Sandella’s Flatbread has plans to expand via franchising nationally, with a regional push in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey this year. The company, which has more than 125 open restaurants and another 70-plus in development across the country, is looking for multi-unit investors to expand the chain in these three states.

Having already signed master franchising agreements in Nevada and Los Angeles, Calif., Sandella’s is looking to bring more stores to the East Coast and particularly near its headquarters, it said in a press release.

“Sandella’s has stores open across the United States, but one of our prime target areas right now is surrounding our home-base core in Connecticut,” said Mike Stimola, Sandella’s president. “We have strong branding in this region, great food and our restaurants are extremely simply to operate.” (more…)

Norman Holtz developed an eye for promising business models in his decade of overseeing corporate acquisitions. So when he left that world to buy a franchise, he cut quickly through the chaff.

His preferences included a franchisor that ran its own business, a contract with flexibility on buying supplies, and a selling area big enough to grow in.

After two weeks of research, he found a match in Closets by Design — a purveyor of custom-crafted storage and home office space – and an available territory in northern New Jersey. (more…)

Right at Home Expands Franchise Opportunity. With the number of Americans over the age of 65 expected to skyrocket to 70 million over the next two decades and the resulting demand for senior home care services on the rise, business concepts addressing the needs of the aging population are fast becoming a dominating force in franchising.

Specifically, in California, Florida and Texas there are increasing numbers of aging adults indicating a tremendous need for quality senior care. According to the US Census Bureau, Dallas, Houston and San Diego are among the top ten largest US cities with the highest percentage of residents aged 65 years and older. Of cities with populations over 100,000, six out of the top ten with the highest elderly population were in Florida. (more…)

Quick-casual restaurant chain Panera Bread Co. said Thursday it bought 32 franchise-operated bakery-cafes and the development rights for markets in Illinois and Minnesota for about $36 million. The company said about $34.2 million was paid in cash when the deal closed and about $1.8 million will be paid with interest in a year. Panera said the acquisition could add slightly to fiscal 2007 earnings. Panera shares rose 9 cents to $46.50 in electronic after-hours trading. During regular trading, the shares fell 63 cents to close at $46.41. (more…)

This Monday national auto parts distributor 1-800 Radiator celebrated the grand opening of their Wichita Falls location. The outlet is one of 16 1-800 Radiator locations in Texas and will serve parts of Texas and Oklahoma. The owners of the outlet, Paul Gerstner and his family, are looking forward to bringing speedy delivery of radiators and AC condensers to customers in Wichita Falls and the surrounding area.

For 26 years Paul Gerstner worked with the fire service in Wichita Falls. His connection to the community helps Gerstner to offer a deeper level of customer service. “We are operating a local family business, our livelihood depends on serving the customer well,” Gerstner says, continuing “So, naturally we are going to do everything we can to satisfy that customer.” To this end Gerstner will be offering same day delivery, competitive pricing, and a lifetime warranty on every part. As a franchisee Gerstner is backed by 1-800 Radiator’s strong technical support and buying power as well as over 150 other 1-800 Radiator locations across the nation. (more…)

Convenience store chain 7-Eleven said it plans to convert about 100 company-operated stores in Florida into franchised operations.

The Dallas-based company said the change affects 7-Eleven stores in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River and St. Lucie counties.

Existing 7-Eleven store managers were invited to apply for a 7-Eleven franchise before the company made its plans public.

So far, two Florida store managers have become franchise owners under the new plan: Afsana Lina Baig in Fort Lauderdale and Evelyn Lortie in Port St. Lucie. (more…)

DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design center that offers merchandise at manufacturer-direct prices, announced today that it is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its first franchise. DirectBuy has grown to become the largest direct to consumer membership club of its kind, with thousands of members across the United States and Canada.

