Franchise Articles

Mama Fu’s Asian House ‘Heats Up’ Sunset Valley

Already one of the hottest Asian concepts in Austin and successfully operating thirteen locations, the Sunset Valley restaurant is the seventh location to open in Central Texas. With an expected opening date in early December, this is part of an aggressive growth plan to continue to expand its unique flex casual concept and menu throughout Texas and the United States. · read more

Oil & Vinegar SBA Approved

The biggest challenge for prospective franchise owners today is securing the necessary funding to start their business. · read more

New pasta QSR has long heritage behind it

Partnering with Store in a Box Inc., which specializes in store buildouts, Lilly's Gourmet Pasta is aiming at the quick-service segment in order to keep start up and operating costs down. Stores are under 1,000 square feet and have only a couple of tables. In the two company-owned stores, about 75 percent of sales are delivery meals. · read more

Sbarro, Inc. Announces Results of Operations for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended Dec. 2009

The decrease in revenues was due to a 4.6% decrease in Company-owned comparable-unit sales, lost sales from stores strategically closed and a decline in royalties on franchise sales, offset by sales generated by new Company-owned stores opened in 2009 and 2008. · read more

Virginia meats Valley: Cook lands first Virginia Barbeque franchise in Texas

Texas loves its barbecue, and the Rio Grande Valley has its own distinct twist on the stuff, but now there's a new addition to the local smoked-meat spectrum: Virginia Barbeque. · read more

Maid Brigade Announces National Franchise Expansion Opportunities

Maid Brigade®, the nation's first and leading green-cleaning franchise, announced today the launch of an aggressive growth plan to increase its presence throughout the US. · read more

Saladworks Salutes Its Franchisees

The salad chain honored the work of its franchisees across the country at the 2010 Saladworks Annual Franchise Convention on Tuesday, March 16. · read more

Original California teriyaki chicken franchise hits a big number highpoint

Happi House Restaurants announced today that the company has just served its 20-millionth piece of teriyaki chicken. The company, which began in 1976 in San Jose's Japantown, is famous for its "bone-in" teriyaki chicken and calculates that the 20-millionth piece was served earlier this month. · read more

Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc., 11 new and seven existing franchisees.

"The crave for Arby's slow roasted, freshly sliced roast beef and other premium, one-ofa- kind menu items keeps growing, which is why we continue to expand to reach as many of our hungry customers as possible," said Tom Garrett, President & CEO, Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. · read more

Ask an Expert: Don't lose sight of business basics

And the next time I went to that Outback I looked a little more closely. It was clearly a cut above, not only above other similar franchises, but most other restaurants, too. The service is top notch, friendly and efficient, the food is always excellent, and it is also almost always busy, which is not a small feat in this economy. · read more

Al Copeland Investments Hires Andy Gunkler as Chief Franchise Officer

Industry Veteran to Lead Franchise Expansion for Iconic New Orleans Brand. Gunkler has more than 25 years of experience in franchise and finance. His experience comes from companies such as Houlihan's Restaurant Group, Kelsey's International, Quaker Steak & Lube, and East Side Mario's. He is a versatile and proactive business development and financial professional with a consistent record of success, managing $100 million portfolios of Fortune 500 clients and marketing franchise agreements for leaders in the food service industry. · read more

Quaker Steak & Lube Opens Restaurant in Canada

In addition to Canada, The Lube is looking to expand into Asia. "Our management team has experience with overseas operations and understands how to successfully export an American franchise to another country," Cole said. · read more

Humble fish & chips propel Henky to success

During the franchise application there were quite a number of candidates interested in the business. Luckily, besides a solid portfolio, his strong motivation put him on the franchiser's consideration list. As a newcomer in the food and beverage business he had to learn the hard way. He had to find out for himself from many sources how to run the business here. · read more

Award-winning global restaurant chain to add New York City to its worldwide repertoire.

Christophe Scherman has purchased the rights to open Vapiano restaurants in New York City. Vapiano, the innovative fresh casual restaurant and lounge, has exploded in popularity across Europe and the U.S. and recently announced new deals in exciting markets such as Houston, Chicago, and Atlanta. Vapiano is an innovative fresh casual restaurant and lounge chain with over 55 locations in 16 countries worldwide. · read more

Checkers Restaurants Opening At Strong Pace

Non-traditional locations, including an airport, a state university and four turnpike rest areas, account for six of the 18 new Checkers Drive-In Restaurants. · read more

Franchisees Say Sizzler Abandoned Them

Sizzler franchisees claim that corporate headquarters unfairly abandoned what's left of its New York market since the restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy in 1996, and allowed its New York stores to deteriorate, "significantly damaging the brand image." In a two-count federal contract suit, New York and New Jersey franchise owners claim that Sizzler USA has not honored the terms of franchise agreements: that it failed to provide training and assistance to its East Coast franchises, and it has "completely fail(ed) to provide any operational support." · read more

T.G.I. Friday's(R) International Names Jean Baudrand Vice President of Intnl Business Development

As of June 2009, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide owns, operates, franchises or licenses approximately 1,000 restaurants in 60 countries. · read more