The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon returns to Hester Junior High School, 2836 Gustav St. in Franklin Park, Ill., on Nov. 1, where for the second consecutive year the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by...

Brothers, Joseph and John Bak of Dickey's Barbecue have found a place to call their own. The brothers have signed a lease for their new location which is located at 15110 S La Grange Road in Orland Park.

At Atlanta Bread, ″afternoon tea″ has a whole new meaning - for the successful fast-casual franchise concept headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., tea is an all-day indulgence.

LINK Staffing Services, a national franchise that provides flexible staffing and productivity solutions, has recently launched a new franchising website to give visitors an in-depth look at LINK's franchise opportunity.

The Dickey's Barbecue Pit location in Cedar Park will now be owned and operated by Sandor Gonzalez, who owns three other locations located in the San Antonio area.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Utah's largest residential real estate brokerage company, announced today that real estate veteran and Utah native Chris Jensen has been named president by its parent company, NRT LLC.

Play N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing video game franchises, has a new store in O

The International Franchise Association, following yesterday's House Small Business Committee hearing entitled ″Oversight of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Financing Programs″, applauded the SBA's 2011 performance and...

According to the Home Safety Council four out of five U.S. households plan to use ladders around their homes to prepare for the holiday season. Annually, during the two months surrounding the holiday season, more than 14,000 people are treated in...

The mobile cuisine industry is one that is rapidly growing in the U.S. While there are numerous ″mom and pop″ food trucks across the country, a true franchise model is yet to take off and find success. Cafe2U is looking to change that...

Cruise Holidays has swept onto the scene of one of the travel industry's most hotly anticipated awards contests, by winning three top marketing honors in the first year the travel agency network formally submitted an entry.

Saladworks, the nation's first and largest fresh salad franchise concept, is proud to announce a three-store agreement in the Chicago metropolitan area.

With the transition to cooler weather, HuHot Mongolian Grills across the United States will be featuring two items that are sure to warm you up.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS), the world's leading florist and gift shop, today reported revenues from continuing operations of $117.2 million for its fiscal 2012 first quarter ended October 2, 2011, compared with revenues from continuing...

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (Nasdaq:DAVE) today announced revenue and net income of $38.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended October 2, 2011

First Watch, the Bradenton, Fla. based Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch restaurant company, will open its first restaurant in Indianapolis in early 2012.

The Georgia Small Business Development Center network is turning to the franchise industry to help create much-needed jobs.

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange and part of the Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN) family of brands, recently made new enhancements to the online searching and booking process to improve the member experience and make planning a vacation...

Funding to support existing franchisees just became easier.Franchise Payments Network (FPN), the only electronic payments processing company to focus solely on the franchise segment, announced its newest product aimed at offering existing...

Trick or Treat? Friday's(R) chooses treats! This Halloween weekend, Friday's is hosting a Halloween Party with free appetizers, costume contests and killer drinks - pun intended.

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.

The seasonal monsoon rainfall, worsened by a series of tropical depressions, is flooding wide areas of central Thailand including Ayutthaya province.

CAP, established in 1994, is a resource for cancer patients, cancer survivors, and their families who are experiencing a variety of legal problems or complications.

Bang & Olufsen has recently formed a partnership with Danish Yachts from Skagen in Denmark.

Seattle Sutton's Healthy Eating (SSHE) is sponsoring the Seattle Sutton's 2012 Slim Down Contest to help 10 lucky LaSalle County residents lose weight and improve their health in 2012.

Calling all followers of the ″Free Your Toes(R)″ lifestyle! Flip Flop Shops has announced that it's turning to Facebook fans to help determine the brand's next global charity partner.

The Howard County Association of REALTORS(R) 50th Anniversary Installation event was a big day for Weichert, Realtors(R) - New Colony.

Dale Carnegie Tampa Bay, a Global Franchise, specializing in developing leadership and communication skills, is hosting a Breakfast Seminar on Dale Carnegie's newly released book.

San Diego, CA October 26, 2011: Aviatech announced today the addition of new clients to their growing client roster.

IHOP restaurants nationwide will celebrate Halloween a little early this year, offering kids 12 and under a free Scary Face Pancake.

RadioShack Corp. (NYSE: RSH), a leading national retailer of innovative technology products, services and accessories, today announced a 100 percent increase in its dividend and the authorization of a $200 million share repurchase program as part of...

Pepsi has partnered with 7-Eleven, Inc.'s convenience stores nationwide to ask consumers to help relieve domestic hunger by purchasing a Pepsi trademark product at participating 7-Eleven locations nationwide

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG) today announced that its Rental Car Finance Corp. subsidiary completed the private placement of $400 million of Series 2011-2 asset backed medium-term notes.

Hotel owners and GMs will be able to learn more about InterContinental Hotels Group online environmental tool Green Engage, and how it can save money and energy, at the 2011 IHG Americas Investors & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas this week.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts today announced an exclusive partnership with Agraria, America's oldest and largest luxury home fragrance company, to provide guest amenities at the 170 InterContinental hotels and resorts around the world,...

