Good, Bad, and Other News! – June 2022

Can we really, finally be in the post-Covid era? Let’s hope so, and count our blessings while they last. Here’s our roundup of franchise news, delivered your way every first Tuesday of the month. (Yes, we’ve changed the schedule.) And if you’re not doing it already, send us your news here and see it next month in this newsletter!

POST-COVID REOPENING & RECOVERY

Restaurants Face New Survival Challenges After Republicans Kill Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Report: Restaurants, Salons, & Gyms Top List of Businesses Fearing Shutdowns from Inflation

Restaurants Add New Fees To Checks To Counter Inflation

Burger Prices To Remain High as Cattle Ranchers Shrink Herds

Taco Bell Pulls Mexican Pizza After 2 Weeks, Citing High Demand, Supply Problems

Starbucks To Exit Russia After 15 years, Closing 130 Licensed Cafes

Burger King Unable To Exit from Russia Because of Master Franchise Deal Structure

COMPANY NEWS & GROWTH

Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Opens Locations in Bangkok and Beirut

Big Blue Swim School Signs 3 Agreements for 15 New Locations

European Wax Center Announces 900th Center Opening

Children’s Lighthouse Celebrates 25 Years in Business

H&R Block and Nextdoor Announce 11 New Community-Led Projects Across U.S.

LunchboxWax Changes Its Name to Radiant Waxing

SafeSplash Signs 3 New Deals for Washington, D.C., Kansas City, and Sacramento

Speed Queen Expands Franchise Offering to AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, TX

The Carpet Chemist Signs Its First Franchisee 

Ultra Pool Care Squad Signs Its First Two Franchise Agreements, Both in Texas

HIRING & EMPLOYMENT

Flexibility: 4 Ways To Deliver What Workers Want Most Today

Win The Great Retention by Prioritizing Employees’ Mental Well-Being

FINANCE & M&A

Trian Partners Explores Possible Sale or Merger for Wendy’s

Centre Partners Buys Captain D’s Again

LEADERSHIP

Why Really Smart Executives Do Really Stupid Things

MARKETING/CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

McDonald’s, Wendy’s Ramp Up Breakfast Deals as Workers Return to Office

The Power of Service Recovery – 5 Tips To Save a Customer

Unity Rd. Leverages Guest Feedback and Online Reviews To Reach Customers

TECHNOLOGY

How GDPR Is Failing After 4 Years as Big Tech Outpaces Regulators

Thousands of Popular Websites See What You Type—Before You Hit Submit!

5 Strategies Brands Can Use To Ensure They Own Their Data