Monthly Archives: August 2018

DENVER, CO – PRNewswire

Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE : CMG ) announced today that the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation will sponsor the first Chipotle Aluminaries Project, a seven-month-long accelerator program designed to help growth-stage ventures with a shared vision to cultivate a better world take their businesses to the next level. Beginning September 12, food-focused companies may submit applications to join a cohort of ventures that will receive mentorship and direct coaching from world-renowned industry leaders, participate in a boot camp, receive a Chipotle celebrity card and of course, be fueled by Chipotle catering throughout.

“Chipotle has been committed to the future of food with integrity since opening our first restaurant 25 years ago,” said Brian Niccol, chief executive officer at Chipotle. “Since then, Chipotle and its Foundation have changed how customers and the industry think about food, which is part of our mission to cultivate a better world. By sponsoring the Chipotle Aluminaries Project, we’re looking to advance the work of the next generation of entrepreneurs who are disrupting the food landscape. Are you using technology to make an impact? Are you dreaming up the next sustainable food innovation? If so, we want to support you and help share your story.”

The Chipotle Aluminaries Project is seeking applicants (both for and non-profits) in the areas of alternative farming and growing systems, farming and agriculture technology, food waste and recovery, and plant and alternative products. After reviewing submissions and talking with candidates, Uncharted, the non-profit 501(c)(3) partner selected by the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation to host and run this accelerator, will select up to eight ventures to join the first cohort.

Those ventures will receive support and mentorship from hand-selected industry leaders like:

• Richard Blais, a successful chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, television personality and winner of Bravo’s Top Chef All-Stars
• Kimbal Musk, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and restaurateur who sits on the boards of directors of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Tesla Inc. and SpaceX

Ventures will also work closely with Chipotle executives such as:

• Curt Garner, chief digital and information officer
• Caitlin Leibert, director of sustainability
• Laurie Schalow, chief communications officer
• Tressie Lieberman, vice president of digital marketing and off premise

The selected ventures will participate in a five day, in-person boot camp in Newport Beach, California, with direct coaching to build their plan for scale. Plus, they will receive real food to fuel late work-nights with monthly Chipotle catering for their office and a Chipotle celebrity card, because Chipotle believes these entrepreneurs deserve celebrity status.

“The Chipotle Aluminaries Project is part of a fresh perspective from the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, which we founded in 2011 to extend our commitment to creating a more sustainable food future,” said Caitlin Leibert, director of sustainability at Chipotle. “Chipotle believes that philanthropy is more than check cutting, and this is the first of many efforts from the Cultivate Foundation of investing in new ways.”

The Chipotle Aluminaries Project will be launched in partnership with Uncharted, a 501(c)(3) organization that uses the DNA of an entrepreneurial accelerator to tackle major social problems like urban poverty and food deserts. Uncharted has helped social entrepreneurs raise $252 million, create impact in 96 countries, and benefit 37 million lives.

Companies interested in submitting an application for the Chipotle Aluminaries Project can find more information and apply here starting September 12.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – 24-7PressRelease

John and Ashly Robbins, owners of the Signarama shop in Redding, CA, looked out the window of their home and in the distance across the river, saw plumes of smoke rising into the air. Their first thought was that it was just another normal brush fire. They would soon know that this fire was anything but normal.

It began earlier in the week as a seemingly contained brush fire, but by midweek a phenomenon called a fire-tornado or “firenado” had formed. With flames being fueled by sustained tornado winds of 143 mph, the fire raged out of control, quickly moving toward their home in Stanford Hills.

Two days later, another phenomenon took place. At their Signarama shop in downtown Redding, staff voluntarily came in and worked two 24-hour shifts to design and print “thank you” signs to first responders and others that came to the rescue of families throughout the area. John, his wife, Ashly, and members of their Signarama team are great examples of neighbors helping neighbors.

