Franchising World articles from April 2007

Franchising World archives from April 2007

Multi-unit franchising develops the brand.(IN THIS ISSUE)
April 1, 2007... Few trends in business have generated as much attention as the multi-unit approach to franchising. This issue of the International Franchise Association's Franchising World magazine provides some answers about the popularity of the practice and...

Finding your way to fruitful franchise relations.(IFA PRESIDENT'S COLUMN)
April 1, 2007... With the official onset of spring behind us, things are in full bloom. Growth is everywhere. It's highly visible in the atmosphere around us in a physical sense, and equally noticeable in our business environments. While much of the spring...

Trends in multi-unit franchising: the multi-unit model is a significant factor in the continued expansion of franchising.(MULTI-UNIT APPROACH STRENGTHENS THE BRAND)
April 1, 2007... According to the recently-released IFA Educational Foundation-FRANdata research, Profile of Franchising, franchising is booming. Growth is coming from the continued expansion of existing brands, new brands entering existing industries, and more...

Which franchising structure fits your system? Franchise systems must consider carefully whether a multiple-unit franchising approach is appropriate for their business.(MULTI-UNIT APPROACH STRENGTHENS THE BRAND)
April 1, 2007... A variety of terms have been used to describe the techniques in franchising known and described below as area development, subfranchising and area representation. The most common of these terms are "multiple-unit franchising," "multi-tier...

Preparing your organization for growth: a personal view.(MULTI-UNIT APPROACH STRENGTHENS THE BRAND)
April 1, 2007... Growing from one location to a multi-unit operator was one of the toughest things I have ever done. Not only was I building new stores, but had relocated to a different city. In addition, my "new" management team was a seasoned group of...

Developing master franchise-owned and corporate-owned offices.(MULTI-UNIT APPROACH STRENGTHENS THE BRAND)
April 1, 2007... Developing a multi-unit operation can be a rewarding avenue for companies looking to expand domestically and internationally. To achieve this growth and create a global brand, it becomes important to put into place policies that support...

Providing decentralized support.(MULTI-UNIT APPROACH STRENGTHENS THE BRAND)
April 1, 2007... Express Personnel Services has experienced impressive growth in the past three years. In 2004, 58 new franchises were awarded with an additional 63 in 2005 and 85 in 2006. The company has doubled in size since 2002, however, all franchise...

Raiders guard, others join new rush to franchising.(WHAT THE MEDIA IS SAYING: East Bay Business Times)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Thirteen-year National Football League player Ron Stone is planning for retirement and, like thousands of others, has bought a franchise. According to an August report by the Washington, D.C.-based International Franchise Association and...

Securing financing to unleash expansion: by having a strategic, credible growth plan, and by being able to demonstrate past operating expertise and financial acumen and responsibility, owner-operators can secure financing for expansion, and reap the professional and financial rewards.(MULTI-UNIT APPROACH STRENGTHENS THE BRAND)
April 1, 2007... At some point in most entrepreneurial ventures, operators face a decision to expand the business in one form or another. For those involved in franchised operations, the question is, "Do I expand my business?" Then one wonders, "How do I do...

Consistency: the key to branding: in RQM, repetitiveness is important and its means remaining persistent and consistent with the marketing message whether it's two units or 200 units.(MULTI-UNIT APPROACH STRENGTHENS THE BRAND)
April 1, 2007... One of the most exciting milestones of business ownership is when the owner experiences positive growth. Was it timing, a great product or maybe luck? The truth is that when one inquires into the activities of a growing business, the one thing...

Think Beethoven: using site-selection to gain brand dominance: start with the loud, bold, and dramatic notes; fate knocking on the door.(MULTI-UNIT APPROACH STRENGTHENS THE BRAND)
April 1, 2007... Beethoven the composer? Yes. Pit is very likely that even those who are not very familiar with classical music would instantly recognize the first four notes of his fifth symphony: Dah-Dah-Dah-DAAAH. It is played loudly and dramatically and...

Strengthening growth through technology applications.(MULTI-UNIT APPROACH STRENGTHENS THE BRAND)
April 1, 2007... It is important to remember that people, not technology, make or break the success of a franchise system. Multiunit, single-unit or regional developer franchise models all have to employ sound business practices when managing the growth of the...