“We have always believed that consumers should have an alternative, lower-cost channel to buy products for their home and family, and that belief was the foundation for DirectBuy,” said Scott Powell, president of DirectBuy. “For the past 35 years, we have allowed our members to take a calculated approach to savings and purchase brand-name merchandise for their homes and family at manufacturer-direct prices. The growth of our business is a testament to the savings, selection and service we provide to our members across North America.” (more…)

Restaurant operator Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. on Thursday said it completed its acquisition of 15 of the 17 franchised Red Robin restaurants in California for $41.9 million, effective June 18.

Red Robin also paid $320,000 for the assumption of working capital.

The cash purchase price was funded by borrowings under the company’s new $300 million amended credit facility.

Red Robin also assumed management of the remaining two restaurant locations owned by Top Robin Ventures and complete their acquisition when it finalizes acceptable real-estate lease terms and liquor license transfers. The total purchase price will be $47.5 million for all 17 existing restaurants. (more…)

The lighting industry is expected to reach $ 4 B annually in the next three years. NiteLites National Lighting Franchise has 34 locations nationally and is growing rapidly. The company is searching nationwide for a few excellent people to share in their growth and expansion.

NiteLites Outdoor Lighting Franchise is continuing its rapid growth and expansion. As a result of this, NiteLites locations have opportunities for Owner/ Investors, General Managers, Sales Managers, and Installation Technicians throughout the United States. Mr. Thomas Frederick, President and CEO of NiteLites, relayed that the NiteLites business partners know that their success depends upon hiring and retaining capable people. Mr. Frederick added, “We look for people with key traits such as: treating people with respect, good judgment, good communication and a person who can learn, adapt, and who has the desire to meet and exceed the goals they set for themselves.” (more…)

Southern California-based LA BOXING Franchise Corporation continues its high-speed growth wave, taking the franchise company to 84 units in 16 states and Puerto Rico.

LA BOXING announced that it has designated Atlanta as its hub for expansion throughout the Southeast. The Company signed an exclusive franchise agreement for expansion into the Atlanta market, choosing John Deters and Vladimir Lerner as its partners. They announced that their first franchise locations will be located in Kennesaw, Peachtree City and Roswell. The Partnership plans to open 10 locations in the Atlanta Metro area and 20 to 25 franchises in the southeastern United States. (more…)

Roni Deutch Tax Center, the nation’s leading tax preparation franchise, built from the success of its founder Roni Deutch in saving American’s millions of dollars in back tax liabilities, announced today it will participate in a national program designed to help military veterans become franchise owners.

VetFran involves the pooled efforts of Roni Deutch Tax Center and other franchise companies who have agreed to offer financial incentives to bring veterans into their franchise systems. VetFran offers incentives to former military personnel to help them shift from military to self-employment, including reduced initial fees to waived training costs. (more…)

Batteries Plus®, the nation’s largest franchise focused on the $22 billion battery category serving both retail and commercial customers, announced it has promoted Cathleen Stewart to Vice-President of Marketing. At the Vice-President level, Stewart, who previously served as marketing and advertising director, becomes an official member of the growing chain’s executive team.

“Promoting Cathleen to Vice-President of Marketing was a natural step in developing and expanding our marketing capabilities,“ said Russ Reynolds, Batteries Plus CEO. “Her ability to see things from the perspective of the consumer, as well as through the eyes of our commercial customers, has ultimately strengthened our brand and aided in our growth.” (more…)

For Bonnie Cox, of Buffalo, the decision to pursue franchise ownership came easy.

“I never really thought about it until one day, randomly, someone asked me if I owned my own business. That’s when I started to really think about owning a business,” Cox said.

Aside from the benefits from owning a franchise, like the ability to be her own boss, Cox hopes it will help the region’s economy.

“I’d like to see more business come to Buffalo and I want to see it thrive again, like major cities like Baltimore. My husband and I plan on having a family, and I’d like to see my children be able to find decent employment in the area and be able to support their own families,” Cox said. (more…)

KidzArt, Top Children’s Art Franchise, Announces Services Now Offered in 27 States Making It One of the Fastest Growing Art Instruction Franchise Organizations in the Nation.

