Franchising News

CiCi’s franchisee doesn’t object to career switch
(Oct. 26, 2009) — Melissa Carter, a lawyer, in August became the first California franchisee of CiCi’s Pizza with the opening of a buffet restaurant in San Diego. Carter had become familiar with CiCi’s, a 650-unit chain based in Coppell, Texas, while living in Houston. more...

Ex-Caribou CEO joins Boardwalk franchisee
ATLANTA (Oct. 19, 2009) — Michael J. Coles, the founder of Great American Cookie Co. and the former chief executive of Caribou Coffee, has become a franchisee of Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries, a six-unit fast-casual chain based in Ocean City, Md. more...

On a roll: Meals on wheels viewed as recession-proof franchise plan
LOS ANGELES (Oct. 19, 2009) — The mobile vending craze is switching into a new gear: franchising. more...

Bruegger’s Greco named Operator of Year at MUFSO’s 50th anniversary celebration
DALLAS (Oct. 19, 2009) — James Greco, chief executive of Bruegger’s Bagels, took top honors at the recent Nation’s Restaurant News’ Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference here, earning this year’s Operator of the Year award more...

Pizza Inn renews franchisee incentives
THE COLONY Texas (Oct. 12, 2009) —

Amid a growing number of franchisee-incentive programs in the pizza segment, Pizza Inn said Monday it was renewing a program that led to 13 new development agreements in the first six months of the year.

Baja Fresh owner to franchise Calbi taco truck
CYPRESS Calif. (Oct. 3, 2009) —

Baja Fresh Mexican Grill chief executive David Kim and investors have launched another new franchise venture — but this time with wheels.

IFA asks Congress to extend tax incentives
WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2009) —

Dina Dwyer-Owens, chairwoman of the International Franchise Association, urged federal lawmakers Wednesday to extend expiring tax incentives that she said would help franchise businesses.

Former Caribou execs to become Smashburger operators
DALLAS (Sept. 23, 2009) — Rosalyn Mallet and Amy O’Neil, both former Caribou Coffee executives, are partnering with Smashburger to open outposts of the brand in seven airports over the next year, the chain said Tuesday. more...

Franchising sees fresh interest from eager operators, investors
(Sept. 07, 2009) — Franchising inquiries have increased, so Scott Hinshaw, executive vice president of franchise operations and development for Domino’s Pizza, has hired more people to work in his department at the chain’s Ann Arbor, Mich., headquarters. more...

Wahoo’s Fish Taco ramps up franchising push
SANTA ANA Calif. (Aug. 26, 2009) —

The fast-casual Wahoo’s Fish Taco chain has brought in franchisee Tom Orbe to direct its first big franchising push with the goal of adding at least 100 locations over the next five years, officials said Tuesday.

Quiznos rolls out 'Flex Plan' for new products
DENVER (Aug. 10, 2009) —

Quiznos, which has been on a roll this summer with new product development, has put a name to its process: the Flex Plan, which is designed to speed up the delivery of new menu items and promotions, company officials said Monday.

Lending lockdown leads franchisors to get creative
(Aug. 10, 2009) — Dan Stone, director of franchise sales at The Melting Pot, a 140-unit-plus casual-dining chain, had spent months courting national lender CIT Group to garner preferential treatment for the fondue chain’s franchisees. more...

Domino’s, Brinker and Darden chiefs highlight MUFSO panel
DALLAS (Aug. 10, 2009) — Industry titans Clarence Otis of Darden Restaurants, Doug Brooks of Brinker International and David Brandon of Domino’s Pizza will sit down with Nation’s Restaurant News’ editor Ellen Koteff for a frank discussion about how to compete and win in today’s challenging business environment at the 50th annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference, or MUFSO. more...

CiCi’s, Papa Murphy’s prep for So. Cal. debuts
SAN DIEGO (Aug. 6, 2009) — CiCi's Pizza said new franchisee Melissa Carter would open the chain's first buffet restaurant in California next week. more...

Chains, franchisees square off over discounted menu items
(July 27, 2009) — The recession-driven rush to grease sales with promotions and value deals is leading to mounting frictions between franchisors and franchisees. more...

Karcher grandkids beat sales mark with new unit
CARPINTERIA Calif. (July 27, 2009) — A little hamburger must be woven into the double helix of the Carl’s Jr.’s founding family’s genes. more...

Fast Company’s Taylor, Harvard’s Frei headline MUFSO ’09
(July 13, 2009) — At a time when business is not operating as usual, Nation’s Restaurant News will present two influential keynote speakers who will offer insights into how to think innovatively during the 50th annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators, or MUFSO, conference. more...

Haydel covers all bases to grow franchise business
(May 25, 2009) — Victor Haydel, president of Hank Aaron’s 755 Restaurant Corp. of Atlanta, left a financial career nearly 10 years ago to become a restaurant franchise owner. more...

BK franchisee buys 34 Ontario units
MIAMI (May 14, 2009) — Heartland Food Corp. has purchased 20 Ontario restaurants from Burger King Corp.’s Canadian subsidiaries and acquired 14 other previously franchised Burger King units in Ontario. more...