EDITOR'S NOTE: News Bytes reports on topics of interest to everyone involved in franchising. Short items are invited for submission but cannot be acknowledged nor returned.

Cartridge World Achieves Growth Milestones for 2009	EMERYVILLE, Calif. - As most retailers were feeling the strain of the recession in 2009, Cartridge World, the world's largest dedicated retailer of refilled ink and toner printer cartridges, has experienced record-setting growth announcing incredible same store sales increases for the third year in a row. As the leader in the $80 billion printer cartridge industry, Cartridge World experienced a 16 percent increase in same-store sales in the United States over 2008. Cartridge World's sales have skyrocketed relative to the economic slowdown as more consumers and business owners are opting for ways to save money on ink costs by refilling cartridges, instead of always buying new. "We attribute another record breaking year to the success and dedication of our franchisees system-wide and we look forward to another great year in 2010," said Steven Yeffa, President of Cartridge World Americas. "Our growth clearly reflects the acceptance of our products from both consumers and businesses alike, as they realize the financial and environmental benefits of refilling and recycling their ink and toner cartridges."
Liberty Tax Waives Tax Prep Fees for Service Professionals During Annual “Appreciation Days” Promotion	(Virginia Beach, VA) It’s time again for Liberty Tax Service’s annual “Appreciation Days .” Since 2000, Liberty Tax has offered free tax preparation for service professionals who are first-time customers during its “Appreciation Days.” Each week in March, a select group is honored at participating Liberty Tax offices throughout the United States. For online filers, Liberty Tax is offering a “Salute to American Workers” with free tax filing at eSmartTax.com until March13, 2010. “So many service professionals really make a difference in the quality of life of their communities as unsung heroes for the jobs they do every day,” said John Hewitt, CEO , of Liberty Tax Service. “We salute them with free tax help and preparation.” Here’s the 2010 Liberty Tax “Appreciation Days” schedule: March 1-March 7 Teachers and School Employees March 8-March 14 Police, Firefighters, and EMTs March 15-March 21 Nurses, and Hospital Workers March 22-March 28 Military and Veterans March 29-April 4 Volunteers and Non-Profits
Elements Therapeutic Massage Announces Franchise Expansion Plan for Massachusetts	HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. – February 25, 2010 – Elements Therapeutic Massage has announced an aggressive franchise expansion campaign for Massachusetts with plans to award 12 locations in the region this year in addition to the 11 Elements studios that have opened in the last three years. Honored in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Fastest-Growing Franchises” in 2009, and named one of Dun & Bradstreet’s “AllBusiness Franchise AllStars” for 2010, Elements Therapeutic Massage is changing the way consumers look at massage therapy. “Massachusetts is a prime example as evidenced by its past development in the market and the current room to grow,” said Kyle Gjersee, chief operating officer and senior vice president of Elements Therapeutic Massage. “Demand for our services has never been greater, and our studios in Massachusetts continue to set records for our franchise network.”
Franchise Veterans Solve The Riddle Of Financing	DALLAS (March 10, 2010) - The single biggest issue facing existing and prospective business owners today is lack of financing. And nowhere is that problem more pronounced than in franchising. According to the International Franchise Association (IFA), by mid-2009 access to credit for franchisees was off by 40% from the previous year. Even worse, the IFA says the news doesn’t look much better for this year. But help is on the way, thanks to a new e-Book by Dr. John P. Hayes, founder of Franchisemastermind.com, and Geoff Seiber, CEO of FranFund. The veteran franchise professionals have teamed to produce a step-by-step guide designed to help existing and prospective franchisees as well as other small business owners navigate the wicked twists and turns on the road to financing. Help Your Banker Say Yes!, scheduled for release this month, is filled with information and examples that will thoroughly indoctrinate business owners on today’s lending environment. “Financing is no longer available the way it was just a couple of years ago when almost anyone could get a loan to buy or expand any business,” said Dr. Hayes, who has counseled many of the world’s leading brands and written extensively on franchising. “Today, you are not going to get a loan if you don’t understand the new normal in franchise financing.”

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