The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

Cruise Planners-American Express Travel continues to edge out its competition and this year has launched its way into the No. 19 spot on Entrepreneur’s Annual Franchise 500 List.

Sbarro (www.sbarro.com) announced today that it will continue its international growth through a partnership with Dubai Comercio e Representacoes to open 20 eateries over the next decade in Brazil.

Hilton Worldwide today announced the official opening of the 30-room DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles-Allamanda Resort & Spa, its third resort in the Republic of The Seychelles Islands.

Shamus has recently moved from the Nantucket area and is a skilled finshed carpenter and entrepreneur. He will be a great asset to the team at EXIT Realty Group.

IFC and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema are working together to make Sundays just a little bit more fun for movie fans nationwide.

Edible Arrangements® has selected Craig Rubinstein as its new Vice President of Development, and Ryan Hostetler has been named Franchise Marketing Manager.

DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Worldwide today announced the opening of DoubleTree by Hilton Hangzhou East.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today the official opening of two new properties – Park Hyatt Changbaishan and Hyatt Regency Changbaishan.

Solar Universe, Inc. (www.solaruniverse.com), the leader in solar franchising, today released significant growth numbers solidifying a positive 2013 year.

Togo's Eateries, Inc., a "West Coast Original" since 1971, is celebrating the grand opening of its first restaurant in Dinuba, Calif. located at 517 W. El Monte Way.

Express Employment Professionals, the nation’s largest privately held staffing firm, today released a list of four tips for seasonal employees who want to turn their short-term jobs into long-term ones.

Rite Aid Corporation and GNC (NYSE:GNC) announced today an agreement which extends and expands their existing partnership through 2019.

Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty, a luxury real estate firm based in Newport, Rhode Island, today announced the sale of a Newport landmark, the historic Audrain Building on Bellevue Avenue.

The iLoveKickboxing.com studio in Gig Harbor, Washington will be hosting their 2nd annual Members Appreciation Party on December 21st.

The Jack in the Box National Franchise Association (JIB-NFA) today announced the formation of a new board of directors to represent the current 1,711 restaurants and 100 franchise owners.

DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Worldwide today announced the opening of the 23-story, 301-room DoubleTree by Hilton Anhui-Suzhou.

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. (WREA) the world's youngest full service, national real estate franchise, announced the opening of five offices in the state of Texas in 2013.

Christian Brothers Automotive, the automotive repair shop creating a positive "culture shock" in town with its commitment to honesty and integrity, opened a new location this week situated at 8630 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

EXIT Realty Premier’s Roger Kopernik was recently awarded Bronze Award by EXIT Realty Corp. International.

The Award-Winning casual-dining franchise Quaker Steak & Lube®, known for its Best Wings USA and more than 25 sauces, announced today its new website is now live.

The Alexandra Barcelona, a DoubleTree by Hilton, began welcoming guests with all the hallmarks of the award winning upscale hotel brand.

Dickey’s Barbecue is adding some heat to their menu thanks to a new partnership with Texas Pete® Hot Sauce.

Dream Doors, the UK's largest kitchen facelift retailer, launched its new website this week.

GRILLiT, Inc. today announced that it has acquired a 10% equity stake in Natura Foods, LLC, the exclusive distributor of "Gaucho Ranch" branded South American natural and organic grass-fed beef.

Pure Minutes and Liberty Tax Service are proud to announce a partnership which joins affordable international calling solutions with one of the leading tax preparation services in the U.S.

New Jersey native Sunny Shakhawala is about to open his own business and be the boss as one of the newest franchise owners to join the Red Mango brand, one of the fastest-growing frozen yogurt and smoothie chains in America.

The Keg Royalties Income Fund (the "Fund") (TSX:KEG.UN) today announced that its January 2014 distribution of $0.08 cents per unit has been declared and is payable to unitholders of record as at December 31, 2013.

EXIT Realty Horizons Broker/Owner, Thomas McCormick, joined real estate professionals from all over North America recently at the headquarters of EXIT Realty Corp. International for an intensive week of training and networking.

Thirty-three new lawyers have joined Faegre Baker Daniels LLP as associates in 10 practice areas.

AFC Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: AFCE), the franchisor and operator of Popeyes® restaurants, announced the completion of a new, five-year $125 million revolving credit facility on December 18, 2013.

Brand new Rhythm Time pre-school classes will be available in the new year in Baildon. Continuing demand for the award-winning children's music classes has meant the creation of extra sessions on Thursdays at 11.20am.

DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE:DIN), the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar® and IHOP® restaurants, today announced the appointment of Daniel del Olmo as president, international, effective December 16, 2013.

European Wax Center Stamford has unveiled their latest promotion - the Winter Wonder Smooth Special.

The ServiceMaster Company, one of the world’s largest residential and commercial service networks, announced today Susan Hunsberger has been named senior vice president of human resources.

