In keeping with Yogurtland’s “You Rule” philosophy, guests can choose from any of the 16 sweet and tart flavors, including the two new limited time flavors of Yo Frappe, a coffeehouse-inspired creation of gooey caramel, rich mocha, and a hint of real java with no sugar added; and Mango Mixer Tart, Vitamin C-packed, non-fat yogurt that blends fresh mango, passion fruit, green apple, and pineapple.

A choice of more than 35 toppings, which include fresh fruit right from the farmer’s market, crunchy nuts, bits of candy, and smooth, warm hot fudge, will be available.

“At Yogurtland, we think that frozen yogurt is something that should be celebrated every day, but we’re thrilled to celebrate the official holiday with our guests by treating them to free frozen yogurt,” says Alexis Eldridge, vice president of marketing, Yogurtland.

“As a healthy after school snack or a better-for-you dessert, we are looking forward to welcoming guests from all over the country on Feb. 6.”

As with all of Yogurtland’s frozen yogurt flavors, they are made using Real California Milk and the highest quality ingredients and contain calcium, vitamins, and live and active cultures.

“We’re excited to support Yogurtland in their use of Real California Milk and support for California’s dairy families,” says Michael Gallagher, consultant for the California Milk Advisory Board. “On National Frozen Yogurt Day or any day, a cup of frozen yogurt is a delicious way to get much needed protein, calcium, potassium, and riboflavin.”

To celebrate the first annual National Frozen Yogurt Day festivities, Yogurtland has created special commemorative cups and collectable biodegradable spoons that will only be available during the hours from 4-7 p.m.

In January 2007, Pizza Patrón launched Pizza por Pesos, announcing that it would accept Mexican pesos at all of its U.S. locations. When company executives received threats over the program, Pizza Patrón was catapulted into the international news spotlight.

Today, every Pizza Patrón location across the U.S. continues to gladly accept Mexican pesos (bills only) as a method of payment.

“In 2007, when we began accepting Mexican pesos at our restaurants, it admittedly generated a lot of negative feedback,” says Andrew Gamm, brand director for Pizza Patrón. “But, in the end we received a preponderance of positive support from our customers, the American people, and business advocates from around the world.

This year, Pizza Patrón will roll out three new campaigns that will reinforce the brand’s commitment to its Hispanic roots and honor the positive force of change immigrants bring to communities throughout America.

The first campaign is slated for late April and will celebrate the language that unifies most Hispanics. The second campaign, scheduled for a July 4 launch, will honor the history of American immigration.

The final campaign in October will promote community action and will feature Mexican pesos, putting a Latin twist on the company’s annual fundraising efforts for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“Five years after Pizza por Pesos, our brand focus remains laser sharp,” Gamm says. “With these new campaigns, we want to send a message to our core customers that we are here for them, and we are here to stay.”

Pizza Patrón is headquartered in Dallas and celebrated the opening of its 100th restaurant in 2011, and has locations in seven states and 85 more under development. Franchise opportunities, offering a proven system for hard-working franchisee candidates, are available in prime Hispanic markets throughout the country.

In his new role, Schwitzer will report to Eric Wolfe, CEO/president of E&G Franchise Systems, Inc., and will focus on attracting multi-unit franchisee candidates and territory agreements to continue to grow the Erbert & Gerbert’s system throughout the United States.

Schwitzer brings more than 22 years of extensive franchise sales and development experience with national brands including Famous Dave’s of America, Inc., Winmark (Music Go Round), and Re/Max Real Estate.

Founded in 1988 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Erbert and Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop is dedicated to serving better, more flavorful sandwiches than anyone else in the universe. Restaurant locations span the United States from college towns to urban downtowns to rural centers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Georgia, and Texas.

YO!Sushi will open its first two American locations this year in Washington, D.C. with leases signed for at least one additional location. The company also plans to sign two to three franchise agreements for approximately 30 units by year’s end.

