A report from two retail research firms says that Quiznos is the top retailer looking to expand locations. Other franchise chains on the list of top retailers searching for a neighborhood location include Subway, Baskin Robbins,  Cold Stone Creamery, and Penn Station - East Coast Sub.

Subway area developer Larry Feldman this year added 61 new Subways to the 1,100 he controls around the District of Columbia.

The recession-driven rush to grease sales with promotions and value deals is leading to mounting frictions between franchisors and franchisees.

Quiznos franchisees claim to have been disproportionately affected by higher-than-average commodity costs, lackluster marketing efforts, a bruising promotional war and a cost structure hard hit by a soft economy.