franchise opportunity

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.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – PRNewswire 

In honor of 20 years since the company’s inception, Philly Pretzel Factory is planning a celebration to say “thank you” to the customers and communities it serves. With more than 160 locations in 19 states, the company is celebrating with three main initiatives – free pretzels for every guest at participating locations, the chance for one guest at each location to win free pretzels for a year and a philanthropic endeavor in the company’s hometown.

On Monday, August 20, everyone who walks into a participating Philly Pretzel Factory location nationwide will get one free pretzel with no purchase necessary. Each Philly Pretzel Factory store will also choose one fan from all in-store entries received in August, who will win one free pretzel every day for an entire year. Additionally, those local winners will receive Philly Pretzel Factory swag including a limited-edition t-shirt, VIP trophy card and a shout out on social media from their local Philly Pretzel Factory location.

The company is also reaching out to the community it was founded in. Philly Pretzel Factory will donate enough flour to make the equivalent of 20,000 pretzels to the largest hunger relief organization in Philadelphia, Philabundance. That donation will have an impact beyond providing food for the hungry – Philabundance also helps to equip those in need of employment with the skills necessary to work in commercial kitchens.

“Since launching Philly Pretzel Factory, we’ve been committed to giving back to the communities we serve and showing our appreciation to our loyal fans. Our customers are the reason that Philly Pretzel Factory continues to grow, and we want to show our appreciation for their continued patronage,” said Dan DiZio, CEO and co-founder of Philly Pretzel Factory. “Supporting the local communities that we serve is a top priority across our entire franchise system, and it will continue to be a hallmark of our brand going forward in every city where we open our doors.”

DiZio has long recognized the power of pretzels, both as a business opportunity and as a way to bring people together. Long before Philly Pretzel Factory came to life, DiZio had a knack for selling the knot-shaped delights. At the age of 12, DiZio would ride his bike to sell pretzels. Turning this entrepreneurial passion for pretzels into something much bigger, DiZio teamed up with Len Lehman in 1998 to create the Philly Pretzel Factory blueprint.

“When I started Philly Pretzel Factory with my friend and former college roommate Len, we never could have imagined that our pretzels would become an important part of so many people’s lives. We are amazed by the people who welcome us into their homes and lives, and we’re looking forward to serving them for the next 20 years and beyond,” said DiZio.

The brand has grown from a single location in the Mayfair neighborhood in Philadelphia to more than 160 locations in 19 states across the U.S., from Massachusetts to Florida on the East Coast to Nevada on the West Coast. The company is on pace to add 25 new locations this year with franchise owners across the continental U.S.

According to DiZio, having strong partnerships with franchisees has allowed Philly Pretzel Factory to become so successful.

“We fondly refer to our franchisees as the ‘Pretzel Mayors’ because they represent the product and the brand within their local communities,” he said. “Regardless of how far we grow geographically from the company’s Philadelphia roots, the Pretzel Mayors’ enthusiasm and commitment to bringing pretzels to people everywhere is met with the same warm reception all around.”

Philly Pretzel Factory’s presence has been growing in newer markets, including Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Texas and Nevada, with many of the brand’s franchisees having a connection to the product back in the Philadelphia area. Now, as the brand celebrates 20 years in business, Philly Pretzel Factory is aiming to fill out those markets with additional franchise prospects that want to delight their local communities with pretzels “served hot outta the oven.”

RICHMOND, VA – PRWEB   sweetFrog Frozen Yogurt, the nation’s leading frozen yogurt chain, named America’s #1 Best Frozen Yogurt in 2017 and #2 Best Frozen Yogurt in 2018 by The Daily Meal, is wrapping up summer on a high note. During the entire month of August, new and loyal customers can help sweetFrog celebrate its mascot’s birthday, enjoy the timeless summer camp flavor of s’mores, and gear up for the new school year.

“Nothing says summer like a cool and refreshing serving of our award-winning frozen yogurt with all the toppings,” said Patrick Galleher, sweetFrog’s CEO. “We hate to say farewell to summer but we’re excited about reconnecting with students, our local schools, parent-teacher groups, and of course, our hard-working educators.”

This August, sweetFrog will continue to support locals school through its FUNdraising, Benefit Night, and Leap Forward programs, easy and fun way to give school groups a budget boost. Beyond that, don’t miss out on any of the fun at sweetFrog this August, including…

August – Back-to-School Deals

• Local schools can help students shake the first day jitters with sweetFrog yogurt. Back to School cards for a FREE small cup of frozen yogurt valued up to $5 are now available for schools.
• Nonprofits looking to jumpstart their fundraising efforts this school year can receive a 25% discount off the purchase of 100 or more gift cards.
• Teachers and counselors should take advantage of sweetFrog’s Leap Forward cards, a student rewards program. By registering at sweetFrogonline.com, teachers can request Leap Forward cards for a FREE small cup of frozen yogurt.

August 10 – National S’mores Day
In honor of National S’mores Day, sweetFrog is serving up the winning summer combination of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate on August 10. Frozen yogurt fans can try out sweetFrog’s Campfire Crush recipe and then share their delicious dessert on social media with the hashtags #smores, #campinglife, and #sweetfrog.

