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.