Wagner, who launched her Pik ur Flik in April is one of DVDNow's 1,100 partners and currently has three machines operating inside her convenience stores. Although DVDNow offers online, over-the-phone and onsite training, Wagner and the company's other partners obviously don't have the same manpower behind their businesses that the industry's biggest players have (Redbox or NCR's Blockbuster kiosks, for example). Wagner, however, is making the most out of two advantages: Advantage No. 1 -- Though she may do 99.9 percent of the work -- answering phone calls and emails, stocking kiosks, designing marketing material -- Wagner doesn't have to wait the 28 days before selling new releases like her main competitors. Advantage No. 2 -- Wagner has another revenue source; she sells advertising on her kiosks.

Running the business:

Although Wagner's husband, Mike, helps run the business, she's basically a one-woman show, running the entire business from her iphone and desktop using DVDNow's software to organize everything from coupon codes, memberships and trailers, to transactions and inventory.

DVDNow Connections, the back-end Web-based software platform that supports the kiosks, runs on multiple servers in locations throughout the United States and communicates with DVDNow kiosks around the world over the Internet. ''The real-time information exchange keeps operators up-to-date with everything that is happening in their business,'' said Yurika Kuroki of DVDNow.

''The system automatically gathers and analyzes rental data from the kiosks so it can generate customizable reports to help run a better business.'' It can also identify DVDs that should be marked for sale from the kiosk as well as upload and manage movie trailers and video commercials. Wagner, like all DVDNow business owners, pays the stores that house her kiosks a commission of her DVD rental income; in turn they allow her to plug in the machine.

She takes care of the rest. ''I am Pik ur Flik, which means, I am working harder for my customers and store locations than anyone else,'' Wagner said. ''I do well when my customers are happy and I put all my effort in to making that happen.'' New Release that are not yet available from Wagner's competitors cost her customers $1.99 for the first night; Blu-rays of those same titles are $2.49. Movie titles that are not new releases are 99 cents for the first night.

(Wagner immediately drops the price of all movies to 99 cents the day they become available at Redbox, ect.) All movies are $1.49 each additional night out.

Why wait?

Although the agreements that major Hollywood studios have in place with major players in the entertainment distribution industry mean that those companies may eventually have access to more copies and better pricing on movies, it also means that most independently owned operators have a 28-day competitive edge. ''I'm able to provide several new release titles to my customers before Redbox, Blockbuster and Netflix/Qwikster,'' said Wagner.

''They are concerned about the Hollywood studios. I am concerned about my customer.'' The fact that the major movie houses don't see independent DVD kiosk owners as a threat, meaning there are no deals making them wait to release new movies, is a major advantage over the big names, like Redbox, said Lee Holman, lead retail analyst at IHL Group. ''If the (independent) DVD kiosk owner can do that without violating any 'home use' or 'rental use' restrictions, then certainly that can keep them ahead of the game, as long as Redbox and Blockbuster hold to their 28-day requirements,'' Holman said. ''Something tells me it won't last long, though,'' he said.

Advertising options:

Wagner, who also owns her own marketing and design business, sells advertising on the kiosks in three different formats: side-panel print ads, jewel case insert print ads and video commercials that play between trailers on the 32-inch flat screen on top of the kiosks. About 60 percent of her revenue comes from selling advertising. ''My goal is to streamline the advertising contract/design/implementation process to make it as easy as possible for my clients,'' she said. ''Not only can they purchase space on the kiosk, but I am also able to write and design the ads for them as well should they choose. Can you advertise on a Redbox kiosk? Nope.''

The growth plan

Wagner wants to grow her business but has no plans of expanding beyond her means. ''I have learned, in a very short time, there are more locations wanting my kiosks than I can commit to at this time,'' she said. ''To effectively do this business, you need to work at it, and I have been successful thus far in branding my business and getting the kiosks known.'' That branding success has inspired stores in her area to partner with her to operate kiosks under the Pik ur Flik brand; discussions to close those deals are underway. ''I can be a huge asset to these store owners if I take care of day-to-day operations of the kiosks, stock movies weekly, and sell and place advertisements,'' Wagner said. By increasing the network size of Pik ur Flik -- the purchasing power becomes more competitive and efficient; advertisers are able to canvas a much larger geographic area; and customers have more choices when it comes to renting and returning movies anywhere within the Pik ur Flik kiosk network.'' DVDNow also expects growth, said Kuroki about the company's 3,000 kiosks spread across Ireland, Canada, England - UK, Netherlands, Mexico and South America.

