Indianapolis loses two Bally fitness centers
The closures come as the parent company reorganizes and competitors pump up their local presence.
Franchises
Articles
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.
Steak n Shake CEO ordering up cost cuts, but shares still sag
The Steak n Shake Co. has dropped plans to build 20 new restaurants, is cutting overhead expenses by about $20 million,
and closed 14 locations. The Indianapolis-based restaurant chain found $16 million in tax savings dating
back to 2006 and is working on a new, simple menu built around burgers, fries and milkshakes–all part of
a turnaround plan orchestrated by the chain’s new CEO, Sardar Biglari.
Hands-on strategy turns Mike’s Carwash into industry model
Mike’s Express Carwash makes money the old-fashioned way. The second-generation family affair, now celebrating its 60th
year, has invested its reserves in steady expansion, becoming a model for the $23.4 billion industry in
the process. And its owners still sweat the small stuff.
Ex-franchisees sue Noble Roman’s
Nine former Noble Roman’s franchisees and a current operator have filed a lawsuit charging that the Indianapolis chain lied
to them about the costs and risks of opening one of its pizza and sub restaurants. The franchisees say the 1,000-restaurant
chain aggressively marketed its stand-alone, dual-brand Noble Roman’s and Tuscano’s Italian Style Subs restaurants without
testing the concept–a scheme they contend was designed to inflate the company’s stock price so owners could unload shares
at a profit.
Texas investor enlists former Steak n Shake exec in quest to revive chain
Two executives with longtime ties to The Steak n Shake Co. have joined a dissident Texas investor in his quest to overhaul
the Indianapolis-based restaurant chain. Shareholders who have agreed to work with Sardar Biglari include a former board member
the company once described as a “modern-day founder” of the restaurant chain, along with a former partner in Kelley & Partners
Ltd., the investment firm led by company patriarch E.W. Kelley before his 2003 death.
Struggling Noble Roman’s takes over franchisee’s 6 units
Noble Roman’s Inc. has taken over the operation of six franchised restaurants in Indianapolis in a bid to prove its concept
can be executed profitably. The move–which comes amid a chorus of discontent from franchisees and as the company explores
the possibility of selling itself–could help the 1,000-restaurant chain avoid the embarrassment of store failures in its
own back yard.
Texas investor wins over Steak n Shake shareholders, aims for chairmanship
Texas investor Sardar Biglari rode a wave of shareholder anger to a landslide victory in his quest for Steak n Shake Co. board
seats. Now, the dissident 30-year-old investor who models his approach after Warren Buffett’s is hoping to deliver on his
promise to turn around the Indianapolis-based chain, with or without the chairmanship he covets.
Fishers’ hoops venue signs 2 franchise deals, plans more
A multi-court basketball fieldhouse is doing such brisk business in Fishers, its owners have decided to franchise the operation.
Scott Burton, CEO of The Fieldhouse, said deals have already been signed with franchisees in Merrillville and in Naperville,
Ill.