Franchising World articles from August 2004

Franchising World archives from August 2004

Techno-franchising challenges and solutions.(In This Issue)
August 1, 2004... The popularity of franchising springs from its consistent use of a proven method of doing business but continued growth depends on adapting to change. Most often, no area fosters quite so much change as technology. Technology can be the answer...

Where we are, where we're going. It's technology all over again.(Techno franchising: challenges & solutions)
August 1, 2004... Top-notch technology systems not only integrate sales leads, document delivery, and financial reporting, they're easy-to-use, instantaneous, secure, and mobile. That's what members of the International Franchise Association's Technology...

Using technology to better manage your franchise system.(Techno franchising: challenges & solutions)
August 1, 2004... Managing technology to make your franchise system successful is not a strategic option, it's a strategic necessity. Not long after joining the industry in 2000, I faced our first franchisee technology revolt. The point-of-sale system we had...

Leveraging your technology investment: in business, regardless of the type of business we are involved in, we have one thing in common: we all want to add to the bottom line. Leveraging from any type of investment should be part of our everyday jobs.(Techno franchising: challenges & solutions)
August 1, 2004... All types of investments, especially those related to technology, have something in common that we all somehow seem to forget--risk(s) and reward(s). The Leveraging Process How do we start the investment leveraging process? ...

Protect your franchisees from hackers.(Techno franchising: challenges & solutions)
August 1, 2004... What would you think if one of your franchisees started e-mailing everyone in their contact-manager solicitations for Viagra? Would it affect your brand name if one of your franchisees' computers was identified as part of a hacker attack on...

Jump-starting franchise sales: how technology can help.(Techno franchising: challenges & solutions)
August 1, 2004... Adding new franchisees is never easy. It requires hard work and a focused effort to convert thousands of inquiries and leads into new franchisees who will help expand your system for the next decade and more. And while technology provides...

Developing franchise territories.(Techno franchising: challenging & solutions)
August 1, 2004... The exclamation of "Oh, I see it now!" that comes when someone finally understands a concept or an idea says a lot about how humans process information. We are visual beings and this statement captures the requirement to "see" things both...

High performance touchdown: with standardized technology, franchisees don't have to sweat the details.(Techno franchising: challenges & solutions)
August 1, 2004... Some franchise professionals don't realize that standardizing their business computing operations has value for both the franchisees and the franchisor. Franchising is all about providing a proven set of practices and tools to franchisees. They...

U.S. representative Adam H. Putnam: as franchising strives to meet technology's challenges in the business sector, this Capitol Hill leader maintains a sharp focus on government information technology spending and the threats of cyber-crime.(A Franchising World Q & A)(Interview)
August 1, 2004... A fifth generation Floridian, Congressman Adam Putnam represents the 12th District of Florida. His legislative committee assignments for the 108th Congress include the Agriculture, Budget, Government Reform, and Joint Economic Committees....

Veterans franchise program offers increased visibility.(VetFran)
August 1, 2004... Franchise systems that support America's veterans can tap additional resources in their efforts to offer opportunities to former military. personnel. Through an alliance with the Destiny Group, the International Franchise Association has taken...

IFA testifies before House Veterans Subcommittee: congress considering legislation that would allow veterans to use educational benefits to pay for portion of franchise training.(Legal/Legislative)(International Franchise Association)
August 1, 2004... In mid-June, former IFA Chairman and Eagle Alliance Partners Managing Partner James H. Amos, Jr. and IFA Vice Pres. of Government Relations John Gay appeared before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Veterans Benefits to testify on the Veterans...

Franchise Appreciation Day program improved: new features include presentations from leaders in Congress and discussions with federal officials, Q&A opportunities for attendees.(Government Relations)
August 1, 2004... The International Franchise Association has improved the program for this year's Franchise Appreciation Day, making it even more valuable to the franchisees and franchisors coming to Washington, D.C. on Sept. 28. The new program will...

Wine auction uncorks checkbooks for FranPAC: instant success of fundraiser ensures its place as annual event.(Government Relations)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Conducted during IFA's summer board of director's meeting in Aspen, a new event was added to the International Franchise Association FranPAC fundraising calendar that is certain to become a much-anticipated annual happening. Sponsored by Modern...

