Franchise NewsBlast - Stories tagged with news

Despite Economic Drought, Some Sandwich Chains Grow

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:58:32 GMT

A new report shows that despite a coarsened economic climate, some limited-service sandwich franchisors grew in 2007.

Judge Determines Quiznos Terminations Are a Charade

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:46:49 GMT

I find, that this whole charade of 'terminating' and 'defaulting' franchisees who failed the field test was just that-a charade-not driven by Quiznos' genuine concern about whether its franchisees were making sandwiches to spec, but rather by its overriding public relations desire to be able to proceed with its national advertising campaign targeting Subway.

Midas Australia Company Stores Closing

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 13:45:30 GMT

SYDNEY, Australia (Blue MauMau) - It is estimated that more than half of the Midas Australia chain will begin closing this Friday;

Slender Lady Founder Bruce Sharpe Has Died

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:00:06 GMT

Bruce Sharpe was a controversial figure in franchising. He founded the Slender Lady Women's Fitness chain as a head-to-head franchise competitor to Curves. UnhappyFranchisee.com has learned that the controversial founder (and former business partner of Cuppy's Coffee founder Robert "Morg" Morgan) has died.

PETLAND: Who's the Sick Puppy Here?

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:30:01 GMT

The Petland franchise chain is America's largest chain of puppy-selling pet stores, with 200 stores in 31 states and several foreign countries. Petland claims to be an advocate for animal welfare and a leader in the fight against inhumane "puppy mills." The Humane Society Claims Petland is "the nation's largest retail supporter of puppy mills"

LOW EGGSPECTATIONS: How NOT to Handle a Franchise Dispute

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:40:02 GMT

Last Thursday, according to the Canadian Press, the Eggspectation "Brand Ambassadors" emptied the contents of one of their franchisee's restaurants onto the Montreal city sidewalk. Stunned passersby had to navigate through a half-block of tables, lockers, equipment, food, documents and furnishings.

Pure Weight Loss Members to Receive $700,000 in Refunds

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:20:01 GMT

PA Attorney General Tom Corbett has really come through for the former Pure Weight Loss (formerly LA Weight Loss) members. In a recent press release, Corbett's office announced it has reached a consent decree that requires the Horsham, PA based company to pay $500,000 to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, for distribution to consumers who pre-paid for products and services that were not delivered, and another $200,000 to provide restitution to consumers who filed claims against Pure Weight Loss in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

New CEO of Choice Misses an Opportunity

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:57:14 GMT

Stephen Joyce, the new Choice Hotels CEO, said recently that he is looking to breathe new life and energy into the company. He plans to launch some new brands, heighten the company's emphasis on business travelers and better differentiate existing ones.

How Many Oil Changes Will $16 Million (and Counting) Buy?

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:55:52 GMT

The largest Jiffy Lube franchisee in the country has apparently decided it is best to stick with the Jiffy Lube name, and not go independent. This, after the expenditure (so far) of about $16 million in legal fees since it filed Chapter 11 in January. That is a lot of oil changes.

Is the Quicklube Business Dead?

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:55:31 GMT

In the space of one year, two of the largest quicklube operations in the country have filed chapter 11. Heartland, Jiffy Lube's largest franchisee (400 stores) filed in January, and now, the 80 store EZ Lube Chain has sought bankruptcy protection.

MathRiders Maths Tutoring Franchise Chosen by Educational Entrepreneur

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:03:50 GMT

MathRiders, the outstanding maths tutoring program developed by the Helen Doron Educational Group, is taking a solid foothold in Europe -- with Learning Centres now scheduled to open in Poland.

Luther Emails Dunkin Franchisees about New CEO

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:04:43 GMT

CANTON, Mass. (Blue MauMau) - Several hours after the Boston Globe and Blue MauMau placed calls to Dunkin' Donuts to find out if Jon Luther was vacating the CEO position, Mr. Luther Tuesday night issued this message to Dunkin' Brands franchise owners.

Dunkin' Explains CEO and Management Changes to Franchisees

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:04:27 GMT

CANTON, Mass. (Blue MauMau) - Senior officers of Dunkin' Brands held a hastily convened conference call this afternoon for franchise owners, to discuss the company's change in chief executive officers. The 2 pm conference call was announced just before 9 this morning in an email by the company to franchisees.

Dunkin' Brands Insists No Major Layoffs, Organizational Changes Only

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:18:31 GMT

CANTON, Mass. (Blue MauMau) - Dunkin' today refuted accusations of major layoffs, saying that it has made organizational changes only. But sources say differently. According to the company, the changes took place to enable Dunkin's key leaders to get closer to franchisees and focus more on store operations.

Coney Beach Opens First Franchised Restaurant

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:32:26 GMT

Restaurant company Beautiful Brands International, parent to Coney Beach, announced today the opening of its first franchised Coney Beach restaurant in El Paso, Texas.

Book Review: Essential Steps To Research A Franchise Opportunity

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:17:21 GMT

Nice review from Anita Campbell of Small Business Trends fame

Major Layoffs at Dunkin' Donuts as Owner Carlyle Group Downsizes

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:19:27 GMT

HEARD ON THE STREET - Dunkin' Donuts Corporation has laid off a number of vice presidents and others, all significant members of the company's management team. The Officious Owl has not been able to verify the number or names, but he did receive an internal communications memo sent to Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin Robbins franchisees dated December 1, 2008, making an announcement on behalf of Paul Leech, Chief Administrative Officer, who is resigning as of December 31.

Waffle House, Central Florida franchisee duke it out

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:00:02 GMT

The franchisee that owns all 90 Waffle House restaurants in Central Florida has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy largely to stop the parent company from kicking it out of the 1,600-store system.

Pizza Patron Named Exclusive Pizza Vendor for American Airlines Center

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:10:00 GMT

DALLAS, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Pizza Patron, the premier Latino pizza brand, has executed an agreement with the American Airlines Center to become the venue's exclusive pizza vendor. The company will operate six concession outlets on the upper and lower levels of the arena concourse.

Australian Gov Rejects "Unconscionable Conduct" and Responsibily

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:20:00 GMT

CANBERRA, Australia (Blue MauMau) - On Monday the Australian Senate Standing Committee on Economics agreed that there is a need to look into unconscionable conduct in franchising practices but the "Majority" deferred the responsibility to Courts and the ACCC.

Berecz Named Executive Director for Association of Subway Franchisees

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:50:00 GMT

Illya Berecz has been appointed as the Executive Director for the North America Association of Subway Franchisees.

Dunkin Independent Franchisee Association Names Coen Acting President

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Bellingham, MA (Blue MauMau) - The largest independent Dunkin' Donuts franchisee association has named Jim Coen as its new acting President and Chief Operating Officer.

Personal Fitness Training Franchise Introduces Bold New Fitness Goals

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:30:02 GMT

Company guarantees all clients that they will achieve their weight management and fitness goals or Personal Training Institute will give 6-months of free training sessions. Company expects franchise location growth in 2009.

Massage Envy opens new spot

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:10:00 GMT

ST. GEORGE - Massage Envy, a massage therapy franchisor, is opening their second location in Pineview Plaza on the "Washington side of town" and hosting the official grand opening celebration Tuesday.

Conditions for franchise opportutities - Joel Libava - Small Business

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:20:05 GMT

Joel discusses the economy, and how the franchise industry is being affected, with Jim Blasingame, "The Small Business Advocate."