Franchising in New England

New Franchise Location coming to Chelmsford!

Cartridge World New England is proud to announce the signing of the regions 21st franchise agreement as well as to welcome new franchisees Stephen and Robert Trask! The Trask Brothers plan to open their first Cartridge World location this Spring in the Chelmsford, MA area and will be growing their business into multiple locations.

Stephen has a background in the pharmacy business and is a true salesperson, just like his brother Robert who comes to Cartridge World with strong marketing abilities. Cartridge World Chelmsford plans to be ready to serve businesses and residents throughout Chelmsford and the greater Lowell area by the spring!

Learn more about Franchising with Cartridge World

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD), a NEFA Member, is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Larking as the AAFD’s National Director of Member Development.  Larking was a founding member of the AAFD (his membership card reads 0001), and AAFD Chairman, Robert Purvin, credits Larking with the idea that led to the establishment of the Association.  Larking recently sold his San Diego database management company, which made him available to professional involvement with AAFD membership development.

“Bob’s strong business experience, as a franchisee and an independent owner, along with his entrepreneurial spirit make him an outstanding choice to lead AAFD’s Member Development department,” said AAFD CEO, Bob Purvin. “Bob Larking, an AAFD Life Member, is actually the first member of AAFD,  and he gave the impetus to start the AAFD over 17 years ago when he asked me, ‘who represents of the ees of this world?’”

Purvin added, “This is a very exciting period for member development within the franchise community, especially when you consider the number of developing franchise systems nationwide. We’re delighted to have such a strong and talented leader on board to continue our important mission of providing a strong voice for franchisees and franchise systems.”

While as a franchisee of Contacts Influential, a business to business database management company, Larking viewed first hand the challenges franchisees face when dealing with an unresponsive franchisor. In addition to managing his franchise, with the help of Bob Purvin, he organized the franchisees, which ended up owning the whole company.

“The collaborative effort of franchisees and franchisor is what ultimately makes the franchise successful,” said Bob Larking. “I know first hand how powerful a franchise association can be in helping establish the brand. My role at AAFD is to spread the word that AAFD can coach franchisees in forming an effective franchisee association and also help existing franchisee associations become stronger. I look forward to meeting everyone and with working closely with the entire AAFD community.”

Adding to its growing list of educational franchise partners, Constant Contact (NasdaqGM: CTCT), a NEFA Member and a provider of email marketing and online surveys for small organizations, today announced that LearningRx, has joined its Franchise Program. LearningRx is a small business franchise at the forefront of identifying the root of and correcting learning problems for students of all ages.

By using Constant Contact’s email marketing product, LearningRx, one of the 50 fastest-growing franchises in the country according to Franchise Times magazine, will help its franchisees inform parents about their training programs. In addition, with Constant Contact’s email marketing product, LearningRx is also able to protect and preserve its franchise brand, image, and core messaging across the organization.

“The demand from our franchisees for branded online marketing materials continues to increase as we open new locations every day,” said Dr. Ken Gibson, founder and CEO of LearningRx. “It was easy to get up and running with Constant Contact and we now provide consistent branding for every one of our franchisees.”

To meet the unique needs of LearningRx, Constant Contact developed a professionally-designed easy-to-use template that could be rolled out to all 70 franchisees at a low cost. To enable LearningRx to maintain consistent branding throughout the organization, Constant Contact developed templates that incorporate fixed logos, images, and messaging. Other areas of the template can be populated by individual franchisees to address topics of interest for their specific customer base.

“We are excited about the solution we developed for LearningRx because it seamlessly integrates national branding requirements with local messaging capability,” said Kevin O’Brien, senior manager, franchise partner programs, Constant Contact. “The solution helps LearningRx give their franchisees the ability to connect to their local customers while delivering effective communications that are consistent with the corporate brand.”