IFA chairman offers insights as key speaker: take advantage of the opportunity to boost the enthusiasm and the energy level of your franchise system by inviting International Franchise Association Chairman Sidney Feltenstein to speak to your next event with attendance of 200 or more participants.(Legal/Legislative)(International Franchise Association)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Sidney Feltenstein, whose long career in franchising has given him insights into virtually every aspect of the sector, is available to serve as a key speaker. Named IFA's Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000, Feltenstein believes that...

Franchise Association active in state capitols.(Government Relations)(International Franchise Association)
August 1, 2004... During the week of June 1, the International Franchise Association led visits to three state capitols in the Northeast: Albany, Boston and Providence. Representatives from Wendy's International, Yum! Brands, Cendant and the National Restaurant...

Franchising and jobs in the states.(Franchising And The Economy)(Illustration)
August 1, 2004... The growing impact of franchised businesses is gaining awareness. The study "Economic Impact of Franchised Businesses" provides detailed information on the sector's contributions. Below is a chart that indicates the direct (what occurs in...

Borders vanishing as franchising's pace quickens: as the phenomenon of franchising becomes truly global, members of the International Franchise Association continue to explore the markets and the opportunities that those markets present for the expansion of franchised businesses around the world.(International Development)
August 1, 2004... Nearly two-thirds of IFA's more than 900 franchise-member companies have some operations outside the United States and that number continues to grow at a rate that is nearly as exponential as the disappearance of barriers such as language,...

Antitrust enforcement heightened in Europe: antitrust is alive and well overseas. British court decision could encourage private parties to seek damages.(International Development)
August 1, 2004... U.S. franchisors operating in Europe may have been lulled into a false sense of security about the possible application of antitrust rules to their European operations. Perhaps this is the natural result of so much media attention on the...

All roads lead to franchises: "if it's Tuesday, this must be North Platte".(Photo Feature)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... "You can't accuse International Franchise Association President Don DeBolt of not putting his money where his mouth is--or laying his head there, either, for that matter. Combining his love affair with the highways and byways of America with...

Cloning your best to build a strong management team: the best candidates can be your own franchisees to strengthen your franchise system.(Management & Operations)
August 1, 2004... Like many franchise executives, over the years I have developed an aversion to the overuse of cliches in business dialect. However, when asked to describe our unique hiring philosophy at the corporate level of The Little Gym franchise...

Labor Department offers compliance assistance for employers: the U. S. Department of Labor is taking steps to ease the path to compliance for small businesses.(Management & Operations)
August 1, 2004... Tools to Help Franchises as they Succeed and Grow As franchise systems and their units succeed and grow, they ,'nay face increased legal responsibilities, especially relative to hiring and managing employees. But as many franchisors and...

Equity conference to precede West Coast Expo.(Franchise Events)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... For the second year, the International Franchise Association will present the "Meet the Private Equity Money" conference to members of the franchise community. Scheduled Oct. 13-14 in conjunction with the Oct. 15-17 West Coast Franchise Expo at...

Franchise show steps to the West: popular trade show and educational forum to open in Los Angeles.(West Coast Franchise Expo)
August 1, 2004... The International Franchise Association will soon take the elements that make the International Franchise Expo so popular and create a regional version. The West Coast Franchise Expo scheduled Oct. 15-17 at the Los Angeles Convention Center...

IFA Educational Foundation Benchmarking Study examines paths to financial advancement.(Franchise Resources)(International Franchise Association)
August 1, 2004... The International Franchise Association Educational Foundation has released the "2002 Financial Benchmarking Study" that traces the varied paths to financial achievement. The study, which identifies characteristics that influence profits from...

IHOP founder Al Lapin Jr. dies at age 76.(People)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
August 1, 2004... International House of Pancakes founder Al Lapin Jr. died June 16 of cancer at the USC/Norris Center in Los Angeles. He was 76 years old. His passions as an entrepreneur and restaurant owner began when he developed and operated Coffee Time,...

AlphaGraphics.(People)(Kevin Cushing )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... AlphaGraphics appointed Kevin Cushing as new chief executive officer.

Cendant Corp.'s Hotel Group.(People)(appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Cendant Corp.'s Hotel Group announced an initiative to enhance franchisee service by nearly doubling its field support staff by year's end, thereby increasing the ratio of field representatives to individual properties and providing...

Express Personnel Services.(People)(Marshall Lee )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Express Personnel Services promoted Marshall Lee to vice president of federal accounts.

Hilton Hotels Corp.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... David A. Thompson has been named vice president and controller of Hilton Hotels Corp.

