Franchise Blog

Roni Deutch, founder of the largest Tax Resolution Law Firm in the United States, has nominated Glen Wielandt, a top tax services industry professional and vice-president of operations of the Roni Deutch Tax Center franchise, to serve on the IRS’s Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC). (more…)

Ellianos Coffee Company, a specialty coffee shop franchisor based in Lake City, Florida, has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for listing on the SBA’s Franchise Registry. The Registry is a national on-line listing, operated by FranData in partnership with the SBA, of franchise systems whose franchisees, both existing and new, receive simplified and expedited loan processing. To be listed on the Registry, the both FranData and the SBA reviewed and approved the Ellianos franchise system and franchise contract documents as meeting the SBA’s strict eligibility criteria. Approximately 19% of all franchise systems enjoy the privilege and benefit of being listed on the Registry. (more…)

Howard Rosenthal, CEO and director of franchise operations for Mr. Food no-fuss Meals, the popular meal assembly retail concept, today announced franchise agreements for several national store locations.

Mr. Food no-fuss Meals franchise locations are scheduled to open this fall in Buffalo, NY and in Asheville and Charlotte, NC. (more…)

Capitalizing on sales growth at its new prototype stores, D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches is expanding outside of New England.

The Dedham chain introduced a franchised restaurant in Orlando, FL in December – its first outside it’s core market – as part of growth plans that call for 120 new locations in the next five years. In addition to 20 more restaurants planned for central Florida, and continued growth in New England, the company has New York, North Carolina and Virginia in its sights. (more…)

Blue Moon Franchises, LLC announced today the signing of its first franchise agreement. The company’s initial franchise unit will be located in Morristown, New Jersey and plans to open in Fall 2007. The new Blue Moon Mexican Cafe will be owned and operated by Luna Azul Investments, LLC, headquartered in Englewood, NJ.

“Signing this agreement is a significant first step in the growth of Blue Moon Mexican Cafe through franchising,” said Howard Felixbrod, founder and CEO. “We have a very loyal customer base in Bergen County and I am very optimistic we will duplicate our success in Morristown.” (more…)

Selective Franchise Operators, Corporate Expansion Bolsters Continued Growth Momentum. Fresh off a cash infusion of $68 million to fuel national expansion and newly positioned brand recognition, Houlihan’s, the nation’s leader in stylish casual dining, announced it has signed two franchise market development agreements with prominent restaurant developers that will expand the 105-unit chain throughout California, Arizona and Florida – to the tune of 34 new locations. (more…)

Jo To Go Coffee® has pumped up their smoothie menu. The specialty coffee drive-thru now offers the Extreme Smoothie, which includes all the fruity goodness of a regular Jo To Go Coffee® Smoothie with an extreme taste and energy boost from Red Bull® Energy drink. (more…)

Todd Recknagel, brand president of Mr. Handyman, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, announced the opening of the 250th Mr. Handyman franchise unit. “We’re celebrating this milestone because it validates the market opportunity, our franchise model, and the passion that’s shared by our entire Mr. Handyman team,” said Recknagel. (more…)

Lots of people can talk the talk; it’s walking the walk that trips most people up. Thankfully, David Boatright is a master of both and has brought his talents to McAlister’s Deli as the new vice president of franchise sales. (more…)

For many years it was a bustling Sonic drive-in restaurant; later it was converted to a Mailboxes Etc. store. Fourteen years later, it has been updated to a modern The UPS Store location with the help of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. (REI). (more…)

Mattress Firm said Monday that it completed the acquisition of its nine St. Louis franchise stores from Yotes Inc., for an undisclosed amount. In early June, Mattress Firm said it planned to buy the stores from Yotes. The acquisition of the St. Louis franchise brings Mattress Firm’s corporate-owned store count to 355 in 26 markets and its franchise-owned store count to 45 in nine markets. Yotes Inc., a Mattress Firm partner for 13 years, also owns and operates Mattress Firm franchise stores in the Denver, Colo., and Wichita, Kan. Houston-based Mattress Firm is a specialty mattress company and specialty retailer of Sealy products. The company is an affiliate of Boston-based private equity firm J.W. Childs Associates LP.

Subway franchise owners will now benefit nationally from the company’s partnership with a premier equipment leasing and financing provider. Opening a new franchise for an established food service chain is a daunting task for any small business owner. Having the option to lease rather than purchase essential capital equipment is a sensible way to lower investment risk and increase cash flow. Affordable equipment financing is Priority Leasing’s core focus and they are pleased today to announce their inclusion into DAI’s Approved Lender Program for the sandwich giant Subway. (more…)

Theater Xtreme Entertainment Group, Inc., a nationwide retailer and installer of real movie theaters for the home, has approved a franchise territory for Badkhan Entertainment Group, Inc., a Georgia corporation. The franchise will be located in Alpharetta, GA, a northern suburb of Atlanta. (more…)

Obee’s Franchise Systems, Inc. today released a system-wide sales and revenue forecast for July – December 2007. The projection includes the revenues OBFC expects to earn from the planned openings of several new obee’s® soups, salads & subs restaurants during this six month period. (more…)

New VP of Franchise Development Has Big Plans to Grow Brand. In the business world, making your company’s presence known is no small feat. Getting noticed takes more than just a flashy logo or catchy slogan; it takes the know-how of an expert to grow and sustain the brand. Scott Arbuckle is that expert and, effective immediately, his know-how is exclusive to Rapid Refill Ink as its new vice president of franchise development. (more…)

IHOP Corp., the company behind the well-known pancake houses, said Monday it sealed a deal to buy Applebee’s International Inc., the largest casual-dining restaurant chain by locations and sales, for about $2.1 billion.

The deal, which was approved by both companies, will give Applebee’s holders $25.50 for each of their company shares, a 4.6% premium to where Applebee’s shares traded Friday on the Nasdaq Stock Market, but below the company’s 52-week high of $29.10. (more…)

Biscuits and Burgers LLC, based here, secured $8.5 million in financing to fund the previously announced purchase of 18 Hardee’s units in Atlanta from franchisor CKE Restaurants Inc., the Carpinteria, Calif.-based parent of the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. fast-food chains.

Longtime franchisees Steve Rosenfield and Dewey “Buddy” Brown formed Biscuits and Burgers earlier this year with the purpose of buying the Atlanta-area units. Including the Atlanta units, they own 50 Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. restaurants, with others located in Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and California. (more…)

The San Francisco-based Gymboree Corp. spelled out more details on Crazy 8, the new concept it will launch this August, during the CIBC World Markets Consumer Growth Conference here at the Four Seasons Hotel on July 11. Crazy 8, the company’s third concept, targets the broader-based mass market with children’s clothing priced approximately 30% below pricing at its flagship Gymboree units.

Crazy 8’s market is “the customer that values great fashion, but at a price,” said Matthew McCauley, chairman and CEO. He acknowledged that this market has much competition, but said a primary Crazy 8 differentiator would be the store’s environment. (more…)