franchises

The national college planning franchise Class 101 has announced a new scholarship program for exceptional high school students, with an emphasis on community service.

The program was announced at the company’s fifth annual conference in Orlando.

Two national winners will be announced as recipients of the new community-service-oriented scholarship available for any high school student. Criteria will be based on 25 percent academics, 25 percent leadership skills, and 50 percent making a difference in their community, said Class 101 CEO and Founder Tom Pabin.

The scholarship program was one of a number of new initiatives announced at the meeting.

“Our annual conference continues to get bigger and better,” he said. “In addition to the franchise-wide scholarship program we announced new initiatives to strengthen brand awareness and franchisee support, a new client management system and an ACT and SAT online platform.”

Class 101 helps high school students get into better colleges and qualify for higher amounts of scholarships and financial aid by meeting one-on-one with students once a month for hour-long sessions throughout the year.

“Our college planning experts guide students as they draft a high-performance resume and powerful essays, visit schools, complete applications ahead of schedule and navigate the scholarship and financial aid processes,” said Pabin. “The results are phenomenal. Class 101 students apply to 8 schools on average and receive more than $200,000 in scholarships and aid, much more than the average U.S. high school student.

Charlotte, NC – As the undisputed authority on tailgate meals, we’re big football fans at Bojangles’ (NASDAQ: BOJA). We know witnessing the game winning play is always sweet. But our Football-Shaped Bo-Berry Biscuits might be sweeter.

Football fanatics across the Southeast have enjoyed these irresistible sweet treats for years. The recipe is simply delightful. We start with our made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuit, then add Bojangles’ Bo-Berries which are baked right inside the biscuit. We then drizzle a sweet vanilla icing over every biscuit to make a one-of-a-kind dessert you can only find at Bojangles’. But don’t fumble! The football shape is only available for a limited time.

“Our popular Football-Shaped Bo-Berry Biscuits are the perfect addition to any Bojangles’ Tailgate Special,” said Randy Poindexter, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Bojangles’. “Don’t waste your time with one of those little trays of chicken nuggets that will leave you and your buddies hungry by the end of the first quarter. Stop by your local Bojangles’ for a Big Bo Box™ and Football-Shaped Bo-Berry Biscuits, and we guarantee your crew will be satisfied.”

Bojangles’ Big Bo Boxes come in a variety of sizes to fit your tailgate, large or small. Every tailgate meal includes:

• Your choice of flavorful bone-in chicken, popular Chicken Supremes™ or delicious Homestyle Tenders™;
• Our fresh buttermilk biscuits made from scratch every 20 minutes;
• Your choice of home-style picnic fixin’s, including Bojangles’ popular Seasoned Fries, Bojangles’ Dirty Rice®, Bojangles’ Cajun Pintos®, Macaroni ‘n Cheese, and Green Beans;
• A half-gallon of Bojangles’ refreshing Legendary Iced Tea®;
• Plus, all the cups, plates, napkins and utensils you’ll need for your portable tailgate.

Looking for another way to improve your tailgate on gameday? Play our new online game, Bojangles’ Tailgate Hero, for a chance to win Bojangles’ gift cards, a PlayStation 4, a custom football jersey, and a copy of Madden ’18 Hall of Fame Edition. Give it your best at www.BojanglesTailgateHero.com.

Follow us on social media at @Bojangles1977 using #LongLiveTheTailgate. You just might appear on our Bojangles’ Tailgate Map on www.Bojangles.com/LongLiveTheTailgate.

BONITA SPRINGS, FL – The need for senior housing solutions continues to grow, and so too does Oasis Senior Advisors. The Bonita Springs-based company has opened three new franchises, adding to the more than 72 franchises already in operation across the U.S.

“We see proof all the time that our model works,” Oasis Senior Advisors CEO Tim Evankovich said. “We’re proud of way every one of our advisors helps seniors and their families find the right place with personalized service every step of the way, and we’re thrilled about our talented new additions.”

Lifelong Boston-area resident Bill Cleary will lead Oasis Senior Advisors for Greater Boston. He knows firsthand the struggle families face when a loved one is no longer able to care for themselves. Navigating the confusing litany of nursing home options for his 91-year-old mother proved a daunting task.

