The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

The days of doing it alone are over in New Jersey for small business owners and management.

Texas-based Dickey's Barbecue, the largest barbecue chain in the country, is set to continue expansion in Florida as New Franchisee John E. Dethlefs signs up for 2 locations.

With the ushering in of spring comes the desire to focus on outdoor living and activities. The Nashville Lawn and Garden Show comes to the Tennessee State fairgrounds this week, from March 3rd - 6th, 2011, giving homeowners the opportunity to peruse...

Saladworks, the nation's first and largest fresh-tossed salad franchise concept, is proud to announce its first multi-unit agreements in 2011 with two new franchisees, opening a combined four locations, in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties and Virginia...

Gold's Gym International, the world's leading authority in health and fitness, officially announced today its plans to bring new world class facilities and more than 46 years of fitness experience to the Oklahoma City area. This includes the...

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...

Healthy Fast Food, Inc. (Pink Sheets: HFFI.pk - News), parent to U-Swirl International, Inc., the owner and franchisor of U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt® cafes, today announced that Phoenix franchisee Arizona Swirl, LLC has opened two U-Swirl cafes. One...

Staying true to its friendly, down-to-earth and down the street philosophy, Original Joe's (Joe's) has announced that, starting today, it will be providing a free pound of wings to each individual who 'likes' them on Facebook.

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 Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Consumer Conference in New...

NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group and "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" are teaming with iconic ice cream company Ben & Jerry's to introduce the new flavor entitled "Late Night Snack." The unique new flavor features a rich vanilla...

BoeFly, the premier online marketplace connecting lenders with business borrowers, announced today that Mr. Sandless, the leading floor refinishing service franchisor has selected BoeFly to assist its franchisees in obtaining bank financing.

The SUBWAY(R) restaurant chain, long known for providing entrepreneurs with the opportunity to open and operate their own small businesses, has reached the milestone of 600 locations in the Los Angeles area. The prior milestone of 500 locations...

Harmit Singh, chief financial officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) will speak at the Raymond James 32nd Annual Institutional Investors Conference at approximately 3:25 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 8, 2011.

Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) today announced that the company will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Consumer Conference on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 in New York City. The presentation is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:05 a.m....

Beef 'O' Brady's, a leading franchisor of family sports pubs in the United States, has selected Brand Central LLC, a top consumer products agency based in Los Angeles as its agency of record. Beef 'O' Brady's is the newest edition to Brand Central's...

Anago Cleaning Systems has been named a top franchise in Franchisee Satisfaction for 2011 by Franchise Business Review (FBR).

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (Nasdaq:DAVE) today announced revenue of $36.2 million and net income of $517,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, for its fiscal fourth quarter ended January 2, 2011. These results compare to revenue of $32.6 million and...

Red Mango, the fastest-growing retailer of all-natural, nonfat frozen yogurt and fresh fruit smoothies, is expanding throughout Maryland to Montgomery County. The company recently signed a franchise agreement for a new location in the area.

Pizza Patrón will be a sponsor of this year's Festival de los Mavs, planned for Saturday, March 5th, starting at 12:30 at AT&T Plaza.

ActionCOACH franchisees are happy business owners, according to Franchise Business Review, a national franchise market research firm that performs independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences. The company was ranked...

ACE Cash Express, Inc., a leading retailer of financial services, announced a donation of $18,000 to Back On My Feet in support of its mission to teach critical life skills-including discipline, financial management and goal setting-to individuals...

Winston-Salem, N.C. – In one of the toughest economic environments in decades, characterized by businesses cutting costs and closing stores, the notion of seven consecutive years of success is merely a pipe dream for struggling companies. For...

Bruegger's Enterprises, Inc. (BEI) announced today continued sales growth during the fourth quarter ending December 28, 2010. The 437-unit restaurant operator recognized sales of $63.2 million, a 3.6 percent increase over the fourth quarter of 2009....

The Melting Pot fondue restaurants (http://www.meltingpot.com) are offering free cheese fondue to guests April 11-14 in celebration of National Cheese Fondue Day (http://www.411iscoming.com).