“The full force of the fire was Thursday and by Saturday we were in the shop designing and printing signs,” said Robbins, whose company is part of United Franchise Group, headquartered in West Palm Beach, FL. “We began by handing out a few signs to say ‘thank you’ to the first responders, and when the sheriff got on the TV and told people how much the signs helped morale, there was an instant demand for more signs.” By the following Wednesday, the Signarama team had printed and handed out more than 6,000 signs thanking everyone from firefighters, law enforcement, and first responders, to heavy equipment operators, utility workers, air support, and others.

The project began with four designs but as more requests poured in, the Robbins’ team ended up with 10 designs. “We did our best to accommodate everyone and held a drive thru distribution day at the shop that created quite a traffic jam,” he said. “People wanted to show their appreciation and they’ve been super-supportive and very thankful.”

The Robbins depleted their entire stock, but thanks to the efficiency of Signarama’s Sacramento supplier, Grimco, more materials were on the way. “They went above and beyond, meeting with us on the weekends, and arranging to get supplies to us as quickly as possible,” Robbins said. “Without them going the extra mile we probably would have been able to print only half the signs. They also helped defray the cost of supplies because they knew we were giving the signs away.”

Signs were printed on Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday at 6 a.m. the team gathered for more work and the printers didn’t turn off until Wednesday night. “My guys knew how much those signs meant to people in the town and everyone did a terrific job.” Local radio stations also got in on the action, setting up shop in front of Signarama and holding drive-thru fundraisers with the proceeds benefitting the fire relief fund.

“Giving back to the community is something we take great pride in,” said Signarama President A.J. Titus. “The creativity, hard work, and community spirit shown by John, Ashly, and their entire team is to be commended. We are extremely proud of their efforts.”

Robbins recalled talking with Titus about the difference between Florida’s hurricanes and California’s wildfires. “I told him that with a hurricane there was time to prepare, but with a wildfire there is no time because it can spread so quickly,” commented Robbins. “This went from a small brushfire to an out-of-control wildfire; like nothing we had ever seen before. When the winds picked up it went from covering 8,000 to 23,000 acres overnight.” The blaze is estimated to have burned more than 176,000 acres, making it the most destructive in state history.

Robbins said the barometer for evacuation was when a helicopter with a dumper container hovered above his house. “I thought it was hovering waiting on instructions to go somewhere and drop the water,” he said. “It moved about 100 feet and dropped the water in my neighbor’s back yard. I knew it was time to leave.” On that day, thick smoke blocked the sun, the entire neighborhood was without electricity, fumes burned the eyes and throat, and hot embers and debris were flying. “My family had to literally drive through flames to get out of the neighborhood,” Robbins said. “Heavy-duty pickup trucks were lifted off the road by the tornado.”

The last couple of weeks have been a nightmare for residents of Redding and its surrounding suburbs. There has been loss of life and more than 1,000 homes have been destroyed, yet stories continue to emerge about survival and people helping people. “What we did with our signs definitely had an impact and we’re proud to have made some small difference,” he said. “I am most proud of our community coming together as one in a very difficult time.”

Signarama is more than a sign of good business…it’s a sign of community spirit…a sign of caring. Perfect examples can be found in Redding, CA.

ATLANTA, GA – PRNewswire

Church’s Chicken® the fourth-largest quick service restaurant chicken franchisor in the United States, announced today an Agreement of Discontinuance with the Attorney General of the State of Washington regarding no-solicitation clauses included in franchise agreements between Church’s corporate and its franchisee operating three locations in that state.

“We have had discussions with the state’s Attorney General about amending the current language in our franchise agreements and we are now intent on eliminating any wording that could be viewed as limiting a Church’s restaurant employee’s ability to seek employment with another Church’s franchisee,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Craig Prusher. “This is a practice we will now adhere to going forward in all states where our franchisees do business. We are very appreciative of the efforts of Washington State Attorney General Robert Ferguson, and we will be working closely with his office moving forward.”

