The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

Got a new product idea? Matco Tools is searching for the next product innovation in professional automotive tools through their new ″Made By Idea″ contest.

Greyhound, the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, and 7-Eleven, Inc., the world's largest convenience retailer, today announced that customers nationwide can purchase bus tickets online or over the phone with cash,...

Pillar To Post, the largest home inspection company in North America, was recognized as No. 1 among more than 250 franchise brands this month.

The Award-Winning casual-dining concept Quaker Steak & Lube(R) offers some thoughts on what they call ″Chicken Wing Cult Culture″.

Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) announced today the arrival of Happy Feet Two characters just in time for the much anticipated animated family comedy adventure Happy Feet Two, in theaters this Novemburr 18.

Pro Fleet Care, the only mobile rust control service franchise, is thrilled to announce Laurie Ann Bowman, mother of two and the first female franchisee of Pro Fleet Care, as their newest business partner.

Toys″R″Us, Inc. and Li & Fung Retailing today announced they have entered into a joint venture agreement for the Toys″R″Us(R) business in Southeast Asia and Greater China.

Yard signs are up, campaign ads are running, and soon voters will be headed to the polls.

Nixon Peabody received National Tier One honors for its Corporate, Real Estate, Real Estate Litigation, and Land Use & Zoning practices. The firm

As part of its ongoing commitment to keep children safe and help them in times of need, the Toys″R″Us Children's Fund today announced a $100,000 donation to help Save the Children in its efforts to provide immediate relief to victims...

Winmark Corporation, the franchisor of well-known brands Play It Again Sports(R), Once Upon a Child(R), Plato's Closet(R) and Music Go Round(R) that buy, sell, and trade new and gently used merchandise, today announced it was ranked No. 11 on...

The goblins and ghouls have come and gone, but your home still may be a frightful place. Real cobwebs that hang in the corner no longer add to the ambiance of the living room.

Jan-Pro Franchising International, Inc., an established global leader in commercial cleaning, today graciously accepted the recognition of being named #2 among all top low-cost franchises for 2011.

Jiffy Lube's Southern California Regional Cooperative Association announced today that it will partner with Covenant House California, an organization that serves homeless youth..

Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHNA; BNHN), the nation's leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, has announced the November Chef's Special, Hibachi Steak & Chicken for Two, a five-course feast for only $45 and Hibachi Tuna Steak for One,...

Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) today announced an amendment and restatement of its term loan credit facility with Amegy Bank that expands the term facility by $4.0 million, providing additional capacity for continued growth of company-owned...

Barberitos, an all natural and fresh, Tex-Mex restaurant franchise is offering a special promotion on Tuesday, November 15th in thanks to their loyal customers.

Business coaches with The Entrepreneur's Source (TES) have some budget-friendly gift giving suggestions to help shoppers ″seal the deal″ for the small or independent business owners on their holiday gift lists this season.

Subway began life in the United States 46 years ago as of August 2011. In that time, it has grown into an internationally recognised brand with more than 35,000 outlets.

Weight Watchers International, Inc. (NYSE: WTW) today announced that David Kirchhoff, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Ann Sardini, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the Credit Suisse Annual Health Care Conference in Phoenix,...

GNC Holdings, Inc., a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, today announced the closing of the offering of 20.0 million shares of its Class A common stock sold exclusively by participating selling stockholders at a...

Smashburger, the nation's fastest growing ″better burger″ restaurant will open its first Pearland location on Wednesday, November 2, 2011.

Honest-1 Auto Care, the only national full-service auto repair and maintenance franchise that is 100 percent ESA(R) Certified Eco-Friendly, announces the appointment of Josh Knoll as Project Manager and Mike Still as National Operations Manager.

Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHN; BNHNA), operator of the nation's largest chain of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, today sent a letter to stockholders urging them to vote for the Company's reclassification proposal, which if approved by...

The Wendy's Company (NYSE: WEN) announced the declaration of its regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.02 per share, payable on December 15, 2011 to stockholders of The Wendy's Company of record as of December 1, 2011.

Today, Holiday Inn, the official hotel provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, hosted a cycling experience to remember with 2011 World Champion and Tour de France Green Jersey winner Mark Cavendish.

Burger 21 (http://www.burger21.com), a fast casual, chef-inspired burger and shake concept founded in 2010, announces the grand opening of its second location Sunday, Oct. 23, at 11777 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa.

The National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL) has honored the International Franchise Association (IFA) with its Distinguished Service Award, the first time NAGGL has given the award to an organization outside the lending...

Hala Moddelmog, President of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc., introduced members of the new ARG Holding Corporation Board of Directors to the Arby

Firestorm White Paper Explores the role risk and crisis management have in today

St. Regis(R) Hotels & Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: HOT), announces today the highly anticipated opening of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort on January 19, 2012.

RadioShack's 2010 holiday social media program, supported by imc2 as RadioShack-s social media agency, took top honors in its category at the Fifth Annual Forrester Groundswell Awards.

Saladworks, the nation's number one fresh salad franchise, will open a new central Pennsylvania store in Mill Creek Square at 2350 Lincoln Highway East today.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the opening of Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa on Vietnam

With the discovery of the switched sanitary sewer lines and storm sewer lines in the Rainer Vista neighborhood now is a good time to remind homeowners to check and double check work that contractors are doing for them.