The decline in funding for the arts in school curriculum around the nation has been a key growth point for KidzArt, a Texas-based art enrichment company. The organization, which has been helping students ages 2-102 unleash their creativity for the past 15 years, recently announced that it now offers its services in 27 states, making it one of the fastest growing art franchise organizations in the nation. (more…)

Record breaking sales make the Hays, KS store the biggest franchise store opening in Bar-B-Cutie history!

Anticipation has grown over time ever since an interstate billboard near Hays, KS first featured the Nashville, TN based Bar-B-Cutie logo with the words “COMING SOON”. (more…)

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., parent company of T.G.I. Friday’s® and Pick Up Stix® restaurants, today announced plans to accelerate its development growth through the addition of new T.G.I. Friday’s franchisees within Louisiana.

“Friday’s is excited about broadening its market presence in Louisiana through the strategic recruitment of a broad base of candidates including minority owner/operators, management contract owners and joint venture capitalists,” said Chris Devlin, senior vice president of development for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. “Our plan is to accelerate our growth in Louisiana to thirteen new restaurants, including both company and franchise expansion, over the next ten years. With the addition of new prototypes and operating models, the T.G.I. Friday’s system will create growth opportunities for current and new team members.” (more…)

SuperCoups, a leading nationwide direct mail coupon franchisor since 1982, announces it is sponsoring a nationwide eBay auction to raise funds in support of childhood cancer research.

SuperCoups is auctioning an all-inclusive trip for two to the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach Resort on Grand Bahama Island. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a unique foundation that evolved from a four year-old cancer patient’s front yard lemonade stand to a nationwide fundraising movement for childhood cancer research.

Beginning today, SuperCoups’ eBay auction can be accessed from the http://www.ebay.com Home Page and directly at http://tinyurl.com/3cmnug. The 4-day/3-night trip for two includes: roundtrip airfare; full breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks; unlimited beverages, cocktails and wine; daily activities and fitness programs; unlimited non-motorized water sports; live nightly entertainment, all taxes, surcharges and gratuities. The auction ends on June 28, 2007. (more…)

Music executive Don Pooh is expanding beyond music with his own franchise restaurant chain, Famous Seafood. The 11-year music industry veteran co-executive produced Grammy Award winning Mary J. Blige’s No More Drama album, and helped launch the career of rap vixen Foxy Brown. His latest protegé, singer/songwriter Wynter Gordon is scheduled to be released winter 2007 on his Don Pooh Music Group joint venture with Atlantic Records.

After successfully making his mark in music working with the likes of the Foxy Brown, Shyne, Mary J. Blige and others, Pooh decided to diversify his portfolio and delve into the food service industry. He quickly established his pedigree by investing and opening several successful restaurant franchises in the New York tri-state area, after which he decided to create his own brand. (more…)

Fitness Together Franchise Corp. announced the sale of its 500th franchise today. The 500th franchise is located in Glen Ellyn, Ill. Since 1996, when the company first began franchising, franchises have been sold in 42 states as well as Canada, Costa Rica, Ireland and Israel.

“We are extremely excited about the growth of the company and the fitness industry, in general,” said Rick Sikorski, president and CEO of Fitness Together. “Our growth is a testament to the great opportunity offered to our franchisees and the excellent service provided to our clients. Starting with our first franchise sale nearly 10 years ago, we have been able to provide personal fitness training to hundreds of thousands of clients during that time. We are excited about the future of our company. I firmly believe that the fitness industry, especially our segment, where we provide personal training at an affordable price, will continue to grow. Our goal of opening 1,000 studios by 2012 is within our reach.” (more…)

Nationwide Cardio Boxing and Kickboxing Fitness Franchise Organization Expands to 84 Units.

LA BOXING Franchise Corporation, a national operator of distinctive cardio boxing and kickboxing health and fitness gyms, announced today the signing of a franchise for the Tucson area. The exclusive franchise was awarded to 2 businessmen, Durl Stephens and Lowell Amparan, who operate businesses in Tucson and Phoenix. (more…)