According to the 2016 Franchise Business Economic Outlook report, employment growth in the franchise sector will continue to outpace the growth of employment in all businesses economy-wide, as it has in each of the last six years. The franchise industry is set to grow by 1.7 percent in 2016 which added over 13,000 new franchise businesses, generating over $900 billion in economic output and 278,000 new jobs in 2015.
Kumon, the world’s largest education franchise, continues to flourish as it surpassed company milestones in 2015 with nearly 300,000 students enrolled in its math and reading programs nationwide.
“Many of our 1,500 franchise owners opened Kumon centers after experiencing first-hand how Kumon gave their own children an academic advantage that put them ahead of their peers,” says Larry Lambert, vice president of franchise recruitment at Kumon North America. “Kumon is helping thousands of aspiring small business owners transform their lives with a career that rewards them and changes the lives of youth every day.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7720256-kumon-franchise/
A new solar power system is installed in the United States every 1.6 minutes, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). With the number of residential solar installations expected to increase this year by 35 percent according to GTM Research, more consumers will have an opportunity to choose the best solar solution for their home, saving on electricity bills while generating clean energy. Offering a record-setting, proven solar power solution, SunPower reminds homeowners that better solar technology exists and is accessible today.
“Solar technology differs widely from brand to brand, so it’s important for consumers to consider that not all panels deliver the same amount of energy, look elegant on a roof, or are guaranteed to last as long as promised,” said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units. “SunPower® panels are the most efficient that homeowners can buy, and we stand behind them for a quarter century. We’re proud to hold the world-record title for efficiency.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7706151-sunpower-residential-solar-panel/
Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid (HEV) at the Chicago Auto Show. The Optima HEV enjoys the same full redesign – inside and out – as the conventional gas-powered model, the all-new fourth-generation Optima sedan, bringing with it a new hybrid powertrain that targets a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy over the outgoing model. The enhanced HEV blends modern styling and a premium driving experience with an even more intense focus on efficiency and is being introduced under the Kia Motors EcoDynamics environmentally friendly sub-brand.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7731855-kia-2017-optima-hybrid-cas/
Launched in January, Flatbed Cider Co. (www.flatbedcider.com) offers consumers an all-new craft cider made from the apples that made the Northwest famous around the world. The company’s two offerings, a Crisp Apple Cider and a Pear Cider are now available at restaurants and retailers throughout Washington State and Oregon.
While various hard ciders have been produced in the U.S. since the repeal of prohibition, the Northwest has recently become the epicenter of a craft cider revolution. Since 2012, cider’s popularity has grown more than 60 percent each year, with the strongest growth happening in Washington State and Oregon¹. Flatbed ferments its hard ciders from local, whole-pressed apples—rather than the apple juice concentrate used by many brands—and limits the time from branch to bottle to minimize oxidation and maximize Flatbed’s bright, rustic apple character.
Flatbed’s Crisp Apple Cider has a drier taste profile than most widely-available ciders in the U.S. Flatbed Crisp Apple Cider is all-natural, with no added sugar or artificial ingredients and is naturally gluten-free. Jonagold apples picked at their peak deliver the balance and acidity behind Flatbed’s exceptionally bright taste while Red Delicious apples provide tannin structure. Golden Delicious apples add a rustic apple character with a twist of subtle sweetness. And, heirloom varietals like Newtown Pippins and Gravensteins—which are hand-selected from batch-to-batch—add bucolic Northwest charm to the blend. Thanks to its bright acidity and drier flavor profile, Flatbed’s Crisp Apple Cider pairs with nearly anything that comes from the sea, farm or food cart. The Crisp Apple Cider is currently available in a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles with an SRP of $10.99.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7409455-flatbed-cider-northwest-launch/
This February, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month by hosting the Tournament of Tooth Care, showcasing how parents and caregivers can help their kids fend off the Mouth Monsters –a.k.a. tooth decay. Parents and caregivers can tune in to the Mouth Madness to learn how to help little teeth take on the Mouth Monsters one big game at a time.
“Tooth decay in children is a major health epidemic for adolescents across the country,” said Dr. Robert Delarosa, AAPD President. “National Children’s Dental Health Month is a great time for parents to keep their children’s dental health top of mind. Make it a priority this month to find a Dental Home – or home base – for your child’s oral health needs and be sure your next check-up is on the calendar.”
Tooth decay is one of the top chronic infectious diseases among children in the U.S. About 60 percent of children will have had tooth decay at some point by age five. More than 50 million school hours are missed every year by school-aged children in the U.S. due to dental visits or problems. And tooth decay isn’t just bad for oral health; children who develop tooth decay at a young age are at a greater risk for developing problems with oral and general health, as well as with educational and social development.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7750251-aapd-mouth-madness-dental-health/
Snack bar maker Larabar is launching a movement inspired by the brand’s foundational belief to make simple and wholesome food accessible for all and joining Feeding America® in the fight to end hunger along the way. The partnership is part of a larger integrated marketing campaign titled “Food Made From Food” that challenges consumer misperceptions of packaged food.
