Good News! - July 2018

As we enter the second half of 2018, things are heating up in franchising. Consolidation continues, new brands are emerging, emerging brands are growing, and U.S. brands are casting their sights overseas and vice versa. It's hard keeping up with all this growth and change, which is why we provide our "Good News!" monthly digest of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion, people, and milestones. This month we've added a new focus: coverage of big-picture ideas, trends, and developments likely to shape franchising in the coming months and years. 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

Smoothie King Signs 60-Unit Deal for Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Florida

Marriott International Buys Sheraton Grand Phoenix for $255 Million

Jamba Juice Signs 2 NFL Players for Up to 6 Stores in Greater D.C.

Quaker Steak To Build Standalone Travel Center Restaurant in Virginia

Newk’s Eatery Announces 10-Restaurant Deal in Southeast Florida

FInancial/M&A/Incentives

Rent-A-Center Acquired for Nearly $1.4 Billion by Vintage Capital

Long John Silver’s Launches Ambitious Incentive Program

Tim Hortons To Spend $100 Million To Revamp Its Distribution System

Centerbridge Partners Looking To Sell 300-Unit P.F. Chang’s

The Learning Experience Acquired by Golden Gate Capital

Big Plans, Big Ideas, Big Picture

Ed Teixera on Managing Change in Franchising

Domino’s CEO Patrick Doyle Steps Down; Analysts Predict Gains

Opinion: How Patrick Doyle Changed Domino’s — and the Restaurant Industry

Leadership Lessons from Jersey Mike’s CEO Peter Cancro

Opinion: 4 Reasons Chipotle Is Moving HQ to Southern California

Dawn Sweeney, NRA CEO, Likes Association Health Plans for SMBs

7 of 8 Franchises in “No Poaching” Probe Halt the Practice

International

U.K’s Leon To Debut in Washington, D.C. in Late Summer

9Round Expands To India and Argentina

IHG Opens Its 1,000th Hotel in EMEAA Region; Plans 321 More in 5 Years

McDonald’s To Open 2 More McCafés in Canada, Targeting Gen Z Customers

Philippines’ Jollibee Foods Now Seeks Mexican Concept in U.S.

U.K.’s World Franchise Associates Inks Deal with India’s Copper Chimney

Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar To Debut in Melbourne in Spring 2019

New And Emerging Brands

ONE Cannabis Inks 5 Franchise Deals in Colorado; Targets 50 by 2021

Raw Fitness Begins Franchising, Targeting CA, AZ, Texas, and Washington

Binghamton Hots, College Town Concept, Begins Franchising

Locali Signs Multi-Unit Deal for Southern Florida

People, Awards, Milestones

Freddy’s Ranked #1 in High-Investment Category by FRANdata/Forbes

The Little Gym International Opens 400th Location

Your Pie Celebrates 10th Year with Trips, Giveaways, and 1 Franchise Fee

Eggs Up Grill Names Ricky Richardson CEO; Former TGIF President/COO

Tender Green Promotes President Denyelle Bruno to CEO

Mama Fu’s Adds Three to Executive Team

Wingstop Names Maurice Cooper SVP, CMO

First Watch Restaurants President Chris Tomasso Also Named CEO