To Search DVD Now Franchise Opportunities for Sale in Ireland, please see our listing on this site or click here.

New Franchising Agreement to Expand U-SWIRL(R) Frozen Yogurt Stores - Galena Frozen Yogurt Company to Initially Introduce U-SWIRL Self-Serve Creations to Frozen Yogurt Lovers. A wholly owned subsidiary of Healthy Fast Food, Inc. announced that it has entered into a franchise agreement with Galena Frozen Yogurt Company, which over the next 12 months plans to open three U-SWIRL(R) Frozen Yogurt stores. "Recognizing that there was an extraordinarily high growth opportunity present in the retail delivery of frozen yogurt, our team spent months meticulously investigating the business models of every leading and emerging fro-yo franchise system.

Consequently, we are solidly convinced that U-SWIRL International has developed, by far, the most intelligent and profitable model that factors every crucial and practical element of building a successful franchise chain.

They intimately understand the competitive market place and have delivered us a turnkey business-building platform that emphasizes superior quality control, unrivaled customer experience, and a highly attractive win-win partnership," stated Taylor Cohee, Managing Principal of Galena Frozen Yogurt Company. "Moreover, once we discovered that Healthy Fast Food is led by franchise icon Hank Cartwright, there was no further discussion necessary - we were in!" Galena's first U-SWIRL grand opening in a highly trafficked shopping district, with the second to follow in spring.

With a goal of aggressively expanding its chain of U-SWIRL franchise locations over the next five years, Galena is now actively scouting commercial real estate for new U-SWIRL locations. Vice President of Franchise Development at Healthy Fast Food, noted, "We are very pleased to welcome Galena Frozen Yogurt to U-SWIRL's expanding franchise community and greatly appreciate and value the tangible enthusiasm and ambitious growth strategy they bring to the U-SWIRL International team." Continuing, Conte said, "Based on the tremendous response we are receiving to the U-SWIRL concept from customers and potential franchise partners, alike, it seems apparent that we will indeed achieve our initial objective of the opening of up to ten U-SWIRL stores before year-end. In fact, given the positive momentum we are enjoying with the roll-out of new stores, we are tracking well ahead of our business plan and believe we are on pace to comfortably exceed our original expansion goals for the year."

ABOUT U-SWIRL INTERNATIONAL, INC.

U-SWIRL International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Healthy Fast Food, Inc., and is launching a national chain of self-serve frozen yogurt stores called U-SWIRL((R) )Frozen Yogurt. U-SWIRL allows guests the ultimate choice in frozen yogurt by providing 16 non-fat flavors, including tart, traditional, no sugar-added options, and more than 60 toppings, including seasonal fresh fruit, sauces, candy and granola. Guests serve themselves and pay by the ounce instead of by the cup size. A healthier alternative to a coffee shop hang out, locations are furnished with couches and tables, and patio seating. U-SWIRL International has launched its franchise program to roll-out the concept nationwide in those countries in which the Company is qualified to offer franchises.

ABOUT HEALTHY FAST FOOD, INC.

Healthy Fast Food, Inc. is on a mission to deliver consumers a smarter alternative to meals and snacks. The Company acquired the worldwide rights to U-SWIRL((R) )Frozen Yogurt( )and has commenced executing an aggressive strategy to build the brand into a globally recognized chain of highly experiential frozen yogurt stores, led by its wholly-owned subsidiary, U-SWIRL International, Inc. Healthy Fast Food also operates two restaurants, branded as Fresh and Fast serving healthier burgers, fries and shakes.

Finalists announced for the Irish Franchise Association Awards 2012. The Irish Franchise Association announced today that the large number of entries received for this year's Franchise Ireland Awards has been reduced to a list of finalists from which the overall winner in thirteen categories will be chosen.

