FranSynergy's blog

Editor's note: After 18 days at the helm, Dale Nabors, new CEO of Cuppy's Coffee and affilliated companies, reports on next steps for the troubled chain.

WOW!!!  It has probably been two years since I first stumbled across BMM.  I remember the excitement I felt over this relatively new site with SO MUCH potential.  I remember reading BMM’s stated objectives:

A little FRIDAY AFTERNOON HUMOR 

A man owns a small ranch in Texas. The Texas Hourly Wage Department claims he's not paying proper wages to his help and sends an agent out to interview him.

"I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them," demands the agent.

"Well" replies the rancher, "there's my ranch hand who's been with me for 3 years. I pay him $600 a week plus free room and board. The cook has been here for 18 months, and I pay her $500 per week plus free room and board.

"Then there's the half-wit who works here about 18 hours every day and does about 90% of all the work around here. He makes $10 a week, and I buy him a bottle of bourbon every Saturday night."

"That's the guy I want to talk to - the half-wit," says the agent.

"That would be me," replies the rancher

Mrs. Fields To Focus on Cookies, Not Pretzels

NexCen Brands, Inc., franchisor of MaggieMoos and Marble Slab Creamery, has acquired Pretzel Time and PretzelMaker from Mrs. Fields Famous Brands for a combined purchase price of $29.4 million ($22.1 million cash + NexCen Common stock valued at approximately $7.3 million).  As of June 30, 2007 Pretzel Time had 327 franchised or licensed locations in the U.S. and 49 international locations.  

Commenting on the Acquisition:

NexCen President and CEO Robert W. D'Loren said:
"Pretzel Time and Pretzelmaker are representative of the types of acquisition opportunities that NexCen has targeted to grow our QSR vertical and to increase sales in our existing ice cream concepts. Our business model is based upon leveraging synergistic relationships between our brands to deliver value to our stakeholders. The addition of these companies to our QSR portfolio provides NexCen with an additional 376 doors for the delivery of quality branded products, and broadens our franchise offering for interested franchise investors".

For those who are particularly interested in FOOD, QSR Magazine has released the 2007 QSR 50.  The publications annual ranking of quick-service restaurant brands, based on annual sales figures.  Topping the list this year:

1. McDonalds
2. Burger King
3. Wendy's
4. Subway
5. Taco Bell

Billionaire Peltz Considering $3.6 Billion Deal

NEW YORK (Blue MauMau) - Wendy's stock closed Monday at $33.69 per share, and SHOT UP $3.25 or 9.6% overnight as Billionaire investor Nelson Peltz, and his company Triarc takes AIM AT the 3rd largest hamburger chain in the U.S. --- WENDY'S! Peltz said he was ready to offer $37 to $41 per share for the company founded by Dave Thomas (links to flash presentation about Thomas) which would make the deal worth somewhere between $3.2 and $3.6 billion.

Triarc Companies, Inc. is a holding company and, through its subsidiaries, the franchisor of the Arby's and the owner and operator of over 1,000 Arby's restaurants located in the United States. With approximately 3,600 restaurants primarily in the United States, Arby's is the largest restaurant chain specializing in the roast beef sandwich segment and the 12th largest QSR chain overall.

Over the past several years PET related franchises have been popping up everywhere, ranging from pet supplies, to pet boarding, grooming and even scooping poop.  Here just a few of the many recent entries:

• Just Dogs! Gourmet
  Est. Total Investment: $75,000 to $150,000
• Bark Busters
  Est. Total Investment: $64,500 - $91,400:
• Canine Grande Resort
  Est. Total Investment: $192,550 - $377,850
• Aussie Pet Mobile
  Est. Total Investment: $60,000 - $252,000
• Pet Depot
  Est. Total Investment: $251,550 - $534,500
• Pet Butler
  Est. Total Investment: $25,000 - $60,000
• Dogtopia (formerly Happy Tails Dog Spa)
  Est. Total Investment: $143,000 - $240,000

It is pretty easy to understand why this segment has seen so much growth when you consider:

Allied Capital Buys Comfort Keepers for $44.3 Million

DAYTON, Ohio (Blue MauMau) - Allied Capital Corp. has agreed to provide the private equity firm of Webster Capital with up to $44.3 million to acquire CK Franchising, Inc., d/b/a Comfort Keepers. Allied Capital's investment will take the form of senior and subordinated debt, a revolving credit facility and a minority equity investment.

"Both companies have long histories of identifying strong comanies with significant growth potential and providing guidance and resources for growth," said Jim Both, president and CEO of CK Franchising. "This is an ideal marriage for CKFI and our franchise Owners."

Is Your Sub Sandwich, Sub Par?

Have you ever purchased one of those GIANT PARTY SUBS?  Well it seems as though the Investigators at KNXV-TV the Phoenix ABC Affiliate decided to purchase some 3-Foot Subs at three local Sub Shops (all franchises) and three local supermarkets and they were -- short-subbed!