Travel Franchise Group Shifts Leadership

The Travel Franchise Group (TTFG), with more than 1,700 franchised locations under four brands, announced that two key members of its executive management team would shift into different roles within the company.

Peter Thomson, who has served as vice president of Cruise Holidays since 2005, has been tapped to lead The Travel Franchise Group’s strategic initiatives.

Continue to read at:
http://www.travelagentcentral.com/consortia/travel-franchise-group-shifts-leadership-11891

Irving franchisor brings assisted living to small towns

What McDonald's legend Ray Kroc once did for burgers and fries, Dallas-area entrepreneur Jack West hopes to do for retirement living.
Franchising has been used to sell everything from fast food to maid service to child care. Now Mr. West's company, Country Place Living, is using it to help bring assisted-living centers to small-town America

Continue to read at:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/043008dnbuscountryplace.3b91280.html

Dubai Welcomes Fatburger

Fatburger unit has announced the opening of its first Middle East restaurant at The Dubai Mall in the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates. Fatburger Franchisee Khalil Asfour of Vetra Investments is responsible for the planned multi-unit development Fatburger in Dubai.

Continue to read at:
http://www.qsrmagazine.com/articles/news/story.phtml?id=7648

Wyndham Worldwide appoints CEO of franchise group

Wyndham Worldwide appoints Eric A. Danziger as CEO of hotel franchise group, to start Dec. 1

November 17, 2008: 09:59 AM EST

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - Wyndham Worldwide Corp., which operates hotels and vacation rentals, said Monday it appointed Eric A. Danziger as president and chief executive of the company's franchise group Wyndham Hotel Group.

Continue reading at w

Top National Health-Focused Franchise Hits Benchmark of 500th Clinic

Here is an astounding article which shows how rapidly the growth of a franchise can take off.

According to the article.

Massage Envy, leading provider of massage therapy across the nation, opens it's 500th clinic in New Jersey as well as sells their 800th franchise.
Scottsdale, Arizona (PRWEB) November 7, 2008 -- Massage Envy, ranked #38 in the "2008 Inc. Magazine's 5,000" top Health companies category, is hitting two benchmarks within a week. The leader in offering affordable massage in clinics across the nation will open the doors of its 500th clinic in Branchburg, NJ today, November 6th. Just days earlier, on October 30th, they sold their 800th franchise in South Carolina.

Continue to read at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/11/prweb1583634.htm

Abbey Carpet opens franchise location in Gig Harbor

http://www.gateline.com/107/story/2624.html

Owner buys former Dryer’s Interiors on Kimball Drive
Lee Giles III
of the Gateway
Published: 12:38PM October 22nd, 2008


Homeowners looking to improve their home decor may have noticed a change of ownership — from Dreyer’s Interiors to Abbey Carpet — on Kimball Drive in Gig Harbor.
Len Mallory and his wife, Kim, recently bought the nearly 40-year-old business from founder Gary Dreyer’s son, Brian Dreyer.
Len Mallory is no stranger to the carpet business. The Port Orchard resident has been helping customers for the past 20 years, first as a wholesale representative, then as the owner of the Bremerton Abbey Carpet store. That business was purchased seven years ago.
Mallory enjoys being part of the Abbey Carpet family, which has 950 franchise stores across the country.
“We benefit from being in the group,” he said. “We have a great warranty program.”
Mallory said he had sold products to the Dreyer family for years. When the family offered the business for sale, he saw a great opportunity.
“We’re in the fashion business,” Mallory said. “We want the customer to have the proper products. We ask how they live in their house, and we help them make the right choice.”
Mallory added that Abbey Carpet has a wide selection of laminate flooring, carpet, hardwood flooring, tile and stone products. With a 60-day guarantee, he believes his customers will feel comfortable with the choices they make.
Mallory said his stores are careful when it comes to selecting sub-contractors who install their products. Having used quality craftsmen for years, he said he has a solid roster of people who install homeowners’ purchases.
Mallory employs five at the Gig Harbor store, which is located at 6880 Kimball Drive. Kim Mallory does the bookkeeping for the business.
Mallory shares a 50-50 ownership of the two stores with his wife, who retired from the King County Sheriff’s Department after working as a detective.
The 4,000-square-foot Gig Harbor store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The business offers free estimates and a shop-at-home service with a van that can bring the store to a customer’s door.
Abbey Carpet is celebrating its 50-year anniversary with a $50 installation charge on all residential carpet, no matter the size of the order.
Mallory said the store is changing its interior and name while still providing a high level of customer service.
“I see this as a marvelous opportunity,” he said.
Lee Giles III is the photographer for The Peninsula Gateway. He can be reached at 253-853-9242 or by e-mail at lee.giles@gateline.com.