The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today reported that January 2013 net sales for the five-week period ended February 2, 2013 were $1.13 billion compared with net sales of $833 million for the four-week period ended January 28, 2012.

RE/MAX agents will be given preferred access to HomeFinder.com's suite of digital marketing products.

Rita's Italian Ice, the nation's largest Italian Ice concept with over 625 outlets in 19 states, announced today a new Cream Ice flavor, Marshmallow Peanut Butter Cream Ice beginning February 6th, 2013.

The Award-Winning casual-dining franchise Quaker Steak & Lube(R) announced today that it is continuing on the tremendous growth built from 2012.

Nearly 20 years after Johnny Rockets first introduced Mexico City to its fun, flavorful dining experience, two locations opened recently in Huixquilucan and Nuevo Leon, bringing the all-American restaurant chain's total in Mexico to 18.

Home Care Assistance, the leading provider of in-home care for seniors, today announced that it has been recognized with Home Care Pulse's "Best of Home Care" distinction.

European Wax Center La Quinta will celebrate its official Grand Opening on February 17th, offering luxurious facial and body waxing in the Coachella Valley, CA at prices accessible to all.

The gym wasn't always Cassie's favorite place to be, but after losing 70 pounds, she credits her success to her personal trainer and the supportive environment at her neighborhood Charter Fitness.

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has selected Marina MacDonald, SVP Sales & Marketing, Red Roof Inn, as one of the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing” for 2012

According to United Country Real Estate, the nation’s largest seller of non-urban real estate, visitor traffic at their over 3,500 websites experienced a dramatic rise in 2012 and early 2013.

Fresh Healthy Vending offers healthier choices in snacks and drinks, participates in programs to prevent Childhood Obesity in cities like Pinellas Park, Florida.

Build-A-Bear Workshop(R), the interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed animals, is continuing its support of The Children's Heart Foundation (CHF) this Valentine's Day.

Recognized among a select few of the best agencies in the country, Home Care Assistance of Central New Jersey ranks in the top 1% in client satisfaction scores.

Governor Steve Beshear today announced Dippin' Dots LLC plans to expand operations in Paducah, creating 30 new, full-time jobs and investing more than $3.1 million in the project.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will open in Starke tomorrow at 11 a.m. The new barbecue restaurant will be dishing out 100 free Pulled Pork Big Barbecue sandwiches to the first 100 customers in line.

Domino's Pizza is looking to hire 800 employees across 74 stores in the Seattle area! All of the new positions offered are for delivery drivers, assistant managers and general managers.

Winmark Corporation announced today that the name of its recently launched women’s resale brand will be Style Encore™.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE: CMG) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012.

Maid Brigade, the residential cleaning leader, has been named to the Entrepreneur 2013 Franchise 500(R) list, ranking 98th as one of America’s top franchise opportunities.

Maui Wowi Hawaiian has been accepted as a vendor at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo held at the AT&T Center February 7-24.

LED Source, North America’s first and only franchised provider of LED lighting solutions, will be exhibiting at this year’s IFA Convention, which will take place Feb. 17-20 in Las Vegas. LED Source will be showcasing at booths...

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (Nasdaq:DAVE) will announce its Fourth Quarter 2012 earnings after market close on February 13, 2013.

Panera Bread Company (NASDAQ: PNRA) today reported net income of $52 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, for the thirteen weeks ended December 25, 2012.

Homewood Suites by Hilton, the international brand of upscale, all-suite, residential-style hotels, today announced the opening of its newest property in Coralville – Iowa River Landing, IA.

The best of the best – that is what Jiffy Lube is looking for in its J-Team All Stars competition and the Company is proud to announce that the list of finalists has been narrowed down from 1,500 Jiffy Lube service centers across the United...

Giant Tiger Stores Limited is pleased to announce that all Giant Tiger stores will be rounding down prices at the register for cash transactions. For example if a customer's cash purchase is 4.99, then the customer pays only 4.95!

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Cupid’s arrows are aiming straight at Dickey’s Barbecue for Valentine’s Day and offering customers a Valentine worth $5 off to share the love.

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa is the first hotel in Malta and the ICM region within Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide® to receive the Green Key Award.

In just a year, Menchie's frozen yogurt franchise has risen more than 100 spots on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list, the industry's most prestigious catalogue of the best franchise opportunities.

Plan to spend Friday, February 8 at the new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit in Wausau for its opening day. Dickey’s will be giving the first 100 customers at the Wausau location free Pulled Pork Big Barbecue sandwiches.

Unique Pizza and Subs Corp. (PINKSHEETS: UPZS) today announced Pizza Fusion, this nation's only choice for superior quality gourmet organic pizza, continues to cultivate its home state of Florida with two new locations in Naples and Boca Raton.

Colorado-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a fast-casual restaurant concept serving fresh and healthy Mediterranean cuisine, announced today the awarding of franchise development rights to GMG Arizona, LLC.