Bowl of Heaven is bringing on two new amazing super fruits – Pitaya or ‘Dragon’ fruit from Nicaragua and Prickly Pear, both uniquely from cacti - to be rolled out with the introduction of the Paradise Bowl to the menu.

CaliBurgerTM announced today it will open five restaurants in the Middle East in the first half of 2014.

Franchise veteran Aaron Goldberg has been appointed Vice President of Development for ZIPS Dry Cleaners, an aggressively expanding dry cleaning franchise concept with more than 36 locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Russo's Restaurants, the family of dining concepts that includes Russo's New York Pizzeria and Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, announced today plans to significantly enhance the brands' U.S. and international presence in 2014.

The law firm of Roetzel & Andress, LPA is pleased to announce that Anne Prenner Schmidt has joined the firm’s Chicago office as an associate attorney.

O’Charley’s restaurants is honoring local military this holiday season by sending a donation of the restaurant’s award-winning pies to military bases and organizations in Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky and Alabama.

With one week to go before kids everywhere are snug in their beds with visions of toys, games and dolls dancing in their heads, Toys"R"Us® today announced that its stores nationwide will remain open for 87 consecutive hours.

EXIT Realty XL Broker/Owner, Jerry Grosenick, joined real estate professionals from all over North America recently at the headquarters of EXIT Realty Corp. International for an intensive week of training and networking.

Wing enthusiasts of San Bernardino County now have a new location to satisfy their wing fix! Wingstop, the award-winning chicken wing chain with 600-plus restaurants, opens its first location today in Hesperia, Calif. at 13259 Main Street.

Thomas C. Freeman has joined the government services team at Faegre Baker Daniels LLP as a government relations advisor in the firm's Minneapolis office.

Sky Zone, the creator of the world’s first indoor trampoline park, opens its doors in Tulsa Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 8306 E. 61st St. in the Manchester Square shopping center.

CUPS Frozen Yogurt – That’s Hot ™, the beach-themed self-serve fro-yo concept known for its highly energetic vibe and club dance music is about as unique and different as you can find.

Speedemissions, Inc. (OTCQB: SPMI) today announce a shareholder update from Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Rich Parlontieri.

It's the most wonderful time of the year. That's because Carvel... America's Freshest Ice Cream®, announces the return of its festive ice cream favorites, just in time for the holidays.

Firemans Contractors, Inc. (OTCQB: FRCN) a Franchisor and commercial contractor provides shareholder update and strategic plan for 2014.

Bob Funk, Chairman and CEO of Express Employment Professionals, the nation’s largest privately held staffing firm, today released seven predictions for 2014 related to jobs and the economy.

It's a fight, alright! And it's heating up on social media as fast as the atomic sauce on a Wingstop wing.

Home Care Assistance of Annapolis, a leading international provider of non-medical, in-home senior care, has recently opened its doors to serve the Annapolis community and surrounding areas in Anne Arundel County.

With just one week to go until Christmas, as Americans rush to complete their holiday to-do lists, they are already preparing for their big holiday meal, according to a recent survey by HoneyBaked*.

After more than 30 years of franchising children’s upscale resale boutiques, the team behind Children’s Orchard® has introduced a new resale concept, Style Trader®.

Comparable to big-box retailers and even online retailers, 7-Eleven's prices let customers shop easily without paying a premium for convenience.

It’s a great time to be a Biggby Nation fanatic! Biggby Coffee is growing and met the goal of signing 48 new locations in 2013.

Steak 'n Shake announced today a major international development agreement in the Middle East, which will bring this notable "better burger" chain to Saudi Arabia.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced its rapidly expanding Four Points brand has opened its second hotel in Jacksonville, Florida.

AlignLife in West Union, South Carolina owned and managed by Dr. Janet Cobb has made a lot of changes.

Christian Brothers Automotive, the automotive repair shop creating a positive "culture shock" in town with its commitment to honesty and integrity, opened a new location this week situated at 11870 N Central Expressway in Dallas, Texas.

RE/MAX broker Scott Gerami of Naperville, Ill., is a self-described “gadget guy.” So about a year ago, when he saw a YouTube video taken by a tiny video camera mounted on a drone, he was fascinated.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has partnered with restaurateurs Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson to launch a fast causal pizza concept called Pizzeria Locale.

European Wax Center Cherry Creek just unwrapped the Winter Wonder Smooth Special to deliver Denver residents savings this holiday.

La Quinta Inns & Suites is honored to have recently been recognized with multiple awards and rankings that reinforce La Quinta's core values: People, Passion, Integrity, Excellence and Unique.

GYMGUYZ, a premier mobile personal training and fitness company, opens up new franchising opportunities in the United States to qualified entrepreneurs seeking to participate in the rapid growth of the GYMGUYZ brand.

More than 100 million Americans will make New Year's resolutions in 2014, with many promising to lose weight or exercise more. But research has shown that less than 10 percent will succeed.