The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

EagleRider, the world

More than 200,000 people, including an average of 20,000 children under the age of five, are hospitalized each year because of flu-related complications - according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Research conducted by American Lawyer Media (ALM), the publisher of Corporate Counsel magazine, has again identified Gray Plant Mooty as a

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (Nasdaq:DAVE) is pleased to announce the grand opening of the new Famous Dave's BBQ Shack, a fast casual dining experience in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

That family searching for a home in the Phoenix area is very likely not from Arizona, or, in fact, not even from the United States.

For those fearful of an ugly sweater, tasteless fruitcake or other lackluster item gracing their holiday gift pile this year, Wyndham Rewards is offering up My Horrible Holiday Gift″ contest.

UFood Restaurant Group Inc. (OTCBB: UFFC) is helping college students fuel their minds while watching their wallets with buy one, get one free promotions at its UFood Grill Boston locations.

Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM), in advance of its annual Investor Update Meeting, increases its full year 2011 EPS growth forecast to at least 13%, or $2.85 a share, excluding special items; previous guidance was at least 12%.

erviceMaster Recovery Management (SRM), the commercial large loss division of ServiceMaster Co., is actively serving its international commercial clients in response to the historic flooding in Thailand.

Singles, doubles and triples have taken on a new meaning at Cheney Stadium. This week the Tacoma Rainiers signed a five-year exclusive partnership deal with Forza Coffee Company.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is now open in Lufkin. Local franchise owner, Asim Jilani opened his doors, December 3.

Karen Jerome, of Padgett Business Services serving the Ottawa west area, recently attended a Tax Seminar in Toronto, ON. This three-day educational seminar, sponsored by Padgett Business Services corporate headquarters, is designed to prepare...

Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has announced that the majority of its franchisees (87% of respondents from a recent satisfaction survey), are satisfied or very satisfied with the overall size of the Card...

While more and more veterans returning home from long months of war are finding themselves in a country with narrowing opportunity, Russo's New York Pizzeria is on a mission to make a difference.

On the heels of its continued growth into the United States Weed Man, North America's leading lawn care franchise company, has added new faces to the corporate team and is expanding into a larger office to assist in the company

Charley

The Hampton Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport Hotel (North I-85) is offering special savings rates for December guests to enjoy.

Smashburger, the nation's fastest growing ″better burger″ restaurant and Phoenix's Best Burger, as voted by the readers of Phoenix New Times, is set to open its newest Valley location on Wednesday, December 14, 2011.

Nurse Next Door, one of North America's fastest growing home care franchise systems, is proud to announce that they have been named to BC Business Magazine's 2011 Best Companies to Work for in BC list in the number 3 spot.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and Crown Center Redevelopment Corporation today announce the opening of Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.

Intelligent Office, a virtual, professionally staffed office space for mobile executives and small businesses, is expanding its presence in California with the opening of a San Diego location.

People of Springfield the countdown is on! Dickey's Barbecue Pit is celebrating its grand opening on Friday, December 2nd from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

he Joint Corp., a leading franchisor of chiropractic clinics, today announced the awarding of Los Angeles County to Chad Meisinger and Raymond Espinoza for the development of more than 35 clinics.

While the calendar reads December 1st, Kim and Regis Cunningham at Healthy Addictions (www.healthyaddictions.net) are already celebrating their just desserts.

Home health innovator Guava Healthcare (www.guavahealthcare.com) announced the launch of its new franchise business, and the appointment of franchising industry veterans Ken Caldwell and Kevin Pike to the company's leadership team.

The Home Instead Senior Care

Everett residents no longer need to travel far and wide for the ultimate 3-D play experience, as Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, creator of the world's first all-trampoline walled playing court, announced its grand opening on November 18.

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 Texarkana as a key...

According to the owner of Smiling Moose Deli's first Montana store, Sharon Stachlowski was most surprised by how many locals already knew her new franchise by name.

Tasti D-Lite, the lower-calorie frozen dessert chain catering to health conscious consumers has announced the acquisition of Planet Smoothie, LLC, a franchise system with more than 100 units in operation, mainly in Georgia and Florida.

Mucho Burrito, the Northwest's newest franchised Fresh Mexican Grill, has arrived in Washington state with two locations.

Staffs at eight other Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille restaurants throughout Maryland, Delaware and Virginia have announced that this holiday season, they, too, will participate in the casual dining restaurant/sports bar chain's ″Tips for...

The ServiceMaster Company, one of the world

Carlson, a global hospitality and travel company, today announced the promotion of Javier Rosenberg to chief operating officer, Radisson and executive vice president, Carlson Hotels, Managed Hotels, Americas.

The Wendy's CompanyTM (NYSE: WEN) announced today plans to consolidate its World Headquarters in Dublin, Ohio. As a result, the Company will close its Atlanta Restaurant Support Center operations in late 2012 and move at least 170 positions to Ohio.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase authorization of $250 million.

