Content about Franchising

April 17, 2013
Gap to franchise Old Navy overseas, grow smaller brands at home

In a presentation to shareholders at its annual investor meeting on Wednesday, Gap CEO Glenn Murphy outlined growth initiatives that include taking Old Navy international via a franchising route, and expanding on its online programs.

San Francisco -- In a presentation to shareholders at its annual investor meeting on Wednesday, Gap CEO Glenn Murphy outlined growth initiatives that include taking Old Navy international via a franchising route, and expanding on its online programs.

April 9, 2013
Morgan’s Foods taps Action Services Group for sign/exterior lighting services across six states

Action Services Group, a national retail and commercial lighting, sign and electrical maintenance and service company announced a service agreement with Morgan’s Foods Inc., operator of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Express and A&W restaurants under franchises licenses, to perform sign and exterior lighting service and maintenance for 73 of their franchise units.

Aston, Pa. -- Action Services Group, a national retail and commercial lighting, sign and electrical maintenance and service company announced a service agreement with Morgan’s Foods Inc., operator of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Express and A&W restaurants under franchises licenses, to perform sign and exterior lighting service and maintenance for 73 of their franchise units.

April 1, 2013
Dunkin' Donuts to open seven restaurants in northern Utah

Dunkin' Donuts said it has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchisee Sizzling Donuts to open seven new restaurants in northern Utah.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts said Monday it has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchisee Sizzling Donuts to open seven new restaurants in northern Utah.

The first restaurant is slated to open in 2013, with the remainder by 2020.

March 29, 2013
Sloan’s launches franchising program with goal of 200 U.S. locations

Sloan’s, an upscale ice cream, candy and baked-goods emporium, has launched a national franchising program, targeting regions in Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, New York and New England and throughout California.

Palm Beach, Fla. -- Sloan’s, an upscale ice cream, candy and baked-goods emporium, has launched a national franchising program, targeting regions in Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, New York and New England and throughout California.

March 25, 2013
Smoothie King to open 100 stores in 2013

Smoothie King Franchises said Monday it plans to open 70 franchise and 30 corporate locations across the U.S. in 2013.

New Orleans -- Smoothie King Franchises said Monday it plans to open 70 franchise and 30 corporate locations across the U.S. in 2013.

Since December 2012, the smoothie franchise has acquired six additional locations in Florida and Texas, bringing the total number of corporate stores to seven. The company also has opened six new franchise locations since the start of the year.

March 19, 2013
Marble Slab Creamery set to open first Pakistan store

Global Franchise Group announced a master franchise agreement with Western Brands PVT for the opening of the first Marble Slab Creamery locations in the country of Pakistan.

Atlanta -- Global Franchise Group announced Tuesday a master franchise agreement with Western Brands PVT for the opening of the first Marble Slab Creamery locations in the country of Pakistan.

The deal calls for the development of 10 Marble Slab Creamery stores in Pakistan over a 10-year period, with the 5,000 sq. ft. flagship store opening up in the major city of Lahore, Pakistan.

Marble Slab Creamery is managed by GFG Management, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group.

 

February 28, 2013
Schlotzsky's in deal for 170 new restaurants in California

Schlotzsky's has signed the brand's largest franchise agreement in more than 40 years, entering into a partnership that calls for more than 170 Schlotzsky's locations throughout California.

Austin, Texas -- Schlotzsky's has signed the brand's largest franchise agreement in more than 40 years, entering into a partnership that calls for more than 170 Schlotzsky's locations throughout California. The company, which currently has more than 350 locations worldwide, plans to have upwards of 700 locations by 2016.
   
Each of the new restaurants will feature a new, contemporary design and an upgraded service model in which crew members hand-deliver food to the tables.

February 5, 2013
Dunkin’ Donuts to develop 11 locations in New Orleans

Dunkin’ Donuts announced the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with two franchise groups to develop 11 restaurants throughout New Orleans.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with two franchise groups to develop 11 restaurants throughout New Orleans.

The two franchise groups and their development plans include:

January 30, 2013
Dunkin’ Donuts in agreement to open in Vietnam

Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a franchise agreement with Vietnam Food and Beverage Co. Ltd. for the development of Dunkin' Donuts restaurants across the country over the next several years, with the first locations planned for the Ho Chi Minh city area.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a franchise agreement with Vietnam Food and Beverage Co. Ltd. for the development of Dunkin' Donuts restaurants across the country over the next several years, with the first locations planned for the Ho Chi Minh city area.
  
