Good News! - January 2018

The good news: 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. The bad news: It's getting harder to keep up with all the good news! That's a nice problem to have -- and why we provide our "Good News!" monthly roundup of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion news, refranchising, 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

Ampex Buys 77 Pizza Huts, 52 KFCs in Waning Months of 2017

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop Signs 50 Franchise Agreements in 2017

A&W Opens 60 Stores in 2017, Plans To Focus on Rural Growth in 2018

Restoration 1 Adds 70 Locations in 2017; Buys bluefrog Plumbing + Drain

Hampton by Hilton Opens 16 New Hotels in November and December

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Inks 8-Unit Deal for Metro Philly

Salsarita's Reports Strong 2017, Plans 6 New Units by July

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Signs Deals for 22 Units in Texas, 4 in Georgia

Tropical Smoothie Franchisee Inks New Deal for 8 More Florida Units

Financial/M&A

MOD Pizza Turns 10, Raises $33 Million in Equity Funding for 2018 Growth

Mugshots Grill & Bar Founder's Acquisition Re-Unites Company

Church's Chicken Refranchises 70 Units in Texas, Sells 6 in Georgia

Big Plans, Big Dreams

Black Bear Diner CEO Outlines Growth Plans, Eastward Expansion

International

Fatburger To Open 3-in-1 Unit in Tokyo with Buffalo Express and Fatbar

New And Emerging Brands

1000 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza Signs 24-Unit Deal for SC and GA

Melt Shop Lands First Development Deal: 18 Units in PA, NJ, and DE

Cauldron Ice Cream Inks 5-Unit Deal for Northern California

Mamoun's Falafel Signs 5-Unit Deal for Chicago Area

Rachel's Kitchen Targets Phoenix for First Units Outside Nevada

Big Whiskey's Reports Solid Growth Numbers in 2017

PEOPLE, AWARDS, MILESTONES

ComForCare Names PostNet Founder Steve Greenbaum Its New CEO

Ruby Tuesday Names Ray Blanchette CEO; Formerly of Au Bon Pain

9Round Opens 600th Kickboxing Fitness Location; 150 New in 2017

Domino's Pizza Names Joe Jordan Executive VP International

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe CEO Named Best in Biz Award Winner

Blaze Pizza Hires Mandy Shaw as CFO; Formerly at Bloomin' Brands

Edible Arrangements Names 12-Year Veteran Kaitlin Reiss CMO