Franchising World articles from January 2004

Franchising World archives from January 2004

State of franchising 2004: leadership makes the difference.(In This Issue)
January 1, 2004... As the International Franchise Association embarks on 2004, we are reminded of how we help one another earn and become more successful in the jobs that we do every day. We lead... we follow, but most all, we gain knowledge to advance. In...

Franchising welcomes 2004 ringing in the New Year! Franchising World asked several IFA leaders to evaluate the overall state of the franchise sector as we ring in the New Year.(The state of franchising: leadership makes the difference)(Interview)
January 1, 2004... January is the time of year when individuals and businesses alike often evaluate where they stand and what may lie ahead. In keeping with tradition, Franchising World asked some of the people who will lead the International Franchise...

Leaders of franchising: the International Franchise Association board of directors and executive committee nominees.(The state of franchising: leadership makes the difference)
January 1, 2004... The International Franchise Association (IFA) serves as the "Voice of Franchising" because it can call on the combined talent and experience of its board of directors. These unique individuals come from a broad array of industries and the board...

Newly-elected board members to take office.(The state of franchising: leadership makes the difference)(International Franchise Association)
January 1, 2004... Several franchise leaders have been nominated to join the International Franchise Association's (IFA) board of directors in 2004. These executives will work to shape association policies and positions on issues affecting the franchise sector....

Former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush to headline IFA's 44th annual convention!(Special Edition of the Convention Insider)(International Franchise Association)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Please join us for what promises to be the most prestigious and exciting IFA convention ever! We are proud to announce former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush as keynote speakers during our Opening General Session and...

The Women's Franchise Committee (WFC): spearheading the growth and development of women in franchising.(The state of franchising: leadership makes the difference)
January 1, 2004... Is leadership a quality we are born with or one that can be developed? The members of the Women's Franchise Committee (WFC) believe that while you may have a head start, many of the skills and traits needed to become a leader can be learned and...

Minorities committee launches five-year strategic plan.(The state of franchising: leadership makes the difference)(International Franchise Association)
January 1, 2004... Long-time International Franchise Association (IFA) members know the association's Minorities in Franchising (MIF) Committee has been through a number of changes over the years. Originally formed as a task force of the IFA board of directors in...

Lou Brown: bringing precision tune back to the basics: from $20 million in debt to a profit of $11 million in three years, Lou Brown helps franchised company turn around.(The state of franchising: leadership makes the difference)
January 1, 2004... Lou Brown is one of Washington D.C.'s most successful high-tech entrepreneurs, so what's he doing helping an automotive franchise company get out of debt? Building companies from the ground up has been something Lou Brown has done since...

Dixonweb & Sleepeck Printing Company.(Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... When it comes time to make purchasing decisions for your printed materials, there are some important points to look at when choosing your supplier. Does your printer have nearly 100 years of experience and stand behind every job they produce?...

TARGUSinfo[R] helps Jenny Craig overcome complex store locator needs.
January 1, 2004... The Problems: Maintenance nightmare with standard locator solution Inaccurate locator program causing loss of sales. The Solution: TARGUSinfo IntelliRouting Express[R] The Benefits: Improved customer satisfaction and...

Franchising sector to congress: new accounting standards a threat to small business: Wendy's franchisee Pete Salg takes message to Capitol Hill.(Government Relations)(related article: IFA picks John Gay to lead government relations.)
January 1, 2004... Stating the franchising community's steadfast opposition to a proposed federal accounting rule shift, Wendy's franchisee Pete Salg testified on behalf of the International Franchise Association (IFA) Nov. 12 and told Congress that the move...

Piper Rudnick.(Spotlight)
January 1, 2004... Piper Rudnick's lawyers have represented franchise and distribution companies for more than 40 years and have been at the forefront of the industry since the inception of modern franchising. The group, consisting of over 50 professionals,...

Partners in prosperity: 44th Annual Franchise Convention.(International Francise Association 2004 Convention Preview)(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... March 6-9, 2004 MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada For more information, visit www.franchise.org or call the Conferences Department at 202/628-8000 Partners in Prosperity Letter from the Chairman Greetings! After much...

