Franchising World articles from May 2005

Franchising World archives from May 2005

Franchising creates value.
May 1, 2005... We, in the franchising sector, have long been believers in the value of franchising as a business model. It is reassuring to see academic work that confirms what we have known all along: Franchisors outperform non-franchise firms. ...

Changing trends in franchise finance: rising interest rates have not dampened the lending climate for franchising, according to those in the franchise finance field. Among the trends to watch in the months ahead are growth in multi-unit and multi-brand ownership, along with increases in refinancing activity and sale/leasebacks.(FINANCING THE FUTURE OF FRANCHISING)
May 1, 2005... Franchising's maturity as a business model is perhaps best illustrated by the growing number of franchisees who own more than one unit and even more than one brand. "One big trend we are seeing is more existing franchisees coming in for...

Now that rates are going up, what do we do? Will this trend hurt franchising sales? One expert says he's noticing significant changes.(FINANCING THE FUTURE OF FRANCHISING)
May 1, 2005... Franchising has benefited from the low interest rates during the last few years. Rates have not been this low since the 1960s. Compare that to inflation and rates are really low. What this has meant is people have been able to get into business...

Sleepeck and Dixonweb.
May 1, 2005... 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 100 years of experience and stand behind every job they produce? Are they...

Math, spin and reality--the truth behind those high-flying returns: in the rush to jump into a great concept, too many entrepreneurs rely on the marketed return numbers to feel secure in the decision making, and those numbers can mask the real story.(FINANCING THE FUTURE OF FRANCHISING)
May 1, 2005... Imagine perusing the eye-catching advertisements in a popular trade magazine looking to buy a territory for a concept and have narrowed the search down to three exciting opportunities. The first opportunity is an old, established restaurant...

Mapping successful financing strategies: transitioning from a single-unit to a multi-unit operation: the transition from single-unit operator to multi-unit franchisee is a process that begins with successful operation of that first unit.(FINANCING THE FUTURE OF FRANCHISING)
May 1, 2005... Certainly, there will always be franchise investors who enter the business with the intentions to open and operate only a single franchise unit. However, the majority of total franchise units are controlled by multi-unit operators that...

Financing multi-unit franchisees: a growing trend in today's franchise marketplace is multi-unit operations.(FINANCING THE FUTURE OF FRANCHISING)
May 1, 2005... From both a franchisee and franchisor perspective, multi-unit development can be a positive experience for both parties. From the very beginning of the relationship it is important to set the multi-unit operator up to be successful. Proper...

Restaurant research: operators focusing on same-store sales: while casual-dining and fast-food swap ideas, 2005 outlook sees stable same-store sales gaining unit count and market share.(FINANCING THE FUTURE OF FRANCHISING)(Industry Overview)
May 1, 2005... The Chain Restaurant Industry Review, researched and recently published by GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance shows the industry trend in 2004 toward an increase in same-store sales. The restaurant industry grows in one of two ways:...

Financing successful social enterprises: CDCs and franchising: CDCs and their unique access to financing resources that could benefit the franchisor are well worth the effort.(FINANCING THE FUTURE OF FRANCHISING)(community development corporations)
May 1, 2005... With each passing day, the number of non-profit organizations increases in this country. Their growth in the last two decades has been nothing short of phenomenal. At the same time, the sources of capital to support these charitable efforts...

Diversity Institute gets green light: mission: to expand the diversity initiatives of the International Franchise Association and its Educational Foundation.(FW FOCUS: EMERGING MARKETS)
May 1, 2005... The establishment of a Diversity Institute was approved by the IFA Educational Foundation Board of Trustees during the International Franchise Association's recent annual convention. The purpose of the institute is to expand the diversity and...

An invitation to Franchise Appreciation Day 2005.(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)
May 1, 2005... The International Franchise Association's 2004 Franchise Appreciation Day was a great success, with twice as many attendees as the previous year. With your help the 2005 Franchise Appreciation Day will be even bigger. Last year,...