The Irish Franchise Awards recognise excellence in franchising and reward outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals in the franchise industry. The judging panel for the 2012 Irish Franchise Association Awards include Irish Dragon and Newstalk Presenter Bobby Kerr; Orna Stokes, Head of Specialist Sectors, Ulster Bank; Orla Nugent, Director Executive MBA, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School; Greg Swift of Dublin County Enterprise Board and Cian O Mongain from the Sunday Business Post. The awards categories represent both retail and service industries. Finalists include Hillbilly's Fried Chicken, Funky Monkeys, The Zipyard, Boston Brand Bars, Fastway Couriers, FitKids, Motivation Weight Management Clinics, Snap Printing, Snap Printing, Home Instead, Car Medic, Cartridge Green, CEX, Stockwatch, Chemdry and BCM.

Orna Stokes, Senior Manger, SME Strategy, Ulster Bank said, "Ulster Bank would like to congratulate all of the nominees. This year's shortlist is an impressive array of businesses who are finding success using the Franchise model.

It is our job at Ulster Bank to provide solid guidance, appropriate financial support and a robust service to our business customers, including franchisors and franchisees, to help them take advantage of the opportunities that are out there, whether at home or abroad. The Expo provides us with a great opportunity to support the start-up and franchising sector and the Awards recognise and reward outstanding entrepreneurs in Irish Franchising." The awards will be presented at a formal black-tie awards ceremony at the RDS on Friday April 2012. The award ceremony is anticipated to be an impressive business event reflecting the remarkable growth of the franchise sector in these challenging times.

According to the latest Irish Franchise survey, there has been a marked increase in turnover for the sector to €2.4 billion representing an increase of 15% since the last survey in 2006. In total the Irish franchise industry contributes 4,086 operating units on the island of Ireland and offers 42,927 full-time jobs to the economy. David Killeen, Chairman of the Irish Franchise Association said "We are delighted to provide a platform for the franchise sector to professionally present the excellent business opportunities that exist for entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in their own business through franchising.

The awards are an opportunity for us to formally acknowledge the excellent work being done by all franchise practitioners in growing the sector, consolidating existing businesses and protecting sustainable jobs despite the difficult trading conditions we currently face. The minimal level of business failures recorded to date in the franchise sector is testament to the robustness of the franchise model and we sincerely thank Ulster Bank for their continued support and commitment to our sector" The Awards ceremony is the highlight of the much anticipated Irish Franchise Association EXPO April 27th and 28th at the RDS Dublin.

The purpose of the EXPO is to act as a showcase for Irish franchisors and the franchising sector with excellent opportunities for prospective franchisees to meet existing franchisors and seek out new business opportunities. The EXPO features exhibitors from the franchise sector, both domestic and international, and extensive information and advice for individuals interested in franchising through an extensive programme of free seminars over the two days, covering all aspects of Franchising from legal matters to finance with interesting case studies and strategic management advice.

Irish Franchising Finalists per category are as follows:

Franchise of the Year (Retail): Hillbilly's Fried Chicken, Funky Monkeys, Zipyard, Boston Brand Bars.

Franchise of the Year (Service): Fastway Couriers, Cartridge Green, FitKids, Motivation Weight Management Clinics.

Franchisee of the Year (Retail): Boston Brand Bars (Wexford), Hillbilly's Fried Chicken (Cork), Snap (Sandyford) and Snap (Mullingar).

Franchisee of the Year (Service): Home Instead, Motivation Weight Management Clinics (Tralee, Killarney and Ennis) and Car Medic (North Dublin)

Best Emerging Franchise (Retail): Hillbilly's Fried Chicken, Funky Monkeys and Boston Brand Bars.

Best Emerging Franchise (Service): FitKids, Cartridge Green and Car Medic.

Best Newcomer: CEX, FitKids, Funky Monkeys and StockWATCH.

Best Indigenous Irish Franchise: Motivation Weight Management Clinics, The Zipyard, Hillbilly's Fried Chicken, FitKids, BCM, Funky Monkeys, StockWATCH and Cartridge Green.

Best Franchise System and Business Practice: Fastway Couriers, FitKids and Chem-dry.

Best Women in Franchising: The Zipyard (Caroline Wallace), Boston Brand Bars (Sarah Miller) and Home Instead (Danette Connolly).

Outstanding Growth Award: BCM, Motivation Weight Management Clinics, The Zipyard and SnapLimerick.

