Five Guys Burger and Fies
Metaphorically, that is.
It seems that the
fast food franchise is really taking off, because Five Guys seems to have hit media saturation point. Every week seems to bring a Press Release about anther franchise outlet opening it up.
Not only has it hit media saturation point, but it seems to on the verge of becoming a hip cult icon.
There are now about 500 outlets in the USA.
Here is one article about
Five Guys in Witchita
And here is another article about them in
Toledo
And here is a restaurant review of one in
Binghampton, New York
With their limited menu comprising of burgers, fries and hot dogs they don’t seem to be doing much to lift the S.A.D, (Standard American Diet) but, hey, that’s not what running a restaurant is all about now, is it?
Location of the New Knockouts
Who would have thought a the opening of a new men’s hairdressing salon would have created such a stir?
Knockouts: Haircuts for Men, a haircutting franchise is intending to set up shop next to Friendly’s Express. The problem, apparently, is the provocatively dressed hair stylists and the misconception that patrons will be given a free beer.
The franchise salon, which has sold over 400 franchises has sports boxing themed shops. To get a better idea of why the Mansfield residents are upset, you can read all about here:
Knockouts Hair Salon in Mansfield
Pump It Up Fun
There’s a new option for birthday parties in Norwalk– one with huge rooms full of giant inflatables for jumping, bouncing, climbing and sliding.
Nancy Grago and Monique Rutledge have opened Pump It Up at 145 Main St., the former location of Golf Training Center. Pump It Up is a franchise with locations throughout the United States. The Norwalk location is the first in Connecticut.
“Adults can do it, too. We strongly encourage parents to get up and jump with their children,” Rutledge said. “Interact. We’re all about the physical experience.”
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LEAN times call for little treats and small comforts, so it would make sense for cafes to be ticking along nicely during the economic downturn.
But industry insiders say that it’s only the smart operators who are doing well.
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TheHomeMag
Many of us have our faces pressed up against the glass today waiting for the economic downfall to stop. It’s a natural occurrence and despite Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s public news release touting that the recession is likely over, it won’t stop raining overnight. Many of us will remain inside watching and waiting to see if and when the clouds will dissipate before we go outside again.
But Chris Goebel, president of TheHomeMag – a national home improvement magazine franchise – isn’t waiting any longer. He’s ready to make new waves in the rain that continues so he’ll be ready to capitalize when the dark economic clouds give way to successful sunshine. Read More…
Cybertary, Inc., a network of professional Virtual Assistants (VAs) supporting independent and small-business owners, announced its first Pennsylvania franchise office in Pittsburgh, owned by Joyce Kane. On American Business Women’s Day today, it illustrates the steady growth of privately-held majority (51% or more) women-owned firms throughout Pennsylvania.
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Maui Wowi
Maui Wowi Hawaiian, the only destination for authentic Hawaiian coffee and fresh smoothies on the Mainland, has expanded its worldwide ‘Ohana (family) with new locations in Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Turkey. The expansion marks the continued international push to bring the Aloha Spirit to the world by Maui Wowi Hawaiian as part of its international franchise development program.
“We are excited to bring Maui Wowi’s Aloha Spirit and superior products to the world,” says Justin Livingston, Director of Global Franchise Development. “As we move forward into new international markets, Maui Wowi is excited to be able to offer a business model that not only works in the US, but other countries as well. No matter where you live, no matter where you are in the world, anyone can escape to Hawaii for a little while.” Read More…
Bakers Delight
Bakers Delight is calling on motivated entrepreneurs to live their business dream and operate their own bakery within 12 months, through an innovative new recruitment program called ‘Manage to Own’.
During September, Bakers Delight will kick off its national recruitment campaign by selecting 50 hopefuls to complete the program, which requires no formal bakery experience. Read More…
Subway, a healthy alternative
I find this an amazing piece of news: Subway will soon be the number one fast food franchise in the world.
At the moment the number one position is held by McDonald’s, but Subway is adding outlets fast. they expect to open another 2,000 new outlets this year alone.
For the consumer Subway has positioned itself as a healthy fast food alternative to the previously more popular fast food items of burger and fried chicken. The consumer has a lot of choice when ordering a Subway, he can oder a sandwich stuffed full of roast beef, pepperoni, bacon and ranch sauce if he wants, or can opt for a completely vegetarian meal with whole wheat bread. There is even a veggie patty available and any sandwich can be converted to a wrap.
For the potential franchisee, purchasing a Subway franchise makes a lot of sense. The company is quite flexible with their requirements for new locations. I’ve seen Subways set up in small nooks with just a few tables as well as spacious themed restaurants. Another reason is the simplicity of the business. There is no cooking or frying involved and so the equipment purchases are more affordable. The cost to open a franchise can be as little as $80,000 dollars.
