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Michael Haith, chairman of RainTree, an outsource franchise sales agency, counsels brands to offer sales webinars and tells them what potential partners can learn about each other. Potential franchisees learn about the brand's culture during the webinar, and the brand learns about the candidates in subsequent follow-up. When there is a match and satisfactory financials, the restaurant chain grants a franchise.

100 new units a year? 30 percent growth? No problem. From site modeling to sourcing chairs, these chains have rapid expansion down pat.

A long-time franchising veteran of foodservice and non-foodservice concepts, as well as a former independent franchise consultant, Jeff Sturgis signed on with McAlister's Deli as chief development officer last September. 

Planned maintenance plays a key role in the safety and efficiency of any restaurant environment. Unfortunately, it also represents an area that some restaurant professionals try to cut quickly in an effort to save money.

Los Angeles natives Otto Cedeno and Chef Joe LoNigro have brought their L.A.-style taqueria, Otto's Tacos, to New York's East Village.

Rock & Brews, the family-friendly restaurant brand co-founded by KISS front men Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, has expanded into the stadium and arena segment.

MAX's Wine Dive, the Houston-based chain of "gourmet comfort food" restaurants and wine bars, opened its first Atlanta franchise on July 1.