Equity Deal Creates Management Shift to Take 152-Unit Party Chain to Next Level

Pump It Up, the nation’s largest franchise of interactive, indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties, announced today that it has sold a controlling interest of the company to Tregaron Capital, positioning the 152-unit chain for continued domination of the marketplace.

Based in Palo Alto, CA, Tregaron Capital Company LLC is a private investment company that acquires, manages and builds small to mid-sized companies with established operating histories in niche industries. As part of the transaction, Tregaron Capital has retained Gordon Keil as the President and CEO to run day-to-day operations of the business. Keil, approaching his one-year anniversary as interim CEO of Pump It Up, is the former CEO of Huntington Learning Centers and a noted expert in growing companies and managing franchise systems.

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Houston-Based `Dog Whisperer’ Takes Booming Dog-Training Concept to National Level

More than 20,000 homes in the Houston area are a lot more peaceful than they used to be, thanks to local dog-training guru Jim Burwell and his patented canine calming methods. Now, he’s launched a mission to spread that peace nationwide and tap into the $25 billion pet services industry with his new franchise – Jim Burwell’s Petiquette.

With one Houston franchise up and running, Burwell has been actively pursuing other markets throughout the state of Texas for growth of the Petiquette franchise in the state and then nationwide. Company plans call for five franchise locations in Houston, TX by the end of 2007 and the following Texas cities in 2008: Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi.

In 1988, after building a successful career in commercial banking for more than two decades, Burwell felt it was time to trade in his expertise in a business in banking to business in barking.

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National business services, shipping business listed on Franchise 500®

PostalAnnex+, a pioneer in the business services industry, was recently ranked No. 116 in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual list of Top 500 franchises.

In addition to this notable ranking in Entrepreneur’s 2007 Franchise 500® survey, PostalAnnex+ also ranked No. 101 in the category for America’s Top Global Franchises, three notches higher than the company’s ranking last year in the same category.

“We are so pleased that our growth and significant achievements over the past year have been acknowledged by Entrepreneur magazine. It is exciting and rewarding to be placed among a host of such successful franchises,” said Steve Goble, director of marketing communications for PostalAnnex+. “With 22 years in the business services industry, Postal Annex+ has become a friendly place where consumers and businesses alike can find expert assistance with postal services, packaging and shipping, high-speed copying, notarial services, offset printing, and other related services.”

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At a recent investor conference, an executive tied to Irvine-based Taco Bell described the company’s brush with E. coli as an “opportunity” to develop better farm safety procedures.

“Opportunity” may not be the word of choice for 71 of its customers who last year got sick on Taco Bell food.

Still, the idea has merit. The widely publicized E. coli poisonings connected to Taco Bell, along with recent high-profile outbreaks connected to other companies, is prompting grocers and restaurants to re-examine their food safety procedures.

“The best way to avoid the carnage of a train wreck is to do everything you can do make sure the wreck never happens,” said Steve Lash, director of supply chain management for El Pollo Loco in Irvine.

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Burger King may have won the headlines for its forays into adver-gaming. But its fast food rival hasn’t been standing by idly. Here’s a look at what it’s been up to.

As companies attempt to reach an increasingly mercurial consumer base, advertisers are trying new and original ways to connect with the base. Those Geico cavemen that you’ve seen in various commercials might be getting their own sitcom. Burger King, along with myriad web ad campaigns like Subservient Chicken and Revenge of the Sith viral marketing tie-in Sith Sense, also made three Xbox titles that could be purchased with a Value Meal.

This begs the question, what is Burger King’s leading competitor, the world’s largest fast food chain, doing as a response to this? An example of McDonald’s current approach can be seen in what the company has done with their Filet-o-Fish campaign. While much more low-key, this advertising campaign shows a composite approach across various mediums with more success than one might initially think.

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ServiceMaster Co., which provides housecleaning, landscaping, and termite and pest control services, said Monday it is being bought by an investment group for about $4.48 billion in cash.

The buyout, group led by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Inc., also will assume about $1.02 billion in debt.

Under terms of the agreement, Servicemaster stockholders will receive $15.625 in cash for each outstanding share, which is a premium of about 16 percent over ServiceMaster’s closing price Friday of $13.47 on the New York Stock Exchange.

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Dr. Keith Winfree, founder of Winfree Business Growth Advisors, recently announced the awarding of a franchise to Ed Ras of Robbinsville, New Jersey. Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, training, and seminars.

“While we’re always thrilled to add franchise owners, bringing Ed in is particularly gratifying because he’ll be covering a major market in the northeast,” said Dr. Winfree. “Simply put, the philosophies and systems we espouse for sales professionals and the small business owner work, which is why, unlike other sales training programs, we can guarantee results. It’s one of the big reasons why graduates of our programs, like Ed, have become franchise owners.”

