Conferences
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Bob Sawyer is having a much better time this year as general counsel of Friendly’s Ice Cream, compared to recent years past, he told this blogger at lunch at the International Franchise Association’s Legal Forum in May. This year, he’s having fun working with new CEO John...
A proposed 5-cent “fat tax” on fast-food items in Nevada is one of many issues capturing Dean Heyl’s attention these days—and one of the few gaining him air time on TV. Heyl is the lobbyist for the International Franchise Association who works on state issues, and...

Lower franchise fees don't translate into successful franchisees, but lower royalties might. That was one big takeaway from an interesting study by FranData presented at the Franchise Finance & Growth Conference.
More franchise systems have been using lending programs in recent years to help their operators get financing. But it's not for everybody, according to our recent Franchise Finance & Growth Conference

One of the challenges of a trade mission to four countries is money. Each country we visited had a different currency and a different exchange rate. We also needed to have the local currency for tips—although tipping isn't the necessity it is in the U.S—before we left the...
After touring the City Stars Mall, the largest mall in Egypt, an invitation to dine at one of the mall restaurants, Kenoz, was offered to the delegates, in order to experience authentic Egyptian food and ambiance. Only four of us took the mall operators up on their generous...
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Franchising in ParisAmerican writer Ernest Hemingway referred to Paris as “a moveable feast.” Celebrated poet T.S. Eliot warned the dangerous thing about Paris “is that it is such a strong stimulant.” And playwright Oscar Wilde professed that “When good Americans die, they go to... |
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Second CitiesBojangles’ targets a narrow set of markets for its fresh-biscuit fare. Systems that aim to be a big fish in a small pond can do swimmingly, but site selection becomes paramount. Even a block off the beaten path could be a problem, says one real estate executive. Franchise... |
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Family BusinessAndrea and Bryan McGinness, center, are the new owners of the rebranded WineStyles Tasting Station. At first struck speechless when asked to buy the WineStyles system, Andrea and Bryan McGinness decided to leave behind their franchisee status and run the whole show. They’re... |
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A Fine RomanceAn accountant-turned-foodie aims to make Romeo’s Pizza a leader in the better-pizza niche, which some say has the same potential as its better-burger counterpart. For more on the trend, see our story on page 48. When Sean Brauser appeared on Food Network’s $10,000 Pizza... |
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Operator Q&A“The first few years of trying every single thing we could to get it right, that laid the foundation for everything,” says Anthony Ackil, right, with co-founder Jon Olinto. The co-founders of b.good always relied on Uncle Faris for advice, including gems like this:... |
Worldwide Wrap-upA.M.A. Pretzels International, owned by Dan and Carol Margolis and Wilson Castillo, opened two Great American Cookies units in Puerto Rico within a 100-day period, along with four other concepts in A.M.A.’s portfolio. The ease of opening is what the partners say demonstrates the turnkey... |
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Complete PackageA new Hooters restaurant in South Africa has a grander feel than those in the U.S. Hooters has a head start when it goes into emerging markets—name recognition, thanks to TV and movies; good-paying server jobs; and a wide world of sports. There’s a good reason why an... |
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Worldwide Wrap-up1. Turkey is the next stop on multi-concept restaurant franchisor, Villa Enterprises Management’s international expansion plan. South Philly Steaks & Fries opened its doors earlier this year at the Gordion Shopping Center in Ankara, Turkey, the third concept to open in the... |
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Second NatureAliza Totayo’s job is to be proactive and to dig up leads for her U.S. clients. While attending the International Franchise Association’s convention to promote the U.S. Commercial Service’s offerings, Aliza Totayo and Heather Byrnes, both champions of franchising in... |
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Get Out the MapThe Middle East is a hot market right now for American brands—and everything from cheesesteaks to cookies are heading for the malls. Charley’s Steakery was born when its founder took a wrong turn on a family vacation in 1986 and ended up eating Philly Cheesesteaks in the... |

One of the challenges of a trade mission to four countries is money. Each country we visited had a different currency and a different exchange rate. We also needed to have the local currency for tips—although tipping isn't the necessity it is in the U.S—before we left the...
After touring the City Stars Mall, the largest mall in Egypt, an invitation to dine at one of the mall restaurants, Kenoz, was offered to the delegates, in order to experience authentic Egyptian food and ambiance. Only four of us took the mall operators up on their generous...
There are three things you should do in Cairo, Egypt: 1. Visit the pyramids; 2. Sit on a camel's back; 3. Have a pedicure performed by fish. Our trade mission delegation stayed at the InterContinental Hotel attached to the City Stars Mall, the largest mall in Egypt. On our tour...
The trade mission delegation to the Middle East said good-bye temporarily to two members, Robert Shaw of Greenberry's Coffee and Rogelio Martinez of Tutor Doctor, when we headed for our second stop, but we picked up two new international pros, Hair Parra of Wing Zone and Steven Devine of...
It's hot here in United Arab Emirates. The weather and the market. The sun has set on day two of the Franchise Times, International Franchise Association and U.S. Commercial Service Trade Mission to the Middle East, and already one of the food franchisors is excited about his brand's...
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