Restaurant News for Friday

The Fast-Casual Shift While the entire restaurant industry has fared well in 2012, growth in the limited-service sector has outpaced full-service restaurants, leading several of the latter to experiment with fast-casual concepts.

Burger King Heads Back to France Burger King Worldwide announced a new agreement with European food and beverage operator Autogrill to bring the iconic Whopper sandwich back to French fans after 15 years.

Dunkin' Decks the Halls for Holiday Travelers With the holiday season gearing up, Dunkin’ Donuts is prepared for the rush of travelers stopping by to fuel up at its nearly 90 airport locations. In addition, 12 new airport units are planned for 2013 in locations like Chicago's Midway Airport and Dallas Love Field Airport.

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Restaurant News

Extra Credit One Arizona quick serve uses student ambassadors to get the word out, a marketing tactic that's especially effective for quick-service restaurants, which combine two things college students need and want: good food and good prices.

Maui Wowi Wants to Wow Female Franchisees The coffee brand recently initiated an increased effort to draw more female candidates through sharing the success stories of its current female franchisees.

Federal Ethanol Policies Could Cost Quick Serves $2.5B A new study shows the Renewable Fuel Standard could cost chain restaurants up to $3.2 billion annually, with quick-service restaurants witnessing cost increases upward of $2.5 billion.

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Restaurant News

How to Stay Crafty An increasing number of Americans are becoming fans of the many craft beers being brewed all across the country. It’s an evolution that’s starting to impact quick-service restaurants, too, with operators finding that microbrews can add a local touch to the menu.

The Fifth Meal The breakfast and post-dinner dayparts have proved to be successful business extensions for many quick serves the last few years. But now, some operators are testing another daypart: brunch.

'Tis the Season for Domino's Hiring During the holiday season, Domino's franchise owners plan to hire roughly one to five people per store, which means about 5,000-25,000 job opportunities during this busy stretch of the year

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Restaurant News Monday November 19, 2012

Living the LYFE in Quick Service Many concepts are striving for that elusive triple threat of great-tasting, healthy, and affordable food, but few, if any, have succeeded. In LYFE Kitchen, the industry may have a model that ushers that triumvirate into the mainstream.

Quick Service, Past and Present Demographics have changed a lot since the early days of quick service—and so has the nature of the business, writes QSR columnist Roy T. Bergold Jr.

Moshi Monsters Crawl Into McDonald's Happy Meals The promotional partnership will feature premium characters within McDonald's Happy Meals at participating restaurants across North America from December 14 through January 10.

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Restaurant News for Tuesday

Subway Honors Vets with Wounded Warrior Project Partnership As part of this collaboration, the brand will showcase inspiring stories from WWP Alumni who have overcome major hurdles upon returning from war on its website. It will also donate $111,112 to WWP to help fund programs such as those focused on economic empowerment.

Rags to Riches In this month's Franchisee Forum, Smoothie King franchisee Rose Kuhnau lays out her strategy on how to turn a struggling unit into one of the brand’s best.

Baskin-Robbins Recruits Vets with Franchising Program The initiative, which waives the initial franchising fee of $25,000 for U.S. military veterans, aims to ease the way for veterans to start their own business

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Restaurant News November 9 2102

The New Deal Dealing with suppliers and distributors means many operators are adept at driving a hard bargain. With the economy struggling to stay above water, operators may want to put those skills to use by renegotiating their building lease.

No End in Sight for Popeyes' Sales Increases In the third quarter, the chicken chain reported a net income of $6.9 million—up over $5.8 million in 2011—10 quarters of consecutive positive sales results, and a global same-store sales increase of 6.3 percent.

Dunkin' Donuts Fuels Growth with 10 Hess Locations Dunkin’ Donuts has partnered with Hess Corporation to own and operate Dunkin’ Donuts self-serve restaurants in 10 Hess locations in the greater Charleston, South Carolina, area.

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Franchised Restaurant News

Good to Be Green Once a branding premium, going green has become a common business strategy influencing nearly every decision in the manufacturing and retail industries. But many quick serves remain hesitant at diving in.

