Senate Extends Vital SBA Programs

/PRNewswire/ -- The United States Senate unanimously agreed to extend the Small Business Administration (SBA) and vital programs that fall under the Small Business Administration Act and the Small Business Investment Act, such as the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The programs, which have been operating under a temporary extender and were set to expire on April 30, 2010, will continue with a three-month extension through July 31, 2010. The bill now heads to the House for approval. United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship made the following comment on the passage of the extension:

"The extension of these programs that fall under the Small Business Administration, such as the SBIR and STTR, will allow the nation's innovators and entrepreneurs to continue their work as we continue negotiations with the House for a longer, more comprehensive agreement. Over the next three months, I encourage the entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers looking for jobs, or waiting for a chance to explore a promising and innovative idea, to apply for research projects through these programs. SBIR and STTR entrepreneurs start businesses, create jobs and account for 25 percent of our nation's innovators, and we are ready to support them and their businesses."

Small firms employ 41 percent of the nation's high-tech workers and generate 13 to 14 times more patents per employee than large firms. The SBIR program alone has generated more than 84,000 patents and millions of jobs. Eleven federal agencies participate in the SBIR program -- including the Department of Defense and National Science Foundation -- allocating 2.5 percent of their extramural research and development dollars for the program.

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Huddle House Lowers Franchise Fee to $5k; Eliminates Royalties for New Restaurants for First Five Months

/PRNewswire/ -- In this economy, franchise brands have been forced to think "outside-the-box" for franchise development strategies. Under the leadership of newly-hired Chief Development Officer, Thomas Flaherty, Huddle House has lowered its franchise fee for new development signed in 2010 to just $5k, with no royalties due for restaurants opening under the program for the first five months of operation.

"This program allows existing and new Huddle House franchisees the opportunity to develop with a lower cost of entry. Also, the savings in paying no royalty for the first five months provides fuel for new restaurants to advertise more heavily during the initial stages," Flaherty said. "This model also encourages multi-unit development."

"Many good investments are made during a down economy," said Huddle House CEO, Phil Greifeld. "And our incentive program provides a great investment benefit to both existing and new franchisees."

Flaherty noted that Huddle House is looking to attract experienced operators for new development in target markets.

When Flaherty was recruited by Huddle House, he was charged with creating momentum for the brand, to which he is no stranger. His extensive franchising experience includes personally negotiating and signing over 1,400 new Papa John's units in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. During his tenure with Papa John's, the company grew from approximately 1,500 units to over 3,400.

"The Huddle House team has done a tremendous job throughout its 45-year history in developing and growing the brand," Flaherty said. "The exciting thing is that there is still a great deal of growth potential... and we have a lot of new and exciting things happening right now!"

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URG Says Feds Missed Opportunity To Keep Cash for Clunkers Program Green

/PRNewswire/ -- The United Recyclers Group (URG) says that the federal government is not doing enough to help promote the green aspects of the auto salvage industry and encourage the use of environmentally-friendly green auto parts. "Cash For Clunkers (C4C) created some much needed green awareness for consumers and momentum within the auto industry," says Michelle Alexander, executive director of the United Recyclers Group. "But a big opportunity was missed by the federal government when they all but abandoned C4C once the front end of the program involving the new car manufacturers and dealers was completed. The back half of the program is far greener than the front half, and yet the ball has been dropped when it comes to promoting the truly green aspects of C4C. We call on the federal government to change course and help us promote the use of affordable and green auto parts to American consumers."

C4C has also resulted in a number of unanticipated problems for the nation's auto salvage industry. With 690,000 cars sold during the brief run of the C4C (otherwise known as CARS) program, and an equal number traded in and scrapped, a 'tsunami of steel' has hit the industry. A number of unexpected delays by the federal government and a shortened run time for the CARS program have meant less processing time for recyclers. There are still serious issues, despite the recent announcement of a 90 day extension to the 180 day deadline (making 270 days total) for processing all of the scrapped C4C vehicles.

Alexander says, "URG has requested and continues to fully support a minimum six month extension of the CARS program processing deadline mandated by the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). We need at least a full year to do this job right. The recent 90 day extension is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't go far enough. Many of our members now have a one to two year inventory of automobiles waiting to be processed. There has been no help at all from the federal government promoting the use of green reusable auto parts. So with no increase in demand, we are simply looking at an increase in our costs, and it isn't reasonable or fair to auto recyclers. Auto recyclers are hardworking small businessmen and women, very much tied to their communities, and can be found in every congressional district in America. Just because they don't have the lobbying clout of the 'Big Three' in Washington doesn't mean their needs and concerns don't matter when new programs like C4C are created."