Most Innovative Marketing Award: Car Medic, CEX and Cartridge Green.

To Search for Franchises for Sale in Ireland please click the "All Franchise Opportunities" button above or below.

Rentrak compiles data through a proprietary point-of-sale tracking system from more than 65,000 rental properties, including brick-and-mortar, by-mail or online subscription, and kiosks. While discs remain consumers' preferred rental format, revenue dropped 3.4% compared with 2010 due primarily to the surge in low-margin kiosk rentals, which grew 28% in the fourth quarter. "People have many choices when it comes to renting videos, for both digital and physical media, so it's interesting to see DVD and Blu-ray Disc rentals are still the number one choice for consumers,'' said David Paiko, VP of home entertainment at Rentrak.

The top 10 DVD rentals last year, according to Rentrak, included:

1. Red (Summit/Lionsgate)

2. Due Date (Warner)

3. Little Fockers (Universal)

4. Unstoppable (Fox)

5. The Social Network (Sony Pictures)

6. Bridesmaids (Universal)

7. The Tourist (Sony Pictures)

8. The Lincoln Lawyer (Lionsgate)

9. The Fighter (Paramount)

10. Dinner for Schmucks (DreamWorks)

Top-10 Blu-ray rentals:

1. Red (Summit/Lionsgate)

2. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Disney)

3. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Paramount)

4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1 (Warner)

5. Captain America: The First Avenger (Paramount)

6. Unstoppable (Fox)

7. Due Date (Warner)

8. Tron: Legacy (Disney)

9. Fast Five (Universal)

10. Inception (Warner)

For further information about the DVD Now Vending Machine Kiosk Franchise, please see our listing on this site or click here.

Ladbury Enterprises runs nine restaurants across Ireland. It was placed into administration last month and continued to trade. Three years ago an earlier Pizza Hut franchise in Northern Ireland, Restaurant Management Services, went into administration and several restaurants closed with Ladbury taking over the rest. The management buy-out safeguards more than 200 jobs. The advisors on the deal were insolvency practitioners McClean & Co and solicitors McGrigors.

Laurence Spencer, the head of restructuring at McGrigors in Northern Ireland, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to play our part in making sure that the public on both sides of the border will continue to be able to enjoy Pizza Hut Franchising products. "There remains a great deal of value in the business and this complex deal will safeguard a number of jobs both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland."

To search for Fast Food Franchises for Sale in Ireland, Please click the "All Franchise Opportunities" button.

Purchase Management Franchise Auditel to launch in Ireland - Auditel, the cost and purchase management business opportunity, are planning to launch their franchising business model in Ireland this year. Head of Marketing, Laurence Knott, says: “We are very excited about expanding into Ireland. We have been considering this move for some time. Now, having built a UK network of nearly 200 franchisees, we feel the time is right to move across the water. We believe that we have the expert knowledge and experience to work with Irish companies, large or small, and help them at this critical time to manage all of their business costs in the most effective way.”

Auditel invite interested management professionals to a free Discovery Seminar in the Sandymount Hotel, Herbert Road, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4. Visitors will have the opportunity of gaining an insight into how Auditel works, meet members of the Senior Management Team, ask as many questions as they like and find out first hand how they could benefit from becoming an Auditel Franchisee consultant. There is no hard sell, no obligation and nothing to pay.

The company, whose best-known product is a made-to-order, foot-long sandwich roll, has expanded rapidly in the past seven years. Subway has branches in 98 countries, with 1,400 outlets currently in the UK. It also said on Thursday that it would display calorie information on all its menu boards.

Supermac's & Papa John's Food Franchising Celebrates Successful First Year in Tullamore. Supermac's & Papa John's, Tullamore, celebrated its successful first year of business on Saturday, 10th March with a family fun day which gave much joy to the people of Tullamore.

Famous faces were in the restaurant to meet fans young and old, including Offaly inter-county hurlers and footballers as well as a number of special guests. Young Supermac's & Papa John's customers enjoyed face painting and meeting Super Bunny who was joined by Mickey & Minnie Mouse.

