An SUV appeared to be going through the drive thru at Starbucks on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga and ended up on a car. Channel 4 Newstracker, Denise Halor captured these shocking pictures! No word on names or conditions of those involved. See the photo
Alan J. Liddle reports at Nation’s Restaurant News that a judge has granted preliminary approval for the settlement of four class-action lawsuits filed by Quiznos Sub franchisees against their franchisor that could significantly alter the relationship of the feuding parties and cost the franchisor up to $100 million. The proposed settlement could impact more than 6,900 individuals now associated with the Denver-based Quiznos system “and several thousand who have closed their franchises,” attorneys for franchisees indicated in court documents.
Elaine Walker reports in the Miami Herald that Burger King’s franchisees say they no longer “trust” or “have confidence” in current management, so they’re going directly to the company’s board of directors with their complaints. That was the message in a letter sent by the National Franchisee Association last week to Burger King’s board of directors. The board needs to take action to repair the relationship with franchisees, which has disintegrated to a level unheard of even for Burger King, the letter said. “Your management team has pushed the franchise community to the brink,” said the letter signed by 27 franchises, including the NFA board and the heads of 21 regional franchisee associations. “We are taking this extraordinary and historic action to communicate our concerns directly to the board.”
Yourwestvalley.com reports that starting Nov. 24, Dunkin’ Donuts will launch “Thanks to You,” a special program recognizing local everyday heroes who keep the Valley running. The program, which will run through April 2010, will acknowledge five distinct groups of people dedicated to bettering our community – firefighters, police, teachers, nurses and active military personnel. Each month, one specific group will receive a free medium hot or iced coffee every Tuesday of that month in recognition of their service. The offer is good at any Dunkin’ Donuts location throughout the Valley.
The National Retail Tenants Association (NRTA) presentation at the DDIFO Members Meeting in Chicagoland on December 3rd, 2009 will include how to identify opportunities that occur after a lease is executed, recognizing potential needs that can be leveraged to obtain concessions that can benefit both the Landlord and Tenant. NRTA will also discuss how to evaluate the relative position of Landlords and Tenants when considering post commencement lease restructuring.
The Obama administration is strongly urging Capitol Hill to add new funds to a popular small-business loan program that is nearly out of money. As part of the $787 billion fiscal stimulus package earlier this year, lawmakers included $375 million to support Small Business Administration (SBA) programs to spur lending through higher guarantees and reduced fees. The administration credits the programs with helping to rejuvenate lending for small businesses. Loan volumes under the program had crashed during the financial crisis last fall and winter. But the programs have been so popular this year that they are running out of money several months early.
Stuart Elliot reports in the New York Times that a two-piece Kentucky Grilled Chicken meal at a KFC location in Louisville, Ky. An annual survey of memorable new products gave the top honor for 2009 to the Kentucky Grilled Chicken menu item, which was introduced by the KFC unit of Yum Brands. These are the four other fast-food products that scored the highest in 2009: the McCafe coffees from the McDonald’s Corporation, No. 2; the Torpedo sandwich from Quiznos, No. 6; the Angus Deluxe, also from McDonald’s, No. 7; and Taco Bell Volcano Nachos, from another unit of Yum Brands, No. 8.
Dan Gearino reports in THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH that Wendy’s/Arby’s has indicated it would like to buy another restaurant company, a possible target has emerged: Krispy Kreme. The rumor surfaced on Breifing.com and then was reported by Barron’s.
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner spent most of the day Wednesday with small-business owners and bankers, discussing ways to ease the credit crunch that’s stifling economic recovery on Main Street. Geithner and Karen Mills, head of the Small Business Administration, hosted the Small Business Financing Forum, fulfilling a promise President Barack Obama made when he announced initiatives last month to boost lending to small businesses.
Small business groups and lenders urged Congress to reinstate the 90 percent government guarantee and fee reductions on SBA loans. The economic stimulus bill provided the SBA with $375 million to increase the loan guarantee on the agency’s flagship 7(a) business loans to 90 percent and reduce or eliminate fees on 7(a) loans and 504 loans, which primarily finance real estate. That money, however, has run out.
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