This is your one-stop source for small business franchising news. When there's important franchise news, you'll find it here before you'll see it anywhere else.

• Fast food franchise Sonic met with enthusiastic New England debut - 8/27/2009 - Quick-serve restaurant chain Sonic was met with a positive response when it opened its first New England location this week.

• Burger King reports high net restaurant growth, EPS, cash flow for 4Q - 8/25/2009 - Despite a "challenging macro-economic environment," Burger King reported improvements in EPS, net restaurant growth and cash flow for the fourth quarter.
• U.S. franchises increase international presence - 8/17/2009 - To combat slower sales and a saturated market in the U.S., many franchises are focusing on expanding their international presence.
• Coffee and cold cuts begin to replace burgers and fries in fast food franchises - 8/10/2009 - Consumers may be shifting their preferences from burgers and fries to coffee and healthy sandwiches, as evidenced by the latest QSR quick-serve rankings.
• Convenience stores stay afloat through key products - 8/7/2009 - By offering innovative products such as prepared foods, convenience store franchises can stay ahead of the competition.
• Edible Arrangements founder built success one floorboard at a time - 7/21/2009 - The multi-billion dollar gift franchise Edible Arrangements was founded with $100,000 and constant attention to detail.
• Small business supplies franchise giant - 7/13/2009 - Distant Lands, a small specialty coffee company, was chosen as the lead espresso supplier for McDonald's massive McCafé campaign.
• Experts predict the franchising sectors that will weather the recession - 7/10/2009 - Despite the recession, some industries are expected to experience significant growth in future years, making them attractive opportunities for franchising entrepreneurs.
• 7 Eleven petitions Congress to change credit card transaction fees - 7/9/2009 - The convenience store franchise 7-Eleven is petitioning Congress to change the credit card transaction fees that are crippling store owners and consumers.
• Baskin Robbins plans to open franchises in St. Louis - 6/17/2009 - The ice cream chain is looking for entrepreneurs to help open 45 locations in the St. Louis region.
• McDonald's see U.S. sales increase - 6/15/2009 - The popular franchise's sales were boosted by its McCafe line of coffees.
• New pizza and Italian restaurant to franchise operations in D.C. region - 6/11/2009 - Paisano's hopes to open 10 additional locations in the area by the end of 2010.
• Zagat rates top fast food franchises - 6/11/2009 - Wendy's, McDonalds and Subway top the list.
• 7 Eleven kicks off a second franchising website - 6/4/2009 - The convenience store chain hopes to expand, despite the economic downturn.
• Quiznos to offer microloans to some franchisees - 5/19/2009 - The sandwich maker is beginning the initiative after a successful microloan program earlier this year.
• Burger King may cost its franchisees millions - 5/13/2009 - Fast-food giant finds itself on the end of a class-action lawsuit.
• Franchise Opportunities Network helps businesses - 5/12/2009 - Many business owners understand the importance of networking and chasing down leads.
• 7 Eleven starts microsite for potential franchisees - 5/11/2009 - A new website from 7-Eleven is designed to help franchisees discover information about owning a store.
• A&W listed as a franchise - 5/6/2009 - SBA adds time-honored small business to its franchise registry.
• Smashburger scores its eighth franchisee - 5/6/2009 - Burger chain will now be able to expand into a new state.
• Denny's expands business with new franchises - 5/6/2009 - The all-day breakfast giant reports positive first-quarter results.
• Group lists top 25 franchises for Hispanics - 5/1/2009 - Starting a small business from scratch isn't for everyone. But one organization has released its list of the top franchises for Hispanics.