“We are excited to partner with Vietnam Food and Beverage Co. Ltd., which has a deep knowledge of the Vietnamese consumer, to open the first Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in Vietnam,” said Giorgio Minardi, president, Dunkin' Brands International.”

January 21, 2013
Togo's continues West Coast expansion with 11 openings

Sandwich chain Togo's Eateries Inc. announced it is in development on 30 new Togo’s units, as the company executed as many franchise agreements in 2012 in order to add to its West Coast presence.

San Jose, Calif. -- Sandwich chain Togo's Eateries Inc. announced Monday it is in development on 30 new Togo’s units, as the company executed as many franchise agreements in 2012 in order to add to its West Coast presence.

January 18, 2013
Dunkin’ Donuts to open 330 to 360 stores in 2013; expand into California

Dunkin’ Donuts announced that in 2013 it plans to open 330 to 360 net new restaurants in the United States with growth coming from both new and existing markets, for an increase of 4.5% to 5%.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced that in 2013 it plans to open 330 to 360 net new restaurants in the United States with growth coming from both new and existing markets, for an increase of 4.5% to 5%. The company also announced that it is expanding to Southern California as part of its long-term goal of having more than 15,000 Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the United States alone.  
 

November 14, 2012
How to Build Better Franchisee/Franchiser Relationships, and Better Buildings

By Shane Kavanagh and Tricia Downing, FRCH Design Worldwide

By Shane Kavanagh and Tricia Downing, skavanagh@frch.com, pdowning@frch.com

When a franchisee joins a corporation, each partner has a goal in mind. Both sides, of course, are looking to build a successful enterprise. But the very first project – building and designing the franchisee’s facility – can point up issues in the relationship. Ideas of what success means and how to get there often differ. As with any new relationship, compromises must be made.

October 18, 2012
Dunkin’ Donuts to open 16 locations in Salt Lake City

CANTON, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts has signed 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.

 

September 11, 2012
Papa Murphy's to open 100 Middle East locations

The international arm of Take-and-bake pizza operator Papa Murphy’s announced it has signed a master franchise agreement with MAM Foodco to open 100 locations throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Vancouver, Wash. -- The international arm of Take-and-bake pizza operator Papa Murphy’s announced Monday it has signed a master franchise agreement with MAM Foodco to open 100 locations throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The first location, which marks the chain’s debut outside North America, is slated to open in Dubai, UAE, before the end of 2012.
 

August 28, 2012
Dunkin' Donuts announces plans for 29 new restaurants in Houston and Waco, Texas

Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with four franchise groups to develop 29 new restaurants in Houston and Waco, Texas, over the next several years.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with four franchise groups to develop 29 new restaurants in Houston and Waco, Texas, over the next several years.

August 20, 2012
Bennigan’s and Brixmor Property Group in partnership to add 30 locations

Bennigan's Franchising Co. and Brixmor Property Group announced a strategic partnership to add Bennigan's restaurants nationwide into Brixmor's portfolio of shopping centers.

Dallas -- Bennigan's Franchising Co. and Brixmor Property Group announced a strategic partnership to add Bennigan's restaurants nationwide into Brixmor's portfolio of shopping centers.

The partnership will include positioning Bennigan's signs at select existing buildings and pad site locations within the Brixmor portfolio of shopping centers, promoting pre-approved restaurant space and franchise opportunities within the company's targeted growth markets.

July 23, 2012
Dunkin' Donuts to expand presence in Germany

Dunkin' Donuts announced that it has signed a franchisee agreement to expand the brand's presence in Germany.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced Monday that it has signed a franchisee agreement to expand the brand's presence in Germany.

The new franchisee group, consisting of local businessmen Sadi Sanlav and Mo Rahimi, plans to develop at least 15 new Dunkin' Donuts restaurants in the Frankfurt, Rhine-Main area of Germany over the next five years.
 

