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Franchise & Licensing

Sarku to Court New Customers Through Multi-Channel Growth

Sarku Japan, one of the largest Asian-style QSR chains in the country, recently opened its third store in New Jersey, as part of a new focus on growth in the Northeast Corridor. After having invested in training seminars in Washington, D.C., and New York, the Ontario-based chain is accelerating its expansion plans.

Its fairly recent focus on storefront concept stores aims to leverage the millions of customers

Smashburger Eyes Continued International Growth, Readies First Opening in Canada

With the opening of its first Canadian store in Calgary, Alberta just one week away, "better burger" chain Smashburger is eyeing continued growth abroad. Its Middle East deal with regional partner Georgetown Advisors is set to produce up to 23 stores in the area, mostly in dense urban B&I (business and industry) locations and malls.

Will 'Justice' Be Served to Burger King's Franchisees?

The complex deal that will bring Burger King to the public equity markets once again sounds like a fairy tale. Justice is offering up $1.4B in exchange for a 25.7 percent stake, leaving 3G Capital with 70.7 percent, and controlling interest in, and management of, the chain, but on the surface it appears premature.

Smashburger Opens in Kuwait, First Store in Georgetown Advisors Multi-Unit Deal in Middle East

Smashburger opened its first international location in Kuwait at The Village, Abu Al Hasaniya, with franchise owner Yousef Al Essa and Kuwait regional franchise partner, Georgetown Advisors. A Kuwaiti-owned boutique development firm in the commerical segment,

Sarku Japan Eyes Accelerated Domestic and International Expansion on the Wings of its Teppanyaki Fare

In just a few short years, Sarku Japan has become a force to be reckoned with in the Asian-style QSR segment. Its prepared-to-order menu offerings attract crowds at its mall food court and in-line locations. In Chicago, Sarku Japan has several locations displaying its contemporary storefront model that is more upscale and "fast casual-like," than its mall locations.

Papa John’s Names 2011 Franchise Operators of the Year

Papa John's named its 2011 Franchise Operators of the Year. Each winner was honored at the annual Papa John's Operator Conference and received a $20,000 cash award, along with a trophy.

IMC Deal Gives Carl's Jr. a Brand Presence in Latin America

CKE Restaurants. has signed an agreement with Airport Shoppes Corp., a subsidiary of International Meal Company (IMC) to expand into Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Panama and Puerto Rico.

Chains Eye Brazil for Expansion and Growth

Brazil overtook the United Kingdom last year as the world's sixth largest economy, according to the Center for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) in a recent BBC news article¹. Brazil, now with a population of about 200 million, grew its economy 7.5 percent in 2010, though it is now curtailing its growth projections.

UFood Restaurant Group Lands Deal for Co-Branded Airport Stores

In UFood Restaurant's continued expansion initiatives, it has found a new partner. The health-centric fast casual chain serving up "better for you" food, has partnered with Euro Café for several co-branded locations with concessionaire Hudson News.

b.good Burger Chain Readies First Franchising Program for Expansion

The opportunity couldn't be "hotter" for better burger chains, if 2011 is any indication. This past year continued to see rapid growth, particularly for fast casual better burger chains. And data for 2010 shows the fast casual chains in this segment posted sales increases of more than 16 percent and unit growth of nearly 17 percent¹. b.good is one such chain

Smashburger Lands Deal for South American Expansion, Opening in Costa Rica

Costa Rica consumers will see their first Smashburger in 2012. The Denver-based Smashburger  chain says it has reached an agreement with QSR International to grow the brand in Latin America. QSR International, which is led by restaurateur Richard Eisenberg, a franchise veteran with deep South American expertise

Franchising to Spark Growth of La Madeleine

La Madeleine Country French Café announced its franchising program at the end of October. The group is now 60 cafés strong in urban strongholds like Washington, D.C., Dallas, Texas, and across pockets of metro-Atlanta and Louisiana. Groupe Le Duff acquired the brand in 2006, about 20 years after it was founded by Patrick Leon Esquerré.

Q&A: Orange Leaf's Chief Talks Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt, Family, and Franchising

When Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt CEO Reese Travis took the company’s helm, the self-serve frozen yogurt concept had only 15 stores. The chain now has 115 units across the country with a high concentration concentrated in the Midwest and East.

Subway Chain to Open Second San Diego Cafe Concept Store in Mission Hills

Subway will open a second café concept location in San Diego, Calif. this week. Franchise partners Raghu and Rohit Marwaha already operate a Subway Café store at 1111 6th Ave in the bustling Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego.

Corner Bakery Strikes Seven-Year Deal with Buon for California Expansion

Corner Bakery Cafe has signed a franchising deal with Buon Hospitality for expansion into Northern California. Buon is led by Sam Hirbod, chief executive and president of Pacific Convenience & Fuels LLC.

Chain Leaders Use Retail Licensing to Grow Revenues, Brand Engagement

Retail licensing and consumer packaging of restaurant label brands continue to comprise an explosive revenue category for restaurants. Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) licensing revenue for Starbucks will exceed one billion dollars this year¹ and represents nearly nine percent of total revenues.

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