The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, has signed an area development agreement for 25 centers in the Tampa Bay area over the next 10 years.

In a fierce competition to attract tenants to commercial office spaces in major markets around the country, it turns out Rising Roll Gourmet is in the ideal position. The fast-casual franchise's gourmet sandwiches, salads, soups and breakfast dishes...

Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has appointed Simon Hanna as its new senior franchise manager. Described as a 'Cardie' due to his 24 years in the greeting card industry, Hanna, will be responsible for helping Card...

Flip Flop Shops, North America’s first retail chain exclusive to the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals, today announced that Inc. magazine has ranked the growing retail franchise in the top 10 percent of the...

Auto Lab Franchise Management Corporation, d b a Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Centers, is proud to announce the opening of a new store located at 1100 Rochester Rd. South in Rochester Hills Michigan inside a Kmart store.

Continuing with its global expansion strategy, Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today announced plans to open its first stores in Vietnam and Guam through its franchise channel. In Vietnam, the first Gap stores will open this October followed by the first Banana...

Fresh Coat Painters is expanding operations in the Dallas, Texas, area with the opening of Julie Creel's franchise southwest of the city to serve residential and commercial clients in Arlington, Mansfield, Midlothian, Red Oak, Waxahachie and...

Honest-1 Auto Care, the only national full-service auto repair and maintenance franchise that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, today announced the signing of a franchise agreement with local entrepreneur Erik Rhyne to open a location...

In celebration of Dale Carnegie Training's(R), 50th anniversary in Brazil, the international leader in performance improvement and workplace training is excited to release their lauded smartphone application Segredos de Sucesso(Secrets of Success)...

Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today released its fifth Social and Environmental Responsibility report, a comprehensive update on its supply chain operations, environmental programs and community investment efforts from 2009 to 2010.

Based on consistent robust sales at its newly remodeled stores and heightened interest among franchisees to re-introduce the brand east of the Rocky Mountains, the restaurant industry may be witnessing the unique comeback of an American brand. At...

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, has announced the promotions of Robert (Bob) Ekman to vice president, Franchise Development for North America and Greg Aden to...

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. (OTCBB: UFFC), through its partnership with London-based World Franchise Associates Ltd., is launching an aggressive expansion strategy to identify franchisees who will develop the UFood Grill brand in Europe and the...

HoneyBaked Ham announced today that David and Kathy Crawford won the 2011 Franchisee of the Year award. The Crawford's HoneyBaked Ham Co. and Café is located in Richmond, Virginia (Short Pump) and received the award at the recent National...

360clean has begun to market their janitorial services to the Birmingham area as a beneficial service for controlling the spread of germs and infections in their facilities.

RE/MAX Property Source, Rockford, which is part of the RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network, has expanded into Belvidere, Ill., where it has acquired the local office of RE/MAX Key and renamed it RE/MAX Property Source. The office has been...

GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group, which manages Marble Slab Creamery and MaggieMoo's Ice Cream and Treatery, has announced the two brands will be united into one concept. Once complete, Marble Slab Creamery will be the...

GNC Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: GNC), a leading global specialty retailer of nutritional products, is pleased to announce that Nora Tobin, competitive beach volleyball athlete, NASM-certified professional trainer, yoga instructor and upcoming author, has...

Renowned for hearty, oversized portions and piping hot subs, Firehouse Subs announces plans for an expansion in Puerto Rico, in its first move outside the continental United States. With 441 locations, the restaurant chain plans to open 26...

Jiffy Lube International, Inc. today releases its new iPhone application that puts convenience and education back into car care by giving drivers the ability to store and organize vital vehicle information in the palm of their hand. Additionally,...

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) will report fiscal 2012 first quarter results on Thursday, September 1, after the New York Stock Exchange market close. At that time, a copy of the press release will be available on the company's investor relations...

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX:CTC) (TSX:CTC.A) ("Canadian Tire") announced today that the offer by its wholly-owned subsidiary FGL AcquisitionCo Limited (the "Offeror") to acquire all of the outstanding Class "A" shares ("Common Shares")...

