Bloomington chamber weighs in on chain-store ban
The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce is opposing Mayor Mark Kruzan’s proposal to restrict chain stores and
restaurants downtown.
Franchises
Articles
Saturn’s loss, Byrider’s gain
J.D. Byrider, the Indianapolis chain of used-car lots, is courting Saturn dealers to come into the fold as Byrider franchisees.
Anderson gas-station chain sues BP after 32-store deal sours
Ricker Oil’s Oct. 22 suit claims British petroleum giant BP is charging unjustified royalty fees while delivering no boost
from its national advertising, its proprietary IT system or its bulk purchase pricing.
Steak n Shake nearer to merger with steak chain
Under terms of the deal, Steak n Shake will pay Western Sizzlin shareholders $22.9 million and Western will pay its shareholders
a $15.9 million stock dividend, making the total deal worth about $38.8 million.
Northeast-side CVS gets nod
The Metropolitan Development Commission has given its blessing to a new CVS store along 82nd Street just east of Interstate
69 over the objection of city planners.
Bloomington looking at downtown chain-store ban
A committee will research a proposal from Bloomington’s mayor to ban new chain or “formula” businesses from parts of the city’s
downtown.
Noble Roman’s wins latest round in fight with franchisees
A group of former franchisees of Noble Roman’s Inc. has hired a new attorney to represent them in a case against
the chain after a Hamilton County judge tossed their old lawyer.
Indianapolis loses two Bally fitness centers
The closures come as the parent company reorganizes and competitors pump up their local presence.
Spicy Pickle sued for unpaid rent at Castleton Square
Simon Property Group Inc. has filed suit against Spicy Pickle franchisee AJ Enterprises LLC, seeking more than $977,000 in
unpaid rent for a prime space at Castleton Square Mall.
Building off Circle finally lands a tenant
T-Mobile has inked a five-year lease for a 2,200-square-foot space at the 2 N. Meridian St. building on the northwest corner of Washington and Meridian streets.
Steak n Shake hoping to roll out lower-cost, limited-service stores
TV spots for Steak n Shake Co. used to play up the chain’s full-service restaurants, complete with friendly servers, real plates
and glass ketchup bottles—a departure from the "workaraunts" operated by McDonald’s and Burger King. Now, Steak n Shake is developing plans for its own workaraunts.
Ritter’s buyer retools custard chain
Indianapolis residents have been passionate about Ritter’s handmade frozen custard ever since it debuted almost two decades
ago. But while the ice cream is sweet, the story of the former mom-and-pop company’s attempts to morph into something grander
is decidedly bitter. Now, New York-based TruFoods, which bought the company in May 2008, is trying to get the formula
right.
Franchise outlook is murky
Undaunted, some entrepreneurs still count on franchises, despite the shaky economy.
Franchisors also feel recession’s financial pinch
About two dozen franchises based in Indiana are not immune to difficulties during the recession.
Noble Roman’s stands to lose more than it’s worth in legal action by former franchisees
More former franchisees have joined a lawsuit against Noble Roman’s Inc., raising the prospect that a courtroom loss could
sink the locally based pizza chain.
Cookie Cutters not trimming back on expansion plans
Cookie Cutters, a locally based franchise that offers children’s haircuts, is so sure of its grip on its niche that —
in spite of tough economic times — it hopes to increase its
tally of franchised
locations past 100 within five years.
Jack in the Box coming to Indy
The West Coast fast-food stalwart Jack in the Box is looking to expand to Indianapolis this year.
Ice cream chain eyes Indy in nationwide expansion
The Baskin-Robbins ice cream chain hopes to add more than 50 franchise locations in the Indianapolis area.
Franchises can be safer business investments in tough times
What is the current state of franchising, given the tough economic environment?
Green Mountain entrepreneur compiles 17-percent stake in struggling Noble Roman’s
Robert P. Stiller, a lifelong entrepreneur who built Green Mountain into a wholesale coffee giant with 7,000 customers and
$500 million in revenue, owns 3.4 million shares, or 17 percent of the Noble Roman’s company.