Good News! - April 2019

It's hard keeping up with all of today's changes in franchising - which is why we provide this monthly digest of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion, people, and milestones. This month we've seen increases in financial activity and in new brands announcing that they're now franchising. 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!

Leadership

GPS Hospitality Buys 75 Pizza Huts in Two Separate Deals

Up Close and Personal with Yum Brands CEO Greg Creed

Podcast: Saladworks CEO Patrick Sugrue on Appealing to Flexitarians

New Units/Growth/Expansion

Massage Envy Ink Deal for 70 Units in the Rockies and Great Plains

Zips Dry Cleaners Signs 20-Unit, 5-Year Deal for Atlanta

Gloria Jean's Coffees Inks 7-Unit Deal in Northwest Indiana

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Opens 5 Nontraditional Locations

Hampton by Hilton Opens for Business in Kittery, Maine

Kiddie Academy Opens New Location in Pittsburgh

Brightway Insurance Opens 3 New Stores in Florida, Missouri, Tennessee

Anago Cleaning Systems Announces Newest Master in Austin

Title Boxing Club Sells Out Manhattan to Current Franchisee

Financial, M&A, Private Equity, Refranchising

Blackstone Group To Acquire Servpro Industries for $1 Billion-Plus

MTY To Acquire Struggling Papa Murphy's for $190 Million

McDonald's To Buy Israeli Tech Firm Dynamic Yield for $300 Million

McDonald's Buys 10% of New Zealand App Developer for $3.7 Million

Restaurant Management Platform Toast Raises $250 Million

RGT Management Sells 105 Restaurants, 55 Properties for $213 Million

Starbucks Invests $100 Million in Food & Retail Tech Startup Fund

Red Robin Retains The Cypress Group to Manage Refranchising Plan

REGULATION, LEGISLATION, POLITICS, ETC.

New York Senator Challenges Friendly's on Restaurant Closures

Chick-fil-A Banned from Two Airports Over Anti-LGBTQ Stance

DOL Issues New Joint Employer Rule Proposal; Comments Due by June 10

New and Emerging Brands

We The People Now Offers Franchises for Selling Crowdfunded Products

True Rest Float Spa Continues Its Growth Trajectory with New Franchisees

The Hummus & Pita Co. Signs Multi-Unit Deal with Large Burger King Zee

Davidovich NYC Bagel and Sandwich Shop Now Franchising Nationwide

Mutts Canine Cantina Signs Second Multi-Unit Deal in Dallas-Fort Worth

ManageMowed Commercial Landscape Management Firm Now Franchising

Ike's Love & Sandwiches Launches National Franchise Expansion

Big Blue Swim School Signs First Franchisees in 5-Unit Deal

The Original Hot Dog Factory Launches Franchising Campaign

Curry Up Now Secures 3 of 5 Locations Planned for Greater Atlanta

Rush Bowl Inks 100th Store Deal 2 Years After Starting to Franchise

Randy's Donuts, a 60-Year Old Brand, Offers Franchises Nationwide

International

Hilton Expands in Colombia with New Bogota Hotel

IHG Inks Deals for Two New Holiday Inns in Saudi Arabia

Marriott International Opens 7,000th Property: The St. Regis Hong Kong

GymGuyz Announces Plans To Bring 70 Locations to the U.K.

Anytime Fitness To Open It is First Gym in Germany with Master Franchisee

Domino's Pizza Celebrates Opening of Its 10,000th International Store

People, Awards, Milestones

CKE Restaurants Promotes 30-Year Veteran Ned Lyerly to CEO

Red Robin CEO Denny Marie Post Retires; Pattye Moore Named Interim CEO

Little Caesars Promotes Ed Gleich to Chief Innovation Officer

Dunkin' Brands Names David Mann as SVP, Chief Legal Officer

Bloomin' Brands Names David Deno as CEO, Liz Smith to Board Chair

Stoner's Pizza Joint Names Glenn Cybulski President, Chief Culinary Officer

Nothing Bundt Cakes Celebrates 300th Bakery Opening