Compulsory union bill advances.(FW FOCUS: LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE)
April 1, 2007... Organized labor is halfway home with its plan to railroad America's workers into joining labor unions. After clearing the U.S. House of Representatives in near-record time, the stage is now set for a Senate showdown over the biggest change in...

Amended FTC franchise rule eases international franchising: despite the Amended Rule, foreign franchise systems still will need to consult with U.S. franchise counsel about the laws which may be applicable to the transactions they are contemplating.(FW FOCUS: LEGAL)(Federal Trade Commission)
April 1, 2007... According to a report on international franchising sponsored by the IFA educational Foundation, featured in the August 2006 issue of Franchising World, more than one half of the U.S. based franchise companies responding to a recent survey said...

Celebrating the International Franchise Association's 47th annual convention: February 24-27, 2007: Caesars Palace Las Vegas, NV.
April 1, 2007... Building the future together: photo feature Imagine trying to get work accomplished in the Entertainment Capital of the World. Picture distractions from casinos, to shows, to comedic performances, to clubs, to shopping, to eating--the list...

Honoring franchising's brightest and best.(FW FOCUS: AWARDS & RECOGNITION)(International Franchise Association awards)
April 1, 2007... When the International Franchise Association convened for its 47th annual convention in Las Vegas earlier this year, the largest group of attendees ever assembled for an IFA event for three days of intensive sessions, seminars and summits....

Steps to improve the franchisor-franchisee relationship: if the culture fits both parties, and if both parties are committed to a common goal, the relationship will be good and success begins.(FW FOCUS: FRANCHISE RELATIONS)
April 1, 2007... What makes a relationship between two parties good? What makes a marriage last for 50 years or "until death do you part?" While the answer might be philosophical or studied for years, it boils down to two words: culture and commitment. The...

Collecting and analyzing franchisee financial statements: "I can't guarantee what you will make, but I can tell you what the average franchisee is making.".(FW FOCUS: MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS)
April 1, 2007... Collecting financials in the franchising sector is by no means a common practice. In fact, it's rarely done at all and is rarely correctly done. Smaller franchise companies believe they have a good handle on things, because of their personal...

Keeping an eye on build-out expenses: thousands of franchised businesses open their doors across the country each year. But the build-out process can often be a rocky road for both franchise systems and franchisees, especially when estimates and perceptions don't mirror reality.(FW FOCUS: MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS)
April 1, 2007... The build-out of a franchised retail location involves a complex marriage of cost estimates, deadlines, orders, shipments and installations. Construction and supply costs that don't fall within projections can be especially damaging to the...

Broadband options to consider for franchise business locations.(FW FOCUS: TECHNOLOGY)
April 1, 2007... In this increasingly-connected world, one takes for granted the necessity of Internet connectivity at all locations. Customers rely on this when they swipe their credit cards at the gas pump or McDonald's and expect a response within a second...

Turning Web site visitors into franchise leads: having clear objectives converted into clear calls to action will give a design team a boost in determining exactly what the franchise company wants to achieve.(FW FOCUS: TECHNOLOGY)
April 1, 2007... Converting your Web site visitors into franchise leads is not an easy thing to do. There are visitors coming to your site for your product and services and the franchise system must carefully choose those with entrepreneurial spirit out of the...

Franchising your concept in Egypt: Egypt holds the promise of much needed expansion in the private sector.(FW FOCUS: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT)
April 1, 2007... The Beginning Franchising in Egypt began in 1973 with President Anwar al-Sadat's "open door" policy. This followed a period of strict social and economic control during which the market had been stagnated and distanced from the rest of the...

Franchise Expo South delivers.(FW FOCUS: FRANCHISING EVENTS)
April 1, 2007... It had all the ingredients for success. Miami. January. A dynamic business community. And when it was over, the first International Franchise Association's Franchise Expo South had delivered on its promise, and then some. "It was the...

Outreach program boosts number of veteran-owned franchised businesses.(FW FOCUS: HONORING AMERICA'S VETERANS)
April 1, 2007... In 2006, the International Franchise Association's Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative program gained more participating companies and garnered a variety of exposure and news media coverage. The number of VetFran participating companies...