Subway Opens 38,000th Store The chain announced that it has opened its 38,000th location, giving the brand a presence in 100 countries and providing approximately 380,000 jobs to Sandwich Artists around the world.

More Than 8,200 Restaurants Chip In to End Child Hunger Last month, 8,292 restaurants of every type came together to help end childhood hunger in the U.S. by participating in Share Our Strength’s Dine Out For No Kid Hungry. Together, they raised more than $5 million, twice what was raised last year.

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Franchise News Restaurants

Kona Ice Thinks Small to Achieve Big Winter Results As colder weather rolls around, many Kona Ice franchisees are winding down business for the season. But some are ready to make their shaved-ice truck a 12-months-a-year business—and with the new Kona Mini cart, they can.

Cracking the Food Safety Code For years, barcode technology has been commonplace in the retail sector. Now the same barcoding technology may be poised to catch on in the quick-service restaurant industry.

Carvel Scoops Up New Brand President In his new role, Scott Colwell—former executive at brands like Dunkin' Brands and Bruegger's—will execute Carvel brand strategies and help the brand evolve with continued sales and profit growth.

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Franchise News for Monday

Carry On Bread isn’t just the staff of life. It’s the food that helps drive the limited-service restaurant industry. Whether they’re traditional breads, buns, tortillas, bagels, pitas, or flatbreads, these carriers fill the sandwich needs of a variety of consumers.

Submit Your Info for the 2013 Global 30! In February 2012, QSR debuted a new industry study called the Global 30, which offered a guide to expansion for domestic companies looking to grow outside U.S. borders. Access our submission form to submit your info and participate in next year's report.

Does a Pre-Sell Menu Improve Drive-Thru Speed? Though many brands in the 2012 Drive-Thru Study experienced a quicker average service time with a pre-sell menu, McDonald's and Burger King were actually faster in the drive thru without one.

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Franchise Acquisitions (News)

Global Franchise Group Enters Into Letter Of Intent To Sell The Athlete's Foot® To IIC - Intersport International Corp. » October 25, 2012 at 12:04PM PDT | Source: Athlete's Foot, The

Global Franchise Group decides to focus on the Quick Service Restaurant industry and integrates The Athlete's Foot with INTERSPORT, the largest international sporting goods retail company. October 25, 2012 // Franchising.com // ATLANTA  - Global Franchise Group, LLC (GFG), the strategic brand management company, announces its entry into a non-binding Letter of Intent to sell The Athletes Foot (TAF) to IIC - INTERSPORT International Corp. (IIC). TAF, a franchise retail brand that sells athletic shoes that satisfy both performance and lifestyle, currently has 430 franchisee-owned stores in 27 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Peru, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Indonesia, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand... » Read Full Story

Outdoor Living Brands Expands With Acquisition Of Wood Re New » October 24, 2012 at 9:54AM PDT | Source: Outdoor Living Brands

Company Will Be Immediately Diversified And Rebranded As Renew Crew, Provides New Opportunities To Support Americans' Enjoyment Of The Great Outdoors RICHMOND, Va., Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Consistent with its mission to enhance Americans' enjoyments of outdoor living spaces, Outdoor Living Brands has expanded its franchise opportunity portfolio with the acquisition of Wood Re New, a franchise currently focused on the environmentally friendly cleaning, staining and protecting of decks, fences and other exterior wood surfaces. The addition of Wood Re New to the successful Outdoor Living Brands portfolio brings the number of business units in the company to four. It joins Archadeck Outdoor Living, Mosquito Squad, named to the Inc... » Read Full Story

Cox Radio Acquires Valpak® Of Jacksonville Franchise » October 22, 2012 at 12:24PM PDT | Source: Valpak

Leader in Local Print and Digital Coupons to Benefit from Synergy of Direct Mail and Radio Support ARGO, Fla., Oct. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Valpak, a leader in local print and digital coupons, announced today the sale of its Valpak of Jacksonville franchise to Cox Radio, which owns five radio stations in the Jacksonville market. Cox Radio is owned by Cox Media Group (CMG), also the parent company of Valpak. Prior to the acquisition, Valpak's Jacksonville franchise was corporate-owned. "The acquisition of Valpak of Jacksonville provides Cox Radio the perfect opportunity to cross-promote its business and extend the reach of its advertisers," said Bill Hendrich, vice president and market manager for Cox Media Group." Hendrich has worked with Cox Media Group for more than 16 years and currently handles all business and programming for the five radio stations in Jacksonville, including 95...