“After struggling through the process with my own mother, I knew there had to be a better way,” Cleary said. “My goal with Oasis is to assist families in this process and be as compassionate as possible. I want to let them know, to let you know, that you’re not alone.”

Eric Aasheim understands how challenging a transition from one home to another can be. He spent the last 20 years as an advisor to families relocating to foreign countries, helping them find and use resources for language learning, cultural skills training, translation and interpretation. Now, he’ll guide seniors to the right resources they need for housing and more as the Oasis Senior Advisor for Western Massachusetts.

“I am thrilled to be part of Oasis Senior Advisors and to carry out their mission of helping seniors find a ‘perfect fit’ community,” Aasheim said.

Kim Bertolino gained insider knowledge of multiple hospitals on Long Island in New York as a physical therapist and nursing student. She’ll apply that to helping seniors and their families identify the right level of care as the Oasis Senior Advisor for the South Shore of Long Island.

“This opportunity allows me to help meet the tremendous need that is lacking in our community and provide the dignity and quality of life that our seniors deserve,” Bertolino said.

WACO, TX – Dwyer Franchising, LLC (“Dwyer Group”), one of the world’s largest parent companies of home service brands, has announced that it is changing its corporate name to Neighborly, effective immediately. The decision follows the rapid success of the consumer-facing Neighborly platform developed a little more than a year ago to unite all of its service franchise brands under one umbrella. The new trade name supports the community of home service experts’ approach for providing an easier way for people to connect with providers of all home service needs through one convenient outlet.

“Since launching Neighborly in 2017, our platform for home services has increased engagement with customers and made a powerful and positive impact across our service brands,” said Mike Bidwell, President and CEO of Neighborly.

Through one comprehensive consumer-facing website (getneighborly.com in the U.S. and getneighbourly.ca in Canada), Neighborly has simplified the process of connecting homeowners with service industry experts with incredible results. Within one year of launching Neighborly, multi-brand customer penetration has increased 39 percent and continues to rise.

“Now it’s time to bring that same Neighborly brand home to our corporate offices to amplify the collective synergies of our service brands internally as well,” Bidwell added. “Dwyer Group’s legacy includes the success of 21 service brands to-date, and this legacy shall now be showcased moving forward under the friendly consumer facing Neighborly name.”

The new trade name will be reflected at 10 corporate campuses across the U.S., U.K. and Germany, employing nearly 850 employees. With the transition, the corporate website at dwyergroup.com also has moved to NeighborlyBrands.com. Plans to implement the new name across the company’s service brand affiliates will continue throughout the remainder of the 2018.

ROCKVILLE, MD – PRNewswire

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) has announced it will match Choice Privileges member donations to the American Red Cross, encouraging its members to donate loyalty points that convert to cash. Choice Hotels will match up to 20 million points contributed by members in support of disaster relief and recovery efforts through the end of this year.

Choice Hotels is a member of the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, which ensures American Red Cross is prepared to respond to disasters and meet the needs of those affected anytime and anywhere across the United States.

Each year, the American Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters around the country, providing food, shelter and comfort to people affected by disasters during their greatest time of need. In 2017, Choice Hotels mobilized the generosity of Choice Privileges members to donate to disaster relief, together raising a combined total of nearly $400,000, in addition to providing 1,000 comfort kits and blankets.

“Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Florence, and we are committed to assisting our franchisees and their guests, as well as supporting local recovery efforts,” said Patrick Pacious, president and chief executive officer, Choice Hotels. “Hospitality extends beyond hotels and into the communities where we live and work, which is why Choice is dedicated to ensuring those in need are cared for during disasters.”

For more information on Choice Hotels’ efforts and to donate, visit https://www.choicehotels.com/choice-privileges/redeem-points/donations.

Guests who are looking for a hotel room can visit ChoiceHotels.com or call 1(877)424-6423 for the most up-to-date information on availability and rates.