At least part of the reason for the surge in growth has been the poor economy. People who have been laid off often look for a business to get into and the franchising model offers at a least a certain amount of comfort with the knowledge that success is more certain when following a proven business plan.
That is not to say that owning a Subway franchise is going to make you rich, but it could be a good place to start for many people.
McDonald’s apparently makes more money than Subway, so the old adage of “you get what you pay for” holds true for franchise investments too.
C House Coffee Shop
C House is one of the most innovative, fashionable and original coffee shop concepts in Italy. The company is now looking for franchise owners to recreate its Italian coffee house experience by offering its premium espresso ‘Perfect Cup’, authentic Italian and Mediterranean food products, original ‘Aperitivo Time’ and relaxing atmosphere in countries and territories worldwide.
The founders of C House have been involved in the Italian coffee roast industry since 1961. The business partners decided to develop a high-end coffee shop chain in 2006 and opened the first C House location in November 2007. The concept has proved to be very popular and there are currently 14 C House coffee shops operating across Italy and Greece, with a number of further outlets due to be launched soon. In addition to franchising in Greece, C House is set to expand into Lebanon and is due to open its first outlet in the country in March 2010.
C House Coffee Shop Interior
C House’s popularity is not only down to its high quality coffee but is also due to the company’s focus on using fresh and good quality natural ingredients for its food products. C House’s product range is similar to that of a deli with each location serving handmade sandwiches (including panini, focaccie and piadine), traditional pastas, crunchy salads and fresh Italian cake specialities. Cristiano Iezzi, Business Development Manager at C House, explains: “To maintain our food offering at a top level we have a dedicated in-house team who are working to ensure the freshest products all day long. Many of our food recipes are unique to C House and cannot be found elsewhere.”
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Zaxby's
When the Turner McCall Pizza Hut moves to it’s new Pizza Hut Wing Street location on Martha Berry Boulevard early next month, the existing store will be torn down and replaced by a new Zaxby’s Restaurant.
City Building Inspection Chief Howard Gibson has confirmed that plans for the new Zaxby’s were submitted from the Zaxby’s corporate franchising office in Athens. HLC Foods of Rome, which has both the Martha Berry and Shorter Avenue franchises, will operate the new store.
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Start Licking!
ATLANTA, GA — 09/29/09 — The ice cream franchise sector is displaying strength despite the economic challenges of the moment, the latest franchise report by Franchise Direct states. Franchise Direct, one of the world’s top franchise portals, has assessed the ice cream market after examining the UFOCs of 18 franchises and in its ice cream franchise report, it found an industry overcoming seasonality to provide a truly affordable luxury during hard financial times.
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Tampa, FL (Vocus/PRWEB ) September 22, 2009 — “It’s hard to even imagine, during both the good and poor economic times, the incredible amount of business we continue to do.”
News Image
That statement, made by Mike Hydorn, owner of The Missing Piece’s first franchise in Clearwater, Florida, is an anomaly in today’s tough retail economic climate. But the concept behind The Missing Piece taps into a flourishing market that has shown amazing staying power in one of the fastest-growing segments of the retail industry – high end furniture consignment.
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Where's Yer Bin?
UK-based bin cleaning franchise VIP Bin Cleaning has sold the Master Franchise for Belgium. Edwin Van Der Hel has purchased the VIP Bin Cleaning Master Franchise for Belgium, which is the first time the company has launched its business on mainland Europe.
Edwin said: “I decided 12 months ago that I wanted to launch a bin cleaning business in Belgium – during this time I did an incredible amount of background work including setting up my own company, own website, produced my own business plans and cash flows, and even printed my own stationary! Read More…
Boston, MA (PRWEB) September 20, 2009 — A convenient storage solution, available with the launch of BostonStorage.Com, makes renovations, moving and winter storage easier for homeowners. The site connects homeowners with PODS portable storage units, a technique for handling moving and storage needs that has forever changed the industry. BostonStorage.Com is spreading the word about the convenience of the PODS storage solution and connecting homeowners with this valuable service. Read More…
You Feel Healthy Just Looking at it
The partners of the Saladworks franchise scheduled to open Thursday in downtown Athens selected the Classic City to debut their first of 10 chain restaurants they expect to develop in Georgia.
The new Saladworks, located on East Clayton Street in the former Jimmy John’s space, will serve fresh-made tossed salads, soups and sandwiches.
After getting the Athens Saladworks on sound footing, owners and operators Michael Medrow, Mike McPhillips and Dean Russell, plan to open Saladworks in Peachtree Center, Buckhead, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Duluth, Buford, Lawrenceville and Peachtree City during the next five years. Read More…
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
DARTMOUTH — Tropical Smoothie Café, a tropical-themed smoothie and sandwich café, announced the opening of its first location in New England at 85 A Faunce Corner Road in North Dartmouth.
Gilbert and Ana DeSousa, franchise owners and area developers for the Destin, Florida-based chain, plan to open 15 to 20 Tropical Smoothie Café locations during the next five years throughout Bristol County.