A franchising world Q & A with U.S. representative Jim Kolbe.(FW FOCUS: A FRANCHISING WORLD Q & A)(Interview)
May 1, 2005... Rep. Jim Kolbe is serving his 11th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was first sworn into Congress in 1985, becoming the first Republican to represent southern Arizona since statehood. He represents Arizona's Eighth Congressional...

States eye new round of health mandates legislation: association health plan legislation: a better health care solution.(FW FOCUS: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS)
May 1, 2005... Employee health care continues to be a major issue in state legislatures this spring as many states try to solve the problem of the uninsured. Employers--large and small alike--have come under attack for employing workers who use state-funded...

Find it at franchise.org: recently the International Franchise Association unveiled its vastly enhanced Web site, www.franchise.org. The new Web site is designed to provide members and those interested in learning more about franchising via news, features and trends on the state of the sector.(FW FOCUS: TECHNOLOGY)
May 1, 2005... Those who haven't taken a tour of the site should, for now is the time to learn how maneuvering around the site has been made easier and faster. When IFA members or prospective investors need to know what federal or state policies are affecting...

Squeezing the value out of technology: how to get most of the juice from your technology program.(FW FOCUS: TECHNOLOGY)
May 1, 2005... Writing about squeezing the value out of technology is a little bit like boasting about the amazing deal you got on the home PC you just purchased. No sooner do you bring it home and set it up, than a higher-memory, multi-media improved, faster...

How to survive the loss of a founder.(FW FOCUS: MANAGEMENT and OPERATIONS)
May 1, 2005... Every franchise founder obsesses about launching a company, signing the first franchisee, growing the network, and building the brand into a household name. But, as some people will tell you, founders also should obsess about their successors,...

Franchisors reap multiple benefits from increasing customer loyalty: measuring customer satisfaction offers franchisors the ability to demonstrate to individual franchisees why things need to be done in a certain way.(FW FOCUS: MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS)
May 1, 2005... Besides having strong and able franchisees, nothing is more important to the well-being of a restaurant or retail franchisor than a loyal customer. In fact, nothing probably even comes close. A chain's most loyal customers are those who are...

From single operators to multi-unit owners: helping franchises make the leap: lifestyle information, known as psychographics, is the key to defining the franchisee's customers.(FW FOCUS: MARKET RESEARCH)
May 1, 2005... Where should you open another franchise? Drive-time technology clearly maps the actual trade area from a given point. Measured in minutes, instead of miles, the drive-time analysis defines a trade area according to the amount of time it...

Maintaining a profitable workforce: for franchising, it's seeing what other people don't see and pursuing that vision.(FW FOCUS: MANAGEMENT & OPERATIONS)
May 1, 2005... Franchising is a privilege, filled with responsibilities. It is a series of successful habits predicated upon a few great thoughts implemented by good employees. Nobody ever said that franchising was easy or that it didn't take hard work...

Copyrights in franchising: a franchisor or franchisee may do well to establish policies requiring employees and franchisees to avoid infringements.(FW FOCUS: LEGAL)
May 1, 2005... Every franchisor and franchisee in America owns copyrights. But they may not own some that they think they do. And they and their employees may be infringing copyrights in ways they never thought about. Business-people don't want to infringe...

Preparing the UFOC for overseas franchisors: do franchisors allow a formal document that answers three fundamental sets of questions stop them from entering lucrative markets?(FW FOCUS: INTERNATIONAL)(Uniform Franchise Offering Circular )
May 1, 2005... For an overseas franchisor considering entry into the U.S. marketplace, the prospect of preparing a 23-item disclosure document which includes audited financial statements and which must comply with federal law and be filed in a variety of...

IFA president Don DeBolt retires, is honored for decade of service: "if everyone felt as I do about franchising ... everyone would have a franchise.".(FW FOCUS: YOUR ASSOCIATION)
May 1, 2005... When Don DeBolt joined the International Franchise Association in 1995, the organization was facing several major challenges. On the political front, anti-business franchise-relationship bills were being proposed in several states, financial...