“Our first American franchisee is a multi-unit, multi-concept franchisee who we believe will do a great job building the YO!Sushi brand in Washington, D.C.,” says Alison Vickers, business development director. “We are pursuing opportunities with similar franchisees in markets like Miami and Boston, and hope to continue growing through large multi-unit deals in major metropolitan areas across the U.S.

The first U.S. YO!Sushi is expected to open in May in Washington D.C.’s Union Station.

“Washington, D.C. is the perfect market for YO!Sushi to make its U.S. debut, and we think Americans will really enjoy the delicious and healthy food and convenience YO!Sushi offers,” Vickers says.

YO!Sushi started the sushi revolution in London in 1997 by introducing the concept of a Japanese “kaiten” sushi bar that gave time-starved, hungry customers instant access to delicious, healthy sushi and other Japanese favorites via a conveyor belt traveling 3.1 inches per second that zig-zagged around diners.

By 2001, it was the U.K.’s market leader in conveyor-belt sushi. YO!Sushi was the first U.K. restaurant chain to open in Dubai in 2003, and is now the Japanese market leader of both conveyor and non-conveyor restaurants.

YO!Sushi serves sushi rolls, sashimi, Asian-inspired salads, and a large variety of classic, hot Japanese dishes on color/price-coded dishes via a sleek, snaking conveyor belt.

YO!Sushi operates 60 company-owned restaurants in the U.K., as well as more than a dozen franchised locations in Ireland, Portugal, and the Middle East.

The company is focused on the East Coast and other major markets such as Chicago, Dallas, and Miami for initial U.S. expansion.

New franchisee James Riggs of Scottsdale, Arizona, has been a fanatical fan of Saladworks for 20 years. Previously a resident of New Jersey, he was a frequent customer of the Cherry Hill location.

Though he is currently a real estate developer, when James decided to diversify his business ventures, the idea of bringing Saladworks to Arizona was an exciting prospect for him.

“Saladworks is a healthy eating option that is easily accessible because it’s fast casual,” Riggs says. “It is exactly the type of concept the people are looking for here. I was impressed with the food from the very beginning as a customer, and continued to be impressed by the concept and system as a whole.”

With the first store scheduled to open in late 2012, Maricopa County is the focus for initial site selection. By the end of 2016, five Saladworks locations will call Arizona home.

“We can’t wait to bring Saladworks to the Southwest,” says Chairman/CEO, John Scardapane. “James Riggs is the kind of fanatical franchisee that we are thrilled to have helping us continue our Westward expansion.”

Celebrate the season of love with Krispy Kreme’s iced, drizzled, and sprinkled heart-shaped treats, available for a limited time at participating Krispy Kreme U.S. and Canada shops.

“Krispy Kreme has become a go-to Valentine’s Day destination,” explains Krispy Kreme Corporate Chef, Ron Rupocinski. “These fun-looking and great-tasting doughnuts are perfect for Valentine’s gift giving and gatherings.”

Send your sweet love a Krispy Kreme Valentine e-card at www.krispykreme.com/card. And, watch Krispy Kreme’s video Valentine to its fans at www.krispykreme.com/SpreadTheLove.

Available through Feb. 14, Krispy Kreme is offering these sweet one-of-a kind treats to share with your special Valentines. Pair them with any Krispy Kreme Signature Coffee Blend and it’s a recipe for love.

Drizzled Heart: Nothing says ‘Be Mine’ like a decadent chocolate iced doughnut drizzled with red icing.
Heart with Sprinkles: Treat your sweetheart to a heart-shaped treat topped with white icing and romantic red and white sprinkles.
Chocolate Iced Glazed with Sprinkles:  A classic chocolate iced doughnut showered in red and white sprinkles for your true love.

Krispy Kreme is helping you spread the love with this special Valentine’s dozen offer: Get 12 free Valentine Cards when you purchase a dozen doughnuts. Each Valentine card is good for a free doughnut of choice for you or for your Valentine. Offer good for one set of twelve cards per dozen purchased. While supplies last.

This year’s campaign brings Domino’s total amount raised for St. Jude to more than $12 million since the partnership was announced in 2004.

