Small Business Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Dairy Queen® Brings Newest Treat Concept to the City
May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // MUSKEGON, Mich. - The Dairy Queen® system always has been about sharing smiles and stories. Now the treat category leader and one of the leaders in quick service restaurants (QSRs) has opened its newest, most exciting treat concept, a DQ® Orange Julius® store in Muskegon, the first in Muskegon County. The new restaurant offers all of the amazing Dairy Queen soft-serve treats and cakes as well as Orange Julius products, including an array of fruit beverages and smoothies. In addition, the store also will serve Dairy Queen signature Iron Grilled Sandwiches. Located within the Lakes Mall food court at 5600 Harvey Street, the 700-square-foot restaurant employs a staff of 15...

New Restaurant Serves up Dairy Queen® Iconic Soft-serve Treats and Flavorful Food Offerings
May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // FRISCO, Texas – The Dairy Queen® system has opened a new location at 8855 Teal Parkway in Frisco. The 2,900-square-foot DQ® Restaurant has added 45 new jobs in the area, contributing to the employment growth in Texas. The new restaurant also will contribute to the state’s restaurant sales, which according to the National Restaurant Association, are projected to increase by 4.1 percent this year.
“We are excited to open the Frisco DQ Restaurant and welcome the community in to enjoy our full menu of cravable food items and cool treats,” said restaurant operator Richard Witherspoon, who has been a Dairy Queen franchisee for 40 years...

May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // Jacksonville, FL - After the devastating fire at New Berlin Road Church in Jacksonville, Fla., Paul Davis National, large loss specialists and part of the Paul Davis Restoration franchise network, provided emergency services and disaster response along with demolition, fire damage clean-up, drying and stabilization. The Baptist church congregation was originally established more than 100 years ago on Main Street in north Jacksonville. The newer 25,000-square-foot metal frame church building was erected at 2351 New Berlin Road in 2005.
On the evening of March 1, a motorist was passing by the church and noticed smoke pouring from the building. Inside, flames from an electrical fire had engulfed the sanctuary and parts of the fellowship hall, kitchen and offices...

Ready, Set, Get Healthy!
May 24, 2012 // Franchising.com // SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA  – As the obesity rate continues to cause alarm across the nation, many businesses, retailers and hospitals are looking for a way to help make their employees, and customers healthier. Now, Fresh Healthy Vending is offering a simple and cost-effective way to do just that! Fresh Healthy Vending, the company that revolutionized the vending machine, is currently seeking locations that would like to replace their old, or add a new, vending machine with one that offers all-healthy food options.
“We still have opportunities for placement across the nation,” explained Dan Negroni, the chief executive officer and president of Fresh Healthy Vending (www...

Maui Wowi Hawaiian, an all-natural fresh fruit smoothie and Hawaiian coffee company, has been named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise for the third year in a row by G.I. Jobs magazine, ranking them in the top 10% of all franchises nationwide.
Greenwood Village, Colo. (PRWEB) May 23, 2012 - Appearing for the third year in a row, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies has been named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise by G.I. Jobs magazine. This honor ranks the company in the top 10% of all franchises nationwide.
“Maui Wowi is delighted to be recognized as a Military Friendly Franchise. As a member of the IFA VetFran Program, as well as SBA’s Small Business Development Program, we allow members of our military and veterans the opportunity to become successful business owners...

Growing Demand for Virtual Office Services & Franchising Leads to Expanding North American Presence
DENVER - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Intelligent Office, a virtual, professionally staffed office space for mobile executives, small businesses, professional services firms, and independent contractors, is announcing that they are opening a new office in Denver, Colorado, which will house their new corporate headquarters and business center.
The news of Intelligent Office’s new headquarters comes at a time when virtual office services and co-working spaces are in greater demand, as small businesses and independent contractors work to grow their businesses while maintaining low overhead costs. This demand is leading to growth across North America for Intelligent Office...