Constant Contact’s Franchise Program helps franchises build stronger and more profitable relationships with their customers through email marketing. Using templates pre-populated with brand logos and content, franchises in a wide variety of industries including retail, hospitality, professional services, and child-focused franchises, can cost-effectively promote their brand and local stores. Constant Contact develops professionally-designed and branded formats that allow franchisees to add content targeted to the specific interests and needs of their local customers.

For more contact Kevin O’Brien at Constant Contact: 781-472-8143 or kobrien@constantcontact.com.

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Constant Contact a member of the New England Franchise Association has been added to the Russell 2000 index effective as of Dec. 21, the company announced Wednesday.

The Waltham, Mass., e-mail marketing and online survey business (Nasdaq: CTCT) will remain on the index created by investment firm Russell Investments for one year. Russell used a company’s objectives, market capitalization ranking and style attributes to determine inclusion in the index.

Constant Contact recently went public this October.

Constant Contact has a program for franchise systems, which offers the franchisor and franchisees an easy, effective and affordable way to boost revenue and generate repeat business—while enabling the franchisor to protect the franchise brand and control content.

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Peter Birkeland will outline “Ideas, Tactics, and Tips to Grow Your Company” at the New England Franchise Association (NEFA) meeting on Tuesday January 15th, 5:30-9:00 PM to be held at Lombardo’s Conference & Function Facilities 6 Billings St. Randolph, Mass.

Peter Birkeland is one of today’s leading experts on franchising, distribution channels, and growth platforms. He is the author of Franchising Dreams, and was named by Fortune Small Business as “One of the top ten minds in small business.”  He founded Peter Birkeland Consulting to help companies create and execute growth platforms that increase productivity.

The evening includes a cocktail and networking session beginning at 5:30 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM, and the presentation. The entire business community is urged to attend. Reserve Today!

Registration Fee is $60 per person and includes dinner. Membership in the NEFA is NOT required. Reservations are required. Members receive $10.00 off. Join NEFA!

Peter has executive management experience as a CEO of a steel manufacturing company, research experience in strategy to world-leading strategist Gary Hamel, and management consulting experience with Accenture and Bridge Strategy as Research Director of Change Management. He received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and continues to lecture at the University of Chicago Graham School.

Birkeland has appeared on over 100 radio and television broadcasts and his ideas and articles have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly, Chicago Tribune, Entrepreneur, Fortune, Fortune Small Business, Dallas Morning News and other leading publications. The Restaurant Finance national convention, and franchisor national conventions.

The 2008 NEFA logo is now available for all NEFA members in good standing to use on their websites and printed materials.

For a high resolution verson you may access it  at NEFA 2008 Member Logo

NEFA announces its 2008 list of the 10 fastest growing Franchise systems based in New England. The list contains some of the most prestigious brands in franchising and illustrates the vibrant franchise community that exists in New England.

NEFA only considers number of units as its criteria, and the franchise must be based in any of the 6 New England states.

New England Franchise Association 2008

10 Fastest Growing Franchise Organizations Based in New England

Ranking Company City, State % Growth in # Units

1 Edible Arrangements Hamden, CT 91%
2 Wings Over Agawam, MA 83%
3 American Ramp Systems South Boston, MA 32%
4 Snip-Its Natick, MA 30%
5 MaidPro Boston, MA 25%
6 Rooterman North Billerica, MA 21%
7 Coffee News Bangor, ME 20%
8 Lapels Dry Cleaning Hanover, MA 13%
9 Ronzio’s Lincoln, RI 10%
10 Hannoush Jewelers* West Springfield, MA         9%

Notes:

Information on number of units are compiled by Entrepreneur Magazine, Franchise 500, January 2008 Isuue & January 2007 Issue.
* This companies’ unit numbers were not compiled by Entrepreneur Magazine, but were gleaned from information available on their websites.

NEFA announces its 2008 list of the Top 35 Franchises based in New England. The list contains some of the most prestigious brands in franchising and illustrates the vibrant franchise community that exists in New England.

