OldTown White Coffee won the International Franchisor of the Year 2011 award at the Franchising & Licensing Association of Singapore (FLA) gala dinner last night. It bested four other finalists - Mei Yi Jia (China), MK Restaurants (Thailand), People Impact (Hong Kong) and Goobne Chicken (Korea). Mr Clarence DSilva, Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer of Kopitiam Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd said: \"We are both humbled and honoured for being recognized as the International Franchisor o

Kooshi (which means happiness in Sanskrit) started in 2004 as an Online Store selling a niche collection of sleepwear. Drawing on its design strength of using fabrics with the softest feel and turning these into comfortable, sexy and flattering pieces with exquisite tailoring, Kooshi is a firm believer that comfort and chic can go hand in hand. The home grown label now boasts a loyal online following and more importantly, a growing global presence with Franchisees in China franchise and busines

French Sole, which sells ballet-style shoes beloved of the Duchess of Cambridge, is opening its first franchised stores in Asia in a prelude to further international expansion for the privately-owned British business. The retailer, which was founded by shoe designer Jane Winkworth 22 years ago, has opened a store in Kuala Lumpur through a deal with lawyer Shea Pin Soo, who already holds the Anya Hindmarch franchise in Malaysia. Three further outlets are planned in the country. French Sole is e

Dairy Queen, an international retail food and treat category leader, is expanding into Guatemala. The company has signed an agreement with franchisee Grupo Buen Rollo to open 15 locations throughout Guatemala by 2015. Owned by Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A - News), the Dairy Queen system also has 11 locations in the Central American country of Panama. \"The Dairy Queen system is continuing an aggressive expansion of our brand in the international marketplace,\" said Brad Houser, executive vice

Familiar franchise brands are slowly re-entering the Singapore market, years after pulling out. American casual dining is making a comeback in Singapore. TGI Friday has returned after it closed up shop during the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, along with several other international franchise brands in the F&B and retail sectors. Andrew Reddy, managing director, Chaswood Resources, said: \"There was an unknown factor during the financial crisis. It was new to every businessman in this pa

It\'s a whole new ball game for rugby great Michael Jones as he launches a new fastfood outlet in South Auckland. The former All Black is opening New Zealand\'s first Carl\'s Jr. store in Takanini tomorrow. The Carl\'s Jr. brand was established in Southern California 70 years ago and is the world\'s fourth largest burger chain. Jones will work with his brother-in-law Barry Forsgren to develop the brand around New Zealand over the next five years. Forsgren has been operating Carl\'s Jr. in Ameri

Cold Stone Creamery is taking its ultimate ice cream experience to the far reaches of the globe. The brand and its parent company, Scottsdale-based Kahala Corp., announced this spring that new master franchise agreements with partners in Singapore, Cyprus and Brazil will allow Cold Stone stores to open in those regions before year-end. Six stores also are expected to open in Malaysia by 2014 as part of the agreement with the Singapore franchise partner, and Greece will have eight stores b

Important impacts:Restrictions:In addition, the draft law states that franchisors must provide clear working manuals for franchisees to follow. If the agreement places territorial limits on the right to operate a franchise business, franchisors must not operate franchise businesses, or similar businesses, in these territories. Registration:The Registrar must evaluate the accuracy of the following:

Good news for franchise investors sourcing new investment alternatives and opportunities. The once a year ASEAN No. 1 franchise exhibition, Thailand Franchise & Business Opportunities 2011, 7th edition, is returning with a big bang. Mr. Kavin Kittiboonya, Managing Director of Kavin Intertrade Co, show organizer, said TFBO 2011 will be held on October 27-30, at BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand. This year, Mr. Kavin said, TFBO 2011, the largest franchise show in this region, will showcase almost 20

\"The KidzArt franchise business has expanded to all corners of the world to help develop children\'s creativity and expression,\" says KidzArt CEO, Sue Bartman. \"Our \'no mistakes\' philosophy and right brain thinking approach encourage children to explore their imaginations without inhibition. People around the globe recognize that children with creative thinking skills possess a mindset that will thrive in our fast-changing world.\" According to Joel Lazarovitz, international franchise deve