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Franchise News

Westland Biggby Celebrates Store Birthday With 99 Cent Drinks » October 26, 2012 at 7:51AM PDT | Source: Biggby Coffee

Location Thanks Community for Their Support Over the Last Five Years on Oct. 29 WESTLAND, MI, Oct. 24, 2012 – Put on your party hat and head over to Biggby of Westland (37644 Ford Rd.) on Monday, Oct. 29 as the store celebrates their fifth birthday with a present just for you! Customers can get their favorite sweet and creamy, hot or iced latte for only 99 cents all day long! “Our community means so much to us and the support and love they have shown us over the past five years is cause for celebration,” Mohamad Elfakir, store owner, said. “We opened in 2007 when the economy was pretty shaky to say the least, but because of our fans we are here today and we want to thank them for that.” This past summer, Biggby of Westland was awarded as the 2012 “Store of the Year Award” at the company’s franchise-wide annual meeting... » Read Full Story

IHG's Holiday Inn Club Vacations® To Open Two New Resorts » October 26, 2012 at 7:37AM PDT | Source: Holiday Inn

New Properties will Double Brand Portfolio by the End of the Year October 26, 2012 // Franchising.com // ORLANDO, FLA. – IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), a global hotel organization, announced today from their 2012 Americas Investors & Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., that by the end of the year Holiday Inn Club Vacations will have more than doubled its portfolio since its inception in 2008. During the conference, Holiday Inn Club Vacations revealed its newest properties Holiday Inn Club Vacations Panama City Beach Resort, a 37-unit beachfront resort in Panama City Beach, Fla., and Holiday Inn Club Vacations Galveston Beach Resort, a 78-villa beachfront property in Galveston, Texas opening this December. With the addition of these properties, the brand now boasts ten locations... » Read Full Story

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Thursday's Franchise News

The Problem with China

While expansion in China can indeed be a potential boon to business, many international operators are finding that the growth comes with a unique set of headache-inducing challenges.

Checkers Takes a Bite Out of the Big Apple

Burger-and-fries chain Checkers is taking the Big Apple by storm on October 26 and 27 when it shows off its newly available single drive-thru concept on morning show “FOX & Friends.”





Submit Your Info for the 2013 Global 30!

In February 2012, QSR debuted a new industry study called the Global 30, which offered a guide to expansion for domestic companies looking to grow outside U.S. borders. Access our submission form to submit your info and participate in next year's report.

Email us directly for more details: DiverseFranchise@gmail.com

Franchise News

Lily Sarafan, President Of Home Care Assistance, Is Nominated As A Finalist For Female Executive Of The Year » October 19, 2012 at 7:34AM PDT | Source: Home Care Assistance

The Stevie® Awards, given Annually to American and International Business Leaders, has Nominated Lily Sarafan, President and COO of Home Care Assistance, as a Finalist for their 2012 Female Executive of the Year Palo Alto, CA (PRWEB) October 19, 2012 - Home Care Assistance is proud to announce that the Stevie Awards have named Lily Sarafan, President and Chief Operating Officer, as a finalist for Female Executive of the Year. Sarafan was nominated by a panel of over 130 business leaders and is being recognized for her vision, leadership and transformative impact on society. The Stevie Awards are recognized as the world’s premier business award. The awards were created in 2003 to restore confidence and trust in American business and are today recognized as ‘the business world’s own Oscar Awards... » Read Full Story  |  » Franchise Opportunities Available

Massage Envy Takes A Hands-On Approach To Eliminating Stress This Holiday Season » October 19, 2012 at 7:29AM PDT | Source: Massage Envy