"Cash For Clunkers started as a billion dollar program that was going to run until November 1, 2009," says Greg Wilcox, co-owner and president of Midway Auto Parts (Kansas City, MO), and a URG Manager. "Six months to process the clunkers traded in made sense. But then congress tripled the size of the program, it all came and went in a matter of weeks, instead of months, and then NHTSA finally got around to a small adjustment, less than what anyone in this industry has asked for, of the processing deadline even as they tripled the size of the program. This oversight creates huge problems for the auto recycling industry, because there is no money to support our extra costs - such as more staff, more space, and more inventory carrying costs - incurred because we now have to meet an unrealistic deadline."

John Fischl, President of Riteway Auto Parts (Phoenix, AZ) and a URG manager says, "Cash for Clunkers was all about being green and stimulating the economy. All of those good intentions backfire when auto recycling, one of the nation's greenest industries, and this country's 13th largest, is impacted in a way that hurts our profitability and causes us to be less green as we scramble to meet an artificial deadline."

Fischl says, "These vehicles need more time in the system to produce the maximum green benefit for this country and the American consumer. I wonder how many decision makers who supported C4C understand that the really green thing we do is process vehicles and reclaim the green parts for reuse by consumers. This is what separates us from car crushers, who simply shred cars to recycle the metals. Millions of Americans benefit from the green auto parts we put into the marketplace every year. Doesn't that matter to anyone in Washington?"

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U.S. Military Veteran Opens Store Under Little Caesars Veterans Program

/PRNewswire/ -- Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. today proudly celebrates the grand opening of another store under the Little Caesars Veterans Program, as former U.S. Air Force Airman Eddie Underwood opens his Little Caesars Pizza restaurant at 4870 Floyd Road SW in Mableton, Georgia.

"I am proud to be part of the Little Caesars Veterans Program because it offers veterans like me the chance to enter the next stage in our careers by owning and operating a business," said Underwood. "I always wanted to be in business for myself and after researching Little Caesars, I was sold on the brand."

Born in Plattsburg, New York on an Air Force base, Underwood took after his father who also served in the military, and joined the U.S. Air Force after high school. Stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, he served as a financial management specialist responsible for accounts payables and receivables from 1985 to 1988.

Underwood transitioned to the U.S. Postal Service as a mail handler and has held several other positions before joining Little Caesars and becoming an entrepreneur.

"Little Caesars is focused on offering great products and giving back to the community and this choice is the right fit for me," said Underwood. "Little Caesars has always believed in providing terrific value to customers and I'm happy to be bringing that value to the Mableton community with my brother Isaac." Eddie Underwood will be responsible for the day-to-day operations in his Little Caesars store, while Isaac Underwood will help co-manage the business.

The Little Caesars Veterans Program was created in 2006 to thank veterans for their service and provide them with career opportunities when they transition to civilian life or seek a career change. It offers honorably discharged, service-disabled veterans, such as Underwood, who qualify as Little Caesars franchisees, a benefit of up to approximately $68,000. Honorably discharged, non-service-disabled veterans who qualify as Little Caesars franchisees are eligible for a benefit of up to approximately $20,000.

"With talented veterans such as Eddie joining the Little Caesars team, the Little Caesars Veterans Program continues to grow and offer veterans business ownership opportunities," said David Scrivano, president, Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. "The skills Eddie gained in the military, such as teamwork, dedication and a familiarity with processes, will enable him to become a strong Little Caesars franchisee."

Some of the menu items Underwood will feature in his store include HOT-N-READY(R) Pizza, Crazy Bread(R), Caesar Wings(R) and Caesar Dips(R).

In one of the largest U.S. quick serve restaurant research studies in 2007, Little Caesars was named the best value for the money of all quick serve restaurant chains.* Sandelman & Associates' Quick-Track(R) research study tracks key consumer behavioral and attitudinal measures for all major fast-food chains. Surveys were conducted among more than 84,000 quick service restaurant customers in 70 major markets across the U.S. Little Caesars was also named highest rated pizza chain for "Convenience of Locations" and "Speed of Service."

Little Caesars was recently listed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as one of the best loan performers among franchises with more than 60 SBA-guaranteed loans.** Little Caesars also works with preferred lenders who understand the business, which becomes increasingly important as it gets more difficult for entrepreneurs to secure financing in today's economy.

Since the program launched two years ago, interest has remained high in the Little Caesars Veterans Program. Currently, 45 veterans collectively are applying more than $1.25 million in credits and benefits to help them grow their Little Caesars businesses. To date, 2,400 inquires have been made about the program. Several veterans have also opened second stores and many are expected to open their first stores under the program in the coming months.

The Center for Veterans Enterprise (part of the Department of Veterans Affairs), Marine For Life (an organization that helps Marines and Sailors transition to civilian life), and the International Franchise Association (through its VetFran program) are points of contact for the Little Caesars Veterans Program. They can provide information about the requirements and qualifications of becoming a Little Caesars franchisee.

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