Corporate governance: something for everyone: implementing and maintaining an effective compliance program requires the full, if not enthusiastic, support of a company's leaders.(Legal Developments)
January 1, 2004... With the now familiar scene of once-vaunted corporate mavens being led way in handcuffs, the term "corporate governance" has surged into the business lexicon with a vengeance. In the wake of recent corporate debacles such as Enron and Worldcom,...

New developments in electronic disclosure: Good news? Bad news? Comforting news for disclosure policy?(Legal Developments)
January 1, 2004... On Sept. 14, 2003, the North American Securities Administrator's Association, Inc. (NASAA) adopted a statement of policy regarding electronic delivery of franchise disclosure documents. (The full text can be found at www.nasaa.org.) A statement...

Cost segregation: a money-saving oppportunity: how can a parking lot help a company save money on taxes? When is carpeting considered personal property? What is the difference between electrical systems serving the building and electrical systems serving kitchen equipment?(Management & Operations)
January 1, 2004... These are important questions to franchisors and franchisees. By knowing the answers, the owner of a new or renovated facility could save substantial money. By segregating construction and buildout costs according to Internal Revenue Service...

Rethinking recruitment.(Franchise Solutions[R])
January 1, 2004... Over the last decade, the Internet has had a profound effect on the world around us. This is especially true in the franchise industry. And while Internet lead generation has turned franchise marketing on its head, by far the biggest impact has...

For the stout-hearted and well-heeled, opportunities abound overseas.(International Development)
January 1, 2004... Fewer franchise companies headed overseas this past year, which meant greater opportunity for companies already rooted abroad. Franchising outside U.S. borders isn't for the faint-hearted, say experts; rather, franchisors need near-perfect...

North of the border: bringing a brand into the United States requires a hands-on approach.(International Development)
January 1, 2004... Franchising in the United States gives entrepreneurs access to the great American Dream by providing an opportunity to turn their business into a competitive growth organization. But does this kind of success only come to businesses that...

Business in Baghdad? Franchising has a strong future in the country's rebuilding, says one expert.(International Development)
January 1, 2004... In so many ways, Iraq is an ideal market for franchising. Under decades of a dictatorial socialist regime, Iraqis developed a worship of the American brand names that they could only see in movies and TV shows. Today, consumerism is at a fever...

Franchising China 2003 reflects nation's business interests.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... China's market potential for franchising businesses was clear at Franchising China 2003, organized in November by Global Sources during six days in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. "No other market in the world presents as much potential...

Marketing for growth: how to create a great international advertising program: there is no magic bullet to create an effective international advertising program.(International development)
January 1, 2004... The creation of an international advertising program is one of the first steps that help an organization gain control of its international development. Without such a program you have little influence over where to guide your international...

Generating leads at franchise expos: generating leads at an exposition takes careful preparation and planning.(Lead Generation)
January 1, 2004... Franchise expositions can be a marvelous venue to generate leads for a company, or a disappointment; it all depends on one's "strategic exposition planning." Long before your company decides to secure a stand at any exposition, there...

A dozen years ago who knew the name PostNet? How the "Super Bowl of Franchising" helped a new franchisor gain credibility.(Lead Generation)(International Franchise Expo)
January 1, 2004... What did these two names have in common a dozen years ago: PostNet and the International Franchise Expo (IFE)? Only that people were hearing about them for the first time. The IFE launched its first exhibition in the spring of 1991 at just...

Veterans franchise initiative gains momentum: inspired by the late Don Dwyer, VetFran was originally launched during the Gulf War.(VetFran)(International Franchise Association)
January 1, 2004... The International Franchise Association's (IFA) revival of the popular Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, known as VetFran, has quickly garnered strong support from the franchise community. As this edition of the Franchise Opportunities...

Fate unleashed: executive says goodbye to Wall Street, hello to franchising.(Trends)
January 1, 2004... Greg Kleva says he thanks his lucky stars for the series of events that led him from analyzing numbers on Wall Street to training dogs in people's living rooms. He emphasizes the lucky part, convinced that fate played a significant role in a...

There are no longer independent technology investments ... just investments.(Technology)
January 1, 2004... From the cell phones in our pockets, to the point of sales (POS) systems on our retail counters, technology is woven into the fabric of every aspect of our respective businesses. As a result, we can no longer develop business strategy and...

Burger King Corp.(Nish Kankiwala, Peter C. Smith appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Burger King Corp. has appointed Nish Kankiwala president of Burger King International and Peter C. Smith as chief human resources officer.