In memoriam: two of franchising's leading advocates succumbed to pancreatic cancer recently. Former IFA Chairmen Bernard S. "Bernie" Browning CFE ('74) and Jeffrey T. "Jeff" Williams CFE ('97) died in March.(FW FOCUS: IN MEMORIAM)(International Franchise Association)(Obituary)
May 1, 2005... Bernard S. Browning, 81, passed away March 22 in Dallas. In 1962, he founded General Business Services as a small-business consulting firm introducing a new concept of business counseling on a mass basis. As president of GBS, he guided its...

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar.(PEOPLE)(Vincent J. Mandes promoted to senior vice president of finance)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar franchisee The Rose Group promoted Vincent J. Mandes, CPA to senior vice president of finance.

Boston's The Gourmet Pizza.(appointments)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Boston's The Gourmet Pizza promoted Robert Andersen to managing director of franchise development; Cathy Gainey to director of training and development; Michael Walden to director of construction and development; and Liliana Varela to national...

Carlson Wagonlit Travel.(PEOPLE)(Marc Moore promoted to director of franchise sales)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Carlson Wagonlit Travel's Associate Division announced that Marc Moore has been promoted to director of franchise sales.

Case Design/Remodeling.(PEOPLE)(John Audet, Michelle Doischen, Franklin Harlow, Ricardo Matus and Tamara M. Ruffin appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Case Design/Remodeling appointed five members of its Bethesda, Md. headquarters staff as associate vice presidents. They are John Audet, Michelle Doischen, Franklin Harlow, Ricardo Matus and Tamara M. Ruffin.

Church's Chicken.(PEOPLE)(AFC Enterprises Inc. Church's Chicken Div. appointed James Parrish and Lisa Morse )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Church's Chicken selected James Parrish as its new COO and EVP and Lisa Morse as general counsel and chief compliance officer.

Coverall Cleaning Concepts.(PEOPLE)(Steve Cumbow, Angela Newman appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Coverall Cleaning Concepts named Steve Cumbow vice president and CFO and Angela Newman to director of national accounts.

Gold's Gym International.(PEOPLE)(Keith Albright, Joel Tallman, Kay Corio appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Gold's Gym International added Keith Albright as senior vice president of franchising. Joel Tallman, formerly vice president of franchising has been promoted to vice president of U.S. franchising. He will partner with Luis Campalans, who will...

Haynes and Boone.(PEOPLE)(Warren C. Hummer appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Haynes and Boone law firm announced that Warren C. Hummer joined as Of Counsel in the firm's Dallas office Franchise and Distribution Practice Group.

Hilton Hotels.(PEOPLE)(Scott Farr, Timothy Powell appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Hilton Hotels promoted Scott Farr to vice president, performance management and Timothy Powell to director of franchise development for its Western Region.

Lenny's Franchisor.(PEOPLE)(Anita Howald, Bridget Graf appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Lenny's Franchisor, operator of Lenny's Sub Shops, added two to its corporate team: Anita Howald, who will serve as director of information technology and Bridget Graf, who will be director of marketing and communications.

Mr. Rooter Plumbing.(PEOPLE)(Larry Ross appointed to chief operating officer)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Mr. Rooter Plumbing elevated Larry Ross from vice president of operations to chief operating officer.

Noodles & Company.(PEOPLE)(Kevin Reddy appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Noodles & Company hired Kevin Reddy as president and COO.

RE/MAX International.(PEOPLE)(Pam Newman, Kerron Stokes appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Pam Newman has been promoted to vice president of conventions at RE/MAX International. Kerron Stokes has been named regional director of RE/MAX of Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Michael H. Seid & Associates.(PEOPLE)(Jim McKenna appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Michael H. Seid & Associates announced the appointment of Jim McKenna, CFE as senior consultant. McKenna has more than 25 years of experience in the retail, restaurant, hospitality, petroleum, and service industries including Dunkin' Donuts...

