The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

MaidPro has once again been named among the Top 100 franchise companies in Franchise Business Review’s Special Report: Veterans & Franchising.

According to Cruise Planners - American Express Travel, the nation’s largest home-based travel agent franchise network in the travel industry, there are still last-minute holiday cruise deals for savvy travelers.

ActionCOACH announced the addition of Sheila Kloefkorn, president and CEO of KEO Marketing, as a firm owner in the ActionCOACH network. Kloefkorn is strategically located in Phoenix, Arizona to serve business owners throughout the area.

Bob Allen's journey began over 20 years ago as a Performance Coach for the Dale Carnegie Training franchise in upstate NY and has led to his becoming CEO of the Dale Carnegie Training franchise of Central Ohio.

DoubleTree by Hilton today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Salt Lake City Airport, a modern, lakeside hotel located two miles from Salt Lake City International Airport.

Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced that its Board of Directors approved a new $1 billion share repurchase authorization for the company’s common stock, reinforcing the company’s commitment to returning excess cash to shareholders.

Briana Kuestersteffen from Norman High School North in Norman, OK, and Landon Nault from Kingfisher High School in Kingfisher, OK, were chosen as two of twelve National Finalists for the 2013 Wendy's® High School Heisman® Award.

Salons By JC, has become the leader in what is now one of the fastest-growing segments of the real estate industry.

Menchie’s, the friendliest place on earth with a mission to make every guest smile, will be opening its new location in Colonial Corner at 8293 Dani Drive Suite 103 Fort Myers, Fla. 33966 on Monday, Nov. 25.

School of Rock, a national performance-based music education franchise, has been working with young aspiring musicians for over 15 years and has extensive knowledge on how to go about smartly buying a child’s first musical instrument.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is proud to announce the newest opening in Ahwatukee at 14205 South 50th Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85044.

As one of the largest corporate supporters of the United Nations World Food Program, Pizza Hut has announced that it will designate a percentage of its World Hunger Relief donations through Yum! Brands to recovery efforts in the Philippines.

Franchise Times ranked Mr. Rooter No. 196 on the Top 200 Franchise Chains in 2013. The Mr. Rooter brand also earned a mention on Franchise Times’ short list of Top Home Services.

Orangetheory Fitness® has blazed a trail in the fitness industry with many firsts, the latest of which is having a workout based on the number-one fitness trend for 2014: high-intensity interval training.

Salsarita’s, the Fresh Mexican Cantina with locations across the country, is including free gifts for guests who purchase holiday gift cards from the restaurant between Nov. 20 and Dec. 31.

Build-A-Bear Workshop®, the global interactive retailer of customized stuffed animals, is kicking off its sixth annual campaign to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and inviting Guests to join the effort in several ways.

Lawn Army, a lawn maintenance company and HomeTask franchise concept, announced that they will be offering a $5,000 discount to veterans who would like to become a franchise partner and start their own Lawn Army franchise.

Metal Supermarkets®, the world’s largest supplier of small quantity metals, opened its second franchise store in Indiana on November 18, the 67th location in the franchise network.

Sales of luxury homes in the seven-county metropolitan Chicago real estate market continued to gather momentum, according to the RE/MAX Luxury Report on Chicago Real Estate, a bi-monthly analysis of home sales at $1 million plus.

South Philly Steaks & Fries introduces its newest premium menu item, the Fried Pickle & BBQ Steak Sandwich.

Green Leaf’s and Bananas - the feel good, taste good, be good choice for consumers - are giving Facebook fans a chance to be good to themselves with the Good For You Giveaway.

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop expands its presence on the East Coast with a new location in Washington D.C.

Renuva Back & Pain Centers continues its tremendous 2013 by awarding its second franchise in as many weeks, and its first franchise in the State of Colorado to Dr. Adam Harris of Boulder, Renuva announced on Tuesday.

Staymobile™, a service franchise providing electronic repair, accessories and protection for businesses and consumers, today announces an aggressive franchise growth strategy.

The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ: WEN) announced today further progress on its system optimization initiative and a transition in its operations leadership team.

Biggby Coffee in Redford Twp., Mich. will open its doors Nov. 19, 2013, located at 15138 Inkster Rd.

Cell phones and mobile devices have become so pervasive in American society that the norm of having one has shifted from being a luxury to a necessity – there is an expectation that you can be reached at any time from any remote location.

School of Rock is Hosting an All-Day Music Festival for Charity on December 7th in Its Frisco School and Live Music Venue, The Vault

Sub Zero Ice Cream in Cedar City and St. George, Utah love to support local kids programs such as SUU's Thunderkids.