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OVERLAND PARK, Kan – Shawn Lowry, president and chief executive officer of Brooke Franchise Corporation, a subsidiary of Brooke Corporation (Nasdaq: BXXX), announced selected February 2007 results.

Lowry announced that Brooke Franchise Corporation assisted franchisees in the start up and acquisition of businesses in February in the states of California, Florida, Georgia and Texas. Brooke Franchise Corporation added 11 start up franchise locations and one developed franchise location in February, received approximately $2,006,000 in fees, consisting of $1,980,000 in initial franchise fees for basic services and $26,000 in other associated fees.

Additionally, Lowry announced Brooke Franchise Corporation received profit-sharing commissions totaling approximately $734,000 from insurance companies in February 2007. Lowry noted Brooke Franchise typically receives a majority of its profit-sharing commissions during the first quarter of its fiscal year.

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$35,087 raised for St. Jude in single day

Chillicothe, OH- Wearing black and white striped jail jumpers, employees of Petland, Inc. raised $35,087 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a non-profit charity committed to finding cures for childhood cancer.

“We couldn’t have surpassed our goal without the strong backing of our Petland family, friends and business partners, locally and in the pet industry,” said Petland President Frank Difatta. “It is amazing what can be accomplished when our Petland family members put their hearts into charitable work.”

More than 70 corporate employees of Petland, Inc. were “arrested” Wednesday, March 14, and “charged with kindness” by a judge from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Bail was set at more than $29,000, the amount raised by Petland the previous year for St. Jude.

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The Madison area is getting a second chain of 24/7, lower-cost, no-frills, compact fitness facilities.

After The Capital Times reported earlier this month that two franchisees of Anytime Fitness had begun opening a series of its clubs in the Madison area, a local franchisee of Snap Fitness called to report that chain’s pending debut in the area. Both Snap and Anytime are based in the Twin Cities.

Like Anytime, Snap keeps its membership fees down by offering the latest in weights and cardio equipment, but eschewing the pools, locker rooms, racquetball courts, classrooms and daycare facilities of full-service health clubs like the Princeton Club. Anytime and Snap also keep costs down by not staffing several hours a day while providing sophisticated security systems.

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FASTSIGNS International, Inc., a sign and graphics franchisor with over 500 locations worldwide, announced that senior vice president of Franchise Services, Susan Last, CFE, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Last has been with FASTSIGNS International, Inc. for over ten years, serving in various capacities as the director of training, vice president of training and since 1999 as the senior vice president of franchise services. In her new role as COO, Last will take on all international support responsibilities and be more involved with franchise relations, both domestic and international. She will also serve as the liaison to FASTSIGNS’ Franchise Advisory Committee (FAC), which provides strategic advice and guidance on services and programs that benefit the FASTSIGNS network in North America and the United Kingdom, fostering a productive relationship between the franchisor and franchisee.

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Model of fast food, maids has changed.

In September 2003, Katharine Halpin sat eating breakfast with a business associate at a Phoenix restaurant.

For 10 years, the Phoenix-based coach and leadership strategist for chief executives and corporations had hired personal contractors in order to keep up with high demand. In return, she found herself training her competitors and diluting her brand.

After she put down her fork and finished venting, her friend referred her to a franchise consultant. Halpin’s first two-hour meeting with the consultant resulted in three options: Grow company-owned stores with others managing employees, license her product to others or franchise.

“I was a very successful solo-preneur with a few part-time employees,” Halpin said. “I wasn’t big enough to hire full-time employees to be leadership strategists. If I licensed, I would lose quality control.”

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Franchising offers path to business ownership.

More than one third of retail sales in the United States come from franchise operations. There are more than 2,000 franchising companies and more than 500,000 franchisee- and franchisor-operated outlets, according to the International Franchise Association.

Lou Maschi has owned a small delicatessen in Brooklyn since 1992, but when his family moved to Wall in 1998, he wanted to run a more significant restaurant, one with a national reputation.

“As a kid growing up in New York, I used to love going to the International House of Pancakes,” said Maschi. “It’s a terrific brand name, and I thought that it would be great to run one in the Shore area as a franchise owner.”

Maschi has realized his dream with an IHOP restaurant at routes 88 and 70 in Brick. The restaurant, which opened on Dec. 20, 2005, is the latest of the chain’s six locations to open in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

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Former BHS wrestler will open gym near Vons in May.

BARSTOW - Aaron Miller began by building his own gym in his parents’ garage so he could workout any time he wanted. Now he’s building a gym that anyone can workout in anytime.