Start Family & Friends on the Path to Wellness with a Gift from Massage Envy SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The holiday season can be stressful. There are deadlines to be met, traffic becomes unbearable, the kids are off from school and you're bombarded by the same department store jingle everywhere you turn. Even the American Psychological Association recently reported that up to 69 percent of people are stressed by the feeling of having "a lack of time" during the holidays. The real problem is that the way we respond to stress can exacerbate, or even create physical and emotional problems. Massage Envy, the pioneer and national leader of professional, convenient and affordable massage and spa services, is here to alleviate holiday stress this year by creating a little "ME" time... » Read Full Story  |  » Franchise Opportunities Available

East Coast Sub Sensation Opens First Location In Frisco » October 19, 2012 at 7:11AM PDT | Source: Jersey Mike's Subs

Owner Celebrates Grand Opening with Free Subs October 19, 2012 // Franchising.com // FRISCO, Texas – Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs, officially opened its doors in Frisco on October 17.  Franchise owner Steve Zeigler held a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wednesday, October 17 to Sunday, October 21 to support the Frisco Education Foundation. The new restaurant, located at 5110 Eldorado Parkway, circulated 10,000 coupons throughout the community, offering a free regular sub for a minimum $1 contribution to the Frisco Education Foundation. The Frisco Education Foundation (FEF) is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization working in partnership with the Frisco Independent School District and the Frisco area community to enhance the educational opportunities of students... » Read Full Story

Koko FitClub Of Hoboken Announces First Ever, Fully Automated Custom Exercise And Nutrition Solution » October 19, 2012 at 7:05AM PDT | Source: Koko FitClub

Hoboken residents will soon use groundbreaking technology to improve and track their health and fitness. Hoboken, NJ, October 19, 2012 - (PR.com) - Science shows that being fit and healthy at any age isn't about a certain weight on the scale; it’s about what that weight is made up of. That's why Koko FitClub encourages people to toss out the bathroom scale and focus their attention on a far better way to measure and manage their health. Starting next month, Koko FitClub of Hoboken will introduce "FitCheck" as the centerpiece to its award-winning Koko Smartraining system and a better way to measure and guide members to their fitness goals. Koko FitCheck is medical-grade, body composition measurement technology that quickly and effortlessly analyzes and tracks each Koko member’s level of lean muscle... » Read Full Story

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Franchise News

How to Be a Sandwich Artist

For a mealtime staple that’s as much a part of our daily routines as coffee and crosstown traffic, sandwiches have shown themselves to be surprisingly resilient and resistant to ruts. So what might be next?

Jersey Mike's Donates More Than $218,000 To Wreaths Across America » October 19, 2012 at 6:30AM PDT | Source: Jersey Mike's Subs

Third Annual “Christmas in July” Campaign Helps WAA Place Wreaths On Headstonesat Arlington National Cemetery on December 15th October 19, 2012 // Franchising.com // COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine - Jersey Mike’s founder & CEO Peter Cancro and Retired Air Force Master Sergeant and North Carolina franchise owner Joseph Minyon prepared to place wreaths on the Tomb of the Unknowns as part of the ceremony. COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — Wreaths Across America (WAA), a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, today announced that Jersey Mike’s, a nationwide sub sandwich franchise, has donated $218,282 to support its mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve and their families, and Teach our children the value of freedom... » Read Full Story

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park Announces Its First Location In Worcester County, Massachusetts » October 19, 2012 at 6:24AM PDT | Source: Sky Zone

The Creator Of The World's First All-Trampoline Walled Playing Court Is Coming To Town Worcester County, MA (PRWEB) October 19, 2012 - Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, creator of the world's first all-trampoline, walled playing court, announces it has awarded its newest facility in Worcester County, Massachusetts. Sky Zone is the ultimate 3-D play experience for teens, parents and kids to jump, leap and defy gravity on the patented all-trampoline walled playing court. Sky Zone provides guests with thrilling activities fit for all ages and fitness levels where they are guaranteed to have a ‘soaring’ time. Filled with wall-to-wall trampolines, Sky Zone provides a brand new way to move and sets the stage for a variety of activities such as 3-D Dodgeball and SkyRobics - an invigorating and fun, yet highly effective, fitness class that can burn up to 1,000 calories in an hour... » Read Full Story