Indicates Three-year Decline in Summer Purchase Intentions
LARGO, Fla., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As consumers get ready to kick off summer this Memorial Day, the Valpak annual Consumer Savings Report reveals it's going to be a scaled-back summer for many of them. The third annual summer report* indicates a steady decline in consumers' purchase intentions over the past two years, from 70 percent in 2010 planning to spend the same or more to just 50 percent in 2012. Only 23 percent of consumers plan to spend more this summer over last, down five percent from last year, on purchases ranging from vacations to home improvement to electronics.
Valpak, the 44-year direct and digital savings leader, conducted the report to explore how consumer spending is evolving year over year...

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...

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...

Fort Worth, TX Member Awarded One-Year of Free Facials & Supply of Murad® Skincare Products
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services announced today that the company has performed its one-millionth facial. The recipient of the Anti-Aging Facial was Harriet Haun, a member at the Massage Envy Spa located at 3100 Texas Sage Trail in the Alliance Town Center in Fort Worth, Texas. To mark this significant milestone, Massage Envy and Murad®have awarded Haun with complimentary facials for one year as well as a one-year supply of Murad skincare products.
The Anti-Aging Facial, which is designed to produce vibrant, younger-looking skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, incorporates concentrated glycolic acid for maximum exfoliation...

Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee and Smoothies, a Pleasanton coffee shop, provides new healthful alternatives to regular sugary and fattening juice and coffee drinks.
Pleasanton, CA (PRWEB) May 21, 2012 - Pleasanton juice bar, Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffee and Smoothies, is not a run-of-the-mill juice bar and coffee shop. A franchise of the popular Maui Wowi Hawaiian line of smoothie and coffee shops, the Pleasanton branch offers locals the chance to enjoy a healthy lifestyle without having to sacrifice terrific taste.
“A calming dose of ‘Aloha!’ right across the street from my office! I walked in fighting off a head cold and stressed out from work. Within five minutes, I felt like I was in Hawaii,” Rob K. of Livermore said on Yelp...

New Maui Wowi Hawaiian Franchise Operators, Miles and Beth Erwin, will soon be serving premium Hawaiian coffees and all-natural, fresh fruit smoothies in San Antonio, Texas.
Greenwood Village, Colo. (PRWEB) May 22, 2012 - See a need, fill a need. That’s the motto of Maui Wowi Hawaiian’s new franchise operators in San Antonio, Texas. Miles and Beth Erwin have joined the Hawaiian coffee and all-natural, fresh fruit smoothie company with the vision of offering their community a dual concept of premium coffee and espresso beverages, as well as healthy and refreshing fruit smoothies.
After a frustrating attempt at finding a convenient place to get good coffee in their area, Miles and Beth discovered they had a unique opportunity to invest in a business that could provide this very service...

13 New Franchise Agreements Inked Thus Far in 2012
May 21, 2012 // Franchising.com // LANSING, Mich. - Leading moving company TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® has enjoyed a busy start to 2012 for its U.S.-based operations that includes a new location in Idaho - its first for the state – as well as the signing of three new franchise agreements, the opening of four additional satellite offices, and the transfer of five stores to new ownership. The increased franchise development activity is a result of growing demand for the Company’s local-and-long distance moving services. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® (www.twomenandatruck.com) currently operates 224 locations in 34 states and has grown 33% during the past two years. The company is averaging 19% growth year-to-date in 2012...

Pop-A-Lock announces it was ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
Lafayette, LA (PRWEB) May 21, 2012 - Pop-A-Lock honors military veterans all year round by offering service members a 10% discount off the franchise fee, allowing veterans to use their training and operational skills in a new civilian career.
“The Military Friendly Franchises® list was created three years ago out of demand from military veterans, many of whom want to start or own their own business but are unclear where to begin,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs. “Being selected as a Military Friendly Franchise places Pop-A-Lock in this elite group, and is testimony to Pop-A-Lock’s world class programs and policies that support military veterans interested franchise opportunities”...