A single franchisee owns all three of Church’s restaurants operating in the State of Washington and there have been no issues relating to franchisees soliciting employees of other franchisees. “The franchise agreement language was intended to protect the substantial investments by Church’s franchisees in training their personnel and to enhance the overall value of the brand. However, we so seldom have had any occasion even to consider invoking this clause, and given the AG’s concerns with the language, we decided to remove it from our system nationwide,” said Prusher. “Church’s believes in being proactive in this matter, and as an employer of choice and a franchisor of choice, we want all current and prospective employees to know they are free to work where they choose. For 66 years, Church’s has offered competitive salaries, great benefits, and an environment where employees learn and grow.”

Atlanta, GA – PRNewswire

Edible Arrangements^® CEO Mike Rotondo today announced plans to relocate the company’s corporate headquarters to Atlanta, GA. Edible will maintain a small office in Wallingford, CT, with approximately 20 people.

Edible opened an Atlanta office as a “second” headquarters in March 2018 to take advantage of the more centralized location, access to major transportation hubs and other resources for many of the services that were previously handled out of Wallingford, Conn. The company employs approximately 130 workers in Wallingford. The company aims to complete the relocation by the end of 2018.

“We are excited to make Atlanta the brand’s home base as we build a best-in-class Support Center for our franchise owners,” said Rotondo. “Edible’s Wallingford, CT office is an important part of the brand’s history and heritage, and we will always have a presence in the community. At the same time, the global marketplace is changing at a rapid pace and Atlanta is an attractive location to base much of the team needed to support the company’s next phase of growth.”

The company will issue a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) to the extent it is required by law.

The company’s metro Atlanta office is in the Lakeside Commons buildings in Sandy Springs, GA. The space will serve as the base of operations for the company’s franchise operations.

ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary frontdoor, inc. (“Frontdoor”), the new corporate name for the parent company of ServiceMaster’s American Home Shield business, has completed its previously announced $1 billion of financing transactions, including Frontdoor’s issuance of $350 million of 6.750% Senior Notes due 2026, and entry into a credit agreement providing for a $650 million senior secured term loan facility and a $250 million senior secured revolving credit facility. In connection with the financing transactions, The ServiceMaster Company, LLC prepaid all amounts outstanding under its previously announced $1 billion short-term credit agreement and prepaid $982 million of term loans outstanding under its amended and restated credit agreement dated as of November 8, 2016 with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent and issuing bank, and the lenders and the other financial institutions party thereto, and paid certain fees and expenses in connection with the transaction described herein.

As a result of the completion of these transactions, ServiceMaster’s total consolidated outstanding indebtedness will be reduced by $982 million, upon completion of the spin-off.

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to sell or purchase nor the solicitation of an offer to sell or purchase securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom, such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

JACKSONVILLE, Fl – PRNewswire

When brothers, David and Michael Miller, founded Brightway Insurance 10 years ago, they hoped to grow it into a $10 million business in 10 years. Today, the company has $541 millionin annualized written premium.

“When David and I started Brightway, we built a business based on our values, which include producing winning outcomes for all stakeholders. As a result, we’ve created a company that, in 10 short years, has grown to be one of the largest Personal Lines insurance agencies in the country,” said Michael Miller, who leads the company as Chair and Co-Founder and was recently recognized by Franchise Business Review as a Top Franchise Leader.

As a result of Brightway’s alignment on creating Win-Win-Win outcomes for all and the company’s focus on empowering its franchisees, employees and customers to achieve their potential, achievements since 2008 has included growing from:

•  38 franchised locations in one state in 2008 to 170 in 20 states today
•  $36 million in annualized written premium in 2008 to $541 million today
•  155 people in the Brightway system in 2008 to 842 today

The company asked franchisees to share how being a part of Brightway has made futures brighter for them, their families, teams, customers and others. This is what they had to say…

“Coming on in October 10 years ago, two short months after the opening of Brightway, I have become successful in my career and obtaining financial freedom for myself and family. I have been given the ability to offer this to others to succeed as well and have very loyal clients who trust me as their agent.” – Charlene Rodriguez, Lakeland, Fla.

