Franchising World articles from August 2008

Franchising World archives from August 2008

Leveraging technology to advance your systems.(IN THIS ISSUE)
August 1, 2008... Virtually overnight, new applications of technology re being introduced that help facilitate advancement in our personal and professional lives. Many see technology as a driver to growth and profitability, as well as a time-saver. Whether it's...

Shaping the public's perception of franchising.(IFA PRESIDENT AND CEO'S COLUMN)(Column)
August 1, 2008... Never underestimate the impact of a first impression. For IFA, first impressions began when it was founded nearly 50 years ago. Since then, the landscape of the business and policy environments has evolved, and many impressions of the...

Grow your franchise with online marketing tools: e-mail marketing and online surveys are excellent tools for communicating with a franchised business' customers.(TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING FRANCHISE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Internet has brought about tremendous change in the way people find and communicate with businesses. Growth in technology has fostered the development of countless new Web-based business tools and services that...

Leveraging technology for franchise performance and growth: effectively-implemented franchise technology solutions can provide a single platform to manage franchise processes by significantly reducing operating costs.(TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING FRANCHISE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY)(Industry overview)
August 1, 2008... A quick look for the fastest-growing and best-performing franchise systems shows that there are several factors attributable to their Success: * The unique idea or concept behind the franchise, * Franchisor and franchisee...

"No-brainer" technologies: if a system hasn't implemented these no-brainer steps yet, it is a great place to start.(TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING FRANCHISE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The franchising industry has now reached a point where technology, at some level, reaches into every discipline within a franchise company. From reporting and marketing to support and communication, technology has...

Five steps to e-mail marketing success: e-mail marketing has emerged as a powerful tool that facilitates customer communication, incremental sales and raises bottom-line results in the most immediate times. Properly put in place, e-mail marketing can be a very powerful weapon in a marketing and sales arsenal, especially for an economy that is slowing down for many franchise systems.(TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING FRANCHISE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Imagine having a database of customers that have proven to spend money with the franchise company or customers that have raised their hands and volunteered to receive your marketing messages. Many companies have...

Automated royalty payments: a comprehensive and interactive solution: for a royalty solution to be successful, it must be comprehensive and interactive.(TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING FRANCHISE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The royalty payment is a key cornerstone of the franchisor-franchisee relationship. It is the validation of the contract one has with the other. For the franchisor, it embodies the success of the concept, enables the...

Facing a web-based fork in the road? Make the right turn: most companies are missing opportunities by ignoring Web-based systems.(TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING FRANCHISE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY)
August 1, 2008... It is rare to find a CEO or chief financial officer that speaks fluent "geek." Conversely, the "techies" tend to spend money on systems, software and solutions without a strong understanding of the bottom line. Most companies are missing the...

Guerrillas with laptops: making the most of interactive media: to compete effectively for qualified leads and communicate a brand's message quickly and cost-effectively while maintaining real- time communications with its franchisees, franchise companies have to turn to the Internet.(TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING FRANCHISE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY)
August 1, 2008... Franchise organizations across the board are feeling the pressure to keep their budgets low while still increasing sales. With a limited marketing budget, one of the first areas to focus on is using free or inexpensive technology to get the...

Blogging 101 for franchisors: easy to start, hard to measure, but potentially an effective marketing tool.(TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING FRANCHISE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Weblog, or "blog" for short, is simply a collection of articles posted on the Internet. Popular blogs are regularly read and extensively discussed by tens of thousands of users. Impressed by the extent and depth of...

Penetration testing: why franchise systems need information security: regular penetration testing of applications and system security are necessities which will help mitigate the risk of a data breach and system compromises.(TECHNOLOGY: DRIVING FRANCHISE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Information security was once considered just a technical problem, but due to the combination of advanced technology and malicious intent, it is now everyone's problem. Most people would be surprised to learn that...

Where do the presidential candidates stand on franchising issues?(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)(Discussion)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Part One When U.S. Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) get the official approval of their respective parties later this summer, the largely-divergent views of these two historic figures will be...

IFA urges Congress to address rising energy costs: as the nation prepares to vote for legislators and a president this fall, a topic generating as much ink and airtime as the candidates themselves is the issue of escalating energy costs. Topping that list are the rising costs of oil and gas, which the International Franchise Association has urged Congress to address immediately.(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)
August 1, 2008... The International Franchise Association recently urged Congress to take decisive, effective and immediate action to address the rising cost of energy in the United States. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In a joint letter with other leading...

New ad highlights franchising's economic importance.(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)
August 1, 2008... The second in a series of advertisements highlighting the economic impact of franchising appeared in leading Washington, D.C. publications to further the franchising awareness campaign among policy opinion elites. The International...

Supporting federal legislators: FranPAC report card: the International Franchise Association's current financial support to candidates for federal offices as of mid-June is reflected in the following "report card.".(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)(Statistical table)
August 1, 2008... Supporting Federal Legislators: FranPAC ReDort Card The International Franchise Association's current financial support to candidates for federal office as of mid-June is reflected in the following "report card." IFA's political...

