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InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is pleased to confirm that its acquisition of a 51% stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts (‘Regent’) has now completed.

The 51% interest has been acquired for $39 million in cash, payable in three tranches of $13 million. $13 million was paid on completion, with the second amount due in 2021 and the third in 2024. IHG will have the right to acquire the remaining 49% interest in a phased manner from 2026.

As detailed in the announcement published on 14th March 2018, IHG will bring Regent into its brand portfolio at the top end of the luxury segment and will accelerate its growth globally, supported by IHG’s powerful enterprise. IHG’s intention is to grow the brand from six hotels today to over 40 hotels in key global gateway city and resort locations over the long term.

IHG is already a global leader in the luxury segment with the world’s largest luxury brand, InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts. The acquisition of Regent is in line with IHG’s focus on expanding its footprint in the fast-growing $60 billion luxury segment.

GLENDALE, CA – PRNewswire

Applebee’s®Neighborhood Grill + Bar has a new Neighborhood Drink this month that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. The new $3 Grey Goose Vodka and Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail – also known as 3 Dollar Goose and Cranberry – is handmade with Grey Goose Vodka, a top-ranked, ultra-premium vodka, and mixed with Ocean Spray® Cranberry Cocktail.

The new 3 Dollar Goose and Cranberry is available now at participating restaurants nationwide for the month of July.

“In a show of appreciation to our guests, this is the first time we’re offering a world leading, ultra-premium spirit at an incredible price,” said Patrick Kirk, vice president of beverage innovation at Applebee’s. “We’re known for making a splash with our Neighborhood Drinks, and the new 3 Dollar Goose and Cranberry is an amazingly refreshing premium cocktail that’s perfect for a hot summer day and a huge win for our loyal guests at only $3.”

Applebee’s $3 Grey Goose Vodka and Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail is available all day while dining in at participating Applebee’s locations.

For more information on the 3 Dollar Goose and Cranberry and other limited time offers from Applebee’s, view the online menu and stop by your neighborhood Applebee’s restaurant.

As always, Applebee’s reminds you to please drink responsibly.

Price, participation and hours or availability may vary by location, and guests must be 21-years old or over to enjoy responsibly. Void where prohibited.

LITTLETON, CO – Wag N’ Wash Natural Food & Bakery announced today its national partnership with nonprofit Freedom Service Dogs to launch a fundraising campaign this summer. Dubbed Round Up for Freedom Service Dogs, #unleashthepotential, this campaign aims to raise money to help veterans regain their independence by obtaining the assistance they need from a service animal, free of cost.

From July 1 – July 31 at all Wag N’ Wash locations, when customers choose to round up to the nearest dollar during check out, the change will go toward toward Round Up for Freedom Service Dogs, #unleashthepotential, helping veterans who have made life-altering sacrifices.

Wag N’ Wash hopes to help Freedom Service Dogs achieve its goal of placing 40 service dogs with veterans in 2018. Wag N’ Wash looks to raise $10,000 for the cause, and Healthy Pet Partners, the holding company of Wag N’ Wash, will match up to $5,000. The service dogs that are part of the program are rescues who go through extensive training at the state penitentiary and then receive additional specialized training to meet the needs of the veteran.

“When we were looking for a nonprofit to partner with, Freedom Service Dogs was an natural fit,” said Rob Flanagan, president of Wag N’ Wash Natural Food & Bakery. “Service dogs can have such a substantial impact on the lives of their humans and no one is more deserving than veterans. It’s important to us as a company to give back to a cause that resonates with what we do and with our customers.”

All locations are taking part in the initiative. To donate to the cause, please visit https://freedomservicedogs.org.

A premier destination for your companion animals, Wag N’ Wash offers self-wash and grooming services, natural food products and fresh-made bakery items that are soy-free, corn-free and preservative free. The retail space is a central spot for your dog or cat where you can “wash ‘em, feed ‘em and spoil ‘em, all in one cool place!”

To learn more about Wag N’ Wash, please visit https://wagnwash.com.

PITTSBURGH – Bruster’s Real Ice Cream is making July’s National Ice Cream Month celebration even sweeter by giving away a $3 reward to use toward ice cream purchases at participating shops. Guests must join the new Sweet Rewards loyalty program by visiting www.BrustersSweetRewards.com or downloading the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Ice cream prices vary by location, but typically start at $2.99.

