Today's news for the franchise & small biz owner

For 51 years, Ben's Chili Bowl has been a family-owned greasy spoon. Now it is on the verge of becoming a franchise. WaPo

PEMAdAge/EM A href="http://adage.com/article?article_id=143359" target=_hplinkreports/A that the chain formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken isn't seeing much payoff after a series of highly-publicized stunts./P

Toyota Motor Corp. has agreed to pay a record $16.4 million fine for allegedly failing to notify the Department of Transportation (DOT) of a "sticky pedal" defect in its cars for at least four months after learning of the problem.IMG src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/rss/money_topstories/~4/tnfj7-1eW0Q" width=1 height=1

Franchisors at the IFE franchise show in Washington, D.C. say the credit crunch is making it more difficult for potential franchisees.

DIV class=feedflareCompanies looking for high-quality franchisees seenbsp;the high unemployment ratenbsp;as an opportunity.BR/DIV