Good (and Other) News! – January 2021

Welcome to 2021’s first “Good News” roundup. We’ve added a note of realism, calling it “Good (and Other) News,” to reflect the ongoing effects of the pandemic on franchising. So, in addition to our regular roundup of business growth and change, we’ve added a section on how businesses are coping with the coronavirus – for better and for worse.

Sorry, it’s not all good news right now… but you knew that. Here’s your chance to follow the leaders, every third Tuesday of the month! And if you’re not doing it already, send us your good news here!

COPING WITH COVID – REOPENING, RECOVERY, & CLOSINGS Covid-19 Propelled Businesses Into the Future, Ready or Not 5 Predictions for Franchising in 2021 (FranConnect) Restaurant Stocks Rose in 2020 Despite the Pandemic NRA: 10 Trends That Helped the Restaurant Industry Survive in 2020 Pandemic Recovery Will Be Uneven, But Restaurants Will Emerge Stronger Small Businesses, Hit Hard by Pandemic, Are Being Starved of Credit Goldman Sachs Adds $250 Million for Small Businesses, 2020 Commitment Totals $1 Billion Webinar – Jan. 26: Thinking Beyond, with Panera Bread & Paytronix CEOs Webinar – Feb. 24: Managing Change in 2021: Systems, People, and How They Must Work Together FINANCE/M&A Wendy’s and Flynn Restaurant Group Come to Terms on NPC’s Bankruptcy Sale Capriotti’s Acquires Wing Zone, Creates $150 Million Company Peak Rock Capital Buys 300-Unit Shipley Do-Nuts BoxUnion Acquires Title Boxing Club Neighborly Acquires Precision Door Service, Grows to 28 Brands Saladworks Parent Centre Lane Partners Buys Garbanzo Mediterranean for $1.

2 Million Driven Brands Launches IPO: 38 Million Shares at $17 to $20 Per Share SBA Releases Interim Final Rules Related to Second Draw PPP What the Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Means for Restaurants NEW UNITS/GROWTH/EXPANSION/NEW & EMERGING BRANDS Smoothie King Opened a Record 263 Stores in 2020 Wow Bao To Add 100 Delivery-Only Locations in Partnership with Franklin Junction Tasty Restaurant Group Adds 37 More Pizza Huts DBMC Restaurants Inks 30-Store Development Agreement with MOD Pizza Prospect Capital Restaurants Teams with Corlex Capital in 23-Unit Wingstop Deal Solis Management Signs 20-Store Development Agreement with Marco's Pizza Area Developer Group To Add Another 15 MassageLuxe Locations in Florida Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Opens 400th Location LEADERSHIP Scenario Thinking: Confronting Uncertainty Through and Beyond Covid-19 The Visionary/Integrator Dynamic Duo Dawn Sweeney, Former NRA CEO, Joins New England Consulting Group LEGAL Businesses Feared a Flood of Covid-19 Lawsuits – It Hasn’t Happened Pandemic Shows Why Mandatory Mediation May Be the Future for Business Disputes NYC’s Covid-19 Anti-Harassment Laws Upheld, Provides Protections for Small Businesses MARKETING Why Penn Station East Coast Subs Killed Its App 5 Consumer Trends for 2021 Forrester: How Consumer Expectations for Brand Experiences, Personalization Are Changing What’s on Digital Marketers’ Minds Entering 2021: 5 Key Trends How Subscription Services Are Helping Revive Restaurants Burger King Unveils First Complete Rebrand in More than 20 Years Webinar – Jan. 28: 2021 SEO Predictions (Searchmetrics) OPERATIONS 6 Surefire Opportunities for Restaurants in a Post-Covid World Third-Party Food Delivery in 2021: From Consolidation to Reconciliation?