Tropical Smoothie Café offers a selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner options including more than 40 real-fruit, blended smoothies. Guests can satisfy their taste buds with an array of grilled flatbread and specialty ‘Bistro’ sandwiches, plus salads that offer a tasty treat in a tropical aura.
The DeSousas are offering college students from the University of Massachusetts a 10 percent discount on all purchases for an unlimited time.
Kids can receive the new Big Kahuna Combo free on Sundays when an accompanying adult purchases a Paradise Combo. The Big Kahuna Combo includes a food item, side and 12-ounce Kid’s Smoothie. Kids also have the option of choosing the new Little Surfer Combo (food item, side and 12-ounce soda) as their free meal.
DeSoto, Kan. – Mr. Goodcents, one of America’s fastest-growing subs and pasta quick serve franchise concepts for more than 20 years, recently presented one of their vendors, Corporate Resource Group, with its 2009 Vendor of the Year Award. The company was presented with the honor at the Mr Goodcents subs and pastas conference held at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, KS. Read More…
WHO would imagine that a little Indian curry house in dusty, bustling Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, would rattle the gleaming arches that dominate the frenetic and greasy world of fast food?
On Sept 9, when news broke that McCurry Restaurant (KL) Sdn Bhd had won a landmark case against McDonald’s Corp in the battle for exclusivity to use the “Mc” prefix, McCurry’s website crashed as people worldwide jammed up the server offering support and looking for details.
I’m lovin’ it! That perhaps sums up the feeling most have for McCurry’s triumph over McDonald’s. Read More…
Didn't you know cleaning could be such fun?
TWO years after its launch a cleaning company is aiming to roll out its franchise across the region – with a view to eventually going nationwide.
Launched in North Shields, Mel’s Cleaning now has an outpost in Hexham and employs over 20 people in the North East.
But not content with this rapid growth its founders David Pickering and Paul Hollier have ambitious plans. Read More…
Papa Murphy's Plans Expansion
PRESS RELEASE: VANCOUVER, Wash. – September 16, 2009 – Papa Murphy’s International, the country’s largest and fastest-growing take ‘n’ bake pizza chain, has set its sights on Greensboro, North Carolina as a key market for growth. Last month Papa Murphy’s signed an Area Development Agreement with Tar Heel Pizza Company, LLC that includes nine new stores over the next five years. The first store, to be located at 4016 Battleground Ave in Greensboro, will open this December. For the past seven consecutive years, Papa Murphy’s has retained the title of “Best Pizza Chain in America” based on the annual Restaurants and Institutions “Choice in Chains” consumer survey. Papa Murphy’s is nationally renowned for its excellence in value, quality, variety, service and convenience.
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Wendy's Hiring Customers!
ALTON – The public may get to taste “old-fashioned hamburgers” once again in the city.
Wendy’s International Inc. currently is looking into opening a restaurant in Alton, possibly at the same site of the former fast-food eatery that shut down in 2006.
Denny Lynch, senior vice president of communications, said the corporation is looking into opening a restaurant in the Alton market; however, nothing is certain so far. Lynch would neither confirm nor deny the possibility that the restaurant could be located in the same structure as its previous location at Washington Avenue and Homer Adams Parkway. Read More…
BAKERS Delight will attempt to solve the problem of franchisees struggling to find financing by launching a recruiting program designed to help 50 “young” franchisees own their own business within 12 months.
The ‘Manage to Own’ program will provide funding and training to successful applicantd who, CEO and co-founder Lesley Gillespie says, “have the competency and desire to own their own bakery, but lack the start-up capital required”. Read More…
A NAKED Pizza?
Jeff Leach is one of those people who can talk about healthful eating and the mechanics of human digestion and the evils of the industrial-food supply — and keep talking long after you’ve zoned out. This is why he decided to get into the pizza business: both because he has a lot to say and because “pizza” is more likely to hold your attention than, say, “gluten-free” or “gastrointestinal system.” In 2006, he and his business partner, Randy Crochet, began what Leach calls their journey toward making a more healthful pizza, tinkering for two and a half years and spending $750,000 on research and experimentation. Now, having built a successful local business called Naked Pizza, they’re on the verge of what would be a major expansion: with a couple of big partners, they plan to sell franchises across the country, as many as 200 by the end of this year.
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Eric Ford serves up a crepe on the crepe cart
Once the king of redevelopment in downtown Orlando, Cameron Kuhn is now the czar of crepe carts on the city’s sidewalks.
It’s a long way from the multimillion-dollar deals that made him a chief architect behind Orlando’s growing skyline during the real-estate boom.
The Crepe Company, a modest two-cart operation, which sells the freshly made French pancakes stuffed with everything from chicken cordon bleu to Nutella and strawberries, is Kuhn’s latest venture along with his wife, Traci Sihle.
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