Good News! - April 2018

2018 has started out as a good year for franchising, building on last year’s favorable legislation with continued growth from both established and emerging brands and a slew of M&A activity — not only at the franchisee level, but also for franchisors as franchise holding companies continue to increase the number of brands in their stable. But with all that growth and change, it’s harder to keep up! That’s why we provide our “Good News!” monthly digest of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion, people, and milestones attained by franchisors large, medium, and emerging. Here’s your chance to follow the leaders, every third Tuesday of the month.

So if you're not doing it already, send us your good news here.

New Units/Growth/Expansion

Gold's Gym Adds 12 New Locations in Q1 2018, 7 Overseas

Monster Tree Service Sells 28 New Franchises in Q1 2018

Dunkin' Donuts Inks 2 Multi-Unit Deals To Add 5 Units in North Carolina

Dunkin' Donuts Signs 3-Unit Deal with New Franchisee for Kansas City, Mo.

sweetFrog Frozen Yogurt Transfers Ownership of 5 Units to 7-Unit Franchisee

Capriotti's Signs 3-Unit Deal for Southern California

Pet Supplies Plus Opens 5 New Stores in 4 Different States

Captain D's Signs 2 New Franchisees in Texas for 2 New Restaurants

Brightway Insurance Opens New Stores in Florida, Michigan, and Texas

Financial/M&A/Incentives

TSC Lands $20 Million in Debt Capital from ApplePie Capital for Franchisee Growth

Quaker Steak & Lube Offers Multi-Unit Incentives at Multi-Unit Conference

Big Plans, Big Dreams

Robeks Plans 12 Openings in 2018 and Aims for 100 Locations by 2019

Salsa Fresca Mexican Grill Targets 100 Restaurants in 5 Years

International

Hooters Adds New Unit for 17th Restaurant in Mexico

Canada's Spray-Net Targets Pennsylvania for U.S. Expansion

New and Emerging Brands

Strange Donuts, Based in St. Louis, Begins Franchising Nationally

CoreLife Eatery Signs Deal for Up to 14 New Stores in North Carolina

Melt Shop Outlines U.S. Growth Plans; Opens First International Store

Pincho Factory Gets Investment, New President, and Inks 10-Unit Deal

Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ, Founded by 2 Industry Pros, Begins Franchising

Crisp & Green Launches Franchise Program 1 Year After Opening

R Taco Opens 2 New Restaurants in Texas; Now Up to 26 Total

Velvet Taco Now Up to 10 Restaurants Open or Under Construction

People, Awards, Milestones

Ziebart Int'l Celebrates 40th Anniversary of CEO/President Thomas E. Wolfe

McAlister's Deli Names Joe Guith President, Succeeding Paul Macaluso

Cinnabon Names Kristen Hartman President, Succeeding Joe Guith

The Pie Hole Names Edie Ames Its New CEO

Taco Bueno Appoints Omar Janjua CEO

MOD Pizza's COO Paul Twohig Adds President to His Responsibilities

I Heart Mac & Cheese Names Daniel Collins President and CDO

Nothing Bundt Cakes Opens 250th Bakery, Promotes Kyle Smith to CEO

Camp Bow Wow Opens Its 150th Location