“Domino’s Pizza stores across the country rallied around this year’s campaign to raise an incredible amount,” says J. Patrick Doyle, Domino’s Pizza president and chief executive officer.

“I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to everyone – especially our customers, team members, and franchisees – who contributed during the campaign. Together we were able to raise much needed dollars to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude.”

During the 2011 St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign (Nov. 14, 2011 – Jan. 1, 2012), Domino’s stores nationwide participated by asking for a dollar or more to be added to customers’ orders to help the kids of St. Jude. Donations were made when ordering over the phone, in stores, or online at www.dominos.com.

Customers also had the option to text “PIZZA” to 50333 to donate $5 to St. Jude. With the combined support of customers, stores, and franchisees – as well as a company contribution – Domino’s Pizza raised more than $2.4 million.

“We are so grateful for the commitment and generosity from Domino’s and its customers who, year after year, have joined the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign to raise funds critical for the research and treatment taking place at St. Jude,” says Marlo Thomas, St. Jude national outreach director.

“Because of the support we receive from partners like Domino’s, we are able to continue to ensure that no family ever pays St. Jude for anything.”

Since it opened its doors nearly 50 years ago, St. Jude has developed protocols that have helped push survival rates for childhood cancers from less than 20 percent to 80 percent overall. In fact, the survival rate for the most common form of childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, has risen from just 4 percent in 1962 to 94 percent today.

“In just over seven years, Domino’s has raised more than $12 million to support the efforts of St. Jude,” says Doyle.

“We continue to expand our reach to raise public awareness, and are excited to continue to have St. Jude as our national charitable partner.”

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “DPZ.” As of the third quarter of 2011, through its primarily locally-owned and operated franchised system, Domino’s operated a network of 9,541 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and over 70 international markets.

Since opening 50 years ago, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has changed the way the world treats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. No family ever pays St. Jude for the care their child receives and, for every child treated here, thousands more have been saved worldwide through St. Jude discoveries.

Baskin-Robbins’ Ice Cream Cake Bites feature ice cream with an indulgent ganache-style covering and are finished with a decorative drizzle of chocolate, caramel, raspberry, or strawberry.

The first new Ice Cream Cake Bite includes Love Potion #31 ice cream resting over rich chocolate cake, covered in a chocolate-flavored coating and finished with a raspberry-flavored chocolate drizzle.

The Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Ice Cream Cake Bite is made with Very Berry Strawberry ice cream over chocolate cake, covered in a chocolate-flavored coating and finished with a strawberry glaze drizzle and mini chocolate hearts.

The two new Ice Cream Cake Bites flavors will be featured in Baskin-Robbins’ Valentine’s Day “Box of Chocolates,” a mix-n-match four-pack retail box combined with two of Baskin-Robbins’ classic, decadent Ice Cream Cake Bite flavors, including:

·         Chocolate Mint: Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream over chocolate cake with a chocolate-flavored coating, finished with a green drizzle
·         Double Chocolate: Chocolate ice cream over chocolate cake with a chocolate-flavored coating, finished with a fudge rosette and chocolate accent

The addition of Love Potion #31 and Chocolate Dipped Strawberry marks the first time Baskin-Robbins has introduced new Ice Cream Cake Bites flavors since they first launched in October 2011.

“We are excited to offer more indulgent flavors as part of our line of Ice Cream Cake Bites just in time to celebrate Valentine’s Day,” says Stan Frankenthaler, Baskin-Robbins Executive Chef and Vice President of Innovation at Dunkin’ Brands.

“Our Valentine’s Day Ice Cream Cake Bites ‘Box of Chocolates’ provides our guests an elegant dessert option that is the perfect gift for that special someone or to share with a group.”

Now available at participating Baskin-Robbins stores nationwide, guests can purchase Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Cake Bites individually for a suggested retail price of $2.99 and in mix-n-match four-packs, including in a special Valentine’s Day “Box of Chocolates,” for a suggested retail price of $9.99.