IFA's official Sommelier: turning red wine into greenbacks: summer wine auction tops new record under the relentless gavel of "Doc" Cohen.(IFA SUMMER LEADERSHIP PHOTO FEATURE)
August 1, 2008... "Aggressive..." "Decadent..." "Precocious..." "Volatile..." "Doc" Cohen's rapid-fire delivery and tart comments whipped the audience into a frenzy, but those weren't taunts to an out-of-control crowd, they were expertly-chosen...

Colorado Springs: IFA leadership meeting zeroes in on political challenges ahead.(IFA SUMMER LEADERSHIP PHOTO FEATURE)(Conference news)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Faced with the possibility of a challenging political atmosphere in Washington, D.C. in just a few months, the International Franchise Association's leadership gathered in Colorado Springs this summer to hone its...

Q&A with U.S. Ambassador Susan C. Schwab, U.S. Trade Representative.(FW FOCUS: A FRANCHISING WORLD Q & A)(Interview)
August 1, 2008... Ambassador Susan C. Schwab was nominated to be U.S. Trade Representative by President George W. Bush in 2006 and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate the same year. Schwab is a member of the president's Cabinet and serves as his principal trade...

Disclosure law violations: understanding the penalties.(FW FOCUS: LEGAL)
August 1, 2008... Franchise sales activity that complies with federal and state laws and administrative regulations governing such activity rewards the franchisor and its personnel with peace of mind. The franchisor who satisfies its disclosure obligations never...

Pressure points: bankruptcy code amendments, court decisions.(FW FOCUS: LEGAL)
August 1, 2008... It often seems that the odds are stacked against creditors in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. After all, a central purpose of a Chapter 11 reorganization is to afford the debtor a breathing spell from its creditors. This "time-out" by...

IFA's veteran's assistance program wins coveted summit award: IFA program is one of six chosen out of 38 applicants.(FW FOCUS: AWARDS AND HONORS)(Awards list)
August 1, 2008... The International Franchise Association has received one of the six 2008 Summit Awards from the American Society of Association Executives for its Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative. "We are honored to win the coveted Summit Award,"...

Blockbuster.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... Blockbuster promoted James w. Whatley to vice president, global franchise and international corporate operations. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Brooke Capital Corp.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Brooke Capital Corp. named Bryan Whipple senior vice president of insurance company relations.

Caring Transitions.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... Caring Transitions named John F. Buckles president.

First Watch Restaurants.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... First Watch Restaurants hired Greg Michael as vice president of franchising.

Fitness Together Franchise Holding.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Fitness Together Franchise Holding named Jeff Jervik president and chief executive officer.

Hilton Hotels.(PEOPLE)(Ross Klein, Richard M. Lucas and Amar Lalvani appointed)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Hilton Hotels appointed Ross Klein as global head of luxury and lifestyle brands; Amar Lalvani as global head of luxury and lifestyle brand development; Richard M. Lucas as executive vice president and general counsel; Kevin Jacobs as senior...

Home Helpers.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... Home Helpers promoted chief operating officer Emma Dickison to president.

InterContinental Hotels Group.(PEOPLE)(Shane Skubis and John H. Johnson appointed)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... InterContinental Hotels Group hired Shane Skubis as the new regional director of franchise sales for the Southern California-Nevada territory for mainstream franchise sales and John H. Johnson as regional director of midscale franchise sales...

MFV Expositions.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MFV Expositions Director of Special Programs Richard has retired.

Service Brands International.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... Service Brands International appointed John McDonald president and chief operating officer.

Siegel Capital.(PEOPLE)
August 1, 2008... Siegel Capital promoted Ronald Feldman to chief executive officer and Nathan Greenberg as president and chief operating officer.

HomeVestors of America.(Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions)
August 1, 2008... HomeVestors of America was acquired by Franchise Brands.

Merry meeting subsidiary MMI Peer Advisory Services acquired the assets of Inner Circle International.(Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions)
August 1, 2008... Merry meeting subsidiary MMI Peer Advisory Services acquired the assets of Inner Circle International.

Wyndham Worldwide acquired U.S. Franchise Systems.(Mergers, Acquisitions and Transactions)
August 1, 2008... Wyndham Worldwide acquired U.S. Franchise Systems and its Microtel Inns & Suites and Hawthorn Suites brands totaling more than 29,000 rooms from a subsidiary of Global Hyatt.

Accor North America received the highest marks on a progress report from the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.(Awards & Honors)(Report)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Accor North America received the highest marks on a progress report from the Asian American Hotel Owners Association evaluating fair franchising which deemed the company the "most receptive."

Asiawide Franchise Consultants Managing Dir. Albert Kong.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2008... Asiawide Franchise Consultants Managing Dir. Albert Kong, CFE, was honored by the China Chain Store & Franchise Association for contributions to the franchising industry.

