The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

Chipotle Mexican Grill's (NYSE: CMG) co-CEOs Steve Ells and Monty Moran today announced the promotion of the company's 200th Restaurateur, a position reserved for its most elite restaurant managers who are all hand picked by the CEOs. Chipotle's...

With an increasing number of individuals choosing to ride the wave of the economy's recovery through entrepreneurship, a "New Normal" has emerged. As part of their personal and professional discovery process in this new reality, Midwestern U.S....

Disneyland Resort today announced that fashion boutique Apricot Lane will join Downtown Disney in early June 2011.

Fresh Healthy Vending has reported record growth in the month of March having added 10 franchises (NC, CA x 3, MT, NV, TX, NJ, AZ, GA) and adding an additional 100 locations to its quickly expanding base of over 500 locations nationwide. Existing...

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), its award-winning Starwood Preferred Guest program and Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) are kicking off the concert season with the launch of "On Tour with SPG," an exciting array of...

Four Points by Sheraton and Major League Soccer today announced a partnership marking Four Points' return as the official hotel brand of MLS. Four Points first joined as a partner last year. Four Points is the fast-growing global hotel brand from...

The city striving to become the world's greenest metropolis by 2020 is getting a hotel to match.

Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. is opening its second Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES or the Exchange)-operated Arby's(R) restaurant in the Exchange at Ft. Stewart, Georgia on April 15. Military personnel and their families stationed at...

Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) recently presented Puerto Rico franchise partner, International Restaurant Services, Inc. (IRSI) and the company's president Artur Jotic, the "Franchisee of the Year" award, Brinker's highest...

This year, Bruegger's, a national bagel leader with more than 300 locations across the U.S., is offering IRS-weary guests its popular Big Bagel Bundles for just $10.40. Because of this year's tax day extension, Bruegger's will offer the deal from...

Saladworks, the nation's first and largest fresh-tossed salad franchise concept, has been implementing a new "3G" store design in all franchise locations since 2008. The new model design hinged on increasing throughput to serve customers quickly and...

Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN), a lease-to-own retailer specializing in the sales and lease ownership of residential furniture, consumer electronics, home appliances and accessories, will sponsor the Aaron's Dream Weekend at Talladega Superspeedway for...

Shane's Rib Shack, a Petrus Brands Company and the country's fast-casual barbecue concept leader with 66 restaurants in 12 states, announces the grand opening of its first restaurant in the state of Alabama. The first Alabama Shane's opens in...

WSI, the world's #1 Internet franchise, announces the opening of a Master Franchise office representing Czech Republic and Slovakia. Located in Prague in Czech Republic, this office will be operated by Jiri Drbohlav and Milan Drbohlav. According to...

Cookies are delicious and pretty cool right now, just ask the Prince of Wales. So much so that when it comes to their cake for the Royal Wedding, Prince William and Kate Middleton's inspiration is straight from the cookies mouth. Not that you ever...

From the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference (CHIC), Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it will add two new hotels in Canada and open its 60th hotel in the market later this year. Starwood's future growth in...

Build-A-Bear Workshop® announced today that it is donating more than $180,000, which was raised with help of Guests, to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®, the nation's top ranked children's cancer hospital. The company also announced...

HOODZ, the nation's largest and most reputable restaurant kitchen exhaust cleaning franchise, has expanded its long list of services that it can provide customers by adding rooftop grease containment solutions manufacturer, DRIPLOC, to its...

Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, today announced it is the first brand to buy real estate in ngmoco's We City, a leading mobile game that draws heavy engagement from...

The IRS has given Americans two extra days to complete their taxes, which means last-minute filers will be working furiously over the newly coined Tax Weekend. To provide these tax procrastinators with a little break, and to reward those lucky few...

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (Nasdaq:DAVE) will announce its First Quarter 2011 earnings after market close on April 27, 2011. The company is hosting a conference call, April 28, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., Central Time, to discuss its First Quarter 2011...

Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc., today announced the opening of the first Carl's Jr.® restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey. The restaurant, located in the popular Cevahir Shopping Mall in central Istanbul, marks the first of at least 25...

