The Daily Edition of Franchise Business News

Don’t tell U.S. Lawns about the slow economy. March came in like a lion when it comes to growth. They are building a stronger brand at a fast pace, having added four new franchise locations in March, now reaching new record growth of over...

Swisher Hygiene Inc. ("Swisher Hygiene") (Nasdaq:SWSH) (TSX:SWI) announced today that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") has extended the date for the delisting of the common stock of Swisher Hygiene.

Homewood Suites by Hilton, the international brand of upscale, all-suite, residential-style hotels, announced its top performing properties in 2012, including Connie Award Winner Homewood Suites by Hilton Dallas/Allen, TX.

Roetzel is pleased to announce the promotion of four of its Associates to Partner.

Janet Irven is a single mother and former oil and gas executive who was looking for a way to strike a balance between work and being there for her 10-year-old son when she discovered the magic of being a part-time entrepreneur.

The first group of TapSnap franchisees are ready to make their mark across North America, after three days of intensive "TapSnap University" training in Vancouver, Canada at the end of February.

Gray Plant Mooty, as a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), has chosen Inchan Hwang to be a member of the 2013 class of Fellows.

Choice Hotels International Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, today announced the launch of SkyTouch Technology, a new division that develops and markets cloud-based technology products to help hoteliers industry-wide...

Through Nov. 17, 2013, Wyndham Rewards® members in the U.S. who visit www.super8motorsports.com, the official home of Super 8 racing, can play the Follow The Sign Instant Win Game and Sweepstakes.

With extended hours through Saturday evening at over 400 locations, HoneyBaked stores are offering delicious meal solutions that minimize time spent in the kitchen and maximize time spent with family.

MICROS Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRS) is pleased to announce the implementation of its cloud-based MICROS Simphony and MICROS myinventory by Canadian-based restaurant company, Extreme Brandz.

While she is well-known for comedic roles on Saturday Night Live and Suburgatory, Ana Gasteyer is not joking about her love for Weight Watchers® Online and is sharing her experience in a new spring advertising campaign due to break March 31.

The Joint Corp., a leading franchisor of chiropractic clinics, is proud to announce the opening of its 100th clinic in Elk Grove, a suburb of Sacramento, Calif.

Reuters reported that home prices closed out 2012 with the biggest annual gain in more than six years while sales of new homes spiked in January, the latest sign that the long-suffering housing market is on the mend and recovery is on track.

Jan-Pro Franchising International, Inc. continues its leadership reputation, receiving the coveted #1 Ranking on Entrepreneur’s 2013 Top 100 Home Based Franchises List.

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) today announced that it has signed an agreement with the Oman Tourism Development Company SAOC (Omran) to open Crowne Plaza Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Muscat.

The RE/MAX Northern Illinois real estate network donated $129,000 in 2012 to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital® (CMNH).

Popular children’s music classes, Rhythm Time, is celebrating their success after making it through to the final voting stage of a top national award that recognises best activities for children.

Apricot Lane, a leading retail franchise specializing in women’s apparel, accessories and gift items announced today its projected growth for the remaining three quarters of the year.

To assist with the decision-making process and to help educate those seeking to own a franchise, Liberty Tax is holding an open house Thursday, April 4 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Homewood Suites in Fort Myers (near RSW).

European Wax Center Saugus recently began offering students interested in waxing in Saugus, MA with new ways to save on hair removal.

The Alternative Board (TAB) will open a new office in Ottawa for the benefit of private business owners in Canada's capitol city to provide them with their very own board of directors.

Birmingham, Alabama will see the Better Life Maids green house cleaning service opening March of 2013.

ServiceMaster Specialty Restoration Services, Green Bay, WI has decided to expand their digital marketing plan with RestorationMaster™ by expanding their market to Milwaukee, WI as well as the service addition of Biohazard Cleanup.

The Jobs Now Best Places to Work 2013 reader poll was sponsored by The Bucks County Courier Times, The Intelligencer and The Burlington County Times, and asked workers to nominate employers in 20 categories.

Expedia® CruiseShipCenters® – part of Expedia® Inc, the largest online travel company in the world, recently ranked No. 38 in Franchise Business Review’s 2013 Top Franchise Systems with 100-249 units.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced today that it will release the Company's first quarter financial results prior to market open on Tuesday, April 30, followed by a conference call at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group PLC) [LON: IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2012 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on 26 March 2013.

Enter the “Get the Edge” Sweepstakes for a chance to win a premium carving package, bench, tools and sharpening system, worth nearly $2,000. Woodcraft, Sjöbergs, Tormek, pfeil, Norton, and Woodcraft Magazine are sponsoring the...

Mosquito Squad, North America's largest and most trusted tick and mosquito control brand, has hit a milestone with the opening of its 100th franchise location, Mosquito Squad of Southeast Georgia owned by Michael and Monica Fendley of Woodbine, GA.

Worldwide Express announced today that CEO and founder David R. Kiger has been inducted into Worldwide Who's Who in recognition of his dedication, leadership and excellence in shipping and logistics.

Private business owners in Milwaukee will benefit from their very own board of directors supplied by The Alternative Board's newest office opening soon in the southern Wisconsin area.

Learning Express Toys, the nation’s largest educational toy retailer, is proud to announce the grand opening of a new franchise in Windermere/Ocoee, FL.

Bill.com today announced that it is the home of the fastest growing business payments network in the nation, enabling more than 175,000 businesses to pay and get paid.