August 15 – Scoop’s Birthday
Customers can help sweetFrog celebrate its mascot’s big day on August 15. Visit any sweetFrog location to wish Scoop a happy birthday and share a photo on social media with the hashtag #happybirthdayscoop.

August 27 – Monday Funday
sweetFrog is making the end of summer a little sweeter with a sweet deal. On Monday, August 27, all small cups of yogurt will be $4 with unlimited toppings.

Help your favorite school Leap Forward with sweetFrog by visiting https://sweetfrog.com/parties-programs/leap-forward-program.

For more information about sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt, please visit http://www.sweetfrog.com.

To learn more about sweetFrog Frozen Yogurt franchise opportunities, as well as acquisitions and re-brands, please visit http://sweetfrog.com/franchise.

DENVER, CO – PRNewswire — Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) is piloting two new menu items and promotions in select cities nationwide as part of its overall commitment to make the brand more accessible and give fans the food they love when they want it.

First up is a dream come true for bacon lovers. Applewood Smoked Bacon begins its journey on the road to a national rollout after receiving a tremendous response from consumers at the NEXT kitchen in New York City. In September, bacon will expand to an eight-restaurant operations test in Orange County, Calif. before being considered for a full market test.

“Consumers have always said ‘everything tastes better with bacon’ and that is exactly what we confirmed in our New Yorktest kitchen,” said Chris Brandt, chief marketing officer at Chipotle. “We found consumers added bacon to their traditional bowls, burritos, tacos and nachos while also enjoying new items such as the BLT quesadilla with bacon, lettuce, tomato and cheese grilled to perfection.” Quesadillas are currently only available in the NEXT kitchen in New York City.
With positive results from the recent ten-restaurant test, nachos are expanding to full-market tests in Denver and Minneapolis-St. Paul this October. Chipotle nachos, which are a top customer request, include homemade corn tortilla chips topped with an all new genuine queso and choice of meat, beans, salsas and lettuce.

From now until September 30, customers at participating locations in Miami and Dallas can get $2 tacos with the purchase of any drink after 8pm. The participating Chipotle restaurants in Miami and Dallas will now stay open later, until 11pm, helping to satisfy demand for food experiences outside of standard business hours. An additional pilot underway offers customers at select Philadelphia and Indianapolis restaurants the option to add regular-sized chips and a fountain drink to their entrée order for just $3.

“A cornerstone of our new strategy is to make Chipotle more culturally relevant and to meet our customers where they are with flavorful food they can feel good about eating,” added Brandt. “We know that Chipotle is a great place to start or end the night, which is why we’re excited to test this pilot with our Miami and Dallas night owl fans.”

Available in-restaurant and for a limited time only, the promotions are being tested via Chipotle’s new stage-gate process, which allows the company to test, learn, listen to customer feedback, and iterate extensively before moving ahead with a national launch. Both offers and new menu items are subject to availability and may not be combined with other promotions, offers or coupons.

MASON, OH—A new Pearle Vision advertising campaign, debuting next week, draws upon the iconic image of women’s professional tennis legend Billie Jean King as it portrays the story of a young girl working with an understanding optometrist to find the perfect pair of first eyeglasses. The spot is designed to “cast an indelible light on the brand’s commitment to quality of care and how patients’ trust is earned as a result,” according to a Pearle Vision announcement about the campaign.

In the spot, Olivia is seen with her mom in the exam room at Pearle Vision. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear Olivia needs glasses. The Pearle Vision optometrist knows just how to help Olivia find her perfect pair. She presents Olivia with a photo (of Billie Jean King) that elicits a joyful response “because the optometrist did more than diagnose Olivia’s visual acuity issue during the exam … she took the time to learn about Olivia’s unique interests (tennis, archery and space travel),” according to the Pearle announcement.

“What ‘Olivia’ instills is incredibly positive,” Pearle Vision vice president and chief marketing officer Doug Zarkin said in the announcement. “It’s an emotional connection to a young child who is now better prepared to reach her potential – clear vision can help you achieve what you want in life.”

The ad will appear in a North American campaign that includes streaming platforms, digital media, spot and cable to support both corporate and franchise Pearle Vision locations throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, the company noted.

The photo presented to Olivia by the Pearle Vision optometrist is of the iconic glasses-wearing Billie Jean King, wearing a near identical pair of frames to what Olivia selects. “Olivia’s new glasses are now more than just a tool to see clearly, they are a proud connection to the women that inspire her each and every day,” the Pearle Vision announcement noted.

King said she is excited to be part of the new campaign. “When I was young I was told I could never be No. 1 in the world because I wore glasses and that was one of the things that motivated me to become the best I could be,” she said. “I applaud Pearle Vision for their message of encouragement, reinforcing that wearing glasses can help you achieve your dreams.”

The ad agency Energy BBDO developed the new spots, which were directed by filmmaker Elle Ginter whose resume includes visual storytelling successes for several leading global brands.

