| August 24, 2009 | News for the franchise sector |
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- Pizza Hut plans aggressive U.K. expansion
Pizza Hut, which operates 300 delivery units and 400 restaurants in the U.K., is planning to open as many as 50 delivery units each year starting in 2010. "Delivery has been a very successful part of our business over the past 12 months or so," said Jens Hofman, head of Pizza Hut U.K. "Clearly, the economic situation has caused customers to dine in more often and resort to pizza delivery." Financial Times (tiered subscription model)
(8/21)      
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Tight economy still calls for marketing, advertising
In a tight economy, franchise companies might be tempted to cut marketing and advertising programs. Yet this action is likely to impede a steady source of customers just when a company needs them. "If you significantly weaken your marketing muscle, your business risks going into a downward spiral," warns AdMatrix's David LaBonte in writing for Franchising World magazine.
- Retailers, restaurants invest in surveillance
Retailers and restaurants including Chipotle and Burger King are investing in new surveillance equipment technologies. Many updated video systems are equipped with analytics software that can detect significant patterns over large chunks of time, meaning that every security video screen does not have to be monitored constantly by an employee. Yahoo!/Investor's Business Daily
(8/20)
- Small-business cash flow hurt by credit card limits
Although a lot of attention has been focused on credit card companies reducing their limits, Consumers Union attorney Gail Hillebrand said the small-business dilemma has gotten little buzz. As the lending crisis mounted, small-business owners began using their personal cards for business needs so cutbacks by the credit card companies have created cash flow problems at small firms, she said. Bloomberg Businessweek/The New Entrepreneur blog
(8/21)
- Hotels use upscale amenities for children to lure families
As hotels across the U.S. grapple with depressed occupancy rates, they are discovering the rewards of catering to children. "Hotels are trying to maximize their business, and since they have been doing well with the family market, they're trying to capture more of it," said Joe McInerney, president of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Hotels are offering child-focused amenities such as magicians in the lobby, child-size slippers and bathrobes, and Nintendo Wii game systems. The Boston Globe (free registration)
(8/24)
| Entrepreneur |  | |
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- 3 tips on reducing costs
Cash is tight because sales are down, but cutting the wrong costs to make up for the downturn could be a mistake, writes columnist Ken King. King suggests small-business owners try to renegotiate phone rates, keep old equipment if it still functions and do some comparison shopping for insurance coverage. The Sheboygan Press (Wis.)
(8/23)
| News from IFA | | |
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N.Y. releases revised guidance on franchisor reporting law
Having accepted the International Franchise Association's request to extend the compliance deadline on a new franchisor reporting rule, the N.Y. State Department of Taxation and Finance released a revised taxpayer guidance on Aug. 18. The document codifies information IFA received recently on the department's creation of an automatic 90-day extension process for the initial, as well as all future reporting deadlines. More compliance information can be found on the tax department's Web site.
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IFA University, BSR launch new Profit Mastery series
IFA's online education center and Business Resource Services have released a new Web-based video series, "Profit Mastery: Knowledge Driven Financial Performance." Each separately-priced module includes handouts that will guide participants through the material and serve as a future resource. Through Sept. 30, the seven-module series is being offered for $225 -- 50% off the listed price. The complete series or individual modules can be purchased at IFA University.com. 50 CFE credits may be earned for each completed module.
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"We have so many different brands now that we are in a position to tailor what we are bringing to the market to the right place to the right owner to the right environment," says Jean-Paul Herzog, Hilton Hotels' president for the Middle East and Africa. His group has 42 hotels in operation and 21 under development. 
