Good News! - November 2016

The good news: 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

Firenza Pizza Inks Deal for 42 Units in 5 Years in Central and South Florida

First Watch Signs 12-Unit Deal with for Carolinas with Houston Pizza Venture

Starwood Hotels Opens 7 Tribute Hotels, 5 in U.S., Plus Singapore and Bali

Van Jakes Opens 2nd Jersey Mike’s; Will Continue Training Former Pro Athletes

Financial

Senior Helpers Purchased by Altaris Capital Partners, Eyes Expansion

Alliance Franchise Brands Expands By Buying KKP Canada

ReadyCap Launches MVP, an SBA Lending Program for Military Veterans

Arby’s Reports 6th Consecutive Quarter of SSS (Up 12% in 2 Years)

Big Plans, Big Dreams

Taco Bell Plans To Create 100,000 Jobs, Reach 9,000 Units by 2022

Church’s Chicken Inks 10-Unit Deal; Plans 10-Year, $40 Million Expansion

PuroClean Targets Boston for Large-Scale Growth

Papa Murphy’s Aggressive Growth Plan Targets 80 Key U.S. Markets

International

Johnny Rockets Signs 100-Unit Deal with JR Restaurants Australia

Nestlé Toll House Cafés by Chip Adds 2 More Stores in Lebanon

China’s HNA Group Spends $6.5 Billion for 25% Stake in Hilton Worldwide

UFC Gym Opens 23,000 s.f. Facility in Downtown Dubai

New And Emerging Brands

Carlsbad Ranch Market Begins Franchising Its Natural Food and Produce Concept

Milestones

Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Membership Reaches 16,000

NTY Franchise Company Opens 200th Resale Store, a Device Pitstop in Newport News

People & Awards

Sonic Drive-In Names Sam Wong Sr. Director of Franchise Sales and Development

Shaquille O’Neal Named Krispy Kreme’s Global Spokesperson; Becomes Franchisee