Good News! - March 2017

The good news: Despite ongoing external threats to the business model, franchising is experiencing a remarkable growth phase – not only in unit count and system-wide revenue, but also in the number of new and emerging brands. The bad news: It’s harder to keep up with all the good news! That’s a nice problem to have – and why we’ve brought back our “Good News!” 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

Dunkin’ Donuts Signs 2 Deals for 17 Units in Alabama and Mississippi

Taco John’s Inks 50 New Commitments in 2016, Eyes Further Expansion in 2017

Captain D’s Accelerates Growth with Deals in IL, TX, VA, NC, KY

Freddy’s Frozen Custard’s Slow, Steady Strategy Pays Off with New Growth

Financial

Noodles & Co. Sells $31.5 Million in Stock to Mill Road Capital

Palm Beach Tan Acquires Memphis-Based Tan-N-Go

Big Plans, Big Dreams

La Madeleine’s Refranchising Plan Targets Aggressive Growth

Mr. Gatti’s, Gatti’s Pizza Relaunch Franchising After Long Hiatus

Juice It Up! Launches New Franchise Website To Spur Growth

Veterans

Home Franchise Concepts Launches Giveaway Initiative for Veterans

International

Chem-Dry and N-Hance Announce Multi-Unit Deals in 5 New Countries

Miami Grill Brings Its South Beach Concept to Myanmar (Burma)

Hooters Signs 15-Unit Deal for Spain and Portugal with Grupo Iberfood

New And Emerging Brands

Hurricane BTW To Open 49 Locations in Next 42 Months

Papaya King, New York City Icon, Begins Franchising

Clean Juice Announces 43 Units Awarded; First Set To Open in March

Oklahoma Joe’s Bar-B-Cue Ramps Up Franchising Efforts

Morano Gelato Opens First Franchise (Westfield, NJ)

Urban Float Concept Brings Back Sensory Deprivation Tanks

Current Meditation To Begin Franchising This Spring

Sirius Day Spa Launches; 4th Brand for Massage Envy Founder

Milestones

Massage Envy Turns 15 with Renewed Focus on Expansion

Zoup! Hits 100-Unit Milestone with Opening in Detroit

Dream Dinners Turns 15; Announces New Deal in Alabama

Slim Chickens Opens 50th Restaurant (Edinburg, TX)

People & Awards

Applebee’s Appoints John Cywinski President

Lawry’s Names Tiffany Stith President, COO

Wingstop Names Madison Jobe Chief Development Officer

Fetch! Pet Care Names James Mowery President

Long John Silver’s Announces 3 Senior-Level Promotions

Fiesta Restaurant Group Names Richard Stockinger CEO

800 Degrees Pizza Names Tommy Lee CEO

Marco’s Pizza Promotes Tony Libardi to COO

Pei Wei Names Former NPC COO John Hedrick Its New CEO

El Pollo Loco CEO Steve Sather To Retire by Year-End

Waffle House Founder Dies at 97