May 18, 2012 // Franchising.com // Memphis, Tenn. -  Memphis-based Merry Maids, the world’s largest home cleaning franchise, announced intentions today to hire approximately 1,000 new full and part-time positions to support its 70 company-owned locations and 400 franchised operations throughout the United States.
To support the company’s hiring plans, Merry Maids is hosting a National Hiring Week May 21 – 25 and asks for all interested and qualified candidates to apply online at jobs.merrymaids.com. Local Merry Maids managers have committed to follow up with all of the most qualified applicants within 24 hours for telephone interviews.
The company is seeking motivated and energetic applicants to apply for open teammate positions, with primary job responsibilities to professionally clean customer homes using the Merry Maids unique cleaning procedures and products...

#1 Window Coverings Franchise Creates New Division to Meet the Needs of Commercial Clients
Orange, CA (PRWEB) May 18, 2012 - Recognizing the opportunity to provide window coverings to the $1 billion commercial market, Budget Blinds, the nation‘s largest window coverings franchise, has announced the launch of BB Commercial Solutions (BBCS). With over 800 franchises in North America, Budget Blinds has a vendor alliance program and national footprint that is unmatched. These distinct competitive advantages will be incorporated into BBCS operations, placing it in prime position to dominate the fragmented commercial window coverings industry.
Whereas Budget Blinds primarily services homeowners, BBCS will cater to the specific needs of businesses and institutions such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, hospitals, schools and more...

New Company Fills Niche for Empowering the Mobility-Challenged in Dallas/Fort Worth
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) May 17, 2012 - Gordon and Jennifer Raney of Dallas are the owners/operators of 101 Mobility’s latest Texas Franchise serving the Greater Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex. 101 Mobility Dallas/Fort Worth will join the Austin, Houston, and San Antonio franchises in a recent string of 101 Mobility openings across the Lone Star State.
The Raneys bring with them years of experience in corporate America. Jennifer Raney formerly worked in sales and marketing for brands such as Rubbermaid and Deloitte; Gordon Raney in corporate finance and commercial real estate, with names like PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Invesco, respectively. Both are graduates of Tulane University, and met while pursuing their undergraduate degrees in accounting and finance...

Proper Implementation of Discharge Plan and Medication, Coordination of Follow-Up Care, Attention to Nutrition Are Key
May 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // LOS ANGELES – Hospital readmissions have become a serious issue for seniors and their families. The good news is most of these readmissions can be prevented by paying careful attention to aftercare instructions.
Steve Barlam, Chief Professional Officer of LivHOME, explores the specific steps that families and caregivers can take to avoid post-discharge readmissions in Episode 29 of The Senior Care Podcast by LivHOME. He also looks at the broader implications of readmissions, which have become a significant issue for hospitals, insurers and seniors themselves.
Overall, Barlam says, 1 in 3 seniors are readmitted to the hospital within 90 days of discharge and three-quarters of all readmissions are preventable...

RICHMOND, Va. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - Breaking his long silence against soon-to-be brides who refuse to have their outdoor wedding garden areas and reception tents protected against mosquito bites, Dread Skeeter, the Mosquito Squad mosquito eliminator, has expressed his concern by retelling the tale of a newly married couple who made that mistake.
Duncan Spada, a Biewer Yorkie Terrier who hosts a YouTube channel to showcase this compelling story adds, “More than 2,350 people have seen this tale online on YouTube at http://youtu.be/Rpp8dDlXTWg."
In addition, interested parties can now see and hear Dread Skeeter himself retell this tale now on YouTube at http://youtu.be/R3eqEvYxAXg.
About Mosquito Squad
Approaching 100 franchise locations nationwide, Mosquito Squad is an Outdoor Living Brands company specializing in eliminating mosquitoes and ticks from outdoor living spaces...

By the year 2030, 40 percent of Americans will be obese.
May 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - Vending machines have traditionally been notoriously known as a "junk food haven." For decades they have overflowed school campuses, business offices and shopping malls, giving customers convenient access to unhealthy foods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been a dramatic increase in obesity rates over the last 20 years, for both adults and children. In fact, they report that one-third of the nation’s adults are considered obese, and 17 percent of children are as well. This has lead to a lot of parents to re-think things like snacking.
“The dark days of junk food vending machines and its archaic and unhealthy choices are coming to an end,” explains Dan Negroni, President of Fresh Healthy Vending...