Sandra Lee returns to the Valpak Blue Envelope with a chance to enter and win one of 15 Pyrex® kitchen "bakeovers" now through April 8.

Wendy's/Arby's International, Inc., a subsidiary of Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEN), and Higa Industries Co., Ltd., a successful food importer and distributor based in Tokyo, today announced the signing of a joint venture agreement to develop...

What better place to focus on the national launch of GNC Beyond Raw™ – an innovative new line of hardcore sports products with highly advanced, premium sports nutrition formulas designed to boost performance levels for dramatic results...

Each year, homeowners and businesses observe National Cleaning Week during the last week of March. As always, this year's campaign, from March 27 - April 4, is designed to encourage property owners to clean out winter's cobwebs, odors and dampness...

Texas-based Dickey's Barbecue, the largest barbecue chain in the country, is well-known for their hot pit-smoked barbecue meats, free ice cream and free big yellow cups— with a strong presence on the East Coast, the franchise is expanding in...

There's no need to find a pot of gold this March – luck is as close as the nearest Baskin-Robbins, where its newest flavor creation—Lucky Mint ice cream—is available all month long. The March Flavor of the Month is an explosion of...

Is there a better way to see how well the ActionCOACH system works than when a former client decides to join the ActionCOACH team? That was the case with Dave Hepler, who, after working with ActionCOACH to help his own business, knew he could help...

Business in Stratford can now utilize Internet marketing techniques to attract more qualified website traffic and increase online customer conversion. WSI (We Simplify the Internet), worldwide leader in Internet marketing is proud to announce the...

Hurricane Grill & Wings™ today announced the launch of its first ever Hurricane Hoopla promotion that invites customers to join in on the mayhem every day in March with free Wings for a Year giveaways announced daily.

Original SoupMan is pleased to announce an exciting new venture with Lloyd Sugarman and Matt Johnson, to open the company's first West Coast restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California, one of the top 10 tourist destinations in...

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced it will accelerate growth in Latin America with six new hotels opening in 2011, resulting in a portfolio of nearly 70 hotels in 13 countries by year's end. This week, Starwood...

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. (NYSE: RT) will be presenting at the Raymond James 32nd Annual Institutional Investors Conference on Monday, March 7th at 7:30 a.m. in Orlando. The Company will also be presenting at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Consumer...

Fazoli's is spicing up the Lincoln dining scene with today's opening of its second location, 5012 N. 27th St., which features the restaurant's all-new menu, new design and new, expanded service style. Fazoli's also just finished remodeling its Vine...

Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of affordable and convenient massage and spa services, announced today the opening of its 300th spa. The company introduced its Massage Envy Spa® concept in late 2009 and has opened or converted a...

Benihana Inc. (Nasdaq: BNHNA; BNHN), the nation's leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, has announced the March Chef's Special, Filet Mignon and Hibachi Chicken for Two, a five-course feast for only $42.

Krispy Kreme has re-created the sweet, old-fashioned goodness of yesteryear with its nostalgic banana and chocolate offerings.

T.G.I. Friday's announced it is now serving the "Friday feeling" in 350 international locations. The newest Friday's® restaurant opened in January 2011 in Arequipa, Peru by Franquicias Alimentarias SA, a licensed franchisee of T.G.I....

Emma Dickison, president of Home Helpers, the nation's leading senior care franchise specializing in non-medical and personal care and companionship, was recognized today as a Certified Franchise Executive by the Institute of Certified Franchise...

Century 21 Real Estate LLC, the franchisor of the world's largest residential real estate sales organization, today announced that its brokers and agents raised more than $1.8 million in 2010 on behalf of Easter Seals

Interim HealthCare, the nation's first and finest healthcare and in-home senior care franchise company, recently launched the second of its eight-part documentary series for 2011. In honor of American Heart Month, this video highlights the...

Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEN) announced today that the Company plans to participate in three upcoming investor conferences. The dates, times and speakers are as follows:

Naked Pizza, one of the world's fastest growing franchisors, is celebrating its newest franchise opening in Cincinnati's Hyde Park area on March 11th. The company currently has 9 open stores in the U.S. and is on pace to open 50 stores this year...