According to the announcement, “Olivia” taps into a core Pearle Vision brand differentiator – delivering care to patients beyond a routine eye exam to ensure each patient receives personalized care that takes the whole individual into account. “Oliva” continues Pearle Vision’s advertising strategy to depict the “Small Moments” that form trusting relationships between the brand’s eye doctors and patients. Its first story-driven campaign of this type, “Ben’s Glasses” earned industry accolades including a 2017 Silver Clio Award.

DENVER, CO – RE/MAX, the #1 name in real estate*, continues to rise. At the end of the second quarter of this year, the RE/MAX network’s total agent count reached an all-time quarterly high of 123,082 associates. With a growing presence in more than 100 countries and territories, no other real estate brand matches the RE/MAX worldwide footprint.

“Setting a new record in quarter-end agent count is a rewarding achievement,” said RE/MAX CEO Adam Contos. “RE/MAX is one of the most powerful and recognized brands in our industry, and we continue to strategically grow with many of the most talented agents in the business. Our associates worldwide sell more real estate than any other brand, as measured by residential transaction sides, and we’re thankful for their dedication to our brand.”

Recent national rankings continue to demonstrate the strength of the RE/MAX brand:

• Top 10 global franchisor
  RE/MAX was named a top 10 global franchise for the first time by Entrepreneur magazine. Placing seventh in the publication’s “2018 Top Global Franchises” list, RE/MAX was also once again the leading real estate franchise in the annual ranking of 200 global brands. The top 10 overall standings included #1 McDonald’s, #2 7-Eleven, #3 KFC, #4 Pizza Hut, #5 Subway, #6 Kumon Math & Reading Centers, #7 RE/MAX, #8 Dairy Queen, #9 Dunkin’ Donuts and #10 Baskin-Robbins.
• Fastest-growing real estate franchise brand
  Entrepreneur named RE/MAX one of the fastest growing franchises in the world in its 2018 “Top Fastest Growing Franchises” list. The ranking of 150 franchises placed RE/MAX in the 12th spot overall, the highest among all real estate franchises, and marked the fifth consecutive year the franchisor has been included in the annual list.
• One of the world’s strongest franchise brands
  RE/MAX was ranked fifth overall and No. 1 among real estate franchises in the 2018 Franchise 500 list, up from #10 overall in 2017, #21 overall in 2016 and #75 overall in 2015. The top 10 overall standings included #1 McDonald’s, #2 7-11, #3 Dunkin’ Donuts, #4 The UPS Store, #5 RE/MAX, #6 Sonic, #7 Great Clips, #8 Taco Bell, #9 Hardee’s and #10 Sport Clips.

National surveys continue to demonstrate the high productivity of the RE/MAX network. In July, RE/MAX placed more agents than any other brand in the 2018 REAL Trends “America’s Best Real Estate Professionals” rankings. Nearly one in four agents in the survey is a RE/MAX agent. RE/MAX also had more agents ranked than any other brand in the recent 13th Annual REAL Trends “The Thousand,” released in June. RE/MAX agents have claimed the most rankings in the respected survey three out of the last four years.

RE/MAX is in more countries than any other real estate brand. From a single office that opened in 1973 in Denver, Colorado, RE/MAX has grown into a global real estate network with more than 120,000 sales associates in more than 100 countries and territories.

ATLANTA, GA  – Moe’s Southwest Grill®, the fast casual restaurant franchise that is known for the famous “Welcome to Moe’s!” greeting, legendary queso and free chips and salsa with every single order announces today that it is expanding its retail offering with the launch of a new in-grocery product line with three new, bold chunky salsas.

“At Moe’s Southwest Grill, our culinary team takes our salsas very seriously – in our restaurants we offer several different seasonal flavors, some made with the world’s hottest peppers like Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper,” said Bruce Schroder, President, Moe’s Southwest Grill®. “Naturally, the next step was to bring our delicious salsas to grocery stores so our fans can enjoy Moe’s salsas anywhere, at any time.”

Inspired by authentic, southwestern flavors and spices, the new line of salsas are made from seasonal peppers, all-natural tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic and lime juice. Now available nationwide on Amazon and at several grocery store chains including Publix, Price Chopper, Shoprite, Tops, Buehler’s, Dave’s Market and Heinen’s. The three salsa flavors are all certified Gluten-Free, ranging from Mild, Medium to Hot with the suggested retail price of $3.99.

• Moe’s Mild Salsa: This is a mild salsa but there is definitely nothing mild about the smoky ancho and dark chili flavors.
• Moe’s Medium Salsa: Get ready to spice things up a bit with this salsa made with cayenne pepper.
• Moe’s Hot Salsa: You will need water ready because this salsa is fire made with habanero flavor.

“Since the brand was launched in 2000, Moe’s Southwest Grill has created a loyal fan base that love our brand personality and products,” said Dave Mikita, SVP & President, Global Channels. “Moe’s continues to be focused on launching additional products inspired by the southwest in the grocery channel for our fans to enjoy at home.”

Additional Moe’s grocery products are available including spicy guacamole, roasted corn poblano queso, chicken empanadas and more. These items are exclusively available at BJ’s.

For more details about Moe’s salsas: https://www.moes.com/grocery-products. To stay connected to all things Moe’s, follow the brand on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.