The Dupont Circle neighborhood is about to get a caffeine boost with the arrival of 

The largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the U.S., The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is set to open in mid-February just off of Connecticut Avenue.

The family-grown, California-based brand with more than 800 locations worldwide is excited to serve Washingtonians with a full selection of signature blends plus the famous Original Ice Blended drink.

“We are thrilled to bring The Coffee Bean & Tea Leafexperience to our energetic, in-the-know Washingtonian neighbors seeking quality food and beverages,” says Steve Cowan, general manager, Washington Hilton. 

This opening is the first in the Capital region, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Washington will provide the finest and rarest loose-leaf teas and premium coffees to the residents of and visitors to Dupont Circle, Kalorama, Adams Morgan, and neighboring communities.

“We are delighted to be affiliated with Washington Hilton, whose excellent reputation for service and quality aligns with our own,” says Bob Kaufman, vice president of business development & franchises for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. 

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will offer free wi-fi and more than enough seating, in a setting perfect for those having a quick specialty drink, meal  or looking for a convenient afternoon work space.

As with all locations, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Washington Hilton will offer a wide variety of the  top 1% of Arabica coffee beans from specially selected estates around the world that are custom roasted in small batches atThe Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf facility in Camarillo, California. The store will also offer a wide variety of products, including hand-plucked whole leaf teas sourced from the most exclusive growing regions, as well as fresh baked goods. 

Today, the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes more than 540 hotels in 78 countries and the brand remains synonymous with “hotel.”

Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is the oldest and largest privately-held specialty coffee and tea retailer in the United States.

Hilton Worldwide is the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector fro

luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value.

Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip is poised to take a major step to ensure new and existing franchisees are able to take a bite out of the brand’s two new franchisor funding programs, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Café Conversion Initiative (CCI), which totals up to $500,000 of available funds for new and existing franchisees.

Through CCI, qualified and experienced food service operators looking to integrate the Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip brand into their existing quick-service location can participate in the new financing program, which allows new self-operators to add a café to their currently operating business as a co-branded partnership.

In addition to assisting new owner candidates with financing assistance, the CIP alternatively is specifically dedicated for qualified existing Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip franchisees who are seeking funds to remodel their café can do so through this program.

“In today’s economic environment, most small businesses rely on lenders to provide the capital needed to either open a business or to make capital improvements,” says Shawnon Bellah, vice president of domestic and international operations.

“Our new financing program addresses the issue of qualified entrepreneurs that are unable to grow their business or make these improvements because of the lack of funding. We look to fulfilling the dream of business ownership for entrepreneurs and helping them grow and prosper through our new financing programs.”

The two new financing programs will provide short-term loans between $5,000 and $25,000 for a limited time and were created by utilizing a portion of the company’s 2011 profits to be reinvested into approved cafés.

“Financing for reimaging projects can be a struggle which often deters franchisees from upgrading their locations, however we have found that positive improvements can show double-digit percent sale increases,” Bellah adds.

“Both the franchisee and franchisor will benefit from the consumer confidence and consumer interest generated by updating a café and re-energizing the brand. This progressive and strategic approach will even further differentiate Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip from its competitors. We look forward to growing this program and further positioning ourselves as the World’s Greatest Dessert Café.”

In addition to its signature irresistible cookie creations, the internationally renowned brand offers a unique selection of bakery goods, including macaroons, cupcakes, and brownies, among other items.

Cafés also serve frozen ice cream treats, premium coffee drinks, refreshing frozen yogurt, and real fruit smoothies. While the franchised cafés are not directly affiliated with the official Nestlé Company, the cafés serve many Nestlé branded products, such as freshly baked cookies, syrups and Nescafé, as well as other original products, including brownies, and Dreyer’s/Edy’s branded ice cream.

Crest Foods Inc., Franchisor of Nestlé Toll House Café by Chip based in Richardson, Texas, is a premiere dessert café restaurant company. The company currently franchises more than 100 cafes in the United States, Canada, and the Middle East.