IHG (InterContinental® Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] and the Real Estate Group RICSHER, S.A. de C.V. have opened the doors to the new Crowne Plaza Tuxpan, Mexico.

Tasti D-Lite, the great-tasting, lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, will open a new location at 622 North Maple Ave. in September.

Clockwork, Inc., North America's leading integrated energy and home services retailer, announced today it has established a strategic partnership with Saepio® , a leading provider of marketing technology for corporations with distributed...

When the Korpai family of Crawford, N.Y. woke up this morning, they had no idea they'd never sleep in their beds again. After being greeted by the cast of ABC-TV's popular show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, the Korpais learned they were going to...

Volvo Rents announces the acquisition of WED, LLC, a single location construction equipment rental company based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Financing and small business loans are once again top of mind for franchisors as the credit crunch continues to impact many industries. Some franchisors are struggling to put additional resources in place to assist franchisees with finding loans, as...

Game time is about to meet family time in San Bernardino County.

Paul Davis National, the large loss specialists for Paul Davis Restoration, has named Lloyd Swiggum as president of the company.

Clockwork, Inc., North America's leading integrated energy and home services retailer, announced today it has established a strategic partnership with Saepio(R) , a leading provider of marketing technology for corporations with distributed...

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) has signed an agreement with Serka Turizm A.S. to open a new-build Sheraton hotel in Adana, Turkey. The new Sheraton Adana Hotel will mark the debut of Starwood in the city and further...

"Get your sea legs ready!" That's what national chain Pizza Inn (Nasdaq:PZZI) told Ruston, LA-resident Eugene Pangilinan, when they showed up on his doorstep Friday, Aug. 12, to announce he had won a seven-day/six-night Caribbean cruise in Pizza...

According to the 2011 International Franchise Association (IFA) Credit Survey, franchisors report that more than 50 percent of their franchisees and franchise prospects are still unable to obtain needed financing to open their own business, even...

Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:CBOU), the second largest company-owned premium coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses, today announced that the underwritten public offering of 5,150,000 shares of its...

For a fifth time, Liberty Tax Service has been named on the elite list of "Best Franchises for Hispanics" published by Poder 360, formerly Hispanic Enterprise magazine. The rankings were based on surveys conducted with over 3,500 franchisors to...

Texas Roadhouse, Inc, (NasdaqGS: TXRH) today announced executive management changes at the Company, effective today, August 18, 2011.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPK), home to the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and other innovative hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas and creative salads, today announced that G.J. Hart has been named its President, Chief Executive Officer and...

This new website is powered by WSI Internet Marketing. Ottawa-based Roger Harley of WSI has worked with Functional Health and Fitness to develop an Internet Marketing System based around a website with a new look and service offering, featuring...

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), (LON:IHG) (NYSE:IHG) (ADRs), the largest hotel company both in Latin America and the world by number of rooms, today announced the signing of the Holiday Inn Express in the city of Rio Branco, Brazil. The...

Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN), the parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, announced today the appointment of Michael F. Hines to the Dunkin' Brands Board of Directors. Mr. Hines will also serve as the Chair of the Audit...

Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM), the world's largest restaurant company and parent of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, announced today that it is directing the first $1 million from its World Hunger Relief global effort to provide food to families affected by...

As part of its commitment to providing proven marketing solutions to small and mid-size businesses, AlphaGraphics awarded 24 individuals the Direct Marketing Association's (DMA) Fundamental Direct Marketing Certification last week at its annual...

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE: IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms today announces that the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque will open in Sept. 2011 following a brand change from a Hilton that included $14...

Granite Transformations, the franchise division of Trend USA that has facilities and showrooms around the world, recently named Omaha, NE franchise owners Brian and Nicole Neesen as the 2011 Franchisees of the Year at the Granite Transformations(TM)...

Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that Hodge & Kittrell Realtors in Raleigh, N.C., is the newest member of its luxury real estate network.

Franchising is the economy's superstar. Growth of new franchised businesses is helping lift a still-sluggish economy, creating jobs and providing new options to corporate workers wanting a change.

