit a video that tells us why you like --- or love --- to build your homes with dependable Superior Wall foundations...

Owners Celebrated Grand Opening in Ann Arbor with Free Subs
May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // Ann Arbor, MI - Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs, officially opened its first store in the state of Michigan – its 31st market -- here in Ann Arbor. Jersey Mike’s owner, Peter Shipman, and his operating partner Mike Wagner, know the importance of community relations and celebrated their new ties with the area during their grand opening beginning Wednesday, May 16th.
Both Shipman and Wagner have long-time roots in the community (Ann Arbor Huron High School and Ann Arbor Pioneer High School grads respectively) and, as quick service restaurant veterans, they plan to open another five or six Jersey Mike’s restaurants in the next few years...

THE COLONY, Texas, May 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- If you have a taste for Asian fare, Pie Five Pizza Co. invites you to indulge with the introduction of the Sweet Thai Pie!
Rather than a typical marinara sauce, this pie features a sweet chili sauce with hints of fresh basil and includes diced chicken and a colorful pepper medley. The Sweet Thai Pie is available as a limited-time offer through July 16 at all six Pie Five locations across Dallas-Fort Worth.
Made with fresh ingredients, baked to order, and ready to enjoy in less than five minutes, the Sweet Thai Pie pays tribute to tastebuds craving a tangy Asian flair in their fast-casual pizza visit.
"This signature pie offers that perfect flavor combination of sweet sauce with tender chicken found in true Asian cuisine...

May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // IHG’s (InterContinental Hotels Group) boutique hotel brand Hotel Indigo continues to grow in Europe with the signing of the first Hotel Indigo in Wales, Hotel Indigo Queen Street Cardiff.
Hotel Indigo Queen Street Cardiff will be managed by Sanguine Hospitality Ltd, who have four other Hotel Indigo properties in their portfolio, including Hotel Indigo Liverpool and Hotel Indigo Birmingham.
IHG’s Senior Vice President for Development and Design in Europe, Robert Shepherd, said that the signing in Cardiff continued the brand’s strong growth throughout Europe. The signing follows the opening of a second Hotel Indigo in Scotland (Hotel Indigo Edinburgh) and a second Hotel Indigo (Hotel Indigo Berlin Centre Alexanderplatz) in Berlin this month...

May 22, 2012 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA - Huddle House, a 400+ unit family dining restaurant, is pleased to announce it is ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs Magazine. Huddle House honors military veterans all year round by offering service members a discounted franchise fee through the VetFran program, allowing veterans to use their training and operational skills in a new civilian career.
“We are proud to support our servicemen and women, especially as they pursue their entrepreneurial endeavors,” said Mark Whittle, Chief Development Officer for Huddle House. “Offering a discount with the VetFran program is just one small way we show our thanks for them for all that they do for our country...