In addition to the initial $3 reward, members earn one point for every dollar spent. Every time members accumulate 50 points, they receive a $5 reward good toward Bruster’s treats at participating locations.

Bruster’s – beloved for its indulgent, handcrafted ice cream – also is celebrating National Ice Cream Month with two new limited-time, premium flavors: Espresso Yourself and Cookie Craze. Espresso Yourself, inspired by the cold brew coffee obsession, combines cold brew coffee ice cream with chocolate flakes and crunchy pie crust pieces for a smooth, sweet and crunchy frozen delight. Cookie lovers will crave the trio of treats in Cookie Craze, made with blue vanilla ice cream and loaded with chunks of OREO® cookies, crushed Bruster’s unique Dino sugar cookies and cookie dough pieces.

“Summer is family time, and these new flavors are designed to tempt both kids and adults,” said Jennifer Brinker, vice president of Marketing. “Espresso Yourself is perfect for grown-ups looking to cool down on a hot day, while kids will love the fun and colorful Cookie Craze.” They will be available until the end of July.

As with all Bruster’s Ice Creams, the new flavors are made fresh daily in each shop.

Bruster’s Real Ice Cream features 150 flavors of premium, handcrafted ice cream, yogurt, Italian ice and sorbet. Starting with a proprietary, home-style mix delivered fresh from its dairy, Bruster’s Certified Ice Cream Makers in each shop craft at least 24 flavors every day. There are nearly 200 independently owned locations in 20 states, Guyana and South Korea.

LANSING, MI – PRNewswire

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is gearing up for its busiest moving weekend of the year from Friday, June 29 to Sunday, July 1. The nation’s largest moving franchise, with 346 locations across America, will complete more than 6,000 moves that weekend alone.

The company estimates that its 2,900 trucks will drive 372,000 miles and use 62,000 gallons of fuel. Eight thousand movers and drivers will be walking (or running when not carrying items) 10,782 miles that weekend, carrying more than 37 million pounds of housewares. To put that into perspective, that poundage is the equivalent of 37,507 grand pianos, 10,195 cars, 2,652 Tyrannosaurus rex, 182 space shuttles, 161 blue whales, 33,418,620 soccer balls, 12.8 redwood trees, or 1.26 Brooklyn Bridges.

“The summer months are without a doubt, our busiest season. It provides a time for our franchise owners, movers and team members to come together as a system to focus on truly operating as a team and to work toward another successful year,” said TWO MEN AND A TRUCK CEO Jon Nobis. “Our movers and drivers will be completing 2.5 moves every minute, with an average of 22 moves taking place at each of our franchised locations throughout the three-day weekend. Not only will our teams be working at an unbelievable pace, but they will also continue to place a high priority on providing customers with excellent customer service.”

From franchisees and managers to the frontline team of movers drivers and customer service representatives, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s franchise system is committed to providing its premium moving services while never losing sight of taking care of its customers, as demonstrated through its current and consistent 96 percent referral rate

With more than 10,000 employees across the system, the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK corporate team will also be surprising employees throughout the country to recognize their hard work and dedication to the brand.

“We view jobs at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK not just as a short stint but as a path intended for building careers,” said Sara Bennett, chief talent officer. “With one-third of our franchisees having started as a mover or driver, we know that hard work and sweat equity can lead to the operation of successful franchise locations across the country. This goes for every level at our company, from movers and drivers to customer service representatives and managers. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK can be your forever company, not just a summer job, and we want to acknowledge our teams for their enthusiasm and commitment to Moving People Forward.”

To learn more about beginning a career with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, visit the Careers Site.

MILWAUKEE, WI –  PRNewswire

School of Rock, the leader in performance-based music education, is coming to Summerfest this year to take its students center stage with live performances throughout the festival. More than 500 students from School of Rock locations across the world will arrive in Milwaukee to play in their own student-led bands across six different stages. Throughout the festival students will share the spotlight with some of the biggest names in music including mainstream and legendary rock acts, Imagine Dragons, Arcade Fire, Journey and more.