Captain D.(Michael Folks appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Captain D's has hired Michael Folks as the company's general counsel.

Carvel Corp.(Joseph F. Miles promoted)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Carvel Corp. promoted Joseph F. Miles to vice president, stadium and arenas; Richard S. Key to director of operation services; and James L. Salerno to director of field operations.

Cendant Corp.(Nicole Johnson-Reece appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Cendant Corp.'s Hotel Group has appointed Nicole Johnson-Reece as vice president, diversity and community involvement.

Choice Hotels International.(Mike Jackson appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Choice Hotels International has appointed Mike Jackson in a dual role as president of Choice Hotels Canada and vice president of international operations lot Choice Hotels.

CiCi's Pizza.(Craig Moore appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Craig Moore was appointed president of CiCi's Pizza following a management purchase of the company from founder Joe Croce.

Cottman Transmission System.(Chris Bair appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Chris Bair has been named Cottman Transmission Systems' director of national fleet sales and new business development.

Edwards Global Services (EGS).(People)(Robert G. Shaw)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Robert G. Shaw has joined Edwards Global Services (EGS) as senior vice president.

Express Personnel Services.(Robert A. Funk appointed at Federal Reserve Board of Kansas City)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Express Personnel Services founder Robert A. Funk has been named deputy chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Kansas City.

Fiducial.(R. Sherman Jent appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Fiducial's new director of financial services for U.S. operations is R. Sherman Jent.

Figaro's Italian Pizza.(People)(appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Figaro's Italian Pizza has hired Michael J. Fitzgerald as national director of field operations and named Stephen E. Thursby director of purchasing.

Hungry Howie's Pizza.(People)(Bob Cuffaro appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Bob Cuffaro has been named vice president of franchise development at Hungry Howie's Pizza.

Incredibly Edible Delites.(People)(Melvin Messinger appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Incredibly Edible Delites named Melvin Messinger director of franchise sales.

The International Center for Entrepreneurial Development.(People)(appointments)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The International Center for Entrepreneurial Development has promoted Brian Gay to president of Kwik Kopy Printing, The Ink Well, Franklin's Printing, American Wholesale Thermographers, Kwik Kopy Business Centers and Parcel Plus; Cindy Navis...

Kitchen Tune-Up.(People)(Lori Morgan appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Kitchen Tune-Up franchisee Lori Morgan of Colorado Springs has been elected to the franchise's national advisory council.

KPMG LLP.(People)(Greg Smith appointeed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Greg Smith has been named industry sector leader for the Americas food and beverage practice of KPMG LLP.

The Maids Home Services.(People)(Richard Werner promoted)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Maids Home Services promoted Richard Werner to vice president of franchise services.

McDonald's.(People)(executive changes)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... McDonald's announced several key senior management changes: Jose Armario will be president of McDonald's Latin American operations; Claire Babrowski, previously president, McDonald's Asia/Pacific/the Middle East and Africa, will become chief...

International Franchise Association.(People)(Todd Recknagel appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Mr. Handyman has named Todd Recknagel president. He also serves as a member of the International Franchise Association board of directors.

Ramada Franchise Systems.(People)(Kirrit Bhikha appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Ramada Franchise Systems announced the election of Kirrit Bhikha of Nashville as an executive committee member of the Ramada Inns National Association, an advisory board of Ramada franchisees. Bhikha is vice president of NAKP Partners, which...

Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal.(People)(Pamela J. Mills appointed)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Pamela J. Mills has joined the antitrust, franchising and distribution practice group of Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal's Chicago office.

Subway Restaurants.(People)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Subway Restaurants, recently named Cleo Bustamante Jr. of Carrizo Springs, Texas; Alan "Jim" Ainsworth of Wodonga, Victoria, Australia, and Dipak and Hitesh Patel of Nottingham, England, as Franchisees of the Year during the company's...

Batteries Plus gave away hundreds of 9-Volt batteries.(Community Involvement)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Batteries Plus gave away hundreds of 9-Volt batteries and educated consumers about smoke alarm safety during National Fire Prevention Week in October.

Nearly six out of 10 parents in the United States think community service should be emphasized as much as or more than traditional subjects.(Community Involvement)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Nearly six out of 10 parents in the United States think community service should be emphasized as much as or more than traditional subjects in their children's schools, according to a survey by Doubletree Hotels.

