7-Eleven, Inc., the world's largest convenience retailer and ranked among U.S. top franchisors, is continuing its plan to convert the vast majority of its company-operated stores into franchised operations in the U.S. by 2012. The conversion of company-operated stores in some markets began in 2006. Approximately 4,100, or 75 percent, of 7-Eleven, Inc.'s more than 5,600 U.S. stores are now franchised. ...more

November 16, 2008

Bennigan's may have new life under the ownership of an Atlanta-based investment firm. ...more

October 24, 2008

An Atlanta-based investment firm has purchased the Bennigan's restaurant brand name and rights to sell franchises of the casual dining chain. ...more

October 23, 2008

A local Bennigan's franchisee is hoping to reopen at least three, and possibly more, local restaurants that closed in July when the chain filed for bankruptcy. ...more

August 13, 2008

There's some good news after all for fans of Cork & Olive wine shops. ...more

June 11, 2008

Scrawled in black Sharpie, the messages of love and support adorn hundreds of white bags of Starbucks coffee in Bob Williams' Wesley Chapel warehouse. (See above item.) Filling a dozen gigantic bins, the mounds of donated bags of coffee, purchased by Starbucks customers as part of a donation effort by franchisees, are shipped to U.S. troops stationed overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. ...more

June 11, 2008

This is the second season that Dunkin' Donuts has given away a free doughnut on the day after each win by the Tampa Bay Rays. That probably seemed like a safe marketing bet in 2007, when the team won only 66 games out of 162. ...more

May 20, 2008

COOKIE CONVERSATION As a field training specialist for Mrs. Fields Cookies, Rachel Crump Matheus is responsible for training all franchisees and corporate team members in baking practices so that the company's products are delivered consistently in every store. ...more

May 6, 2008

The Dagwood's Sandwich Shoppe chain has laid off the bulk of its corporate headquarters employees amid a restructuring, but plans to keep open its restaurant locations, according to a company official. ...more

December 15, 2007

PGA Tour officials confirmed Wednesday that Tampa Bay's annual tournament is once again looking for a corporate sponsor. ...more

November 28, 2007