The International Franchise Association (IFA) and the Professional Athlete Franchise Initiative (PAFI) today announced a new Memorandum of Understanding to further enhance their partnership to provide a centralized platform for athletes seeking to...

Midas, Inc. (NYSE: MDS) will present at the Gabelli & Company Automotive Aftermarket Symposium this week in Las Vegas.

Tim Hortons and its Nova Scotia recycling partners announced today, during National Waste Reduction Week, an effective way to recycle Tim Hortons' hot beverage cups into Tim Hortons take-out trays.

Learning Express Toys, winner of the 2011 Franchise Business Review Specialty Retail Category, has plans to continue its growth in 2011 and 2012.

Adding even more muscle to its portfolio in China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced that its iconic Sheraton(R) brand will open five more hotels in China before the end of year.

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. (OTCBB: UFFC) is celebrating this Veterans Day, November 11, with free meals for all veterans at its UFood Grill Boston locations.

The world's largest provider of tax preparation services once again will join forces with the largest retailer to offer tax preparation across the country. H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) announced today it will provide tax preparation services in...

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN) today announced that Moody's Investors Service upgraded the company's senior unsecured ratings to Baa3 from Ba1.

Massage Envy Campbell at Preston has been working with arthritic patients for years, recently hosting Healing Hands for Arthritis, where, for every massage and facials in Campbell at Preston,Carrollton, Dallas, TX on October 12th, $10 was donated to...

Franchise owners Dave and Lisa Hlavac have found a place where their Dickey's Barbecue Pit will reside. They have signed a lease and are ready to begin construction.

Laid off or just tired of working for someone else? Would-be entrepreneurs may not believe they have the financial wherewithal to start a business, especially in the current credit crunch. But franchising can be one way to make it happen.

October is Indoor Air Quality Month, and COIT a leading supplier of specialty cleaning and disaster restoration services headquartered in San Francisco, has posted an online Indoor Air Quality Quiz to help homeowners around the country evaluate...

Franchise owners Hatice and Farrokh Gecol have found a place where their Dickey's Barbecue Pit will reside.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.(R) (NYSE:HOT) today announces the debut of its new destination sensation brand, Aloft(R) Hotels, in the United Kingdom with the opening of Aloft London Excel.

Todd and Amanda Carwell, owners of Nurse Next Door's Edmonton South West franchise smiled a little bigger recently when they were awarded the company's 2011 Franchise Partner of the Year award.

Although the national real estate market has continued to struggle, a Chicago home staging company, Showhomes Naperville, announces that many Chicago realtors have actually seen an improvement in sale times and selling prices.

Donald McGayhey, formerly of Sarasota Premier Properties Inc., has joined Keller Williams Realty Sarasota-Lakewood Ranch.

Nurse Next Door, one of North America's fastest growing franchise systems, recently announced the addition of five new members to their impressive Founders

U-Swirl, Inc. (OTCQB: SWRL), parent to U-SWIRL International, Inc., the owner and franchisor of U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt(R) cafes, today announced that it has acquired three franchised locations in Salt Lake City, Utah.

PODS Enterprises, Inc., a national leader in the moving and storage industry, recently appointed George Spowart as chief marketing officer (CMO) at the company's corporate headquarters in Clearwater, Fl.

Cosi, Inc. (NASDAQ: COSI), the premium convenience restaurant company, today announced the appointment of Stephen F. Edwards to the company's Board of Directors on October 24, 2011.

Toys″R″Us(R) today unveiled its 2011 holiday advertising campaign, including a series of themed television commercials designed to showcase the company

Sometimes the best man for the job is a woman. For Carol Chuckery's prospective clients, there is little doubt they get that impression when they meet her.

Dutch Bros. Coffee will open a new location on Friday, Oct. 28 at 685 Grant Rd. In honor of the grand opening - and a company tradition - the new Dutch Bros. store will offer FREE DRINKS ALL DAY on Friday from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Wiggin and Dana Partner Charles Kingsley is the new Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven.

Xavier Louyot joins Accor as Vice President Global Marketing for Pullman, reporting to Accor Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Committee member Gregoire Champetier.

Genghis Grill - The Mongolian Stir Fry has introduced many healthy initiatives into the concept this past year and continues to let their consumers know what it means to be ″hot and healthy″.

Winmark Corporation (Nasdaq: WINA) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the payment of a cash dividend to shareholders.

This Halloween season Hooters is hosting a Hooters Girls Halloween Costume Contest on Facebook.

When we think of food franchises, we tend to think of either the drive-thru or the family sit-down restaurant. Lenard's is a franchise unlike any other.

The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will visit William Hatch Elementary School, 1000 N. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park, Ill., on Oct. 31 when the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois...

In business, how highly customers rate their experience is the best measure of a company's success. Showhomes Home Staging, a national home staging service that uses live-in Home Managers to help stage and care for vacant homes for sale, earned an...

Johnny Rockets today announced the opening of its newest restaurant at The Shops at Gatlinburg Town Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.