Franchising World articles from August 2007

Franchising World archives from August 2007

Technology has the answers.(IN THIS ISSUE)
August 1, 2007... New technologies are rapidly changing the way businesses communicate, track finances, conduct meetings and handle even the most complicated operations. The franchising community must keep pace with these advances to maintain operations that are...

Congress is waiting to hear from you.(IFA PRESIDENT'S COLUMN)
August 1, 2007... Since the invention of the Internet decades ago, the pace of the world has picked up significantly, especially in the small-business arena. The Internet has enabled franchisees and franchisors, separated by oceans and several degrees of...

Keeping the franchise family connected: today's conferencing technology makes communication easy and affordable.(TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE)
August 1, 2007... It's a familiar story. As any family grows, so does its communication challenges. The story is even more familiar to franchise families, one that involves franchisees located all over the map, continually-changing products and services, and the...

Planning for distance learning and education: executed correctly, distance learning can be a powerful tool to launch an organization to its next level of growth.(TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE)
August 1, 2007... With remote workforce levels increasing, franchise networks expanding and travel expenses climbing, distance learning and education programs within franchise organizations have become opportunities that can no longer remain idle. With staff and...

Creating e-mails that customers want to read: ten proven tips and suggestions.(TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE)
August 1, 2007... In today's business environment. keeping in touch is the key to keeping customers. And while many franchise owners incorrectly might equate e-mail marketing with spam and dismiss it, e-mail is actually a highly-effective marketing tool that...

E-commerce for successful franchisors: e-commerce may be an excellent source of revenue for franchise systems; however, it has a number of potential problems that franchise companies must avoid.(TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE)
August 1, 2007... What is "E-Commerce"? The term "E-commerce" refers to commercial activities conducted electronically. It includes transactions on the Internet, closed networks such as electronic data exchange, electronic trading of goods and services,...

Protecting customers and the brand from credit card data losses: now is the time to implement a system-wide PCI program before there is an issue or damage to the brand.(TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE)
August 1, 2007... In the December 2006 issue of Franchising World, an article titled "PCI Compliance: Protecting Customers and the Franchise Brand" explored what is known as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, what are the requirements from the...

Managed services: the future of technology in franchising: the possibilities and combinations of in-house and outsourced resources are endless.(TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE)
August 1, 2007... For those in the technology industry, one of the biggest trends in the past couple of years is something called "managed services." While large organizations have used this approach for years to manage large deployments in multiple...

Post-termination internet violations: who fixes and how? Is the public misled?(TECHNOLOGY TO THE RESCUE)
August 1, 2007... Times have changed. Ten years ago or so, when franchise companies wanted to make sure that terminated franchisees had stopped using the system's trademarks and other intellectual property, known as "de-identification," the standard process was...

Off-year state elections can provide insight for 2008: November elections are viewed as "wide open" for political excitement.(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)
August 1, 2007... For those who live in a state that has regular elections scheduled this fall, they are certainly in the minority. There are five states holding legislative or state executive branch contests in 2007: Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey...

Immigration reform remains top priority.(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The U.S. Senate's recent failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform creates significant future risks for employers of all sizes. Enhanced border enforcement activities will slow the influx of undocumented workers, but employers will be...

Leaders to voice franchising's key issues on Capitol Hill: political columnist George Will to deliver keynote address.(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)
August 1, 2007... The International Franchise Association's annual grassroots gathering on Capitol Hill--Franchise Appreciation Day--is right around the corner and will offer opportunities for members of the franchising community to share their insights with...

2007 FranPAC report card: the following "report card" provides a snapshot of the International Franchise Association's current financial support to candidates for federal offices as of mid-June.(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)(Statistical table)
August 1, 2007... 2007 FranPAC Report Card The following "report card" provides a snapshot of the International Franchise Association's current financial support to candidates for federal office as of mid-June. By Victoria Adams IFA's political...

Ten-gallon hats, cowboy boots and PowerPoint presentations: IFA Leadership not only changes attire, but entire Jackson Hole, Wyo. summer business meeting format.(FW FOCUS: IFA SUMMER LEADERSHIP PHOTO FEATURE)
August 1, 2007... Fearlessly, the Man in the White Stetson strode in to face the unruly crowd gathered in the shadow of the Grand Teton mountains lifting majestically more than 13,000 feet into the pristine western sky. He'd come to "The Hole" with full...

Building and repairing trust of the franchisee-franchisor relationship: key steps to ensuring a profitable relationship.(FW FOCUS: FRANCHISE RELATIONS)
August 1, 2007... Most professionals in franchising would agree that trust is a vital element in a successful relationship between a franchise system and its franchisees, whether on an individual level or between the franchisor and its franchisees as a whole....

