Good News! - April 2019

It's hard keeping up with all of today's changes in franchising - which is why we provide this monthly digest of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion, people, and milestones. This month we've seen increases in financial activity and in new brands announcing that they're now franchising. 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! Leadership GPS Hospitality Buys 75 Pizza Huts in Two Separate Deals Up Close and Personal with Yum Brands CEO Greg Creed Podcast: Saladworks CEO Patrick Sugrue on Appealing to Flexitarians New Units/Growth/Expansion Massage Envy Ink Deal for 70 Units in the Rockies and Great Plains Zips Dry Cleaners Signs 20-Unit, 5-Year Deal for Atlanta Gloria Jean's Coffees Inks 7-Unit Deal in Northwest Indiana Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Opens 5 Nontraditional Locations Hampton by Hilton Opens for Business in Kittery, Maine Kiddie Academy Opens New Location in Pittsburgh Brightway Insurance Opens 3 New Stores in Florida, Missouri, Tennessee Anago Cleaning Systems Announces Newest Master in Austin Title Boxing Club Sells Out Manhattan to Current Franchisee Financial, M&A, Private Equity, Refranchising Blackstone Group To Acquire Servpro Industries for $1 Billion-Plus MTY To Acquire Struggling Papa Murphy's for $190 Million McDonald's To Buy Israeli Tech Firm Dynamic Yield for $300 Million McDonald's Buys 10% of New Zealand App Developer for $3.7 Million Restaurant Management Platform Toast Raises $250 Million RGT Management Sells 105 Restaurants, 55 Properties for $213 Million Starbucks Invests $100 Million in Food & Retail Tech Startup Fund Red Robin Retains The Cypress Group to Manage Refranchising Plan REGULATION, LEGISLATION, POLITICS, ETC.

New York Senator Challenges Friendly's on Restaurant Closures Chick-fil-A Banned from Two Airports Over Anti-LGBTQ Stance DOL Issues New Joint Employer Rule Proposal; Comments Due by June 10 New and Emerging Brands We The People Now Offers Franchises for Selling Crowdfunded Products True Rest Float Spa Continues Its Growth Trajectory with New Franchisees The Hummus & Pita Co. Signs Multi-Unit Deal with Large Burger King Zee Davidovich NYC Bagel and Sandwich Shop Now Franchising Nationwide Mutts Canine Cantina Signs Second Multi-Unit Deal in Dallas-Fort Worth ManageMowed Commercial Landscape Management Firm Now Franchising Ike's Love & Sandwiches Launches National Franchise Expansion Big Blue Swim School Signs First Franchisees in 5-Unit Deal The Original Hot Dog Factory Launches Franchising Campaign Curry Up Now Secures 3 of 5 Locations Planned for Greater Atlanta Rush Bowl Inks 100th Store Deal 2 Years After Starting to Franchise Randy's Donuts, a 60-Year Old Brand, Offers Franchises Nationwide International Hilton Expands in Colombia with New Bogota Hotel IHG Inks Deals for Two New Holiday Inns in Saudi Arabia Marriott International Opens 7,000th Property: The St. Regis Hong Kong GymGuyz Announces Plans To Bring 70 Locations to the U.

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