Daniel Krajewski, Vice President of Business Development at Direct Capital, has been named the Chair of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association’s Captive & Vendor Finance Business Council Steering Committee.

Planet Beach, the creator of the contempo spa concept and leader in self-automated spa services, introduces a new spa design and franchise financing program aimed at attracting new franchise owners in new and existing markets worldwide.

Burger 21®, a new better burger franchise founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. with five locations open and 10 in development on the East Coast, is giving customers exactly what they crave in a burger — diversity.

Giant Tiger is excited to announce the expansion of our store in Truro, Nova Scotia. This expansion will see a bigger and brighter store, better suited to serve the needs of the community in Truro.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will soon be serving authentic pit-smoked barbecue in Chaska. Brothers Joe and Greg Dvorak are taking their love for barbecue to the next level and will be opening their new Dickey’s on Thursday, February 7 at 11...

IZON Global Media, a media agency specializing in outdoor advertising, announces a new franchise at 5528 35th, Ste. #208 in Kenosha, under the ownership of local residents Jim and Cherlyn Jensen.

A1 Concrete, through its recent partnership with Perma-Strap, has become one of the first concrete levelling and repair companies to offer a permanent carbon fiber reinforcement solution for cracked or bowed concrete foundations across the Midwest...

The husband and wife team have always dreamed of starting a business that leverages their combined experiences while contributing something more meaningful within the community.

Liberty Tax Service and Los Angeles-based EC Hispanic Media are expanding their partnership to bring Hispanic consumers, high-value educational content.

As of the beginning of 2013, Massage Envy Spas in Princeton, NJ and Robbinsville, NJ have undergone a change in ownership and been placed in the hands of New Jersey’s own Greg Robertson.

According to Scott Boyle, Domino's Pizza franchise owner and star of the company's latest commercial, promoting a campaign that will extend the fan-favorite Domino's carryout special an extra day, now available for customers from Monday through...

Miracle Method Surface Refinishing, the nation’s largest surface refinishing franchise, is targeting the Greater Cincinnati Market for expansion.

Home Care Assistance is now offering free senior yoga and meditation classes taught by The Art of Living Foundation, a not-for-profit, educational and humanitarian NGO which champions physical and mental stress management.

The 71 year old barbecue franchise is taking over Texas. Dickey’s Barbecue is opening its newest Texas location in Spring at I-45 & Louetta Road at Exit 68.

All three of Last Minit Mart's Chester's locations in the greater Pittsburgh area - Jamestown, New Wilmington and New Castle - recently unveiled remodeled Chester's.

Opening with record first week sales, the new Bruegger’s Bagels is on campus in Turner Place, the school’s recently refurbished, state-of-the-art dining facility.

Romacorp, Inc., the parent company of Tony Roma’s restaurant, announces the re-opening of Tony Roma’s Suntec City in Singapore. The restaurant is located in the Suntec City Mall and will feature new design and décor elements, a...

Airing Thursday, February 28 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the episode will see Suls get a first-hand look at the hard work that has made Mr. Lube the leading quick-lube service provider in Canada.

Jason will work as part of an expanded team of culinary talent driving the national food offerings, while regional and market chefs drive movie feast events, special programming related food offerings and local seasonal fare.

Alabama now has its first state-wide, locally owned business advisors company, named Transworld Business Advisors of Alabama.

Do you love slow smoked barbecue and ice cream? If so, then you’re going to want to head to Dickey’s Barbecue in Kenosha for their grand opening event on Thursday, February 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Chicago-based art-and-wine party franchise, where guests can paint their own take-home masterpiece with the help of a little wine, is launching its first New Jersey location with a “pop-up party” at The Famished Frog in Morristown...

National kids gym franchise Great Play is coming to Northern Virginia. Oakton resident Christie Talbot recently signed a development agreement for three Great Play gyms in the Fairfax County and Ashburn territories.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced the opening of Vana Belle, a Luxury Collection Resort, Koh Samui.

Maaco today announced that Pitch has been selected to be the company’s advertising agency of record.

With the center’s latest promotion, guests interested in hair removal in Short Hills, NJ who purchase one full-priced waxing service will receive a second service or equal or lesser value for half its original price.

On the heels of a successful year, Painting with a Twist is heading into 2013 with a colorful growth plan and a newly expanded corporate team.

With a new franchisee in place, Fuddruckers® is expanding its presence in the Caribbean and entering Central America.

Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (NasdaqGS: TXRH) announced today that it will release fourth quarter 2012 financial results on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 after the market close.

Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) today reported results for the fourth quarter ended December 29, 2012 including EPS of $0.83, excluding Special Items. Reported EPS was $0.72 for the quarter and $3.38 for the year.

Tru-Skin Dermatology, America’s first dermatology franchise is proud to announce the signing of its first franchisee, Dr. Chris D. Collins, MD, FAAD.

Unique Pizza and Subs Corp. (PINKSHEETS: UPZS) today announced Pizza Fusion has opened its Eighth restaurant in the Middle East via the Samir Group, its Middle East Master Franchisor.