West Coast Franchise Expo opens Oct. 19.: as the business of franchising continues to expand and new concepts arise, trade shows like the WCFE offer an inside perspective into the franchising world.(FW FOCUS: FRANCHISING EVENT)
August 1, 2007... Entrepreneurs from across the country will head west in search of franchise gold from Oct. 19 to 21 when the highly-popular West Coast Franchise Expo opens its doors at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Last year, nearly 10,000 prospects...

Salvaging your franchise after hitting a roadblock: ultimately, keeping franchisees happy is what helps drive franchise growth and prosperity.(FW FOCUS: MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS)
August 1, 2007... Failure is not the end, but the start of a better, wiser beginning. Too many times franchise companies hit the brakes too hard due to bumps in the road that could have been avoided. Some of the roadblocks that franchise systems may...

Overlooked financial resource supports emerging markets.(FW FOCUS: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT)
August 1, 2007... The migration south continues. Not the snowbirds heading for coastal winter havens, but America's most treasured brands are popping up all across Central and South America. As economic growth in these emerging markets appeals to U.S. franchise...

Veterans program creates a pathway to franchising business ownership: veterans are finding a helping hand to trade in their military attire for uniforms imprinted with the logos of some well-known and emerging franchising brands. The International Franchise Association has enabled military veterans to gain easier access to the franchising industry for more than a decade.(FW FOCUS: HONORING AMERICA'S VETERANS)
August 1, 2007... The Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, known as "VetFran," was developed to allow veterans to transition to civilian life and take advantage of the American Dream of small-business ownership. Nearly 800 franchises have been acquired...

Sales and marketing intelligence focus of new research guide: Franchise Update Media Group of San Jose, Calif. recently released a comprehensive research guide to sales and lead generation performance in franchise recruitment. The guide is designed to aid franchisors, development consultants, and advertising and marketing suppliers.(FW FOCUS: RESEARCH)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The 2007 Annual Franchise Development Report provides meaningful data specific to different franchise concepts, investments, and budget levels, said publisher Steve Olson. "This report provides franchisors and their suppliers with the knowledge...

Welcome new members!(FW FOCUS: WELCOME MEMBERS)(Directory)
August 1, 2007... Franchise Systems Academy for Mathematics & English (USA) Inc., Thornhill, Ontario, Contact Balti Sauer Burger Hut Development, Inc., Chico, Calif., Contact Rick Kusie CFWshops, West Hartford, Conn., Contact Michael H. Seid, CFE...

International Franchise Association programs and calendar of industry events.(IMPORTANT DATES IN FRANCHISING CALENDAR)(Calendar)
August 1, 2007... 2007 AUGUST 20-21-How to Manage the Franchise Relationship Management 2000 Tuscon 23-24-How to Manage the Growth of Your Franchise Company & It's Brand Management 2000 Tucson 24-Franchise...

ABRA Auto Body & Glass.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2007... ABRA Auto Body & Glass promoted Toan Nguyen to vice president of information technology.

AmericInn International.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2007... AmericInn International appointed Eric Hughes to senior director of franchise sales and development.

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2007... Carlson Restaurants Worldwide promoted Amy Freshwater to vice president of communication and public relations.

NexCen Brands.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2007... NexCen Brands hired Michael C. Dull as president of its franchise management quick service restaurant division.

re:group.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2007... re:group hired Katie Kalinowski as account executive.

RE/MAX International.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2007... RE/MAX International promoted Anthony Lopez to vice president of information technology.

T.G.I. Friday's USA Pres. and COO Mike Archer was honored with the Texas Diversity Council.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2007... T.G.I. Friday's USA Pres. and COO Mike Archer was honored with the Texas Diversity Council's DiversityFirst Leadership Award.

Wireless Zone.(PEOPLE)(appointments of Mark Asnes, David Staszewski and Susan Suhr.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Wireless Zone named Mark Asnes as executive vice president and chief operations officer, David Staszewski as vice president and general manager of operations and Susan Suhr as executive vice president and chief administrative officer.

Accor.(Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Accor signed a three-year agreement with France's Agency for Environment and Energy Management to expand its joint programs in six areas: renewable energy development, energy management, waste prevention/management, international cooperation,...

Houlihan's.(Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions)(Houlihan's Restaurant Group Inc.)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Houlihan's received more than $68 million to fuel national expansion: $28 million in private equity from Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison and $40 million from a new senior credit facility provided by Wells Fargo Foothill Restaurant Finance.

RE/MAX International acquired RE/MAX Northwest.(Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions)
August 1, 2007... RE/MAX International acquired RE/MAX Northwest in Washington state.