“By identifying the real values in life and believing in what I can do, Brightway created an appealing future for me and my family.” – Siva Govindarajan, Plano, Texas

“Being a Brightway Agency Owner allows me to fulfill all my career ambitions without limitations. In return, the success I have provides directly for my family and community. It is incredible to bring 15 years of industry experience to making sure my community is adequately protected. For me, it is not just about making a lifestyle for my family, but for bettering my community. I finally feel a sense of purpose with my career.” – Maegan Lunte, Wylie, Texas

“Brightway, for me, has been a dream come true. I have a new energy in my step as I go to the office each day. For my team and I, the sky is the limit.” – Michele Robicheaux, Youngsville, La.

“Brightway has proven to be the right franchise at the right time for my family.  We could not be happier.” – Eric Seuffert, Cape Coral, Fla.

“As Agency Owners, it has freed up time to spend with our family, provide an awesome work environment for our team and allowed us to be active in the community. We are also having great success in educating our customers about their policies and providing them great savings while maintaining great coverage.” – Jacqueline Howard and Robin White-Twiggs, Miami Lake, Fla.

“Moving from a captive to a Brightway agency has given us freedom to help more clients and build a better book of business faster than we expected. We appreciate the ability to grow relationships with a variety of carriers and shop from a larger market to find the right policy year after year for our clients.  The service team provided by Brightway has been invaluable to us and our clients, allowing the agents to focus on new business. We also appreciate the ability to be flexible with our work day and look forward to the long-term benefits of an established Brightway agency for our families and for what it will allow us to contribute back to the community in the future.” – Michelle Cleveland, Abilene, Texas

“The insurance business has changed so much in the last few years. Working with people who care about our business, our team and clients make things so much better.  We enjoy being a Brightway agency. More importantly, we love being on the Brightway TEAM!” – Rhoda and Brian Murphy, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

“My main job as an Agency Owner is to protect my clients’ most important assets. Being partnered with Brightway provides me with the tools and the carriers to be able to do just that. This opportunity also allows me to provide opportunities for my employees as well that they may not get elsewhere. Plus, it allows me to build the type of future I want for myself and my family.” – Kandie Landers, Glendale, Colo. and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

“Our Brightway experience has been very positive. We have learned a new business and new business language. We have established ourselves as a Top Performing Agency within the Brightway system, and we have done this with absolutely no background in this industry prior to purchasing our Agency. This speaks volumes as to the system that Brightway has implemented. We were able to take our background in Retail and Retail Sales Training and apply it to our plan here at Brightway. And, the combination of the system and our skill set works beautifully together. This has only served to reinforce what we thought going into this opportunity… it always comes down to providing a better customer experience for our clients. To have the resources available to us through the Brightway infrastructure coupled with our relentless pursuit of providing a world class experience for our clients… this is our daily, sustainable competitive advantage over any other Agency.” – Matt Grundwerg, Coral Springs, Fla.

“There is nothing I could have done for the last nine years that would have provided for my family and myself as well as having been part of Brightway.” – Mike Hatmaker, Largo, Fla.

“I am happy I went out on my own as an Agency Owner.” – Alicia Katz, Sherman Oaks, Calif.

“Wow, 10 years! That is amazing to see the growth, and I am blessed to be a part of it!” – Allison Chaumont, Edmond, Okla.

“Our time with Brightway has seen a lot of growth and we look forward towards the future continuing this association and passing our agency down to the next generation.” – Janet Harrington, Palm Harbor, Fla.

ATLANTA, GA – PRNewswire

Tropical Smoothie Café, LLC is proud to announce the opening of its 700^th location in the system, which will open on August 24^th in Hurst, TX at 760 Airport Freeway Suite 100. This major milestone showcases Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s rapid growth since launching in Destin, FL more than 20 years ago and gets the company closer to reaching its goal of opening 120 new cafes in 2018. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is continuing to fuel development in Dallas/Fort Worth to bring its better-for-you® offerings to more communities throughout the metro area. With nine cafes currently open in Dallas/Fort Worth, these expansion efforts will bring two additional locations to the market by the end of this year.