President George W. Bush recognized Dunkin' Donuts franchisee Robert Perkins of Milford, N.H. for spear-heading a donation of nearly one and a half tons of Dunkin' Donuts coffee.(Community Involvement)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... President George W. Bush recognized Dunkin' Donuts franchisee Robert Perkins of Milford, N.H. for spear-heading a donation of nearly one and a half tons of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, which he gathered from local franchisees, to send to American...

Jack in the Box franchisees, in partnership with the company's foundation, presented a check for $50,000 to Catholic Big Brothers Big sisters.(Community Involvement)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Jack in the Box franchisees, in partnership with the company's foundation, presented a check for $50,000 to Catholic Big Brothers Big sisters to support the agency's Northwest Pasadena, Calif. Mentoring Center.

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) staff and volunteers and McDonald's employees are sharing in the celebration of an Emmy win.(Community Involvement)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) staff and volunteers and McDonald's employees are sharing in the celebration of an Emmy win. "Aren't They All Our Children," written by producer-songwriter David Foster and his wife Linda Thompson, won the...

Rock Bottom Restaurants announced a new community-based approach for its seventh annual holiday gift card program.(Community Involvement)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Rock Bottom Restaurants announced a new community-based approach for its seventh annual holiday gift card program that allows restaurant employees to choose charities in their communities to help fight hunger and homelessness. Cards were...

Taco John's kicked off its annual charity fundraiser, Nachos Navidad, in late fall.(Community Involvement)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Taco John's kicked off its annual charity fundraiser, Nachos Navidad, in late fall. Participating franchisees, including Minor, N.D.'s Mike Sartwell who initiated the idea to focus attention on cystic fibrosis which affects his daughter,...

Wireless Zone has created a new public charitable foundation to provide a structure for collaborative giving and to increase public recognition of the charitable activities of the company's system.(Community Involvement)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Wireless Zone has created a new public charitable foundation to provide a structure for collaborative giving and to increase public recognition of the charitable activities of the company's system. The new foundation will continue the tradition...

Cendant Corp, was presented the 2003 Corporation of the Year Award by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.(Honors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Cendant Corp, was presented the 2003 Corporation of the Year Award by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for its long-standing dedication to the economic development of Hispanic businesses.

Choice Hotels International, franchisor of the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotel brands.(Honors)(Great Place to Work)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Choice Hotels International, franchisor of the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn hotel brands, was selected as a "Great Place to Work" by The Washingtonian magazine...

Maria D'Ambrosio.(Honors)(Advocate of the Year award by Columbia Minority Supplier Development Council)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Maria D'Ambrosio, manager of diversity and corporate engagement for the Montgomery County, Md.-based company was named "Advocate of the Year" by the Maryland/District of Columbia Minority Supplier Development Council.

ExxonMobil Corp.'s On the Run convenience store offering has received the 2003 Convenience Store Chain of the year award from Convenience Store Decisions magazine.(Honors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... ExxonMobil Corp.'s On the Run convenience store offering has received the 2003 Convenience Store Chain of the year award from Convenience Store Decisions magazine. The peer award is based on extensive polling of retailers, suppliers and other...

Elliott Threatt.(Honors)(Businessman of the Year by Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... GNC franchisee Elliott Threatt was named Businessman of the Year by the Black Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City.

Mail Boxes Etc., franchisor of The UPS Store, was recognized by the United States Postal Inspection Service.(Honors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Mail Boxes Etc., franchisor of The UPS Store, was recognized by the United States Postal Inspection Service for its assistance in helping stop an international mail-forwarding fraud scam.

MGW Group, franchisor of Cookies by Design and Cookie Bouquet.(Honors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... MGW Group, franchisor of Cookies by Design and Cookie Bouquet, was recently honored by the Celebration of Enterprise awards program which honors local businesses based on the way they identify a market, take a risk to fulfill that need and...

RE/MAX of Southern Africa has been selected by the Franchise Association of South Africa.(Honors)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... RE/MAX of Southern Africa has been selected by the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) as the 2003 Franchisor of the Year in the "All Industries" category, marking the first time the honor has gone to a real estate organization...

Margaret Kelly.(Honors)(selected as member of The Committee of 200)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Margaret Kelly, president and chief operating officer of RE/MAX International, has been selected as a member of The Committee of 200...