April 23, 2012
Dunkin’ Donuts in deal for 25 new locations in Texas

Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with three franchise groups to develop 25 new restaurants in Texas over the next several years.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with three franchise groups to develop 25 new restaurants in Texas over the next several years. The locations include 16 units in Houston and nine in San Antonio.

Dunkin' Donuts' development throughout Texas is part of the company's goal to double the number of Dunkin' restaurants in the United States over the next 20 years.

February 6, 2012
DDR Launches FranchiseConnect

Shopping center owner and manager DDR Corp. announced Monday the launch of FranchiseConnect, a new online platform connecting shopping centers, franchise opportunities and entrepreneurs.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Shopping center owner and manager DDR Corp. announced Monday the launch of FranchiseConnect, a new online platform connecting shopping centers, franchise opportunities and entrepreneurs.

FranchiseConnect is DDR's latest program designed to provide business opportunities to aspirational entrepreneurs. DDR recently launched Set Up Shop, a program offering flexible terms at specific locations for entrepreneurs and expanding small businesses.

January 18, 2012
Wingstop to open 14 new restaurants in Chicago

Wingstop said that it has signed two development agreements that will result in 14 new restaurants in the Chicago area.

Richardson, Texas -- Wingstop said Wednesday that it has signed two development agreements that will result in 14 new restaurants in the Chicago area.

The multi-unit development agreements include a three-store deal with an existing franchise group and an 11-store deal with Chicagoland Wing Kings.

“We expect to double our presence in the area over the next two to three years," said Bev Rich, senior director of franchise development, Wingstop.

Wingstop currently has 19 restaurants in the Chicago area.

October 26, 2011
Dunkin’ Donuts to open 86 new units in nation’s capital by 2020

Dunkin' Donuts has 86 new restaurants slated for development in the Washington, D.C., market by 2020.

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin' Donuts has 86 new restaurants slated for development in the Washington, D.C., market by 2020. The company said 15 development agreements were signed over the past year that will deliver 64 new restaurants, in addition to 22 restaurants that were previously contracted.

September 20, 2011
Applebee’s franchisee selects JobApp for hiring solution

Restaurant operator, The Rose Group, a 59-unit Applebee's and four-unit Corner Bakery Café franchisee, said Tuesday it has selected JobApp Network as its automated hiring solution to improve restaurant hiring, manage compliance and maximize employee tax credits.

Newton, Pa. -- Restaurant operator, The Rose Group, a 59-unit Applebee's and four-unit Corner Bakery Café franchisee, said Tuesday it has selected JobApp Network as its automated hiring solution to improve restaurant hiring, manage compliance and maximize employee tax credits.

Including the Rose Group, nearly 150 Applebee's units are currently utilizing the complete end-to-end hiring solution provided by JobApp, based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

September 16, 2011
LaVida Massage opens new California center, names master franchisee

LaVida Massage, a Commerce, Mich.-based massage and wellness center, announced the opening of a new LaVida location in California, as well as the addition of a new master franchisee in southern California.

Placentia, Calif. -- LaVida Massage, a Commerce, Mich.-based massage and wellness center, announced the opening of a new LaVida location in California, as well as the addition of a new master franchisee in southern California.

The new 3,700-sq.-ft. center, located in Placentia, is slated to open Sept. 19.

New master franchisee Deby Goodman will own and manage the newest store, as well as will be responsible for building new LaVida operations specific to the southern California market.
 

September 9, 2011
Dunkin’ Donuts looks to expand West

Dunkin' Donuts is looking to expand in the western part of the country.

New York City -- Dunkin' Donuts is looking to expand in the western part of the country. The chain said it is actively seeking franchisees for parts of Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and New Mexico, regions in which the Dunkin barely has a presence.

To entice would-be franchisees, the company will offer reduced royalty fees and extra money for local advertising.

September 6, 2011
Wingstop to open 15 new locations in Atlanta

Restaurant chain Wingstop said it has executed development agreements with franchise operators to open 15 new Wingstops in the Atlanta market.

Richardson, Texas -- Restaurant chain Wingstop said it has executed development agreements with franchise operators to open 15 new Wingstops in the Atlanta market.

Three development agreements, including an 11-store deal with Tomahawk Brands LLC, will allow the Texas restaurant chain to expand its Atlanta presence from two locations to 17. The first unit under the new agreements is slated to open in early 2012.