OpenWorks, an integrated facility services company based in Phoenix, AZ, celebrates its 30th anniversary this month.

Realty ONE Group Affiliates, Inc., today announced that it will open its first franchise in Houston, with Chance Brown at the helm of Realty ONE Group Lone Star at 12777 Jones Rd, Suite 400, Houston, TX 77070.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and Playa Hotels & Resorts B.V. (Playa) today announce the opening of Hyatt Zilara Cancun, the first Hyatt-branded adult-only all-inclusive resort.

On the forefront of choice, Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint, the original fast casual pizza franchise, adds a gluten-free dessert to its menu of more than 5-milion options.

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt announced today a partnership with Paresh Patel, a New Jersey-based pharmacist and pharmacy owner, who signed a multi-unit development agreement with the frozen yogurt company.

Biggby Coffee Auburn Hills, Mich. will open its doors Nov. 12, 2013, located at 4211 Joslyn Rd. Ste. 100.

Christian Brothers Automotive will offer its customers an easy way to donate canned food items to benefit their local community this Thanksgiving.

Le Duff America Inc., owner of Bruegger's Bagels, announced today that Miguel Fernandez will join the Burlington-based company in the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer.

Effective January 1, 2014, Yum! Brands, Inc. will combine its Yum! Restaurants International (YRI) and the U.S. individual divisions for KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

Flippers Pizzeria has announced two new locations scheduled to open later this year in both Orlando and Tampa, continuing its mission of sharing "fresh, honest ingredients" with hungry customers throughout Florida.

ServiceMaster Clean and ServiceMaster Restore announced the recognition of more than 50 outstanding franchise owners at their recent international convention held in St. Louis, Mo.

The Entrepreneur’s Source®, the nation’s leading career and franchise business coaching network, is hosting a virtual Start a Business Weekend® expo November 21-23, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

Almost nine years ago, local entrepreneurs Sean Collins and Dave Rutter decided to open the first ever franchised Costa Vida location – and it was in Utah County.

Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY) recently hosted an invitation-only industry event exclusively for leaders in real estate servicing diverse growth market segments.

Emily Granger from Saints Peter and Paul High School in Easton, MD, and Brett Conrads from Newton High School in Newton, NJ, were chosen as two of twelve National Finalists for the 2013 Wendy's® High School Heisman® Award.

Computer Renaissance, America’s largest computer franchise, today announced the introduction of Game Console services available at the Kennesaw, Georgia store.

FOCUS Brands Inc. announced today that Barry Moullet has been named Chief Supply Chain Officer.

Cellairis, one of the world’s largest wireless accessory retailers, opens a new kiosk at Miller Hill Mall in Duluth, Minnesota.

Holiday decorating companies like Christmas Decor make it their business to provide a stress free holiday experience.

Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced the expansion of its Reserve in Store capabilities to all U.S. Banana Republic stores and more than 200 Gap stores in 15 major U.S. markets.

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park will open its doors in Rochester to offer a thrilling experience for the whole family atop a court of connecting trampolines.

ERA Real Estate, a global real estate franchising leader, today announced the affiliation of RE/MAX North Properties in the greater Chattanooga area. With one office and 20 agents, the firm will now do business as ERA Blue Key Properties.

Of the 48,000 students who applied for this year's award, Elizabeth Kroeger from Independence High School in Thompson's Station, TN, and Will Freeman from Spain Park High School in Hoover, AL.

Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), announced the winning entries from the Realogy Innovation Summit – Powered by Retsly (#RISR13).

After several years of laying low, premium smoothie franchise Robeks finished 2013 with a burst of activity, announcing plans to bring the brand to Philadelphia as well as New York City, with more expansion on the horizon.

Menchie’s, North America’s largest self-serve frozen yogurt franchise, continues to grow its international presence, opening its newest location in Guangzhou, China.

Atlanta-based Fresh To Order (f2o) will open a location in the landmark CNN Center on November 22, providing CNN staff and visitors, other downtown employees, Omni Hotel guests and Atlanta sports fans a new place to dine for breakfast, lunch, and...

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, creator of the world’s first all-trampoline, walled playing court, is now hiring more than 75 team members for its new park in Shelby Township, Mich.

Rapid Realty NYC, New York’s largest rental-based real estate firm, celebrated the grand opening of its first franchise in Massachusetts.

Come January, New Englanders also know that the frigid air and snowstorms mean it’s time for the annual Polar Grill Fest hosted by The Meat House and Redhook Brewery.

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC today announced two additions to its executive leadership team as it continues its strategic growth strategy.

Homestyle Dining LLC, which operates and franchises the Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouse restaurant concepts, has announced the recipients of its annual franchise and brand support awards.