LED Source(R), a company that supplies LED lighting products and specializes in full-scale evaluations and retrofits in both commercial and residential properties, announces the opening of its second location in Canada.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit strengthens its Texas roots with another franchise agreement.

Toys R Us, Inc. today announced that it has established business operations in Poland and plans to open its first store in the country at the end of November.

On October 18, 2011 in honor of Dickey's 70th anniversary Dickey's Original Barbecue Pit held its National Barbecue Eating Contest at the original location at 4610 N. Central Expressway in Dallas, TX.

Toys R Us(R) is delivering toys to the world as The Great Big Toys R Us Book, the ultimate guide for holiday toy shoppers filled with hundreds of deals on today's hottest products, begins to arrive in homes and newspapers nationwide this weekend.

easyhome Ltd. (TSX:EH), Canada's largest merchandise leasing company and a growing provider of financial services, will hold a conference call with shareholders, analysts and portfolio managers on Wednesday, November 9, 2011.

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

Build-A-Bear Workshop(R), the interactive retailer of customized stuffed animals, announced today an initiative to raise funds for JDRF in honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month.

The Minneapolis based law firm of Gray Plant Mooty is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers, a respected, peer-reviewed legal publication, has named John M. Nichols the ″Lawyer of the Year″ in Minneapolis in Employment Benefits (ERISA)...

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar(R) today inspired America to stand up and thank the men and women of the military for their commitment, sacrifices and bravery by igniting the Thank You Movement, an ongoing initiative to collect millions of...

Established in 1994, Auditel is the UK's favourite and largest cost and purchase management franchise opportunity with a network of over 200 highly-skilled specialists.

Smashburger, the nations' fastest growing

In an effort to raise awareness of McDonald's new Happy Meal, participating Southern California McDonald's restaurants will offer one free bag of apple slices to costumed customers under the age of 12 on Halloween.

Panera Bread of Maryland, franchised by Lemek, LLC, today announced that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the company as a leader in voluntary renewable energy purchasing.

Despite a challenging economy, builder Greg Powell has experienced growing success in constructing his Cottages at Harbor Shores Hideaway development on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Phoenix-based payroll services provider AmCheck launched a redesigned website and new mobile site to enhance their customers' online experience.

Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC announced today that David Birnbaum, vice president of learning for Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, has been awarded a Bronze ″Learning in Practice″ Award by Chief Learning Officer magazine in the...

Panera Bread has opened its newest bakery-cafe in The Town of Poughkeepsie, NY on September 26, 2011.

Today, Bruegger's will kick off its second annual fundraising campaign for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH) with a goal of raising $100,000 for the cause.

The key to building a business that can stand the test of time is referrals. Businesses that generate referrals are more stable, more profitable and able to withstand challenges more proficiently than businesses that don't.

The Obama Administration announced plans Monday to assist struggling homeowners, providing hope for those who haven't been able to refinance because their home values are underwater.

GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC), a leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products, today announced the pricing of the offering of 20.0 million shares of its Class A common stock to be sold exclusively by participating selling...

1-800-GOT-JUNK? has added a new face to the company's driver seat, announcing today the hiring of a Chief Operating Officer.

Franchise owners in Kentucky and New Jersey are the newest members of U.S. Lawns' prestigious Hall of Fame and a fellow owner-operator from South Carolina is the latest recipient of the President's Award, the company announced today.

Leaders are all around us. We vote for leaders, we employ and are employed by leaders, and for those with the ability to identify opportunities and act upon them, we become leaders.

Seeking to revolutionize the chiropractic care industry just as he did the massage therapy industry a decade ago, The Joint...the chiropractic place CEO John Leonesio today announced growth plans that will guide the company for the next decade.

Honest-1 Auto Care, the only national full-service auto repair and maintenance franchise that is 100 percent ESA(R) Certified Eco-Friendly, announced today a strategic ownership change within the company designed to further increase support for...

The growth of The Joint

After seasons of preparation, Beef 'O' Brady's claimed home court advantage in Brownsville, TX on October 10, 2011.

Newk's Express Cafe will open its 40th restaurant Monday, Oct. 31 at 1412 Higdon Ferry Road in Hot Springs, Ark. It will be the company's first location in the state of Arkansas

RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH) will host a live webcast of its third-quarter earnings conference call with investors starting at 4:30 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, to review financial results for the third quarter, which ended Sept. 30,...

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of Hotel Sierra King of Prussia, a gem among Valley Forge hotels that delivers an ideal balance of comfort and convenience for life away from home.

From its annual Americas Investors & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] today shared the Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts global repositioning strategy.

Roosters Men's Grooming Center (MGC), which specializes in grooming services for men and boys, has opened at 545 Morris Avenue in Summit.

Since it entered the better burger scene with a bang in 2007, MOOYAH has been making noise with its quality, family friendly approach to fast casual dining. And now, with a fresh new microsite launch that includes a community page, MOOYAH is teaming...