The Business Insider: Last week we learned AOL plans to expand its local news blog network Patch from 30 or so sites to “hundreds” by the end of 2010. How will AOL grow so fast? Maybe we now know: A source tells us that on a recent visit to the offices of AOL’s local news blog network... More

Toronto Sun: Raising enough capital to start your own business can be an up-hill climb, especially given today’s cautious lending environment. Opening a franchise might be the easiest way to do it as banks swing available credit in favour of proposals backed by a proven track record instead of gambling... More

Sunday Mercury: A Birmingham clinic has come up with a new cure for baldness – TATTOOING hair on your head. If it’s a case of hair today, gone tomorrow then you can get a permanent short cut. Using a fine needle, customised ink and by dotting the hair on with dye, the treatment gives an illusion... More

South Bend Tribune: Marc Anthony Rosa, Richard Gonzales and John Paxton can add managing a business to their long list of to do’s as sophomore business majors at the University of Notre Dame. In addition to their current academic careers, the three enterprising students recently bought Dorm Drinks... More

Irish Franchise Magazine: If you are a successful franchisor or franchise owner then from April 2010, if your annual income is over £150,000 you bear the brunt of the proposed income tax increases. It is a huge 25 percent increase – from 40 percent to 50 percent – in the top rate of tax... More

Dhawal Shah via Mr. Dhawal Shah – Co-Founder, FranchiseExpo.in and Way2Franchise.com: At the moment, in India, there are a couple of organisations that conduct awards, but not to the level of accuracy or authenticity that we would like, so we decided since, we are connected with over 3000 franchisees... More

Franchise Wire: Franchise Business Review, a national franchise market research firm, has announced the winners of its 2010 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards. Though the economy is still at a low, 133 franchise companies inspired strong franchisee satisfaction. Mars Venus Coaching was ranked 24th among... More

Scranton Times-Tribune: Less than a year after opening their first Team Blue Hand Car Wash in State College, founders and father-and-son team Jeff and Jason Haas plan to expand, including in Northeast Pennsylvania. They want to open or develop 35 franchises throughout the country by the end of 2012,... More

PR Newswire: SYNLawn, a leading innovator on synthetic grass, today announced the signing of its latest franchise agreement with Mike Maschmeyer of Chicago Roof Deck & Gardens in Chicago. With over four decades of manufacturing experience, SYNLawn is one of the nation’s foremost manufacturers,... More

Earthtimes: Building industry professionals who have fallen on a slow market due to the credit crisis have discovered that there is a boom in the solar industry. Rebates and falling equipment prices have given many home and business owners reason to move into solar despite the recession. Lighthouse... More

Franchising.com: First Watch, the Bradenton, Florida-based Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch chain, has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement with Dabbour Enterprises, LLC for Oklahoma City. The company has agreed to open three First Watch restaurants in the market over the coming years with the first location... More

Wall Street Journal: Sears Holdings Corp. (SHLD) said it will allow franchising of its Sears Automotive businesses, offering many auto dealers that have recently lost their franchises to sell new vehicles a new use for their space. Sears said franchisees will be able to open Sears Auto Centers that... More