| April 16, 2012 | News for the franchise sector |
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- IFA report: Lending is up, but shortfall remains
According to a report from IFA, 94,000 franchise-industry jobs could be at risk because of a bank lending shortfall. IFA's Small Business Lending Summit, which starts tomorrow, aims to educate bankers on franchising, discuss how to open up financing and explain Small Business Administration loans, said IFA Chairman Jon Luther.  CNBC
(4/16)     
- Franchise model gives legs to Fetch! Pet Care
Paul Mann, founder and CEO of Fetch! Pet Care, opened the first location in San Diego in 2004. He now has 124 franchises and is looking to expand to new states. "I was looking for pet care and couldn't find someone who I felt comfortable giving the keys to my house to and entrusting with my pet," he said, explaining how he developed the concept, which is mostly run from the homes of franchisees. Fox Business Small Business Center
(4/13)
- How Men In Kilts climbed the ladder of success
Men In Kilts is expecting 300% revenue growth this year, but the surge of success didn't come without some challenges along the way. The Canada-based service, which features men wearing kilts as they clean windows and gutters, is a franchising success. But CEO Tressa Wood says success hasn't come easy: The company has faced cash flow issues and worked for six months without an office. Entrepreneur online
(4/13)
- After 40 years in business, Popeyes prepares for more growth
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen President Ralph Bower says his company's leadership training, restaurant site selection and commitment to helping franchises stay profitable are what helped the company boost same-store sales for the third consecutive year. The company also has incentives to help franchisees remodel interiors to improve the customer experience. Nation's Restaurant News (free registration)
(4/11)
- The changing face of McDonald's in Canada
In Canada as in the U.S., McDonald's has pulled out of a slump that started 10 years ago when the company focused too much on growth and not enough on the customer, says Canada chief John Betts. Today, healthier menu items, upscale coffee drinks, customized fare that caters to local tastes and Wi-Fi that encourages visitors to linger are all part of the chain's new face, he says. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
(4/15)
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| Best Practices & Business Leadership |  |  |
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- Millennial employees crave responsibility, feedback
The youngest members of today's workforce require a different management approach than previous generations do, Michael A. Olguin writes. To get the most out of your millennials, make sure to give positive feedback. Additionally, be specific when you make requests, and let them take as much ownership as possible on projects, he advises. Inc. online
(4/13)
- 13 steps for turning problem personnel into peak performers
Don't give up on managing difficult employees before you give them a chance. First work with the team member to understand the individual's motivations and to set goals, Dianne Shaddock writes. Also, make sure you convey your expectations -- and consequences -- early. Finally, be sure to include positive feedback when you can. EasySmallBusinessHR.com
(4/15)
- Retailers saw higher-than-expected March sales
Retail sales rose 0.8% in March, after a 1% rise in February, indicating that consumers are continuing to spend in spite of higher gas prices, according to a Commerce Department report released today. Warm weather helped boost sales of spring apparel and home-improvement and gardening supplies, and sales were up in 11 out of 13 retail categories. Reuters
(4/16), The Wall Street Journal
(4/16), Bloomberg
(4/16)
- Vacation-rental bookings by families are on the rise
More families and group travelers are forgoing hotels for vacation rentals because of the latter's convenience and lower costs, this feature says. An industry analyst at Atmosphere Research Group forecasts a further increase in the trend, to 14% of leisure travelers in 2013, compared with 12% in 2011. MSNBC/Today Travel blog
(4/13)
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IFA lending summit gets under way Tuesday
Nearly 300 attendees are expected for IFA's Small Business Lending Summit, which starts Tuesday. The program will include the latest research, market analysis and perspectives from franchise, finance, policy and media leaders. Speakers include U.S. Small Business Administrator Karen Mills, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Martin Gruenberg, U.S. Comptroller of the Currency Thomas J. Curry, U.S. House of Representatives Majority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Don Graves, executive director of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.
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Trade show provides entrance to Middle Eastern markets
The Third Franchise UAE 2012, scheduled for May 9 and 10 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, will offer an opportunity for franchisors to access entrepreneurs and investors in the dynamic Middle Eastern markets and extend their footprints across the six states of the Gulf Cooperation Council: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The show will include an exhibition, restaurant congress, awards and an entrepreneurship summit to bring together more than 100 franchise brands, 30 restaurant-expert speakers, delegates and 7,000 investors/business buyers from across the Middle East.
| IFA Member Monday | |  |
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Motel 6 celebrates 50th anniversary
Motel 6 celebrates a 50-year legacy in 2012, having been founded in Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1962 by two genuine American entrepreneurs. Homebuilders Paul Greene and William Becker were inspired to create a no-frills hotel chain after a monthlong cross-country road trip. Over the decades, Carrollton, Texas-based Motel 6 has welcomed millions of travelers to its 1,100 company-owned and franchised locations, or more than 106,000 hotel rooms.
| Policy & Finance Update | | |
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- Small businesses remain cautious about taking out loans
The economy is improving for the most part, but small businesses are still leery of taking out loans. A National Federation of Independent Business survey found that 43% of small firms did not borrow money last year and that confidence recently dropped for the first time in six months. CNNMoney
(4/16)
- Court rulings disagree on union posters
A federal judge in South Carolina ruled last week that the National Labor Relations Board could not mandate that employees put up posters promoting union rights. Just a month earlier, however, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled that it was permissible to mandate posters as a way to let people know they could form unions. The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model)
(4/13)
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