Armed with a refreshed menu and new prototype design, Tampa-based Beef 'O' Brady's, the 220-unit franchise of family sports pubs & restaurants best known for great food and the ties it builds with its communities, has identified Dunnellon as a...

MasterCard Worldwide and leading global hospitality company, Hyatt Corporation, today announced that Hyatt properties in North America plan to participate in the MasterCard enhanced folio data program. With the addition of these Hyatt properties,...

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has unveiled additional details for its new restaurant concept slated to open this summer. The concept, ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, is inspired by the traditional shophouses found throughout Thailand,...

Nine Glass Doctor franchises opened for business in the first quarter of 2011.

Firehouse Subs®, founded by firemen and renowned for hearty, oversized portions and piping hot subs, announced today the signing of nine Area Representative development agreements totaling 429 restaurants to open over the next several years. The...

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), a recognized leader in casual dining, announces the election of David Deno, Michael Dixon and Jon Luther to its board of directors.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPK) (Nasdaq:CPKI), home of the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and other innovative hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas, creative salads, appetizers, soups, sandwiches and desserts, today announced the opening of...

NiteLites of Sarasota Outdoor Lighting will meet with Eco Fest attendees and share information about their systems which were designed with the environment's protection in mind. The landscape lighting contractors will be in booth G6 at this year's...

Greg Kopchuk and ActionCOACH Canada have won the inaugural Franchisees' Choice Designation Award for 2011 presented by the Canadian Franchise Association.

Alert your taste buds! Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (Red Robin) is just weeks away from bringing even more craveable gourmet burgers to the Sacramento area with the opening of their newest Red Robin located in Woodland at 2031 Bronze Star Drive...

WSI, the world's #1 Internet franchise, organized its largest UK and European franchisee convention last week, which took place in Birmingham, UK on April 1-3. More than 150 WSI Digital Marketing Consultants convened at The Belfry to exchange...

Jose Manzanarez credits his focus on the American Dream to his upbringing—the blood, sweat and tears of his parents. In an episode of the hit CBS reality series "Undercover Boss" that aired last night (April 10), Manzanarez's own hard work and...

Each year, millions of people who want to work for themselves opt to franchise a business, rather than starting one from scratch. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, it can be a great option for entrepreneurs who have limited...

T.G.I. Friday's is offering a reward for any tips that lead to the return of the beloved "Best Burger" trophy, which was taken from the Ammon, Idaho location just two days after it was bestowed to the staff. Burger enthusiasts everywhere have banded...

Baja Fresh CEO and serial entrepreneur David Kim knows what it takes to build restaurant empires from the ground up. And on last night's episode of CBS's hit series "Undercover Boss," Kim showed America what it means to give back when he offered a...

UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. (OTCBB: UFFC) announced today that the company has been selected to build two UFood Grills at Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah. The new restaurants are a part of the airport's revitalized...

In 1981, TCBY founders Frank and Georgia Hickingbotham believed that an innovative, healthy new frozen yogurt product would succeed in a market full of fatty frozen treats. They opened their first store in Little Rock, Ark., and it became the...

Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of affordable and convenient massage and spa services, is the one-stop shop for Mother's Day gifts. In addition to the array of massage and spa services available, all 660 locations across the country...

Caribou Coffee, the nation's second largest coffeehouse chain, is offering guests a newly expanded line of beverages with 40 percent fewer calories--and 100 percent of the taste. Caribou's new Northern Lite beverages include mochas, lattes, tea...

The franchise experts agree that the Liberty Tax Service (www.libertytax.com) business model is appealing to a diverse America, and comes with an affordable price tag. Liberty Tax Service's franchise opportunity represents the only tax service to be...

More than 35 million taxpayers wait until the last minute to file their tax returns. But a potential federal government shutdown won't give these last-minute filers a reprieve. The tax filing deadline of Monday, April 18 remains firm for e-filed and...

Looking to feed Ontario's growing entrepreneurial spirit, Zoup! Fresh Soup Company, the leading soup restaurant concept in the fast-casual industry, will be educating entrepreneurs through the FranNet of South Ontario's "Meet the Franchisor"...

