The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announced a significant investment by both the company and its ownership groups of nearly $3 billion in existing and new properties since the company acquired the Paris-born hotel brand in late...

Today, Newk’s Eatery will be launching two new limited time offers: a buffalo chicken sandwich and an arugula salmon salad.

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) has signed leases for additional ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen locations.

After a successful limited test, O'Charley's has launched "Free Pie Wednesday" nationally. Any customer ordering an entrée on Wednesdays will receive a free slice of O'Charley's new award-winning pies.

Red Robin is mixing things up again with two new beer cocktails available exclusively at Red Robin and served in a limited edition, reusable beer can.

Reaffirming its commitment to guests' health and wellness, Westin Hotels & Resorts today announced a preferred partnership with the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series®.

Nationwide restaurant chain Firehouse Subs plans to open 52 restaurants targeting the areas of St. Louis, Jefferson City and Columbia, Mo., Southeastern Illinois and Paducah, Ky.

Five Star Painting Dallas was awarded the "Best of the Best" designation for excellence by Follow Media Consulting, Inc. in the category of Painter Dallas TX.

Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (HTZ), is pleased to announce the expansion of its Dollar Rent A Car and Thrifty Car Rental brands in Europe.

At a dinner, Dr. Cristina, Esposito the President of The AlignLife franchise, presented these awards to Dr. Ramsour for his continued outstanding performance in both his service to customers, and his neighboring community.

Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken announces a new senior management team and board of directors.

The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. is the perfect place to take a weeknight getaway this summer with a unique, interactive fondue dining experience complemented by refreshing, limited-edition cocktails from The Sip List.

Balancing work, family and exercise is a challenge for many. Often, a busy adult’s exercise program is limited to an impromptu game of softball with the kids at the park or tackling strenuous home improvement projects on the weekends.

Sixt Aktiengesellschaft, Germany’s largest car rental company and one of Europe's leading mobility service providers, recorded a good business performance in the first quarter of 2013 despite more difficult general conditions.

The Beef Jerky Outlet Franchise is pleased to announce that Richard LeMoine has signed a multi-store franchise agreement for Louisiana locations.

Wingstop, the rapidly expanding wing chain with 570 locations, has landed its first restaurant Jackson, Tenn. The Wing Experts are now open and saucing and tossing made-to-order wings at 5 Stonebridge Place.

HRI Holdco, LLC, parent company of carpet and upholstery cleaning franchise Chem-Dry and wood renewal franchise N-Hance, announced that it has begun franchising directly into Canada.

Maui Wowi Hawaiian is donating 100% of the funds raised during its hands on smoothie training event at the company’s headquarters on Wednesday, June 12, to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund for the victims of the Oklahoma tornado.

Drafthouse Recommends spotlights a first-run movie with the Alamo stamp of approval, indicating that we love it and want everyone to go see it.

Jazzercisewill return to the desert June 28-29 for the Fitness Fiesta Jazzercise Convention featuring a live taping of new Jazzercise choreography, shopping expo, mega group fitness classes and the exclusive filming of the new Dance HiiT DVD.

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), the world's largest marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products, will present at William Blair's 33rd Annual Growth Stock Conference on Tuesday, June 11, 2013 in Chicago, IL.

MRINetwork, one of the world's largest search and recruitment organizations, was recently included in the annual "Best for Vets" rankings of the Military Timesin the franchise category.

This year Cold Stone Creamery® is celebrating 25 Years of the Ultimate Ice Cream Experience.

Just as baseball season is heating up, Wingstop Sacramento Valley and the Sacramento River Cats announced the award-winning wing chain are proud partners of the minor league baseball team for the 2013 season.

PRO Martial Arts, the nation’s fastest growing Martial Arts concept, announces today that it has signed an agreement with Matthew Woody to develop two locations in the Dallas, Texas area.

Jim and Gaye Aaberg and Betsy Boge have opened Synergy HomeCare of Central Illinois for people who need assistance with activities of daily living, including eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, mobility, food preparation and medication reminders.

PRO Martial Arts, the nation’s fastest growing Martial Arts concept, announces today that it has signed a multi unit agreement with Bruno and Mary Hilgart to develop three locations in the Chicago market.

In the May 2013 issue of Franchise Times Sean Brauser, CEO & Founder of Romeo's Pizza discusses how he grew the brand from 1 store in 2001 to 30 stores today.

Top That! Pizza made its debut into the annual list of “Top 50 Fast Casual Movers and Shakers” at number 43. The two-year old brand was also mentioned specifically as a trendsetter throughout the expansive report.

Roetzel is pleased to announce that Sarah Hilbert has joined the firm’s Naples office as an associate attorney.