The Bistro Group.(PEOPLE)(Jim Rieger, Jeff Ritson appointed)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Bistro Group, privately-held franchisee of T.G.I. Friday's, picked Jim Rieger as its new president and CEO and promoted Jeff Ritson to executive vice president.

Applebee's International.(HONORS)(Lloyd L Hill named by Institutional Investor magazine as one of America's Best CEOs )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Lloyd L Hill, chairman and CEO of Applebee's International was named by Institutional Investor magazine as one of America's Best CEOs and as one of the top-performing CEOs within the restaurant industry. The honor was based on a survey of...

Allegra Network.(HONORS)(John Kuerten and Karl Morningstar received the Operational Excellence Award)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Allegra Network honored two of its regional operations directors for a second time at its annual Kickoff Meeting held at the company's world headquarters. John Kuerten and Karl Morningstar once again received the gold Operational Excellence...

Candy Bouquet.(HONORS)(Margaret McEntire named Business Executive of the Year)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Candy Bouquet founder Margaret McEntire was named Business Executive of the Year in Arkansas Business magazine's 17th annual competition.

Days Inns-Canada.(HONORS)(Irwin Prince received Sunsational Leadership award)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Irwin Prince, president and COO of Days Inns-Canada, has received the chain's first "Sunsational Leadership" award for his outstanding contributions to the brand over the last decade.

FastSigns International.(HONORS)(awards to Operations Services Dave James and Stan Yamamoto)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... FASTSIGNS International presented special recognition awards to Vice Pres. of Operations Services Dave James and franchise business consultant Stan Yamamoto, who provided "unsurpassed initial and ongoing support to franchisees, optimizing all...

Deborah S. Coldwell has been named to a three-year term as a member-at-large for the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising.(HONORS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Deborah S. Coldwell has been named to a three-year term as a member-at-large for the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising. Coldwell, a partner in the Haynes and Boone law firm's Franchise and Distribution...

To help raise money for a Parkinson's Disease cure after one its franchisees was diagnosed, Batteries Plus recently raised $60,000 in one sitting during an auction-style fundraising effort at its 2005 Convention in New Orleans.(COMMUNITY & HUMANITARIAN SERVICE)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... To help raise money for a Parkinson's Disease cure after one its franchisees was diagnosed, Batteries Plus recently raised $60,000 in one sitting during an auction-style fundraising effort at its 2005 Convention in New Orleans. Multi-unit...

Kinderdance.(COMMUNITY & HUMANITARIAN SERVICE)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Kinderdance and its franchisees offered an outpouring of support to aid the family of one of its franchisees whose son was severely wounded in Iraq. A trust fund has been established to defray expenses.

RE/MAX.(COMMUNITY & HUMANITARIAN SERVICE)(cell phone contribution campaign for Coalition to Salute America's Heroes )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... RE/MAX has begun a campaign to support the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes by conducting a used cell phone contribution campaign to raise cash for the cause. The coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization that assists severely wounded and...

Franchise Solutions has been acquired by Landmark Communications.(TRANSACTIONS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Franchise Solutions has been acquired by Landmark Communications. The acquisition also includes FranchiseBuyer businesses. President Matt Alden will continue leading the company.

Marlin Alexander Inc., a six-unit franchisee of CiCi's Pizza recently finalized a deal with GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance to assist in the growth of the company and the concept.(TRANSACTIONS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Marlin Alexander Inc., a six-unit franchisee of CiCi's Pizza recently finalized a deal with GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance to assist in the growth of the company and the concept. The deal, valued at $1.1 million, includes funds for...

Papa Gino's Holdings Corp. announced that Bunker Hill Capital, and the management of Papa Gino's Holdings Corp., led by Chairman and CEO Thomas J. Galligan III acquired the company in a private transaction.(TRANSACTIONS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Papa Gino's Holdings Corp. announced that Bunker Hill Capital, and the management of Papa Gino's Holdings Corp., led by Chairman and CEO Thomas J. Galligan III acquired the company in a private transaction. The quick-service restaurant operator...