NEFA only considers number of units as its criteria, and the franchise must be based in any of the 6 New England states.

New England Franchise Association 2008

Top 35 Franchise Organizations Based in New England

Ranking Company City, State Total # Units
1 Subway Milford, CT 27929
2 Dunkin Donuts Canton, MA 7376
3 Baskin Robbins Canton, MA 5835
4 Fantastic Sam’s Beverly, MA 1400
5 Coffee News Bangor, ME 989
6 Ben & Jerry’s Burlington, VT 693
7 Friendly’s Wilbraham, MA 514
8 Edible ArrangementsHamden, CT 555
9 Rooterman North Billerica, MA 396
10 Entrepreneur’s SourceSouthbury, CT 292
11 Au Bon Pain* Boston, MA 263
12 Brueggers Bagels Burlington, VT 259
13 Wireless Zone Middletown, CT 249
14 Tedeschi Food Shops*Rockland, MA 216
15 Uno Chicago Grill* Boston, MA 208
16 D’Angelo’s Dedham, MA 187
17 Papa Gino’s Dedham, MA 176
18 Pressed 4 Time Maynard, MA 175
19 Honey Dew* Plainville, MA 148
20 Sandella’s* West Redding, CT 125
21 Learning Express Ayer, MA 115
22 MaidPro Boston, MA 90
23 Hannoush Jewelers* West Springfield, MA 72
24 Resort Maps* Waitsfield, VT 70
25 The Right One/Together* Norwell, MA 60
26 Snip-Its Natick, MA 57
27 Kabloom* Woburn, MA 54
28 White Hen Pantry* Norwood, MA 50
29 Elizabeth Grady* Medford, MA 39
30 Super Coups* East Taunton, MA 39
31 American Ramp Systems South Boston, MA 37
32 Lapels Dry Cleaning Hanover, MA 34
33 Amato’s Portland, ME 26
34Tie Ronzio’s Lincoln, RI 22
34Tie Wings Over Agawam, MA 22

Information on number of units are compiled by Entrepreneur Magazine, Franchise 500, January 2008 Issue.
* These companies’ unit numbers were not compiled by Entrepreneur Magazine, but were gleaned by NEFA from information available on their websites.

Demy Martin, a longtime Blockbuster Video franchisee in the Boston area, has secured the rights for a huge Orlando-area territory for Massachusetts-based Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and doughnut shops. Martin owned as many as 33 Blockbuster franchises with his partner John Krainin. They started Endless Video which eventually converted to Blockbuster Video.

Martin’s agenda includes building 36 new stores during the next five years at a cost of $500,000 each. He also plans to renovate four existing local stores for an estimated $200,000-$300,000 each to make the interiors more welcoming to trendy coffee shop patrons.

The store’s new model will incorporate an open floor plan with vibrant colors and a more comfortable seating arrangement, Martin says.

Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation, operator and franchisor of Uno Chicago Grill restaurants, will host a conference call for interested investors, analysts and portfolio managers on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 11:00 AM (EST) to discuss fiscal year end September 30, 2007 financial results. Chief Executive Officer Frank W. Guidara will host the conference call.

To participate in the call, please e-mail your request to investor.relations@unos.com. Once approved, you will receive dial-in instructions, including a passcode, and access to the company’s secure website.

About Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation:

Based in Boston, Uno Restaurant Holdings Corp. currently has 209 company- owned and franchised full service units located in 30 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and select international cities. Uno offers a diverse selection of high quality, fresh and flavorful menu items prepared daily in its restaurants and served in a friendly atmosphere. Uno’s menu includes its signature Chicago-style, deep dish pizza, as well as ribs, steak, seafood, chicken, pasta and salads. The company also operates a consumer foods division, which supplies airlines, movie theaters, hotels and supermarkets with both frozen and refrigerated private label foods and branded Uno products.

For more information, visit www.unos.com.