Blue Chip Cookies has mixed up more than 12 million pounds of cookie dough and sold millions of cookies since it first opened its doors in March 1983, 30 years ago this month.

If spending less time cleaning your home sounds like a good idea, here are some suggestions from the cleaning experts at Merry Maids, the world’s largest home cleaning franchise network.

Fifteen Collegiate Challenge students from Spring Branch Independent School District are prepping for the May 4 SAT with Appleton Learning.

Falling has always been a serious concern for seniors, and for good reason. The injuries sustained in falls can be extremely serious for older adults.

Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen launched an in-store food promotion, Pasta…Ahh, celebrating classic Italian pastas and the debut of Lasagna Casseroli, a unique twist on the classic Italian dish.

Since its incorporation in 1996, HomeVestors has aggressively defended its federally registered trademarks and enforced its right to prevent third parties from infringing these marks, in third-party websites, domain names, and in keyword advertising.

Zippy Shell USA, LLC announced today the sale of a franchise in San Diego California, marking its expansion into Southern California. Zippy Shell Mobile Self Storage will open in the Golden State by June of this year.

Based on a survey of franchisees done by the Franchise Business Review, Precision Concrete Cutting was ranked #2 overall for the first time out of more than 350 franchise brands in the 2013 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards.

Le Méridien St Julians Hotel & Spa joined millions around the world in turning off lights for Earth Hour 2013 to illuminate a powerful message about environmental awareness and action.

With wedding season right around the corner, Dickey’s Barbecue is introducing big day catering packages that make tying the knot unforgettable.

Forbes magazine has named Menchie's Frozen Yogurt CEO Amit Kleinberger one of its Most Promising CEOs Under 35, a subset of the renowned business publication's list of America's Most Promising Companies.

Mattress Firm Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: MFRM) today announced its financial results for the fourth fiscal quarter (13 weeks) and full fiscal year (52 weeks) ended January 29, 2013.

Century 21 Real Estate LLC, franchisor of the world's largest real estate sales organization, is pleased to welcome Juan Martinez and his firm, CENTURY 21 Martinez & Associates, to the CENTURY 21® System.

Hooters of America, LLC announced today that less than one week remains to host a fantasy baseball draft at Hooters locations across the United States.

7-Eleven, Inc. is turning over the future development of its new smartphone application (app) to the public.

lobal Franchise Group, LLC announced today the expansion of Great American Cookies® in Puerto Rico with multi-unit operators Dan Margolis , Carol Margolis and Wilson Castillo of A.M.A. Pretzels International, LLP.

Elevation Burger Fort Myers (9902 Gulf Coast Main Street) today announced plans for a March Madness celebration on Friday, March 29.

Dickey’s Barbecue is opening on Thursday, March 28 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and giving the first 100 customers a free Pulled Pork Big Barbecue sandwich.

RE/MAX recently honored its affiliated brokers in the northern Illinois real estate market whose commercial property sales achievements in 2012 earned them coveted spots in the year-end Commercial Top Three.

Window Genie was ranked #44 in America on Entrepreneur Magazine's list of top franchises you can run from your home office. Window Genie is the nationally ranked franchise of home services known to "Clean Windows and a Whole Lot More!"

Traffic from Raleigh-area residents to the Max Muscle Sports Nutrition website grew to such extremes a local woman who achieved her own great personal results as a client to a Virginia Max Muscle store purchased the Raleigh franchise.

Orangetheory® Fitness (http://www.orangetheoryfitness.com), the energizing interval fitness franchise and first to use heart-rate-monitored training for scientifically proven results, has awarded its 100th franchise, a studio in Tustin, Calif.

Thomson will be celebrating a grand opening event on Friday, March 29 at his Layton location with the chairman of Dickey’s Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., Roland Dickey, Sr., kicking off the event with free giveaways.

The announcement of the FAB members were a direct result of an expansion of the PNT brand worldwide. “As we expand our brand across the globe we are feeling a need for geographical representation by ownership," said Mr. Beaupre.

Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint this week debuted their customer rewards program, “Loyalty Love” across several stores.

The Peoria, Illinois coffee and smoothie café, Maui Wowi Hawaiian, is turning one on April 26, 2013 and will be celebrating their first year in business with a customer appreciation day on April 27.

CaliBurger announced today that it has signed a franchise agreement to begin opening CaliBurger restaurants in Kuwait and Iraq.

Critter Control® has been recognized as one of the 2013 “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” - an awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

Local insurance agents learned about ethics in the business life of an insurance professional during continuing education (CE) training by Rainbow International of Northwest Pennsylvania, owned by Ben Sutton March 14.

Ken and Mary Dressens always loved the concept of Pizza Ranch: a mom and dad, husband and wife, running a restaurant while their children worked with them.

Weichert, Realtors® was recently honored with a Member Achievement Award by the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE).

After a recent report in March 2013 by Bloomberg News projecting the home services category to lead the economic recovery, Labor Panes Franchise sells its first location.

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) advises that no matter the source of winnings, taxpayers may not be aware they need to pay taxes on the money they win.

Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC), the nation's largest chain of drive-in restaurants, today announced results for the second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2013.

The UPS Store, with support from The UPS Foundation, announced it will donate $100,000 worth of books to four school districts affected by Hurricane Sandy - Keansburg and Asbury Park in New Jersey and New York City Districts 08 and 21.

For the second consecutive year, Chem-Dry, the world's largest carpet cleaning company, ranks in the top 50 on Entrepreneur magazine's annual Franchise 500 list of top franchise opportunities.