The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

Yesterday executives and associates from worldwide lodging franchisor Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) joined their signature cause partner, Rebuilding Together to revitalize "Progress Place" where three non-profits Shepherd's Table,...

The Master Franchisee, E&C Trade Company founded in June, 2011 specializes in general trade including stationery, electronics and construction. The Office 1 Cyprus General Manager is Mrs. Emete Gözügüzelli Civan.

Get out your best lederhosen and prepare for a one-of-kind Oktoberfest-inspired feast. Now through November 6, Red Robin - the gourmet burger expert for more than 40 years - is featuring The Oktoberfest Bürger - a toasted pretzel bun slathered...

In conjunction with Chef Brad Smoliak, Good Earth Coffeehouse and Bakery has introduced a new menu of delicious soups, chowders, and panini for fall.

Answering the call of business travelers everywhere, Four Points by Sheraton is offering must-have amenities, gratis. To ensure intrepid travelers stay connected, fueled up and ready to go, the new Four For Free promotion provides unmatched value by...

Cousins Subs(R) today announced that its three Wauwatosa stores have started a new fund-raising partnership with Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) sports teams for the 2011-12 school year.

HomeVestors of America, Inc., known as the "We Buy Ugly Houses(R)" company, and Local Market Monitor, Inc., a leading forecaster of real estate markets, today released the Third Quarter 2011 update of the "HomeVestors-Local Market Monitor Best...

Pretzelmaker is making going back to school a little easier for customers this fall with a delicious new promotion - Twisted Tuesdays. Every Tuesday in September, beginning September 13, customers who buy a pretzel (with or without salt) from...

LED Source, 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 Kansas location at 7330 W. 33rd St. N in Wichita.

Dickey's Barbecue will host the national barbecue eating contest for the southwest region in San Antonio, TX on Friday, September 16.

Red Lion Hotels Closes on Expanded Credit Facility with Wells Fargo

After becoming acquainted with barbecue while working in Texas, Orlin and Gene Skyberg made the decision to open their own Dickey's Barbecue restaurant in Gallup, New Mexico.

It started as a simple idea: provide fresh, healthy, made-to-order, entrée-sized salads as an alternative food offering for customers on the go.

Good Earth Coffeehouse and Bakery, is proud to announce the opening of the new Good Earth in Scotia Place at 100th Street and Jasper Ave.

College is an amazing experience. Those who have lived it look back with fond memories of fun, friends and studies; a care-free time that defines early adult life.

Ideally, parents will know long before their child brings home a failing report card that he or she needs tutoring help -- but Eileen Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center, says that it's important for parents to heed both academic...

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) announced today that it will not offer refund anticipation loans (RAL) during the 2012 tax season. However, the company will continue providing low-cost financial solutions next year.

Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services, has partnered with the Arthritis Foundation to host Healing Hands for Arthritis, a one day national event to build awareness and raise...

In Spite of Overwhelming Support from Independent Shareholders for the Company's Reclassification Proposal, Continued Opposition from Largest Shareholder Resulted in Proposal Not Passing by a Small Margin at Special Meeting. Board Reaffirms...

Carvel is celebrating you -- our out of this world fans -- and the launch of our new Lil' Flying Saucers(TM) with a FREE giveaway event Thursday, September 22nd.

Choice Hotels Europe, the hotel group behind the Comfort, Quality and Clarion brands, is offering half term packages at a number of properties specially designed for families who want to make the most of the October break.

Armed with a refreshed menu and new prototype design, Tampa-based Beef 'O' Brady's, the 213-unit franchise of family sports pubs & restaurants best known for great food and the ties it builds with its communities, has identified Selma as a key...

Just days after standing in Zagat Survey's winner's circle, the now two-time "#1 Rated Pizza Chain" finds itself on top of yet another national consumer opinion poll.

The presentation by Midas, Inc. (NYSE: MDS), at the C L King "Best Ideas" Conference at the Omni Berkshire Place Hotel in New York will be available via webcast on Tuesday, Sept. 13, beginning at 2:45 p.m. ET.

Armed with a refreshed menu and new prototype design, Tampa-based Beef 'O' Brady's, the 213-unit franchise of family sports pubs & restaurants best known for great food and the ties it builds with its communities, has identified Alice as a key...

Margaritas Mexican Restaurant, the 23-unit New England restaurant chain, has named accomplished restaurant executive Hugo Marin as the company's new president

Marketing, print and graphic communications franchisor Allegra Network recently honored Xerox Corporation, the world's leading business process and document management company, with the "2010 Supplier of the Year" award at the company's recent...

Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, has announced the expansion of the CENTURY 21 System in Europe with the signing of a master franchise agreement to license CENTURY 21®...

With expansion plans in place for Dickey's Barbecue in Florida, Hicham Kehdy jumps on board by signing a franchise agreement for a Miramar location.

It has been a long road for the "Dukes and Duchess of Albuquerque" and the "River City Raiders," but their dedication and hard work have paid off as both teams have emerged as finalists in this year's J-Team All Stars Championship competition.

Wendy's restaurants and the Michigan Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R) are kicking off a "Give a Dollar...Get a Dollar" fundraising initiative to help in the fight against breast cancer.

The Latest Quiznos Sub Offers Fine Dining Flavor and Premium Ingredients at a Budget-Friendly Price

Interim HealthCare, the nation's first and finest home healthcare franchise company announced today the grand opening of its location in Birmingham, Alabama.

Smashburger, the nations fastest growing better burger restaurant, is set to open its seventh Chicagoland location on Wednesday, September 14, 2011.