Continuing its aggressive expansion outside of its North Carolina hub, East Coast Wings & Grill has turned its attention to opening as many as 20 restaurants throughout Tennessee over the next five years.

Renowned Canadian hand-tool expert Rob Cosman’s heritage includes carpentry, furnituremaking and teaching. Now he is sharing his woodworking passion with his son, Jake.

MosquitoNix® continues its expansion plan to open 50 new franchises in 2013 and announced today that Jenny Harwood, owner of A Perfect Balance, has purchased its Detroit franchise.

Solar Universe (www.solaruniverse.com), the leader in solar franchising, announced today the addition of a new Vice President of Sales, Elton Hart.

A new RE/MAX Plaza office will open its doors in Woodstock, Ill., later this year in another sign that real estate professionals anticipate continued recovery in the metropolitan Chicago real estate market.

Real estate firm HomeSmart International continues its nationwide growth with the opening of its newest franchise in Cedar Hill, Texas.

With national growth and global expansion the ‘standard’ at San Diego-based Fresh Healthy Vending, the company’s commitment to teamwork and service is as strong as ever.

Janet Asbury, a software industry saleswoman, was ready to take charge of her career. So, she launched her own Handyman Matters franchise in 2004 and sold in 2011.

Baskin-Robbins, the world's largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, will sell 2.5 oz scoops of ice cream tomorrow for just 31¢ as part of a campaign to thank guests for their patronage and support one of the world's leading paediatric...

Wok Box, one of North America's premier Asian quick service restaurant systems, will be showcased on Food Network Canada's brand new Canadian original series, Giving You The Business, on Monday, June 3.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) (the "Company") today reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2014, ended May 5, 2013. The Company also raised its guidance for the full year.

The Board of Directors for Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share on the common stock of the company payable on June 27, 2013 to shareholders of record as of June 14, 2013.

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents per share, payable July 1, 2013, to shareholders of record as of June 17, 2013.

Elevation Burger, the country’s first 100% organic beef burger chain, recently signed two new franchising deals in the cities of Wyomissing, Pa., and Houston.

Residents and small businesses in the South Bend, IN area don’t have to worry about those chores anymore! Window Genie announces the grand opening of their newest location, owned by Jack White, opening in South Bend on Monday, June 3.

The summer season has started and what better time to check out some "under the radar" vacation markets.

Wingstop is expanding in North Carolina. The 570-unit chicken wing chain has signed a multi-unit development agreement to open the first Wingstop restaurants in Charlotte, beginning with a location at 9211 N. Tryon Street this fall.

CertaPro Painters® is proud to announce the second annual CertaPro Painters “Run For Our Troops” to support Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) on Saturday, June 15 at 9 a.m. in Washington Lake Park in Sewell.

For the third consecutive year, Online Trading Academy was recognized as the Best Forex Education Provider at the Middle East Forex Expo Managed Funds and Investment Summit 2013 held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai.

El Pollo Loco, the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant, introduced today three new Pork Carnitas entrees which are available for a limited time only.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON: IHG; NYSE: IHG (ADRs)] today announces the signing of the second EVEN™ Hotels property in New York City, with an ownership group led by Frank Chan and Lance Steinberg.

CHORE Masters, the nation's first franchised single-source property maintenance concierge service, is pleased to announce the launch of its first two franchised locations in Round Rock and Georgetown, TX.

Among the select pool of finalists: Lenny Verkhoglaz, the CEO and founder of Executive Care, a fast-growing Hackensack, N.J.-based home care franchise.

When Tom Bliss came across ActionCOACH while looking for an opportunity to improve his career, his family’s life and his community, he knew he had found the place for him.

Radisson Blu, one of the world’s leading hotel brands, is hoping to “Turn Your World Blu” this summer.

The United States is the only developed country that levies income taxes based on citizenship versus just residency.

Dutch Bros. Coffee has officially signed on as the exclusive coffee partner for University of Oregon and Oregon State University athletics.

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, the world’s largest self-serve frozen yogurt franchise, opened its 300th location on May 23rd in Houston, Texas.

10 countries. 500 schools. 50,000 Kids. These are just a few of the preliminary results from Kids Get Fit, a global initiative to prevent childhood obesity in honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in May.

U-Swirl, Inc. (OTCQB: SWRL), parent to U-SWIRL International, Inc., the owner and franchisor of U-SWIRL Frozen Yogurt® cafes, announced results of operations from January 1, 2013 to February 28, 2013 which encompasses fiscal year 2013.

Yogurtland, the ever-popular quickly expanding self-serve frozen yogurt pioneer, announces the opening of its first Boston area location.