Starbucks closes several Maryland locations

April 12, 2009

Baltimore Sun: Starbucks is closing seven stores in Maryland as part of the company's overall plan to shutter 195 stores nationwide. Starbucks has more than…

Red Mango announces U.S. franchise deals

April 9, 2009

DALLAS — Red Mango has announced record franchise development during the first quarter of 2009 as development deals with existing and new franchisees will…

Pollo Campero opens 50th U.S. location

April 8, 2009

DALLAS — Pollo Campero opened its 50th U.S. location in Boston last week.   With its first location in New England, the chain achieved one of its…

Wingstop expands into Mexico

April 8, 2009

DALLAS — Wingstop has announced its first international franchise agreement for 10 restaurants in the State of Mexico and Mexico DF over the next two years. …

Red Mango launches franchise program in the U.S.

April 7, 2009

DALLAS — Red Mango has announced national expansion plans set to begin in the Dallas-Fort Worth and New York markets.   To launch the campaign, the company…

Franchisors make bold moves to aid franchisees in tough economy

April 7, 2009

Lansing State Journal: Franchisors are beginning to take aggressive steps in order to help their franchisees weather the economic recession. Tactics include…

Planet Smoothie embarks on franchise tour

by Valerie Killifer — senior editor, NetWorld Alliance

Companies get creative to woo new operators as franchise sales flatten.

Starbucks to open first store in Poland

April 7, 2009

WARSAW, Poland — Starbucks Coffee International Inc. and American Restaurants Sp. z o.o., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AmRest Holdings N.V., will celebrate the…

Beautiful Brands inks deal to franchise Dallas-based Greenz

April 6, 2009

TULSA, Okla. — Beautiful Brands International (BBI) has announced the addition of Dallas-based restaurant, Greenz–salads for z' adventurous, to its portfolio…

Zaxby's opens first Houston location

April 1, 2009

SPRING, Texas — Zaxby's has opened its first Houston-area location in Spring, Texas, the company has announced. The new restaurant operates from 10:30 a.m. to…

Frenchy's chicken expands to Northwest Houston

April 1, 2009

HOUSTON — Creole chicken brand Frenchy's is expanding to the Northwest Houston market, the company has announced.    Frenchy's second fast casual restaurant…

Sellers Markets opens third San Francisco location

April 1, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO — Sellers Markets, a popular San Francisco fast casual restaurant, has opened its third location at 721 Market St., just steps from Union Square.

Elevation Burger to enter South Fla.

March 30, 2009

ARLINGTON, Va. — Elevation Burger has signed a multiunit franchising deal with South Florida entrepreneurs Jeffrey Feinstein and Sam Ginsberg, the company has…

U-SWIRL announces Las Vegas opening

March 29, 2009

HENDERSON , Nev. — U-SWIRL International Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Healthy Fast Food Inc., has announced their expansion into the Las Vegas …

Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee to open 16th location

March 26, 2009

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — AMC Wings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Diversified Restaurant Holdings Inc., has announced that it has started construction on its…

FreshBerry opens in South Carolina

March 25, 2009

TULSA,Okla. — Beautiful Brands International has announced the opening of its first FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt Café in Charleston, S.C. To mark the grand…

Costa Vida opens in American Fork, Utah

March 25, 2009

SALT LAKE CITY — Costa Vida, known for its Baja-inspired menu offerings, has announced the opening of its newest location in American Fork, Utah. Costa Vida…

Spoon Me launches franchise effort

March 25, 2009

SALT LAKE CITY — Frozen yogurt and smoothie concept Spoon Me has announced it has started to provide franchise opportunities throughout North America.   Spoon…

Noodles & Company continues Va. growth

March 23, 2009

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Noodles & Co. has announced it will open its second Alexandria, Va., location April 3 at 11 a.m. The restaurant is located at 770…

Fast casuals target urban markets

Higher household incomes and increased foot trafffic make downtowns a viable choice.