Liberty Tax Service.(People)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Liberty Tax Service recently named Dennis Bowerman vice president of field operations, Sue Stanley as human resources director and Scott Arbuckle as director of franchise development.

The Maids International.(People)(Jane Shinn )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... The Maids International has named Jane Shinn as advertising manager.

Maui Wowi Fresh Hawaiian Blends.(People)(Ann Tun )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Maui Wowi Fresh Hawaiian Blends appointed Ann Tun director of international development.

Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits has named Bob Melberth vice president of franchise support.

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick.(People)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick partner Brian N. McMahon has been reelected to the Meritage Hospitality Group board of directors. Meritage is the only publicly-owned owner and operator of Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers restaurants in the United...

Subway founder carries Olympic torch.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Subway Restaurants founder Fred DeLuca carried the Olympic torch through the streets of his hometown, Brooklyn, in mid-June. His quarter-mile run began on Myrtle Avenue and continued down Flatbush Avenue where the torch was handed off to the...

Burger King Corporation.(Community Service)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Burger King Corporation named 207 U.S. schools to that will receive the company's sponsorship to bring theof the President's Challenge, the physical activity and fitness awards program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and...

Meineke Car Care Centers Inc.(Community Service)(Children's Miracle Network)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Meineke Car Care Centers Inc. donated more than $43,000 to the Children's Miracle Network during the charity's annual broadcast June 5-6. Now in its seventh year as a CMN sponsor, the Meineke chain has contributed more than $500,000 to...

Chester's International LLC.(Growth)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Chester's International LLC, formerly Chester Fried announced its first franchise agreement with Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, a chain of travel centers.

Sebastian and Dottie Penate Sosa have purchased the region of RE/MAX Argentina from RE/MAX International.(Growth)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Sebastian and Dottie Penate Sosa have purchased the region of RE/MAX Argentina from RE/MAX International, designating it as the 51st country for the global franchise.

Hardee's Food Systems Inc. recently honored 11 franchisee owners-groups with 21 awards for outstanding performance during the past year.(Honors)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Hardee's Food Systems Inc. recently honored 11 franchisee owners-groups with 21 awards for outstanding performance during the past year. Maryland-based franchisee OTAC, Inc. won the most receiving seven awards for outstanding performance,...

7-Eleven.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... 7-Eleven has launched www.slurpee.com to kick off Slurpee Summer Music, a two-month promotion with potentially millions of downloadable songs and wireless phone ring tones, available along with Dell MP3 players, concert tickets and trips.

During the summer months, Blimpie is offering a CD music promotion featuring artists such as 3 Doors Down, Alanis Morissette or LeAnn Rimes.(Marketing)(Blimpie International )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... During the summer months, Blimpie is offering a CD music promotion featuring artists such as 3 Doors Down, Alanis Morissette or LeAnn Rimes and sponsoring more than 1,100 outdoor concerts nationwide from some of today's top musical acts.

HomeVestors of America Inc.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... HomeVestors of America Inc., the company known for its "We Buy Ugly Houses" billboards, is introducing the HomeVestors Real Estate-Owned program on July 1 to buy "ugly notes" from banks and financial institutions nationwide. Banks and holders...

Steamatic Inc.(Marketing)
August 1, 2004... Steamatic Inc. has signed former pro-football star and FOX sports announcer Daryl "Moose" Johnston and his wife, Diane, to a three-year spokesperson agreement.

TCBY.(Marketing)(The Country's Best Yogurt)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... TCBY (The Country's Best Yogurt) is urging people to lose weight to hit a national goal of 1 million pounds. The total loss for the country will continuously be tallied on www.tcby.com until the goal is met. And once the pounds are shed, TCBY...

Home Instead Senior Care.(Of Note)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Home Instead Senior Care, provider of non-medical home care and companionship for the elderly, is celebrating 10 years in business.

Sona International Corp.(Transactions)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2004... Carousel Capital and franchising executive Jim Amos jointly announced the acquisition of Sona International Corp., a franchisor of laser medical spa services with 21 U.S. locations.

International Franchise Association programs and calendar of industry events.(Important Dates In Franchising)(Calendar)
August 1, 2004... 2004 AUGUST 16-17 How to Manage the Franchise Relationship * Management 2000 Houston Contact: ICFE 19-20 How to Manage the Growth of Your Franchise Company and Its Brand * Management 2000 Houston Contact: ICFE SEPTEMBER ...