“Opening our 700^th location is such an amazing accomplishment and testament to the strength of the brand,” said Charles Watson, Interim CEO of Tropical Smoothie Cafe. “By putting our customers’ needs first, we’ve built a loyal following that’s made it possible for us to reach this milestone. We share this achievement with them, as well as our incredible network of franchisees and look forward to celebrating with residents in Hurst.”

The new Hurst location will be owned and operated by DYNE Hospitality Group. Anchored by veteran franchisees Glen Johnson and Nick Crouch, DYNE Hospitality Group is Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s largest franchisee and is helping drive the brand’s expansion across Dallas/Fort Worth. Johnson and Crouch currently have two Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations open in this market, with an additional 46 throughout the Southeast.

“Glen and I are incredibly excited to open Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s 700^th location, as we believe wholeheartedly in the brand and take pride in our great relationship with the company,” said Nick Crouch, Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee and co-CEO of DYNE Hospitality Group. “Tropical Smoothie Cafe continues to break boundaries as a result of its fearless leadership and creative innovations and we’re thrilled to be part of the brand’s journey here in Texas. Hurst is an amazing city for an equally amazing concept and we know the residents are going to fall in love.”

To celebrate the grand opening in Hurst, the first 100 customers in line on August 24^th will receive free smoothies for a year, with all guests being treated to 99-cent smoothies with the purchase of a wrap, flatbread, sandwich or bowl. Giveaways will continue throughout the day with a chance to take home Tropical Smoothie Cafe swag including backpacks, water bottles and more. To officially mark the occasion and kick off grand opening activities, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. with DYNE Hospitality group, Tropical Smoothie Cafe executives and members of the community.

The food and smoothie franchise currently has franchise opportunities across the U.S. in markets such as Indianapolis, Kansas City, Houston, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and Columbus, among others. Fueled by its ongoing product innovation and consistent positive comp sales, Tropical Smoothie Cafe has experienced a surge of franchise development throughout the state that reinforces the brand’s role as a leader in the fast casual segment. By 2020, Tropical Smoothie Cafe plans to have 1,000 stores open across the U.S.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is looking to add qualified franchisees to its growing brand. Candidates should have business experience; $125,000 in liquid assets and a minimum net worth of $350,000; and an initial investment of between $222,095 and $569,335. The better-for-you food franchise currently boasts an average unit volume (AUV) of more than $681,000 – the highest in the company’s 21-year-history – with the top 50 percent reporting an AUV of more than $873,000.

For more information about opening your own Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise, please visit www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com

SCOTTSDALE, AZ  – GLOBE NEWSWIRE

As families begin to plan for the start of a new school year, the early childhood development experts at The Little Gym highlight a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics of 26 studies involving more than 10,000 children ages 4 – 13. Researchers concluded that incorporating physical activity into a child’s school day improves both classroom behavior and academic achievement in all academic subjects.

“It’s clear that physical activity can play a significant role in both social and academic performance,” said Alex Bingham, president and CEO of The Little Gym. “U.S. guidelines call for a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity daily for children for optimum benefit. However, many schools are under pressure to devote more and more time to academics in an effort to raise test scores, making it difficult for them to set aside time for physical activity. That’s where programs at The Little Gym can make a real difference.”

Programs at The Little Gym revolve around active play, complementing and enhancing the traditional school experience. The Little Gym gives children up to age 12 a safe and inspiring space to direct their energy, build confidence, cultivate flexibility and focus, and develop key social skills. Classes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers four months and older help establish active, healthy habits and foster social skills like listening and cooperation.

For parents who are not certain if it’s worth the time, money, or effort to involve their children in extracurricular activities, a recent article on the lifestyle site SheKnows.com reveals the not-so-obvious additional benefits of after school activities. According to the experts, children who are involved in activities after school develop decision-making skills by learning what they do and don’t like to do, confidence by succeeding at something they enjoy, socialization skills by interacting freely with other children, and strategic thinking and communications skills by participating in team activities.

