| November 13, 2009 | News for the franchise sector |
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- Midwest Franchise Seminar provides insights
The Midwest Franchise Seminar, held by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, allowed people interested in starting a franchise to hear about the experience directly from franchisees. The event also included informational sessions and other resources. International Franchise Association statistics show that of all the jobs in Nebraska, nearly 17% are associated with franchises. Omaha World-Herald (Neb.)
(11/13)
     
- Fast-casual burrito business booming in Tampa
Qdoba is the latest national chain to join the burrito lineup in Tampa, Fla., where higher-end restaurants that fell victim to the downturn freed up space for new ventures. Qdoba, which opened its first three Tampa eateries recently and has plans for six more, joins a lineup that includes four Chipotle restaurants, eight Tijuana Flats and several locally owned burrito restaurants. The Tampa Tribune (Fla.)
(11/11)
- Jamba Juice names chief marketing officer
Susan Shields, most recently vice president of consumer products, licensing and growth initiatives for Jamba Juice, has been promoted to chief marketing officer and senior vice president. Paul Coletta left the post of senior vice president, chief marketing and brand officer nearly a year ago. Nation's Restaurant News (free registration)
(11/11)
| Trend Watch |  | |
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- Proper balance of inventory, demand increases margins
Controlling inventory will be especially challenging for small retailers this year because production has been cut and experts cannot predict how much consumers will spend. Small retailers are trying to get lines of credit with banks and vendors to provide flexibility, have narrowed the products they plan to sell, and are hopeful they can sell the items they have in stock. BusinessWeek/The New Entrepreneur blog
(11/11)
- Experts: Many small businesses are not prepared for disasters
Unlike most big companies, many small and medium-size businesses do not have contingency measures in case a catastrophic event occurs, experts said. Many small companies "that don't have a plan in place generally don't survive after a disaster, whether it's a flood or a tornado," said a former official of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. National Underwriter (free registration)
(11/11)
- Not all opportunities are equal
Unmet needs may present a business opportunity, but not all perceived needs can sustain a profitable company, says Raffi Amit, professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. In this Q-and-A, Amit discusses the questions an entrepreneur should ask when evaluating an opportunity, starting with the "W questions" -- who, what, when, where -- applied to customers and competition. Knowledge@Wharton
(11/9)
| Entrepreneur | | |
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- 5 ways to improve the customer experience
Stuart Kiefer, division manager for Loyalty Solutions at
First Data in Atlanta, offers five tips for improving the customer experience to make a small business more competitive. Among Kiefer's tips: Offer real-time incentives, track spending behavior and customize communications. BusinessWeek/Today's Tip
(11/10)
| News from IFA | | |
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IFA health-care role includes White House visit, TV ads
Continuing its intense involvement in the health-care debate, IFA and a small group of trade association CEOs were invited to meet yesterday with the president's health-care advisers, including White House Office of Health Care Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle. Television ads began airing yesterday in the districts of some U.S. House members who voted for passage of H.R. 3962, the so-called Affordable Health Care for America Act. Other ads will be appear in districts of lawmakers who voted "no," thanking them. View the ads here.
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Economic recovery plan charts franchising's influence
IFA's economic recovery plan to help members during the recession and alert policymakers to issues hindering a better business climate is now available in digital form. The report provides key dates, hearings, meetings and franchise leaders sharing industry's messages. The digital publication is easy to navigate; begin your review here.
| International Development | |  |
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- Hilton, other hotel companies flock to Mecca on surge of pilgrims
Hilton Worldwide says it will be among the hotel chains planning to expand in Mecca as the Saudi Arabian government seeks to accommodate more pilgrims in the Islamic holy city. Saudi Arabia is building a $5.3 billion rail line between Mecca and the holy city of Medina and is expanding Jeddah international airport to handle 30 million passengers by 2012. Hotel companies are expected to invest as much as $40 billion in Mecca during the next 10 years. Bloomberg
(11/11)
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| Policy Update | | |
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- California restaurants adopt varying forms of menu labeling
Restaurant chains in California are dealing differently with the state's rules on calorie labeling. IHOP and Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar are presenting their foods' details on the menus, while Jack in the Box has the information framed where patrons place their orders. In 2011, the chains will be required to publish nutrition information on menus, a practice California Pizza Kitchen just dropped. Los Angeles Times
(11/12)
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