Welcome new members!(FW FOCUS: WELCOME MEMBERS)(cleaning services industry)(furniture stores)(restaurant industry)(Directory)
April 1, 2007... AccuDiagnostics, Greenville, S.C., Contact Felix Mirando Ageless Remedies, Atlanta, Contact David T. Smith Al-Rashed Franchise, Inc., Hawally, Kuwait, Contact Zinab Al-Shemmari Athletic Nation Franchise Corp., San Jose, Calif.,...

Boston Pizza Restaurants.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Boston Pizza Restaurants appointed Doug MacDonald as president.

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Carlson Restaurants Worldwide appointed Ted W. Finlay to vice president of consumer insights.

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen hired Shawn McCadden as director of business innovations.

Earl of Sandwich.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Earl of Sandwich hired former NBA star Sidney Green as director of non-traditional development.

Georgia Restaurant Association.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Lenore Krentz of FOCUS Brands was named chairwoman of the Georgia Restaurant Association.

Pamela J. Mills joined law firm Fox Rothschild LLP.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Pamela J. Mills joined law firm Fox Rothschild LLP as a partner in the Corporate Department.

Friendly Ice Cream.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Friendly Ice Cream promoted Gus DiGiovanni to vice president of company operations and Jim Sullivan to vice president of franchising.

Huntington Learning Center.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Huntington Learning Center hired Mark W. Mele as vice president of franchise development and Jeffrey L. Bura as director of development.

The Maids.(PEOPLE)(Margaret BonDurant, appointed as marketing project coordinator)(Laura Handrick, appointed as training development director)(Kristi Jelinek, appointed as franchise development manager)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... The Maids named Margaret BonDurant as marketing project coordinator, Laura Handrick as training development director, Kristi Jelinek as franchise development manager, and Michael Urdahl as vice president of franchise sales.

Microtel.(PEOPLE)(Jaynie Boothe appointed as regional operations manager)(Linda Farrell appointed as regional operations manager)(Tyrone Shannon appointed as franchise services manager)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Microtel hired Jaynie Boothe as regional operations manager, Linda Farrell as regional operations manager, Tyrone Shannon as franchise services manager, and promoted Yvette Colbert to manager of franchise services/communications and graphic...

Jim Belanger was named senior vice president of franchise development for Play N Trade and Yakety Yak.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Jim Belanger was named senior vice president of franchise development for Play N Trade and Yakety Yak, and David Timlin was appointed Yakety Yak CEO.

RE/MAX.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Shaun White was appointed director of media relations of RE/MAX

Rita's Water Ice.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... Rita's Water Ice promoted Leonard Valentino, Jr., CFE, to COO.

TeamLogic IT.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... TeamLogic IT hired Richard Hall as director of operations.

United Franchise Group.(PEOPLE)(Teresa Baker appointed as vice president of support)(Tom Johnson to chief financial officer)(Scott Mast appointed as international performance manager)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... United Franchise Group promoted Teresa Baker to vice president of support, Tom Johnson to CFO, Scott Mast to international performance manager, Walter Seltzer to director of corporate services, and Tipton Shonkwiler to director of marketing.

U.S. Franchise Systems.(PEOPLE)
April 1, 2007... U.S. Franchise Systems founder and Chairman Mike Leven has retired.

Accor.(Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions)(Accor S.A. and Pierre and Vacances Distribution)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Accor partnered with Pierre & Vacances to develop apartment hotels in Europe. The company also sold GO Voyages to Financiere Agache Investissement (Groupe Arnaulo and to GO Voyages management.

Butler Capital Corporation committed $30 million in financing this year for Subway franchisees.(Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions)
April 1, 2007... Butler Capital Corporation committed $30 million in financing this year for Subway franchisees throughout the United States.

Postal Connections.(Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions)
April 1, 2007... Postal Connections was acquired from its parent company Global Business Services.

Chester's International named Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores.(Awards & Honors)
April 1, 2007... Chester's International named Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores its 2006 Franchisee of the Year.

