Good News! - February 2018

2017 was a good year for franchising, with favorable legislation, continued growth of both established and emerging brands, and a slew of consolidation — not only at the franchisee level, but also for franchisors as franchise holding companies continued to increase the number of brands in their stable. But with all that growth and change churning away, it’s gotten harder to keep up with all the good news! That’s why we provide our “Good News!” monthly roundup 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

East Coast Wings + Grill To Add 7 More Units in Tennessee

Shipley Do-Nuts To Open in Oklahoma; 25 Planned for the State

Rush Bowls Signs Multi-Unit Deal for 3 in Tempe and 3 in Denver

Capriotti’s Signs New Multi-Unit Deals for 4 States (CO, UT, SD, DE)

The Hummus and Pita Co. Signs 5-Unit Deal for Detroit

Embassy Suites by Hilton Opens LEED-Certified Hotel in Denton, TX

A&W Signs Deal for 8 Units in 8 Years in Northwest Ohio

Financial/M&A

Q4 Restaurant Sales Rise 2.6%, First Quarter of Sales Growth in 2 Years

ComForCare Acquires CarePatrol, a Senior Living Placement Service

WKS Restaurant Group Buys 52 Wendy’s from Pennant Foods

Choice Hotels Completes $231 Million Acquisition of WoodSpring Suites

Jollibee Foods Ups Stake in Smashburger to 85% for $100 Million

Big Plans, Big Dreams

New Dairy Queen CEO Troy Bader Outlines Future Plans

Dunkin’ Donuts CMO Lays Out Plans for Changes and Future Growth

Nestle Toll House Café Plans 35 New Units in 2018

Gold’s Gym Outlines Plans for Continued Growth in 2018

International

Melt Shop Opens in Kuwait, Its First Overseas Franchise Location

Wayback Burgers Opens in Khartoum, Sudan in 7-Unit Deal

Dublin-Based Fast-Casual Burger Brand Rocket’s Expands

New And Emerging Brands

The Lobster Pot Begins Franchising After 40 Years in Provincetown

Yogibo Launches Franchising Effort for Its “Fun-iture” Stores (Video)

Superior Fence & Rail Opens 10th Location (Fort Myers, Florida)

Flatbread Grill Now Franchising Its Mediterranean Concept

Giardino Gourmet Salads Opens 16th and 17th Units (South Florida)

Crazy Pita Rotisserie & Grill Begins National Franchising

Shuckin’ Shack Plans To Grow from 12 to 18 Locations in 2018

The Pizza Press Aims To Have 50 Locations Open in 2018

People, Awards, Milestones

Eileen Huntington Named IFA 2017 Entrepreneur of the Year

Sizzler Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary with Meal Specials

PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans Turns 40, Plans 20 New Locations

Nekter Juice Bar Opens 100th Restaurant (Anaheim Hills, CA)

Subway Promotes Tracy Steinwand to Director of Global Operations

Chipotle Names New CEO: Brian Niccol, Former Taco Bell CEO