Foot Solutions.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2008... Foot Solutions was named top small business of the year by the Cobb Chamber, Ga. of Commerce and the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Franchise Services recognized several PIP Printing & Document Services and Sir Speedy salespeople with sales achievement awards at the annual Sales Forum.(Awards & Honors)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Franchise Services recognized several PIP Printing & Document Services and Sir Speedy salespeople with sales achievement awards at the annual Sales Forum. Forty-five people received a Platinum Level Award and 46 received a Gold Level Award....

The Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead.(Awards & Honors)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead, N.D. named the Glass Doctor of Fargo-Moorhead franchise and owner Mary Degerness as its 2008 Small Business of the Year.

McAlister's Corp. Chairman and CEO Philip Friedman received the Silver Plate Award.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2008... McAlister's Corp. Chairman and CEO Philip Friedman received the Silver Plate Award from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association in the Chain Full Service category.

Law firm Osier, Hoskin & Harcourt was ranked as the only "most frequently recommended" firm in franchising law in Canada in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2008.(Awards & Honors)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Law firm Osier, Hoskin & Harcourt was ranked as the only "most frequently recommended" firm in franchising law in Canada in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2008. In addition, Osier National Franchise Law Group Co-Chair Frank Zaid received...

Papa Murphy's International.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2008... Papa Murphy's International was named by Pizza Today magazine as its 2008 Chain of the Year.

Pet Butler.(Awards & Honors)
August 1, 2008... Pet Butler was recognized by Comerica Bank Collin 60 as the 11th fastest growing company in Collin County, Texas.

Two Men And A Truck International.(Awards & Honors)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Two Men And A Truck International earned a Videographer Award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals for its "Bucks for Boxes" box contest on YouTube.com.

Valpak recognized its top sales representatives and leaders: Sales Representative of the Year Katherine Grimmer of McLean, Va.(Awards & Honors)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Valpak recognized its top sales representatives and leaders: Sales Representative of the Year Katherine Grimmer of McLean, Va.; Sales Team of the Year Valpak of Indianapolis, Fishers, Ind.; Sales Manager of the Year Amber Atkins of Columbus,...

Wild Bird Centers of America founder and Chairman George Petrides, Sr.(Awards & Honors)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Wild Bird Centers of America founder and Chairman George Petrides, Sr., was presented a "Citizens Award for Exceptional Service" by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Dir. H. Dale Hall.

The Cause Marketing Forum awarded InterContinental Hotels Group's Hotel Management Group the Gold Halo Award for the Best Environmental-Wildlife Campaign category for its "Chase the Extraordinary" program.
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The Cause Marketing Forum awarded InterContinental Hotels Group's Hotel Management Group the Gold Halo Award for the Best Environmental-Wildlife Campaign category for its "Chase the Extraordinary" program....

Burger King's Have It Your Way Foundation donated $300,000 to Give Kids The World organization in Central Florida that creates memories for children with life-threatening illnesses.
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Burger King's HAVE IT YOUR WAY Foundation donated $300,000 to Give Kids The World organization in Central Florida that creates memories for children with life-threatening illnesses. This donation went toward...

HomeVestors of America.(Milestones)
August 1, 2008... HomeVestors of America purchased its 35,000th house.

Pak Mail Centers.(Milestones)
August 1, 2008... Pak Mail Centers opened its 100th store in Mexico.

Former NBA players Gary Payton and Brian Shaw signed an agreement with Wingstop.
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Former NBA players Gary Payton and Brian Shaw signed an agreement with Wingstop to open three restaurants in southern California.

Annex Brands and BrandAmerica signed an agreement to develop the PostalAnnex+.(Growth)
August 1, 2008... Annex Brands and Brand America signed an agreement to develop the PostalAnnex+ brand in the Asian market.

Tasti D-Lite.(Growth)
August 1, 2008... Tasti D-Lite signed its first international development agreement in South Korea.

Fetch! Pet Care.(Marketing)
August 1, 2008... FETCH! Pet Care has entered into a joint marketing agreement with Veterinary Pet Insurance.

Figaro's Pizza.(Marketing)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Figaro's Pizza will deliver up to 10 pizzas to presidential candidates Sens. John McCain and Barak Obama and their staffs free of charge if either is ever within five miles of one of its U.S. restaurants.

Fluency Media.(Marketing)
August 1, 2008... Fluency Media launched an integrated digital marketing program for Detroit Media Partnership, the managing entity for the Detroit Free Press" and The Detroit News.

The Sea Tow Boating Safety and Education Foundation was selected to receive $450,000 in federal grants.(Marketing)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... The Sea Tow Boating Safety and Education Foundation was selected to receive $450,000 in federal grants, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, to support three boating safety programs in the coming year.

Massage Envy.(Community Service)
August 1, 2008... Massage Envy donated $20,000 to the Massage Therapy Foundation's research grant program.