There are now more than 35 major chains in this niche, from doggy day cares, groomers, and dog-walking providers to pet stores, dog trainers, and boarding services.
But now big retail chains are piling in.
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The market is certainly receptive to dining chains seeking funding right now, in general.
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Further afield in Seattle where chains are also now required to display calories (the practice also spread to California), a study of 37 sit-down and quick service burger, pizza, sandwich, and Tex-Mex chains in the area found fast-food entrees contained about 19 less calories only 18 months after the regulation was implemented.
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Right now, there are simply too many franchise chains in competition for too few qualified franchise buyers.
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Many sophisticated supply chains now stretch across continents and rely on just-in-time delivery.
Elaborate supply chains now span many borders: South Korean goods may be assembled in China, using machines from Japan.
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It is now one of the largest purchasers of newspapers in the UK behind the major supermarket chains and retailers.
But slim suits have been back in style for about a decade now, with tailored clothing lines from mainstream chains such as J.
The scandal started in Ireland last month, when authorities there found horse meat in some beef burgers sold in large U.K. supermarket chains, but it has now swept across Europe.
Congress' decision in 1972 to cover dialysis gave rise to chains of outpatient centers that now treat 90% of U.S. patients.
Now prominent chains such as Lao Feng Xiang have ambitious plans to open standalone stores in next few years, especially in smaller cities.
The company, spun off in 1997 by PepsiCo (nyse: PEP - news - people ) and now the world's largest restaurant operator in terms of units, has restaurants in five major chains including Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in more than 100 countries.
Lucky Earth can now be found in 130 stores, including some in the Whole Foods and Akin's Natural Foods Market chains.
The company, spun off in 1997 by PepsiCo and now the world's largest restaurant operator in terms of units, has 33, 000 restaurants in five major chains including Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.
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