Dave Liniger.(Honors)(appointed as a faculty of Global Institute for Leadership Development )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... RE/MAX co-founder and chairman Dave Liniger joined the faculty of the Global Institute for Leadership Development as he was presented the Warren Bennis Award for Leadership Excellence.

Subway named Astra Foods Inc..(Honors)(Global Vendor of the Year award)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Subway named Astra Foods Inc., of Upper Darby, Pa., as its Global Vendor of the Year, during the company's convention in San Antonio.

Cendant subsidiary Galileo International has launched Galileo Web! Hotels, an Internet-rate hotel inventory.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Cendant subsidiary Galileo International has launched Galileo Web! Hotels, an Internet-rate hotel inventory that allows agents to offer the same pricing advantages of the Internet with savings of up to 75 percent off published standard rates...

i9 Sports has been selected by Pat Summerall Productions as a Champion of Industry.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... i9 Sports has been selected by Pat Summerall Productions as a Champion of Industry, a corporate-recognition series that highlights companies and organizations.

Precision Tune Auto Care and CollegeBound Teen Magazine have issued Student Pass.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Precision Tune Auto Care and CollegeBound Teen Magazine have issued Student Pass, a discount vehicle safety inspection for college students.

RE/MAX International has announced an education program covering new home construction.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... RE/MAX International has announced an education program covering new home construction, sales and marketing through Mainstreet, the company's extranet for members.

Troy Aikman, three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback turned FOX Sports personality.(Marketing)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Troy Aikman, three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback turned FOX Sports personality, has signed on as national spokesman for Wingstop Restaurants.

The Athlete's Foot has completed an investment grade asset-backed securitization transaction.(Transactions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Athlete's Foot has completed an investment grade asset-backed securitization transaction with UCC Capital Corp.

Doug Dwyer, president of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen by Worldwide, has purchased full ownership of the national remodeling franchise.(Transactions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Doug Dwyer, president of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen by Worldwide, has purchased full ownership of the national remodeling franchise from his mother Theresa.

Glass Doctor has signed an agreement to buy Harmon AutoGlass from Apogee Enterprises, Inc.(Transactions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Glass Doctor has signed an agreement to buy Harmon AutoGlass from Apogee Enterprises, Inc. The new entity will create an auto glass retail chain of 374 stores.

Roark Capital Group has acquired FastSigns International Inc.(Transactions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Roark Capital Group has acquired FastSigns International Inc. Neal Aronson, managing partner of Roark Capital Group, became chairman of FastSigns board of directors.

Royal & SunAlliance has appointed Rainbow International as its sole provider of disaster restoration services for domestic claims in the United Kingdom.(Transactions)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Royal & SunAlliance has appointed Rainbow International as its sole provider of disaster restoration services for domestic claims in the United Kingdom. The contract covers fire, flood and accidental damage and Rainbow International's network...

AmeriHost Franchise Systems Inc. has opened its 100th property.(Growing The Business)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... AmeriHost Franchise Systems Inc. has opened its 100th property, a newly constructed 84-room AmeriHost Inn & Suites hotel in Redding, Calif.

Australian Homemade recently opened its first store in the United States.(Growing The Business)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Australian Homemade recently opened its first store in the United States in New York City.

Buffalo Wild Wings announced in November a public offering of 3,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $17.00 per share.(Growing The Business)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Buffalo Wild Wings announced in November a public offering of 3,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $17.00 per share. The shares will be listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol BWLD.

DRY-B-LO International Inc., franchisor of the DRY-B-LO Designer Deck Drain System, has opened five new franchises.(Growing The Business)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... DRY-B-LO International Inc., franchisor of the DRY-B-LO Designer Deck Drain System, has opened five new franchises, expanding its territory to Oregon, Washington D.C., Central Missouri and North Alabama.

Dunkin' Donuts was slated to open shops in seven Shaw's Supermarkets.(Growing The Business)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Dunkin' Donuts was slated to open shops in seven Shaw's Supermarkets in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont this fall.

El Taco Tote Real Mexican Grill, which began franchising at the start of 2003, has received commitments from seven franchisees.(Growing The Business)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... El Taco Tote Real Mexican Grill, which began franchising at the start of 2003, has received commitments from seven franchisees to open a combined 21 locations in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Illinois.