“At The Little Gym, we believe that kids should be able to act like kids,” said Bingham. “We also believe that a fun environment provides a different context for learning that is especially conducive to developing the skills that help children succeed both in school and in life. That’s why our high-energy programs are designed to promote not only physical development skills and confidence but also critical life skills like sharing, listening, concentration, and decision making.”

The Little Gym is now enrolling students for the 2018-2019 Season. For more information, or to register for the 2018-2019 Little Gym season, please go to www.TheLittleGym.com.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – PRWEB 

Buzz Franchise Brands has sold renowned mosquito control company Mosquito Joe to Dwyer Franchising, LLC (“Dwyer Group”), one of the world’s largest parent companies for home services brands. This is the first company sale for Buzz Franchise Brands and the first acquisition for Dwyer Group under its new private equity partner, Harvest Partners.

After acquiring local mosquito control business Mosquito Joe in 2012, Buzz Franchise Brands sold the first Mosquito Joe franchise in January 2013. In just over five years, the company has grown to 288 operating units across 34 states plus the District of Columbia and established itself as a leader in the outdoor pest control industry.

Bringing Mosquito Joe into the fold makes Dwyer Group the holding company to 21 service brands operating domestically and internationally.

“Mosquito Joe’s rally cry is ‘Outside is fun again,’ and we think their service combined with their professionalism and high customer satisfaction marks are the perfect fit for Dwyer Group and our Neighborly offering,” said Mike Bidwell, President and CEO of Dwyer Group. “Mosquito Joe is a current market leader in this space, and we look forward to continuing to support their growth.”

Buzz Franchise Brands’ mission is to build companies that get people talking. It is parent company to pool cleaning and maintenance franchise Pool Scouts, currently operating in nine states, and residential cleaning brand Home Clean Heroes, which will begin franchising this summer.

“It’s bittersweet to let Mosquito Joe go,” said Kevin Wilson, CEO of Buzz Franchise Brands, “But we know the brand is in good hands with Dwyer Group, and we’re looking forward to focusing on the continued development of Pool Scouts and Home Clean Heroes, as well as launching new brands in the years to come.”

For more information about Buzz Franchise Brands, visit http://www.buzzfranchisebrands.com.

CARROLLTON, TX – PRNewswire

The days of summer are winding down and all signs point to students, parents, teachers and administrators gearing up for another school year.

Planning for the return has been underway for months by school staffs who ensure everything is ready – from the look of a school to improving safety to having more efficient ways to communicate messages about programs, awards, people, safety and events.

Here are some of the ways that FASTSIGNS® has helped schools improve the return to school.

Cover Eyesores and Create a Space to Communicate

There are many places in and around a school where signs and graphics can be added to cover an eyesore, such as a dumpster situated near the student pick up lane, an unsightly trash can, uneven brick wall or a worn table top.

Once you start imagining the possibilities for converting these blank spaces into communication platforms, it’s not hard to see all of the opportunities around you.

Share School Culture and Educate with Wall Graphics

Wall graphics can help create a sense of community and provide learning opportunities.

“Walls can be one of the most underutilized space in schools,” said Drue Townsend, Senior VP of Marketing, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “With so many walls in classrooms, hallways and auditoriums, why not put messages on them to inspire and educate?”

Wall graphics depicting school colors and inspirational messages can set the tone upon arrival; material being taught can be reinforced with processes or steps displayed.

Communicate Timely Messages with Interactive Mediums

Digital signs help you communicate a variety of messages on the same or different screens, and engage with motion (and if desired, sound). SMS Text programs put important messages in the hands of your subscribers and are opened much quicker than email messages are read.

Recognize and Thank People

It’s important to find ways to recognize and thank the people and companies that support your school by providing time, money or other aid. Setting up an honor or donor wall is a great way of sharing student and faculty achievements and thanking donors, and these custom displays can be created with many different materials to make them unique and memorable.

Other Places Signs and Graphics Can Add Value to a School

There are many other places throughout a school or campus where signs and graphics can be used to improve the experience. Once you start imagining the possibilities for converting these blank spaces into learning and communication opportunities, it’s easy to understand the potential impact.