Franchises Look For Ways To Battle Recession, Tight Credit

Usually around this time of year, ice cream franchiser Cold Stone Creamery calls its franchisees to Las Vegas for a meeting.

But this year, amid sour economic times, the company's executives are touring the country, visiting franchisees on their own turf. The rock band-style tour bus will hit 16 cities by January.

The Cold Stone executives, who were in Kansas City last month, are holding pep rallies, answering franchisees' questions and unveiling a strategy for braving the recession.