Good News! – May 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 Lands Deal for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor Acela Express

Help-U-Sell Real Estate Welcomes 10 New Offices

Mamoun’s Falafel Goes West, Signs 8-Unit Deal for San Jose Area

Captain D’s Signs 5-Restaurant Deal for South Carolina

Ponderosa Steakhouse Franchisee Signs AD Agreement for Ohio

Brightway Insurance Opens 5 New Agencies, All Women-Owned

Capriotti’s Inks 3-Unit, 3-Year Deal for Minneapolis Area

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Signs 2-Unit Deal with KC Chiefs Corner Back

Restoration 1 Signs 4-Unit Deal with First Female Franchisee

Financial/Acquisitions

US Beef Acquires 10 Arby’s in Washington and Idaho

Bloomin’ Brands Refranchises 53 Outbacks, 1 Carraba’s

Fazoli’s Reports Record-Setting FY2017

HomeVestors of America Acquired by Levine Leichtman Capital Partners

Famous Dave’s To Refranchise Its 33 Corporate Stores

McDonald’s Increases Its Contribution for Remodeling, Upgrades

TPG Growth Invests in Club Pilates

Big Plans, Big Dreams

Yum Brands Announces $130 Million Pizza Hut Turnaround Plan

First Watch To Open 110+ Franchised Restaurants by 2022

Logan’s Roadhouse New CEO Hazem Ouf Outlines Turnaround Plan

Bojangles’ Targets Delaware and Maryland for Expansion

Twin Peaks CEO Joe Hummel Outlines His Vision for Growth

International

The Dwyer Group Acquires U.K. Home Cleaners Bright & Beautiful

The Dwyer Group Acquires U.K.’s Countrywide Grounds Maintenance

Wingstop Signs Deal for 100 U.K. Locations Over 12 Years

Arby’s Signs 3 Deals for 10 Units in Canada Over 3 Years

Bennigan’s Opens 2nd Restaurant in Doha, Qatar

Patrice & Associates Recruiting Firm Signs Canada Deal

New And Emerging Brands

Peño Mediterranean Grill Adds 3 Franchise Locations in the Carolinas

Hammer & Nails Grooming Shop for Guys Inks 10-Unit Maryland Deal

The Gyro Shack Opens Its First Franchised Unit

Clean Juice Opens New Unit in North Carolina

Office Evolution Signs 101st Franchise Agreement, Enters 5 New Markets

TGA Premier Sports Launches TGA Team Sports Franchise Brand

D1 Training, Founded by Former Denver Bronco, Begins Franchising

Veterans

Dream Vacations Partners with Military Spouse To Award Free Franchise

Milestones

Cheng Cohen Celebrates 10 Years

McAlister’s Deli Opens 400th Restaurant, Outlines Future Plans

People & Awards

CoreLife Eatery Signs Former Panera Exec Scott Davis as President

Aslam Khan Named CEO of TGI Fridays

Jim Mize Promoted to President and CEO at Blaze Pizza

Subway Hires Karlin Linhardt as North America SVP for Marketing

Chuy’s Co-Founder Michael Young Retires After 35 Years

Togo’s Chair and CEO Tony Gioia Announces Retirement

Chipotle Hires Former Arby’s Exec as Chief Restaurant Officer

Pieology Names Former Smashburger CEO Michael Nolan as President