When kids go back to school, the stress can be huge on the family, including the dog. This abrupt change in routine can seriously affect our furry friends, who are creatures of habit. But with a little understanding and preparation before the first...

Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, along with its parent company, Realogy Corporation, recently hosted a delegation from China comprised of central real estate government...

Entering the Jacksonville market for the first time, First Watch, the Bradenton-based Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch Restaurant company, opened at 544 Marsh Landing in the South Beach Center earlier this week.

East Coast Wings & Grill, a fast casual wing chain with 19 locations throughout North Carolina, announces the appointment of Stephanie Morris as Vice President of Marketing.

Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today announced that its Board of Directors authorized a quarterly dividend of $0.1125 per share payable on or after October 26, 2011 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 12, 2011.

The ServiceMaster Company recently reported its second quarter 2011 financial results through the filing of its Form 10 Q and Form 8 K.

Smashburger, the fast-casual "better burger" concept restaurant sweeping the nation, is preparing to have Louisvillians' mouths watering. The restaurant will open its first Louisville location on Wednesday, September 7, 2011, with a subsequent...

Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection , has named Gabriel McGeown as the winner of its 'Franchisee of the Year' award which was presented at the Company's recent annual conference held in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire....

7-Eleven, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to acquire ExxonMobil's retail interests in 51 North Texas sites. The transaction is anticipated to close in late 2011, subject to standard closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Terms of the...

El Pollo Loco, Inc. announced today the appointment of restaurant industry veteran Dennis Farrow to the position of chief operating officer. In this role, Farrow oversees operations for the company's 400 restaurants (a combination of company-owned...

Wingstop recently honored its top performing Brand Partners, team members and vendors during the company's 9th International Convention at the Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

DUCTZ, the nation's premier air duct cleaning franchise, recently announced a new partnership with DTE Energy. Through this partnership, DUCTZ will become an exclusive provider through DTE Energy's Home Protection Plus program.

Earlier this year, the state of Iowa announced its plans to move towards a green economy for job creation. Renewable energy production, sustainable agriculture, green building construction and retrofitting and energy efficiency were identified by...

VooDoo BBQ & Grill, a Louisiana-based restaurant franchisor, will open five restaurants in the Texas capital city of Austin, continuing an aggressive national expansion.

Smashburger, the nation's fastest growing "better burger" concept, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge taking place August 22nd through 28th in Colorado. The premier racing event will take place over...

In late May, DirectBuy celebrated its 40th Anniversary with a weekend of awards, recognition, education and fun at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Washington DC. Helping commemorate the occasion were some of DirectBuy's top...

Cartridge World, the world leader in printer cartridge refilling, has just partnered with Retail Information Systems, the number one global partner for Retail Pro, for their point of sale and corporate back office systems. Retail Information Systems...

At its annual Conference of Broker/Owners and Managers, RE/MAX marked numerous achievements in the first half of 2011. Nearly 1,000 attendees from across the U.S., Canada and 13 other countries came to Los Angeles for the event.

SONIC®, America's Drive-In®, is adding three new additions to its team of breakfast burritos. Each of the new burritos – The Ultimate Meat & Cheese™ Breakfast Burrito, The Fiesta Steak Breakfast Burrito and The Steak &...

Just three months after opening their first rent-to-own store, owners Mike Do and David Rogers have added another ColorTyme to the Houston area. The new location will offer rent-to-own appliances, electronics and furniture to residents in the city's...

Armed with a refreshed menu and new prototype design, Tampa-based Beef 'O' Brady's, the 212-unit franchise of family sports pubs & restaurants best known for great food and the ties it builds with its communities, has identified Dyersburg as a...

BookKeeping Express, the only U.S. franchise focused solely on offering certified bookkeeping services, has announced a strategic partnership with Vantiv, one of the most trusted and largest providers of payment strategies and technology solutions...

Fro.zen.yo delicious self-serve frozen yogurt announced today that a multi-unit franchise agreement has been reached to develop two fro.zen.yo stores in downtown Boston, Massachusetts.