According to a recent survey commissioned by Larabar, 72 percent of participants responded that there is a difference between packaged food and real food. However, the majority also believe that primary Larabar ingredients fruits and nuts are real food at 90 and 78 percent, respectively. By highlighting the whole, simple ingredients within each bar, Larabar aims to show consumers just how easy it can be to choose real food.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7726951-general-mills-larabar-share-real-food/
More than 15 percent of reproductive-aged women have filled a prescription for an antidepressant medication during the years 2008–2013, according to a new analysis published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and the CDC is working with the March of Dimes to raise awareness about the use of antidepressant medications by women of reproductive age, and what women should know and do for their own health and that of their babies. There is conflicting evidence about the potential link between some antidepressants and certain birth defects. Some commonly used antidepressants are sertraline (Zoloft), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), and citalopram (Celexa).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7709851-march-of-dimes-antidepressant-pregnancy-study/
Losing weight and being healthier are at the top of everyone’s New Year’s resolutions. But, despite the best intentions, work, kids, and social events often push lifestyle changes to the bottom of the list. While many are familiar with type 2 diabetes, fewer are aware of prediabetes, a serious health condition that affects 86 million Americans (more than 1 in 3) and often leads to type 2 diabetes. People with prediabetes have higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) levels, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
To raise awareness and help people with prediabetes know where they stand and how to prevent type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have partnered with the Ad Council to launch the first national public service advertising (PSA) campaign about prediabetes. The PSA campaign, featuring first-of-its-kind communications techniques, was developed pro bono by Ogilvy & Mather New York for the Ad Council.
Nearly 90 percent of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it and aren’t aware of the long-term risks to their health, including type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Current trends suggest that, if not treated, 15 to 30 percent of people with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. The good news is that prediabetes often can be reversed through weight loss, diet changes and increased physical activity. Diagnosis is key: research shows that once people are aware of their condition, they are much more likely to make the necessary lifestyle changes.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7731551-ad-council-prediabetes-psa/
Denny’s, one of America’s largest full-service restaurant chains, today announced its commitment to sourcing and serving 100 percent cage-free eggs in all of its U.S. restaurants by 2026. Denny’s is the first within the family dining segment to commit to 100% cage-free eggs, underlining the brand’s dedication to the humane treatment of animals within its supply sourcing and its ongoing focus on quality, flavor and guest satisfaction.
“We believe our guests care about how their food is sourced and so do we. For more than 60 years, we have listened to our guests to understand what they care about the most, without sacrificing on quality, taste or value,” said John Miller, Denny’s president and chief executive officer. “The humane treatment of animals remains an important part of our brand’s sourcing strategy, and our commitment to this transition underscores our confidence in the ethical evolution of supplier capabilities.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7731351-denny-s-commits-cage-free-eggs/
Georgia Power today marked another year of safe construction and significant milestones at the Vogtle nuclear expansion site. The new units are currently scheduled to go into service in June 2019 (Unit 3) and June 2020 (Unit 4) and the remaining projected customer rate impact is approximately 2.5 percent, an average of less than 1 percent per year through completion.
In addition, the company’s recent completion of the settlement process between the project co-owners (Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and Dalton Utilities) and the project’s contractors (Westinghouse and CB&I) settles all claims previously in litigation with the contractors, reaffirms the current in-service dates, adds additional contractual protections and positions Westinghouse and its affiliates as the primary contractor over the project.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7464951-ga-power-project-vogtle/
Extremely painful and destructive, gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis with elevated serum uric acid (sUA) a root cause of the disease. Even with the growing incidence of gout, recent research from the Gout & Uric Acid Education Society (GUAES) found that just 16 percent of Americans overall know the target sUA number for gout (6 mg/dL or below) – and just 38 percent of people with gout had their sUA levels checked within the past six months, the timeframe recommended by the American College of Rheumatology. Additionally, the majority of gout sufferers don’t understand the importance of taking daily uric acid-lowering medications, with four in 10 incorrectly believing that they can stop taking medications when they aren’t experiencing flares.
Seeking to increase recognition of the severity of gout and need for routine sUA testing and management, GUAES hosted a professional roundtable discussion on October 3, 2015. The roundtable brought together several experts – rheumatologists, a family care physician, and representatives from the American Association of Diabetes Educators, the National Kidney Foundation and CreakyJoints – to explore how to more effectively educate about gout and improve access to public education and treatment.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7715851-guaes-gout-roundtable-discussion/
The plan for reducing carbon emissions from existing power plants that President Obama unveiled at the climate conference in Paris will come with an overall price tag that should greatly trouble American consumers and business and will have little meaningful impact on global warming, cautioned the National Mining Association.
“The plan will replace low-cost power supplies with more expensive and less reliable sources of power. And these increases will show up in monthly utility bills and have a particularly devastating effect on low-income households. About half of all American families already pay close to 20 percent of their disposable income on energy-related expenses.” said Luke Popovich, Vice President, Communications, National Mining Association.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7221731-national-mining-association-americans-electricity-bill-increase-due-to-epa-regulations/
