Good News! - May 2018

2018 has started out as a good year for franchising, building on last year's favorable legislation with continued growth from both established and emerging brands and a slew of M&A activity -- not only at the franchisee level, but also for franchisors as franchise holding companies continue to increase the number of brands in their stable. But with all that growth and change, it's harder to keep up! That's why we provide our "Good News!"

monthly digest of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion, people, 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 Black Bear Diner Announces 12 New Locations in 4 States Fazoli’s Opens 5 New Restaurants in Q1; 7 More Planned for 2018 Twin Peaks Inks Area Development Deal for 4 Units in West Texas Dunkin’ Donuts Plans 7 More Stores in Montgomery, Alabama Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom To Open 10 New Restaurants in Missouri Valvoline Opens 3 New Quick-Lube Locations in Louisville Area Orangetheory Fitness Opens 61 Studios, Inks 34 Franchise Agreements in Q1 Camp Bow Wow Reports Strong 2017 with 14% YOY Revenue Growth Elements Massage’s New Corporate Unit Buys 5 Studios in Metro Denver Mooyah Signs Separate 3-Unit Deals in Virginia and Florida Financial/M&A/Incentives Starbucks in $7 Billion Deal with Nestlé To Expand Retail Distribution Kona Grill To Raise $5.6 Million Through Stock Offering; Plans China Expansion sweetFrog Buys 5 Hoopla Frozen Yogurt Stores To Convert and Rebrand Buffalo Wings & Rings Announces “One Franchise Fee for Life” EventPrep Launches $200,000 Franchise Giveaway for 5 Military Spouses Del Frisco Buys Barteca Restaurant Group’s 2 Brands and 31 Locations Dine Brands Reportedly Seeking To Buy a Fast Casual Brand Big Plans, Big Dreams On the Border’s New CEO Matt Hood Discusses Plans for the Future International Marco’s Pizza Opens in Puerto Rico, Its 900th Location Wayback Burgers Opens New Location in Lahore, Pakistan 5 Japanese Food Brands Looking To Grow in the U.S.

Fastsigns Inks Master Franchise Agreement for Chile New and Emerging Brands Rise Biscuit Donuts Signs 5-Unit Deal for Greater Kansas City The Hummus & Pita Co.