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD) today announced global comparable sales growth of 3.5% in August. Performance by segment was as follows...

More than 6,000 attendees gathered for the annual Snap-on Franchisee Conference (SFC) at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

Great Clips has been named one of Inc. Magazine's 2011 5,000 fastest growing, private companies in the nation.

The RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon will visit St. Mary's School, 704 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon, Ill., on Sept. 16, where the balloon crew will present an interactive educational program developed and sponsored by the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network.

The swiftly growing fast-casual concept, Corner Bakery Cafe, extends its reach into the North East with two newly announced franchise agreements that will bring 15 new bakery cafe locations to New York state in the next six years.

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. (OTCBB: UFFC) announced today that the company has signed a joint venture agreement with MBUF, LLC, a private investment group of military veterans, to focus on the expansion of the UFood Grill concept on U.S. military...

CMIT Solutions, the nation's leader in providing information technology services and solutions to small and medium-sized businesses, has hired Frank A. Picarello as Vice President of Franchise Services, a move that will not only raise the company's...

Fresh Healthy Vending has reported record growth for the months of July and August adding 15 franchisees who purchased 170 healthy vending machines plus existing Fresh Franchisees adding an additional 22 machines.

With the opening of their new Fresh Coat Painters franchise, Chris and Donna Lebling say they look forward to working together to bringing professional services to Mason, West Chester and other communities north of Cincinnati.

Guests are in for a treat when they visit the newly remodeled Wingstop at 5410 Walzem Road in San Antonio. After being closed for a short renovation, the restaurant reopened today to unveil its new look.

Wingstop, which was recently named to Zagats 2011 National Fast Food Survey, is expanding in Philadelphia. The 485-unit chain currently plans to add an additional 20 locations in the area over the next several years.

Geeks on Call, the Virginia based IT service provider to small and mid-sized businesses and residential customers, is once again making franchise opportunities available to entrepreneurs hoping to tap into the nation's growing need for affordable...

Recognizing that more veterans want to continue their career of service after leaving the military, often by opening businesses that cater to families and communities, Pump It Up has joined a national program that provides financial incentives to...

Sarku Japan® http://www.sarkujapan.com, the largest and most successful Japanese Quick Service Restaurant chain (QSR) in the United States, has opened three restaurants in Colombia, South America. This initiative is part of a multi-year master...

Family Financial Centers, LLC, a franchise company of financial services including check cashing, money orders, wire transfer, tax preparation services and short term consumer loans, and The Western Union Company, a leader in global payments,...

Celebrated as the fastest brand launch in hospitality industry history, four new Aloft(R) hotels around the world have catapulted the white-hot brand past its landmark 50th hotel opening.

The Home and Lifestyle Show of 2011 will be held at the West County Center on September 9th to 11th. The event will take place during normal mall hours and will include several exhibitors. This mall is located at 80 West County Center, Des Peres, MO...

Holiday Inn, the world's most recognised hotel brand, expanded its presence in Asia Australasia with the opening of Holiday Inn Resort Phuket Mai Khao Beach in Thailand today.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] today announces the opening of the Staybridge Suites Orlando Airport that recently underwent a $1.3 million conversion from a Hawthorne Suites by Wyndham. The hotel is conveniently...

Smashburger, the nation's fastest growing "better burger" concept, today announced its first international development agreements, which will bring the better burger chain to the Middle East with locations to open in Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi...

To celebrate 70 years in the barbecue business, Dickey's Barbecue will hold a barbecue eating contest on September 15 with the chance to win a trip to the original Dickey's Barbecue location in Dallas, Texas.

BounceU of Farmingdale received a national award for Best Staff and Service at the recent BounceU Franchise national Convention held in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Staff and Service Award recognizes the effort put forth by BounceU of Farmingdale's...

Taxes are not just an annual event that happens every spring. In fact, life changes occur all year that impact a person's income tax return. As part of ongoing outreach to the Latino community, H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is taking tax education on...

Armed with a refreshed menu and new prototype design, Tampa-based Beef 'O' Brady's, the 213-unit franchise of family sports pubs & restaurants best known for great food and the ties it builds with its communities, has identified Tullahoma as a key...

To celebrate the talented writers, crew and actors behind arguably television's funniest television program, today, Ben & Jerry's launched its newest limited-batch flavor, Schweddy Balls. The flavor is an ode to the classic "Saturday Night Live"...

Continuing with its global expansion strategy, Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today announced the opening of the first Banana Republic store in Russia through its franchise channel.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit, the largest quick serve barbecue restaurant in the country, opens the doors to its first Nebraska location in Lincoln at 2662 Cornhusker Hwy.

The revolutionary Papa Murphy's Pizza has landed on top of yet another best-in-class survey.

Top fundraisers from the ERA Real Estate network recently traveled to Las Vegas, Nev., for the 2011 Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon on September 4th to present funds raised by the entire ERA(R) franchise system.

This month Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc. launched its newly redesigned website developed using data from 11 different consumer research projects including more than 11,000 consumer interviews --all to give consumers an ideal savin

Owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. announced today the national franchise launch of Burger 21(R), a new fast casual concept featuring 21 chef-inspired burger creations, hand-dipped signature shakes and more.

St. Regis(R) Hotels and Resorts, a part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE: HOT), today announces one of the world's most celebrated fashion designers, Jason Wu, as the next St. Regis Connoisseur.

ARGUSinfo and mediaspike announced today that the two companies have joined forces to help drive optimal matches between prospective students and the more than 150 higher education institutions mediaspike serves.

TARGUSinfo, the trusted leader in On Demand Insight