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today reported a GAAP net loss from continuing operations for the fiscal second quarter ended Oct. 31, 2011, of $123.0 million, or $0.41 per share, compared to a net loss of $111.4 million, or $0.36 per share in the prior...

Fog Cutter Capital Group Inc's franchise development subsidiary has acquired Buffalo's Caf

Edible Arrangements, the pioneer and leader in hand-sculpted, fresh-fruit arrangements, announced today that it has doubled its veteran's discount from $5,000 to $10,000 off its initial franchise fee.

LED Source(R), an international supplier of LED lighting based in Wellington, has teamed up with Toshiba International Corporation, LED Lighting Systems Division, one of the largest lighting companies in the world, to donate an LED lighting retrofit...

Red Mango is expanding to Mexico. Today, the Dallas-based chain and one of America's fastest growing yogurt and smoothie brands announced its first international franchise agreement in an exclusive deal with Cinemex.

TRYP by Wyndham, the cosmopolitan, select-service hotel brand, today made its celebrated debut in North America with the opening of the 242-room TRYP Quebec Hotel PUR in Quebec City, Quebec, formerly the award-winning Hotel PUR.

Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHN), the nation's leading operator of Japanese theme and sushi restaurants, has announced the December Chef's Special, Filet Mignon & Chicken for Two, a six-course feast for only $50

GRAND-AM Road Racing announced today that IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has been named the official hotel partner for GRAND-AM Road Racing beginning in 2012. This marks the first time the sanctioning body has had an official hotel partnership.

Sbarro, Inc., along with its domestic subsidiaries (the ″Company″), announced today that its Plan of Reorganization has become effective and the Company has successfully emerged from Chapter 11 with significantly reduced debt and a new...

Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies is excited to announce the opening of their newest fixed retail location in Phelan, CA.

Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today reported that November 2011 net sales decreased 3 percent compared with last year.

With the holidays around the corner, college and university students will be packing their bags and heading home to visit friends and family. Winter vacation can be great, and sometimes stressful, but why not use this precious free time to think...

Guests seeking more bang for their buck know that Comfort, Quality and Econo Lodge hotels offer unparalleled value across the country, and from December 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012, guests will get even more.

La Quinta Inns & Suites announces the appointment of Edgar Garin, as Director of Franchise Development for Central and South America.

After a triumphant first year establishing her pair of Apricot Lane Boutiques Ellie Brown is already planning for 2012.

Massage Envy Phoenix, a co-op of 27 massage centers and part of the nation

Smashburger, the nation's fastest growing better burger concept, is pleased to announce that it has been ranked No. 1 on Forbes first annual America's Most Promising Companies list.

Hungry for authentic barbecue? Then you need to go to the grand opening of Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Nixa. The grand opening will be on Thursday, December 1st from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Announcing a special recognition appearing in the March, 2009 issue of New Orleans CityBusiness published by New Orleans Publishing Group, L.L.C.. Planet Beach(R) was selected for the following honor: ″Top 100 Private Companies″

Cartridge World, the world's largest ink and toner refilling retail franchise, announced today new partnerships to help entrepreneurs gain greater access to bank financing and start-up capital to open a franchise.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) (the 'Company') today reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2012, ended October 30, 2011. The Company also raised its outlook for fiscal 2012 and provided preliminary guidance for fiscal...

Since 2003, business customers have saved 30-40 percent on printer cartridges at Cartridge World. Now they can save time by ordering from Cartridge World's new online store at www.CartridgeWorld.com.

Yogurtini(R), a quickly growing and popular self-serve frozen yogurt franchise, today announces the grand opening of its newest location at the Shops at Norterra, located in the North Phoenix.

Ground Round Grill and Bar is re-emerging in familiar major markets. Mid-November saw the opening in the Cleveland market in Elyria, Ohio, and in the Philadelphia market, Langhorne, PA is slated to open in December.

One of the nation's most successful programs for growing the game of golf among youngsters has reached a milestone with the awarding of its 50th franchise.

Villa Enterprises Management Ltd., Inc., the global multi-concept restaurant franchisor, and Scotto Properties presented a check for $30,494 to Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) on Nov. 28 following Villa's 10th Annual Charity Golf Outing and...

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation announced today that it has signed additional development agreements with its Japanese franchisee, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Japan Co., Ltd.

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (Nasdaq:DAVE) announces it has opened its newest award-winning Bar-B-Que restaurant on New York's renowned 42nd Street.

FGS is offering Master Franchises (also known as Regional Developer Franchises) for EggfastTM, an exciting concept of

Massage Envy Spa Staten Island, a leader in massage therapy in Staten Island, NY, is celebrating its four year anniversary. As a thank you to all of their loyal patrons, the clinic is giving away a free gift to all their members this week, in...

Saladworks, the nation's number one fresh-salad franchise, will open its third California store in The Village at Orange at 1500 East Village Way, Suite 2197 on Friday, December 2.

Florida get ready to enjoy some delicious barbecue for only one dollar! Dickey's Barbecue Pit celebrates its grand opening in Miramar today, November 30th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For students at Ranken Technical College, there's no such thing as a