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)], the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, has signed a joint venture partnership with Duet India Hotels Group (DIHL), the hotel investment arm of global asset manager Duet...

China is the fastest growing economy in the world, but its burgeoning capitalism still needs bright lights to show the way. For this reason, ActionCOACH has developed a niche in the Chinese market, helping small and medium sized businesses reach...

Yodle, a leader in local online advertising, is proud to announce that it has been chosen by MAACO Collision Repair And Auto Paining as the exclusive preferred local online marketing vendor for all MAACO franchisees. This announcement is the...

7-Eleven, Inc. and a coalition of its franchise owners have partnered with some of their top suppliers, all leading U.S. brands, to raise money for Hire Heroes USA (HHUSA). This nonprofit organization offers transition, job search and job placement...

Just months after being acquired by Atlanta-based Roark Capital Group, Wingstop has announced plans to aggressively expand its presence in the Atlanta area. The fast-growing national chicken wing chain plans to add 20 additional locations in Atlanta...

The traditional divorce process can tear families apart, leave couples in financial ruin, and cause lasting emotional scars – Fairway Divorce Solutions is on a mission to educate Americans that there is a "better way."

Cartridge World, the global leader in printer cartridge refilling, announced today the successful completion of recapitalization. The new capital allows the company to focus re-investment on new technologies and strategic growth. The multi-million...

Batteries Plus has recently landed a spot on the Franchise Business Review's Top 50 list for overall franchisee satisfaction, securing the number 22 spot. The company is the nation's #1 retail battery franchise and is also one of the fastest-growing...

April showers brought karaoke power to Times Square earlier this week, as a 125-person flash mob conducted a karaoke sing-along to Arby's Restaurant Group's new digital ad. The video for Arby's. It's Good Mood Food.(TM), complete with lyrics and a...

With unemployment rates for Iraq and Afghanistan military veterans significantly higher than the national average, one U.S. military veteran is making it his personal mission to give back to his comrades.

7-Eleven, Inc. and a coalition of its franchise owners have partnered with some of their top suppliers, all leading U.S. brands, to raise money for Hire Heroes USA (HHUSA). This nonprofit organization offers transition, job search and job placement...

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced plans to bring its fast-growing Four Points brand to the epicenter of New York City's bustling downtown financial district. Four Points by Sheraton Financial District is...

Sheldon Yellen, CEO of BELFOR, recognized Belfor Franchise Group Sr. Franchise Development Manager, Steve Lajiness, at a company "Town Hall" meeting for his many achievements and contributions to the growth of the DUCTZ and HOODZ franchise...

For the second consecutive year more than 800 McDonald's restaurants in Florida will serve students taking Florida's Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) a free breakfast. The free breakfast includes an Egg McMuffin®, choice of 1% low fat white...

Saladworks, the nation's first and largest fresh-tossed salad franchise concept, announces an agreement to develop Charles County, MD with its first Saladworks location. Maryland is quickly becoming a hot spot for expansion for Saladworks. With...

Stroller Strides, the country's largest pre- and post-natal fitness program for new moms and their babies, today announced the official launch of Stroller Strides' new website and online community for moms. With the site's enhanced features, moms of...

Pizza Hut blazed the trail for stuffing crusts 16 years ago when they folded cheese into the perimeter of their world-famous pizza and launched Stuffed Crust Pizza. Now, Pizza Hut is taking crust-stuffing to the next level. With the launch of...

Photos of mullet haircuts, parachute pants, and any other "old school" behavior can be traded in for free spaghetti as part of a promotion developed by Fazoli's. Bring your old school photo to any participating Fazoli's, order one of the new Old...

Häagen-Dazs Shoppe Company and Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip have joined together to offer business investors one sweet franchise deal.

As warmer days arrive, homeowners head outside to wake their lawns up from winter hibernation. Coinciding with National Lawn Care Month, Weed Man is helping local communities kick-start their spring lawn care to ensure a beautiful lawn that families...