Roark Capital Group announced the final closing of its first institutional private-equity fund, Roark Capital Partners.(TRANSACTIONS)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Roark Capital Group announced the final closing of its first institutional private-equity fund, Roark Capital Partners. The fund capped commitments at $413 million. Investors in the fund include financial institutions, college endowments,...

The Athlete's Foot.(GROWTH)(franchising contracts with Alye Parusa )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Athlete's Foot has formalized an agreement with Alye Parusa of Moscow to become master franchisee for the Russian Federation.

Bark Busters.(GROWTH)(100 franchised)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Bark Busters dog training company has reached the 100-franchise milestone in the U.S.

The Cendant Real Estate Franchise Group announced a 121-percent year-over-year increase in the number of minority-owned offices that became affiliated with its Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA and Sotheby's International Realty franchise networks in 2004.(GROWTH)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Cendant Real Estate Franchise Group announced a 121-percent year-over-year increase in the number of minority-owned offices that became affiliated with its Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Coldwell Banker Commercial, ERA and Sotheby's...

Curves International fitness and weight loss centers launched its Asian expansion.(GROWTH)(contracts with Venture Link Company Ltd.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Curves International fitness and weight loss centers launched its Asian expansion by executing a Japan master franchise agreement with Venture Link Co.

Home Instead Senior Care.(GROWTH)(Australia expansion)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Home Instead Senior Care has expanded to Australia.

IAG Coffee Franchise.(GROWTH)(opened 504 store)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... IAG Coffee Franchise, franchisor of the It's A Grind Coffee House concept, has opened its 504 store.

Subway.(GROWTH)(opened in Anguilla)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... SUBWAY opened its first location in Anguilla.

Cendant's.(MARKETING)(Cendant's Hotel Group partners with NetBank Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Cendant's Hotel Group has partnered with NetBank to allow members of its TripRewards loyalty program to earn points by signing up for online banking services.

El Pollo Loco.(MARKETING)(franchise restaurants prototype launches)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... El Pollo Loco introduced a new prototype for future franchise restaurants that is designed to have broad demographic appeal in new markets, design flexibility to deliver maximum returns in end cap, in-line, drive-thru and freestanding formats...

Meineke Car Care Centers.(MARKETING)(technology from Comdata Corp.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Meineke Car Care Centers and Comdata Corp. have implemented a data-logging system designed to bring online maintenance service tracking to Meineke's commercial fleet customers throughout the U.S. and Canada, at no additional cost to the...

Papa John's.(MARKETING)(customer service at Papa John's International Inc.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... On Friday April 15, during normal store hours, participating Papa John's stores in New York City had trained Certified Public Accountants on duty to deliver customers both a hot pizza and advice filling out complicated tax returns.

RE/MAX.(MARKETING)(embership program launches)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... RE/MAX has introduced a nationwide program to offer renters opportunities for home ownership. "Heading Home" is a membership program which allows renters to earn credits based on current monthly rental payments. Mortgage lenders participating...

Oogles 'n Googles, based in Indianapolis, is a new franchise specializing in story-lined, theme birthday parties for children.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Oogles 'n Googles, based in Indianapolis, is a new franchise specializing in story-lined, theme birthday parties for children. Its founders are Kevin and Danya Mender Launched in 2004, the company has units in 15 U.S. cities.

International franchise association programs and calendar of industry events.(FW FOCUS: IMPORTANT DATES IN FRANCHISING)(Calendar)
May 1, 2005... 2005 MAY 6 Franchise Sales Mastery * Joe Mathews- Franchise Coaching Company Atlanta Contact: ICFE 8-10 38th Annual Legal Symposium * Capitol Hilton Hotel Washington, D.C. Contact: IFA...