Lodging leader Wyndham Hotel Group (NYSE: WYN) today announced the entrance of its Days Inn® brand into India with the signing of three new construction, full service Days Hotels.

NiteLites of Charlotte Outdoor Lighting is pleased to announce Sean Hogan as their new General Manager. Making the transition from NiteLites of Jacksonville, Mr. Hogan brings his outdoor lighting design and business expertise to the Charlotte...

BoeFly, the premier online marketplace connecting lenders with business borrowers, announced today that CKE Restaurants, the leading restaurant franchisor and owner of Hardee's and Carl's Jr. has selected BoeFly to assist its franchisees in...

According to a recent Packaged Facts survey, nearly 80 percent of dog owners and 85 percent of cat owners do not use nutritional supplements for their pet. Yet, every pet has unique vitamin and mineral needs depending on life stage, activity level...

W Hotels Worldwide today unveils W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak, its third Retreat to open within the past 12 months. The newest W Retreat, W Bali is located in the trendy enclave of Seminyak and reinvents the exuberance of its locale, where...

For the first time in a warehouse club, General Nutrition Centers, Inc. today announced that it will offer selected private label GNC products at Sam's Club locations. The offering will support Sam's Club's increased focus on health and...

For Providence ColorTyme partner Al Coelho, going the extra mile for local families is part of his everyday routine. On April 18, Coelho will dedicate 26 miles to one special family by running the Boston Marathon in recognition of Christina Bird,...

Today, Bruegger's announced that it will donate approximately $90,000 to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals - largely the result of its "Bottomless Mug" campaign, which ran October 27, 2010 through January 31, 2011. Throughout the campaign, the...

Denny's Corporation (NASDAQ: DENN) today announced that the Company will be presenting at the Stifel Nicolaus 2011 Consumer Conference at The St. Regis New York on Tuesday, March 8, and at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2011 Consumer conference...

Togo's Sandwiches, a "West Coast Original" since 1971 serving big, made to order sandwiches stuffed with the freshest ingredients, announced today the introduction of the new limited time featured sandwich to the Toasted line up, the Lemon Pepper...

ELEMENTS, Inc., an industry leader in franchise online marketing, is proud to announce its recent partnership with Home Helpers, one of the nation's leading senior care franchises specializing in in-home, non-medical and personal care and...

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) today began celebrating the 18th anniversary of its focus on using high quality ingredients by wrapping its burritos in gold. Beginning today, and continuing for four months, Chipotle will switch from its iconic...

Richard T. Huston, CEC Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:CEC) Executive Vice President, Marketing and Entertainment, has announced his intention to retire from the Company later this year once a successor has been named and fully transitioned into the...

The Denny's Development department (NASDAQ: DENN) is pleased to announce the recipients of its Vendor of the Year and General Contractor of the Year awards for the year 2010. The Vendor of the Year award, the seventh annual award Denny's has issued,...

Brilliant Sky Toys & Books is proud to announce the launch of the Brilliant Sky mobile application with special features unique to the toy industry, in addition to the recent launch of its online store. As the franchise continues on a strong...

Foot Solutions, a Reading Foot Care Health and Wellness store offering healthy shoes and custom and over the counter orthotics, will extend the registration deadline for its popular Cash for Calories contest through Saturday, March 5th and offer...

Starting a business to combat the economic recession might raise a few eyebrows, but for brothers Taylor and Tanner Green, starting their own Five Star Painting business has been a long time coming.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC ("BHGRE") hosted its first national brand conference last week in Las Vegas at the ARIA Resort and Casino. Named Fusion 2011, the conference was designed to help Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate agents...

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. (OTCBB: UFFC) announced today that the company has signed a franchise agreement with The Omni Club, a leading fitness facility in Fort Myers, Florida, which will operate a UFood Grill at their facility, bringing healthy...

The retail packaged soup collection made in small, hand-crafted batches by Original SoupMan is expanding distribution to include the Southwest division of Albertson's LLC, which operates over 100 grocery stores in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and...