CARROLLTON, TX – /PRNewswire

In 2016, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. launched the FASTSIGNS® Digital Media Network and proprietary training certification programs for FASTSIGNS centers to acquire the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to create digital sign content, adding to their already expansive in-house capabilities.

With almost 700 sign and graphic franchised locations worldwide, FASTSIGNS offers clients comprehensive digital sign packages that include consultation, content creation, hardware selection and installation, and ongoing content scheduling and management.

“FASTSIGNS franchisees have been providing digital signage and content to customers for many years,” said Wayne Rasor, Director of Digital and Exterior Technology, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. “The number, scale and complexity of the digital sign projects that FASTSIGNS centers are involved in continues to grow, as do our centers’ capabilities, including design services to produce and manage digital content in-house.” Rasor joined FASTSIGNS International, Inc. in 2013 to lead FASTSIGNS’ digital sign initiatives and support. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Digital Signage Federation.

Once an organization’s objectives are determined, digital sign projects include selecting and installing the appropriate hardware and displays, creating engaging brand content, and distributing and managing the content. Being able to produce high-end digital sign content in-house helps streamline the process for FASTSIGNS customers and allows FASTSIGNS centers to offer complete digital sign solutions with competitive pricing. Three tiers of digital sign content creation services are offered. The three tiers include:

• Static graphics are the simplest type of content and use transitions from one image to the next.
• Motion graphics use images and elements that are animated to move around, on and off the screen.
• Interactive and responsive content is created for web-based digital solutions. This includes touchscreen displays and responsive HTML5 content that fit multiple aspect ratio displays and devices.

“Having a successful digital sign program is all about the content that is being displayed and how viewers interact with it,” Rasor said. “The advantage of digital signage is communicating the right message to the right person at the right time and place. FASTSIGNS centers are equipped and capable of creating that engaging content and making sure it’s communicated in the most effective way possible.”

To learn more about FASTSIGNS digital sign offering, visit fastsigns.com/digital-signs.

ANN ARBOR, MI – PRNewswire

Domino’s (NYSE: DPZ), the largest pizza company in the world based on global retail sales, is celebrating National Pepperoni Pizza Day by giving customers a special deal: large two-topping carryout pizzas for $5.99 each today through Sept. 23.

“National Pepperoni Pizza Day is on Sept. 20 and it only seemed fitting to celebrate it all week long by offering pizza lovers a great deal,” said Jenny Fouracre, Domino’s spokesperson. “Maybe you prefer only pepperoni on your pizza, or maybe you like a couple of toppings – either way, all carryout customers can take advantage of this delicious offer.”

The weeklong $5.99 carryout deal is valid when customers order over the phone, in-store, at dominos.com, or via Domino’s mobile ordering apps. To find the nearest Domino’s location, visit dominos.com.

LANCASTER, PA –  PRNewswire

Prost! This fall, Auntie Anne’s invites fans to upgrade their fall festivities with an Oktoberfest classic – pretzels to pair with their favorite beer. In the spirit of the German festival, the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise is offering a limited-time, online exclusive ‘Prost Package’ catering bundle, complete with a variety of your favorite Auntie Anne’s pretzels and dips.

“There’s truly no better pairing than pretzels and beer,” said Danika Brown, Auntie Anne’s Director of Growth Initiatives. “We’re excited to help our fans create the ultimate Oktoberfest experience for their friends, family and coworkers by offering the perfect party spread. All you have to do is add your favorite beer to your Auntie Anne’s pretzels and cheers!”

Party planning is made simple with this online-only ‘Prost Package,’ which includes one bucket of Mini Pretzel Dogs, one bucket of Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Nuggets, twenty-four Original Pretzels and twelve assorted dips. Serving 25+ people, this catering deal offers classic Auntie Anne’s pretzels and dips at a value. The ‘Prost Package’ will be available between September 17 and October 7, 2018.

As an added celebration, Auntie Anne’s fans in Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle will receive four custom Auntie Anne’s beer steins with every ‘Prost Package’ order while supplies last. What’s more, fans who place an online catering order of $100 or more get $25 off when using the promo code PROST25 at checkout.

For more information and to place an order, visit AuntieAnnes.com/Oktoberfest.