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Franchise News

Johnny Rockets Plans Further Central America Expansion » October 18, 2012 at 10:46AM PDT | Source: Johnny Rockets

Eight Restaurants to Open in Five Countries during Next Five Years ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Johnny Rockets has signed a franchise agreement with Maria Eugenia Handal Canahuati, owner of Desarrollos Gastronomicos Internacionales Corporation, to open eight Johnny Rockets restaurants in Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala over the next five years. The first location in Central America for the iconic all-American chain opened in Panama City in August 2010. With a strong business acumen and vast experience in the hospitality industry, Handal is well positioned to grow Johnny Rockets' unique brand of Americana in Central America. A graduate of The General Manager Program at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Handal is Executive VP of her corporation's hotel company and oversees the Crowne Plaza San Pedro Sula and the Holiday Inn Express San Pedro Sula in Honduras... » Read Full Story

Red Lion Hotels To Report 2012 Third Quarter Results November 8 » October 18, 2012 at 10:33AM PDT | Source: Red Lion Hotels

SPOKANE, Wash., Oct. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Lion Hotels Corporation (NYSE: RLH) today announced that it will report third quarter results after the market closes on Thursday, Nov. 8. The company will hold a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2012, to discuss the results for interested investors, analysts and portfolio managers. Hosting the call will be President and Chief Executive Officer Jon E. Eliassen and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Julie Shiflett. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer George Schweitzer will also be available to answer questions. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following number ten minutes prior to the scheduled time: (800) 230-1074... » Read Full Story

IHG To Introduce Managed Service Centre For Hotels In Russia And The CIS » October 18, 2012 at 10:26AM PDT | Source: InterContinental Hotels Group

October 18, 2012 // Franchising.com // IHG has announced plans to establish a managed service centre that will provide support services for its hotels as it grows Russia and the CIS. Once it is open (most likely around March 2013) the Moscow-based centre will enable IHG hotels to access specialised clustered (non-guest facing) services including sales and marketing, finance, IT and human resources. IHG’s VP Operations, Russia, Commonwealth of Independent States and Georgia, Robert Kennedy, said: “Our decision to establish such a centre underlines our commitment to growing in Russia and the rest of the CIS: one of IHG’s priority markets. “The managed service centre will be a bespoke offering for this region... » Read Full Story

Verlo Named Official Mattress Of Green Bay Packers » October 18, 2012 at 9:49AM PDT | Source: Verlo Mattress Factory Stores

October 18, 2012 // Franchising.com // MILWAUKEE, WI - The Green Bay Packers' best defense against a poor night's sleep may be a mattress made by Verlo Mattress Factory, which was named the Official Mattress of the Green Bay Packers today. The announcement, made jointly by the Green Bay Packers and Verlo, reflects a natural partnership between two organizations with a history of excellence and performance. In fact, the Green Bay Packers sleep on Verlo mattresses while attending training camp each year at St. Norbert College, so they have first-hand knowledge of their comfort and durability. Verlo Mattress Factory is the only manufacturer to back their mattresses with a Lifetime Comfort Guarantee. For over 50 years, the Wisconsin-based manufacturer has built high-quality custom mattresses in their local factories, and then sold them at factory-direct prices... » Read Full Story

Dunkin' Donuts Announces 16 New Restaurants In Salt Lake City, Utah, With Sizzling Donuts, LLC » October 18, 2012 at 9:41AM PDT | Source: Dunkin' Donuts

CANTON, Mass., Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunkin' Donuts, America's all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, announced today the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchisee Sizzling Donuts, LLC for 16 new restaurants in Salt Lake City, Utah. The first restaurant is planned to open in 2013 and the remainder by 2018. In February 2012, Sizzling Platter, LLC formed the subsidiary Sizzling Donuts, LLC and signed their first multi-unit agreement with Dunkin' Donuts to develop 11 new restaurants in Denver, Colorado, and eight new restaurants in El Paso, Texas, over the next several years. "We are excited to expand Dunkin' Donuts' presence in Salt Lake City and play an important role in the daily lives of people who live, work and visit here," said Mitchell Lowe, Sizzling Platter's General Counsel and vice president of development...

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