Embassy Suites Hotels presented its Connie Awards to Embassy Suites St. Louis-St. Charles/Hotel & Spa; Embassy Suites Hampton Roads-Hotel, Spa and Convention Center; and Embassy Suites Lubbock, Texas.(Awards & Honors)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Embassy Suites Hotels presented its Connie Awards to Embassy Suites St. Louis-St. Charles/Hotel & Spa; Embassy Suites Hampton Roads-Hotel, Spa and Convention Center; and Embassy Suites Lubbock, Texas. Syed Hasan, general manager of the Embassy...

facelogic founder and CEO Sherryl Ford was a finalist in the category Best Entrepreneur-Service Businesses-Up to 100 Employees.(Awards & Honors)(Facelogic International Inc. )(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... facelogic founder and CEO Sherryl Ford was a finalist in the category Best Entrepreneur-Service Businesses-Up to 100 Employees and the company was a finalist for the Best New Company of the Year in the third annual Stevie Awards for Women in...

FruitFlowers.(Awards & Honors)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... FruitFlowers was recognized as Advertising Age's 2006 "Marketing 50." The award highlights 50 top brands for their real impact, return on investment and overall marketing excellence in products.

Hilton Vancouver Washington.(Awards & Honors)(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design )(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Hilton Vancouver Washington was certified under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system as an environmentally sustainable hotel and is the first LEED-certified Hilton in the world.

Carl's Jr.(Milestones)
April 1, 2007... Carl's Jr. opened it's 300th dual-branded Carl's Jr.-Green Burrito restaurant with a location in Livermore, Calif.

Critter Control.(Milestones)
April 1, 2007... Critter Control celebrated its 25th anniversary.

InterContinental Hotel Group's Staybridge Suites.(Milestones)
April 1, 2007... InterContinental Hotel Group's Staybridge Suites opened its 100th hotel with a location in Tallahassee, Fla.

America's Best Franchising.(Growth)
April 1, 2007... America's Best Franchising signed a master license agreement with KI Group to bring the Country Hearth hotel brand to India.

Cinnabon.(Growth)
April 1, 2007... Cinnabon opened its first location in Aruba.

Cold Stone Creamery.(Growth)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Cold Stone Creamery reached an agreement with the Apparel Group to open more than 40 stores over the next five years in the Gulf Cooperative Council.

Papa Murphy's.(Growth)
April 1, 2007... Papa Murphy's opened five locations in the Vancouver area.

Young Rembrandts granted its first master license to Hyeonseok Oh.(Growth)
April 1, 2007... Young Rembrandts granted its first master license to Hyeonseok Oh of Seoul, South Korea.

Velocity Sports Performance.(Marketing)
April 1, 2007... Velocity Sports Performance became the official performance training center for Major League Soccer's D.C. United and D.C. United Youth Soccer teams and Academy.

FASTSIGNS San Mateo franchisees Dave and Linda Skromme received multiple sales achievement awards.
April 1, 2007... FASTSIGNS San Mateo franchisees Dave and Linda Skromme received multiple sales achievement awards, including the top award from the franchise system.

Critter Control founder and CEO Kevin Clark receives a 25 year anniversary gold watch.
April 1, 2007... Critter Control founder and CEO Kevin Clark receives a 25 year anniversary gold watch during the company's annual meeting.

Law firm Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP changed its name.(Marketing)
April 1, 2007... Law firm Wiley Rein & Fielding LLP changed its name to Wiley Rein LLP.

RE/MAX founder Dave Liniger won a CNN Hummer used in the Iraq war.(Community Service)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... RE/MAX founder Dave Liniger won a CNN Hummer used in the Iraq war after bidding $1 million to benefit the Fisher House Foundation which temporarily houses families of patients receiving major medical care in military hospitals and Veterans...

Staybridge Suites.(Community Service)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... Staybridge Suites exceeded its goal to raise $75,000 to build a new villa as part of the expansion at Give Kids the World Village in Orlando.

Motel 6 names Nathan Diehl as winner of the Motel 6 Strikes and Bikes Sweepstakes awarding him with an Orange County Custom Chopper and the chance to bowl for $1 million on ESPN.(Accor North America. Motel 6)(Brief article)
April 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Motel 6 names Nathan Diehl as winner of the Motel 6 Strikes and Bikes Sweepstakes awarding him with an Orange County Custom Chopper and the chance to bowl for $1 million on ESPN. From left, Motel 6 PBA team...