School of Rock provides students of all ages an exciting and engaging learning environment for taking guitar lessons, drum lessons, bass lessons, keyboard lessons, and singing lessons. Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn theory and techniques via songs from legendary artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. Thanks to the school’s performance-based approach, students around the world have gained superior instrumental skills and confidence on the big stage, with some moving on to record deals and larger platforms such as American Idol, The Voice and Broadway.

“At School of Rock we know one of the best tools in music education is live performance,” says Rob Price CEO of School of Rock. “Summerfest is the perfect opportunity for these students to experience real stages that can inspire their performances and ignite their passion to pursue music for the rest of their lives. We’re proud to be apart of such an iconic music festival and rejoice in the experience of these student-led bands.”

For more information on School of Rock please visit www.SchoolofRock.com.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ 

The Little Gym International, the world’s premier children’s enrichment and development franchise that offers movement-based learning and imaginative play for children ages four months through 12 years, announces the opening of its milestone 400th location today in Waco, Texas. Since opening the first The Little Gym in 1976, the children’s franchise continues to deliver on its promise of Serious Fun and serving as a springboard to life’s adventures.

“It’s incredibly fulfilling to see families benefit from our programs while our franchisees achieve their dreams,” said Alex Bingham, President and CEO of The Little Gym International. “In the 26 years since The Little Gym began franchising, we have experienced plenty of joys and challenges that come with building an iconic brand. With the opening of our 400th location, we feel exceptionally rewarded and humbled that our concept is embraced the world over.”

An innovative educator, musician and kinesiologist, The Little Gym Founder Robin Wes envisioned a nurturing place where children could explore their physical development while also growing socially, emotionally and intellectually. He opened the first The Little Gym in 1976 in Bellevue, Washington, and infused those early classes with the same positive, noncompetitive spirit that characterizes The Little Gym today.

The company began franchising in 1992 and today embraces a philosophy of “Three-Dimensional Learning”:

• Get Moving!, which builds flexibility and strength and lays the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy activity
• Brain Boost!, which fosters listening skills, sustained concentration and decision-making to stretch the mind and develop a love of learning
• Citizen Kid, which promotes sharing, teamwork, listening and leadership – all valuable tools to help kids grow into well-adjusted, well-rounded citizens of the world

“Over the years, The Little Gym program has evolved as a result of a desire to continually improve the quality and value for parents and children,” said Bingham. “While the core purpose and foundation of the program has remained the same, we consistently push ourselves to enhance the program through smart, calculated adjustments to meet kids’ developmental milestones as well as parents’ wants and needs.”

Today, The Little Gym International operates in 400 locations in 32 countries, including the U.S., Canada, China, the United Kingdom, Australia and more. For more information on The Little Gym, please visit www.TheLittleGym.com.

MEMPHIS, TN – BUSINESS WIRE

From beach trips and BBQs to hanging out by the pool, summer is the best time of year to unwind, whether you’re staying at home, enjoying a quick weekend away, or an honest-to-goodness vacation. Merry Maids, one of the nation’s largest home cleaning services and a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company, wants to make sure that if you’re lucky enough to get away for a bit, the walk through your front door upon return is as relaxing as possible.

“Coming home can be stressful when the reality of work, busy schedules and household chores are waiting for you,” said Debra Johnson, Merry Maids home cleaning expert. “The good news is there are some simple things you can do to avoid unnecessary stress when you return.”

Here are five tips from Johnson that can make coming home a little easier, and help you enjoy your vacation vibes as long as possible:

1. Tidy up before you leave. To avoid coming home to chores, do a little light cleaning before you leave. Coming home is easier when you know the trash has been emptied, beds have been made and clutter has been put away.
2. Get ahead on laundry. Nothing wipes out a relaxed vacation mindset faster than unpacking a suitcase full of dirty laundry only to find that the clothes hamper is already overflowing. Take some of the pressure off by doing a few loads of laundry before you leave. You’ll rest easy when you get home, knowing that everyone already has clean clothes to wear in the days that follow.
3. Hire a cleaning service. According to a recent Merry Maids survey, two-thirds (68 percent) of adults say having a clean home alleviates stress. Take your vacation relaxation to the next level by having the trusted pros from your local Merry Maids work their magic while you’re away. Once you experience how refreshing it is to come back to a professionally cleaned home, you’ll want to do it every time you travel. Splurging for extras like a laundry room, refrigerator or oven cleaning can add to the peace of mind you feel when you’re on vacation.
4. Sort, don’t stack. It’s easy to set your vacation mail on the counter and plan to come back to it later, but the clutter just creates unnecessary stress. Take five minutes to sort it as soon as you get home. Toss the junk mail in the trash, pull out any pieces that require immediate attention and file the rest for later.
5. Now you’re (not) cooking. Order takeout or a delivery service before you leave the airport or when you’re about 30 minutes from home. With the convenience and added bonus of little to no mess in your kitchen, you’ve practically added another night onto your vacation. Not going out of town? This can also be a great way to jump-start any summer weekend.

ATLANTA, GA – PRWEB 

The FIFA World Cup is underway and already providing soccer fans with thrilling action and memorable moments. Now, Flavorholics following the games have a chance to win big with a promotion being offered by Wing Zone in which they could win free wings every week for a year if they pick a perfect bracket in the knockout round of 16. The company will launch their FIFA World Cup Bracket Challenge Contest on June 30 in conjunction with the start of the 16 team knockout stage.

“The World Cup brings together fans from all across the globe and our wings are a perfect companion to share with friends, family or by yourself as you watch all of the action,” said Matt Friedman, co – founder and CEO of Wing Zone. “We want to add even more fun to the mix by giving our fans the chance to pick their favorites to advance and ultimately win the Cup, and then have the opportunity to win some great prizes for themselves if they choose correctly, including free wings every week for an entire year.”

Also, during the entire World Cup, Wing Zone fans can receive ten percent off all online orders by using the coupon code “FIFA2018” to redeem during checkout.

Prizes for the FIFA World Cup Brackett Challenge Contest include:

• Perfect Bracket (All Correct Picks) – One free order of six boneless wings per week for 52 weeks
• First Place – Apple Watch and $100 Wing Zone Gift Certificate
• Second Place – $50 Wing Zone Gift Certificate and WZ Swag Bag (includes gym bag and t – shirt)
• Third Place – $25 Wing Zone Gift Certificate and WZ Swag Bag (includes gym bag and t – shirt)

The website for the Bracket Challenge is https://www.tourneytopia.com/WorldCup/WingZoneFIFA/default.aspx. The registration window and entries will open starting Thursday, June 28 once the round of 16 teams is set and will close on Saturday, June 30 at 2 p.m. EST.

Scoring is as follows:

• Round of Sixteen – Correct picks receive 1 point(s) multiplied by the seed number
• Quarter – Finals – Correct picks receive 2 point(s) multiplied by the seed number
• Semi – Final – Correct picks receive 3 point(s) multiplied by the seed number
• Final – Correct picks receive 4 point(s) multiplied by the seed number

To find the closest Wing Zone, visit https://www.wingzone.com/locations/. More information can be found by visiting Wing Zone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL  – 24-7PressRelease 

As people gather to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends, the party doesn’t stop once the firecrackers and sparklers fizzle out. Jon Smith Subs® is offering its customers celebrating freedom in the land of the free with a special July 4 promotion. Any customer purchasing one full-size sub can exercise his or her independence by redeeming a coupon for a free six-inch sub on a return visit.

Robert Frost wrote: “Freedom lies in being bold.” By using fresh ingredients to make its high-quality overstuffed, marinated grilled sirloin steak and real chicken breast subs, Jon Smith Subs is very bold in flavor and is a fan favorite – especially on July 4 when consumers can buy one and get one free.

The brand is a member of United Franchise Group, and has experienced dramatic growth throughout the country with 22 locations in six states. In addition to its popular marinated sirloin steak and marinated grilled chicken subs, the popular fast-casual chain also offers tasty roast beef subs and giant deli subs, using the freshest meats, cheeses and vegetables. Its menu also contains healthy salads, side options, and a combo meal for the kids, with turkey, ham, meatball, cheeseburger, or grilled cheese options. At Jon Smith Subs, the price is right, the taste is bold, and on July 4 its buy one, get one free.

For more information about Jon Smith Subs, visit www.jonsmithsubs.com.