Good News! – September 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

i9 Sports Awards 4 East Coast Franchise Territories

NYC’s Mamoun’s Falafel Expands to Texas with Dallas Deal

Hilton Opens Dual-Branded Property in Downtown Birmingham, Ala.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Lands Deal for KC Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium

The Greene Turtle Signs 10-Unit Deal for Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Jimboy’s Tacos To Open 20 New Units in Southern California

Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar Signs 3-Unit Deal for Birmingham, Ala.

Griswold Home Care Is Franchising Again After 3-Year Hiatus

Shell Shack Signs 8-Unit Deal for the Houston Market

Wag N’ Wash Opens 2nd of 15-Unit Deal in Seattle Area

Dunkin’ Donuts Signs 7-Unit Deal for Raleigh-Durham Market

Captain D’s Inks 9-Restaurant Deal for Florida’s West Coast

La Madeleine Refranchises 26 Restaurants in Texas, Louisiana

Financial/M&A

FAT Brands To Buy Homestyle Dining for $10.5 Million; Files “Mini-IPO”

Big Plans, Big Dreams

Nestle’s Toll House Café Pitches E-2 Visa Holders

AtWork Turns 25, Plans 100 More Franchises in 5 Years

International

Funtopia Signs Australia Master Deal, Opens 2nd Unit in Melbourne

Wingstop Inks 10-Year Deal for 110 Restaurants in Australia and New Zealand

Papa John’s Signs Deals for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Poland

Hooters of Alajuela Is Open for Business in Costa Rica

Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon Each Reach 600 International Units

New And Emerging Brands

BrisketU (Backyard Pitmasters) Begins Franchising

Milestones

Experimac Opens 100th Store, in Capetown, South Africa

Crunch Fitness Hits the 1 Million-Member Mark Amid Rapid Growth

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Celebrates 15 Years

Moe’s Southwest To Open 700th Unit

Home Franchise Concepts Celebrates 25th Anniversary

People & Awards

On The Border Names Tom Pennison CFO

Le Duff America Names Julie Hauser-Blanner U.S. President of Brioche Dorée

Sonic Names Jose Dueñas EVP and Chief Brand Officer