Completely refurbished last year, Supermac's & Papa John's Tullamore iunder the ownership of Supermac's Franchisee Ciarán Stewart. The presentation of jerseys by Ciarán Stewart, to a number of teams Supermac's sponsors took place at the event including Tullamore GAA Club, Tullamore Lions Club, Tullamore Town Soccer, Tullamore Junior School Boy's Club and Tullamore Town Rugby U15 Team.

Other organisations in Tullamore sponsored by Supermac's which joined in the celebrations included committees from Tullamore Arts Centre, Tullamore St. Patrick's Day Parade, the Barnardos Charity Match and the Teen Aware concert. Midlands 103 broadcasted from inside the restaurant throughout the afternoon with messages of good will for Supermac's and Papa John's continuously coming through the phone and text lines. In the week leading up to the event every customer who ordered a large Supermac's meal or a large Papa John's pizza from the William Street restaurant were entered into a draw to win a Berg Kart, courtesy of Haines of Tullamore, an iPad and a number of Supermac's & Papa John's vouchers. Stewart says "we'd like to thank our loyal customers for their support over the last year with this family event.

It is with their custom that Supermac's & Papa John's, Tullamore continues Supermac's mission to provide excellent value, high quality Irish food. We were thrilled to see so many of our customers enjoying the day." Stewart continues "the business has been made feel most welcome in the town by members of the community and members of the business community.

I'm delighted to be involved with a number of community initiatives and sporting organisations in the town and wish to continue working for the positive growth of Tullamore into the future." Supermac's Family Restaurants also in Offaly are located in Edenderry, Ferbane, Shannonbridge, Birr and Kilcormac. One of Ireland's largest indigenous fast food chains, Supermac's also operates the pizza company Papa John's Ireland.

The Galway based franchise currently has over 106 outlets across the Republic and Northern Ireland. Supermac's also has plans to open a number of restaurants this year. In turn, this will generate employment on a national level adding to its existing 2,500 plus employees.

It said it was sticking with plans to open 72 new stores in 2012, including 12 in Germany. Domino's said like-for-like sales at the group's 660 established stores rose 3.5% in the thirteen weeks to March 25. Like-for-like sales in Britain rose 3.6%. Irish sales recorded a 1.7% increase, compared to a 10.5% fall in sales the same time last year.

The company has benefited from cash-strapped consumers staying in to order pizzas rather than going out to eat during an economic downturn. "Although they are just part of the growth story, it is good to see our like-for-like sales continue to increase," said Domino's new chief executive Lance Batchelor, who took up the role late last year. "It is especially pleasing to see sales in the Republic of Ireland return to positive territory," he added.

Domino's reported growth in its online business in the first quarter, with a 44.5% increase in total online sales to £59.3m sterling. Orders made using mobile platforms accounted for 16.4% of online orders. "We may have a softer comparative for the second quarter of the year but we will not be taking our foot off the accelerator," Batchelor said.

"We have a number of marketing initiatives and other programmes aimed at ensuring our franchisees can profitably grow their businesses." The chain added six stores in the first quarter and is confident it will achieve its target of 72 new stores in 2012, of which 12 will be in Germany. The company opened six stores in Germany in 2011, and plans a further 26 outlets by the end of 2013, with a view to growing the business to as much as twice the size of its British operation.

Domino's said the first of the new German stores was being built and that it had found locations in the more affluent west of the country for other stores.

"I'm looking for the right people to join our team to deliver our values and share our passion about inspiring imaginations," she says. Sarah created The Creation Station at home in 2002 so she could work while spending time with her three children.

"The idea for the business came from a personal need," Sarah says. "My three young boys never sat still and they really struggled to concentrate. I knew if I could engage them in creative activities that captured their curiosity, they would really benefit. "I developed the educationally-based programmes within a child-centred framework and within weeks my boys started to sit and focus for much longer."

So far Sarah has been joined by more than 50 franchisees who provide local, hands-on, art and craft classes, parties and events for children aged between three months to 11 years. The majority of the 52 franchises are run by mums who can benefit from not having to pay childcare costs while they work as they can involve their children in their classes. And this month the business was awarded The National Best Franchisee Marketing Support Award.

"Winning the award is a real testament to the passion and commitment myself and my whole team have for supporting mums with a work from home business, that's family friendly and enables mums to put their children's needs first," says Sarah.