Miller, 24, plans to open an Anytime Fitness franchise at 1251 East Main St., across the street from Vons, during the first week of May. Miller also plans to open gyms in Victorville and Adelanto eventually. A membership to Anytime Fitness would be accepted at all locations.

The only rate currently set is for unlimited tanning at $15 a month. Miller described other membership plans as being “very, very competitive.” Miller expects presales to be under way be next week at the Cake Shop at 1303 East Main St. There will be a contest for a stationary bike tied to the presale.

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MasterCard Worldwide and Taco Bell announced today that they are testing MasterCard® PayPass™ with the intent to launch at all 1,300 company owned restaurants and additional participating franchise locations nationwide. PayPass will be accepted at both dine-in and drive-thru locations. Approximately 100 Taco Bell stores will begin accepting MasterCard PayPass in the fourth quarter of 2007, with additional stores added throughout 2008, pending a successful test.

“As a quick-service restaurant, we understand the importance of our customers’ time, and accepting MasterCard PayPass provides an obvious benefit to them,” said Greg Creed, President, Taco Bell Corp. “PayPass gives Taco Bell customers the opportunity to order their food, pay for it, grab it and run without having to search for cash.”

Purchases under $25 will not require the customer to sign the receipt, further speeding up the transaction. In addition, Taco Bell will continue to accept traditional magnetic-stripe payment cards.

Establishing a system that helps candidates make good business decisions will improve the quality of the new franchisees and provide a solid foundation for a lasting, productive relationship.

Today’s proliferation of franchise opportunities affords prospects more choices than ever before. In this environment, it is critical to distinguish a brand in the view of the franchise candidate in a meaningful way. Utilizing a recruiting program that teaches candidates the key systems and core principals of a brand will provide the edge. The foundation of a successful franchise company rests on its ability to guide a candidate towards becoming a viable franchisee.

In the classic sales cycle it is rarely important that the candidate understand all there is to know about a particular opportunity. In fact, the emphasis rests on closing the deal. While closing a deal is an important milestone it should not be the only goal. The long-term strategic view is a more accurate barometer of the health of a system. No franchise system can afford to sign up lots of “deals” only to see them falter in the long run.

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The Seacoast is one of several locations in New Hampshire where Papa Gino’s is seeking to expand.

Papa Gino’s said it is concerned about maintaining its dominance in the $36 billion pizza industry. Now, the New England-grown restaurant is adding something new to its offerings — franchise opportunities.

With a franchise fee of $20,000, the initial investment to own and operate a Papa Gino’s restaurant is typically $600,000-$900,000 for a standard 3,000-square-foot location to accommodate a minimum of 76 customers.

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FocalPoint, an organization that provides business coaching and development services, is celebrating the honor of being ranked #11 overall in the 2007 Franchise 50 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards – the most exclusive award in franchising!

Franchise Business Review surveys thousands of franchisees each year to determine which franchises have the highest levels of franchisee satisfaction. For the 2007 Franchise 50 Awards, they surveyed over 300 of today’s leading franchise companies. Franchise Business Review created the Franchise 50 Awards to pay tribute to the companies in the industry that are “doing it right” – putting their franchisees first and focusing on what matters most – franchisee satisfaction.

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For the first 18 years of his life, Phil Martin called Asheville home. In later years, his entrepreneurial career led him to other cities, yet Asheville continued to hold a special place in his heart. Now he is returning to his Asheville roots in a big way as the owner of the first 1 800 905 GEEK franchise in the area. With Martin and his Geek technician behind the wheel of their signature blue and white Chrysler PT Cruiser, 1 800 905 GEEK delivers a wide range of rapid-response, on-site computer services to Asheville’s homes and businesses alike.

For Martin, owning and operating a 1 800 905 GEEK franchise is not just about the computer services he provides—it is also about the people. “I love to solve high-tech problems and see the smiles on my customers’ faces,” Martin said. “Whether it’s helping someone recover from a hard drive failure or installing a computer network for a local business, I know I’m making a difference in people’s lives.”

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Pet Butler, the nation’s leading pet waste cleanup service, announced today that it has opened its 60th franchise. The company now offers service in 17 states, making it the fastest-growing professional poop-scooping company in the nation.

Since the beginning of 2007, Pet Butler has launched 10 new franchises in seven states. Its new franchises this year are located in Indianapolis, suburban Chicago, Toledo, Ohio, Gilbert, Arizona, Chelmsford, Massachusetts, Midland, Texas, and Lexington, Kentucky. In addition to the new franchise partners, two existing franchise owners purchased second franchises serving Boise, Idaho, and Jacksonville, Florida.

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