Camille's Sidewalk Cafe founder David Rutkauskas has been named 2007 Entrepreneurial Success Person of the Year.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2007... Camille's Sidewalk Cafe founder David Rutkauskas has been named 2007 Entrepreneurial Success Person of the Year by the Tulsa Metro Chamber.

CM IT Solutions awarded Denver location owners Debi and Phil Bush .(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2007... CM IT Solutions awarded Denver location owners Debi and Phil Bush with the company's Franchise of the Year award.

Dunkin' Donuts.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2007... Dunkin' Donuts received a 2007 MenuMasters award from Nation's Restaurant News for the Best Single Product Rollout category for its sausage supreme omelet breakfast sandwich.

Microtel Inn & Suites.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2007... Microtel Inn & Suites was ranked first in customer satisfaction by the Market Metrix Hospitality Index for the second time.

Proforma.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2007... Proforma was ranked second in a list of Top 50 Distributors in the Promotional Products Industry by Promotional Marketing magazine.

Rainbow Station.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2007... Rainbow Station received the Employee All Star award from Virginia's Richmond Human Resources Management Association and the Greater Richmond Chamber's workforce development initiative.

re:group.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2007... re:group was awarded the Medical Marketing Association's IN-AWE award for The Tattoo campaign it created and illustrated for Leade Health.

Chester's International.(PEOPLE)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Chester's International signed a multi-unit agreement with Alghanim Sons which plans to open 46 locations across Gulf Corporation Council countries and Lebanon during the next five years. From left, Alghanim Sons' Managing Dir. Haidar Jaber,...

Wendy's International.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2007... Wendy's International took the top spot for customer satisfaction in the limited service restaurants category in this year's American Customer Satisfaction Index survey.

Boston's The Gourmet Pizza.(Milestones)
August 1, 2007... Boston's The Gourmet Pizza opened its 50th store with a location in Fort Worth, Texas.

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide.(Milestones)
August 1, 2007... Carlson Restaurants Worldwide opened its 1,000th restaurant.

Pet Butler.(Milestones)
August 1, 2007... Pet Butler opened its 70th franchise.

SeaMaster Cruises.(Milestones)
August 1, 2007... SeaMaster Cruises opened its 100th location.

Tony Roma's.(Growth)
August 1, 2007... Tony Roma's opened its first restaurant in Saudi Arabia.

America's Best Inns & Suites and Country Hearth Inns are offering ecologically responsible EcoRooms with products that are energy efficient, water efficient.(Marketing)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... America's Best Inns & Suites and Country Hearth Inns are offering ecologically responsible EcoRooms with products that are energy efficient, water efficient, waste reducing and non-toxic or biodegradable.

Denny's.(Marketing)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Denny's launched a new national advertising campaign featuring the original hit tune "All Out of Love" by Air Supply to encourage guests to eat Denny's breakfast.

Doubletree Hotels.(Marketing)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Doubletree Hotels is offering its 2007 Doubletree kidsCAREpak program in 130 destinations across North America this summer where complimentary "earth-packs" will be filled with a variety of outdoor-friendly tools and toys for kids.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe.(Marketing)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Tropical Smoothie Cafe launched National Flip Flop Day June 21 to signal the start of the summer and give the first 500 customers a free 24-oz. Jetty Punch smoothie.

Valpak and Budget Blinds partnered for a promotion on more than 44 million envelopes and a 100 million coupon mailing.(Marketing)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Valpak and Budget Blinds partnered for a promotion on more than 44 million envelopes and a 100 million coupon mailing. The company also helped launch the WE tv Bridal Block featuring "Bridezillas" and "WE Go Bridal" on more than 40 million...

Wireless Zone.(Marketing)
August 1, 2007... Wireless Zone was selected by Verizon as a new distribution channel for FIOS, a new, fiber-optic network.

Tijuana Flats.(Photograph)
August 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Through its Just in Queso Fund, Tijuana Flats donated $35,000 to Soldiers' Angels, supporting its commitment to continually provide aid and comfort to deployed soldiers and their families by sending care...

Wyndham Hotel Group.(Marketing)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Wyndham Hotel Group is affiliating more than 230 Wingate and Wyndham hotels to be called Wingate by Wyndham. The company also kicked off the TripRewards Mystery Hot Spot promotion with TripRewards Ultimate Hot Wing Eating Championship where...

Wyndham Worldwide.(Marketing)
August 1, 2007... Wyndham Worldwide unveiled the Blue Harmony Spa and Fitness Experience.

Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling.(Community Service)
August 1, 2007... Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling of Central Maine donated services to Lisa and Rob Fahey as part of the company's Restoring America home improvement initiative.