Over the last few years Australia's Gerry Harvey created a brand that doubles as the economic health meter for retail and small business. 

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.

Toyota has been slow in ordering recalls and inaccurate in assessing its problems. What has resulted is one of the greatest public relations nightmares in decades. The car maker and franchisor's problems sharply illustrate the failings of Japanese groupthink in corporate governance.

The Toyota car recall is the biggest public relations and legal nightmare since the 1982 killer Tylenol capsules that were anomymously laced with cyanide.