Good, Bad, and Other News! – September 2022

Another summer gone, the war in Ukraine rages on, the world is preparing for another round of Covid vaccines, inflation and gas prices are settling down, the U.K. is getting a new leader, and there’s a U.

S. election right around the corner. Pretty exciting times for those keeping score.

Here’s our mini-roundup of franchise news, delivered your way every first Tuesday of the month. And, if you’re not doing it already, send us your news here and see it next month in this newsletter! POST-COVID REOPENING & RECOVERY SBA To Distribute Remaining $180 Million Revitalization Money to Restaurants Taziki's Mediterranean Café Opens Its 100th Store Slim Chickens Has Already Signed More than 120 Deals This Year Apóla Greek Grill's First Franchised Unit To Open This Fall in Riverside, CA Bastard Burgers, a Swedish Fast-Casual Brand, Plots U.

S. Expansion Cookie Plug, Founded in 2019, Announces Franchise Opportunity SoulCycle To Close 19 Studios and Lay Off Staffers In “Oversaturated Markets” Noodles & Company Zee Seeks To Inspire More Women To Become Franchisees FINANCE & M&A Qdoba To Be Acquired by LA-Based PE Firm Butterfly Equity BBQ Holdings To Be Acquired by MTY Food Group for $200 Million Popeyes Agrees to China Development Deal with Cartesian Capital Jack in the Box Offers Multi-Unit Incentive Program (3 Minimum) for Franchisees LEGISLATION & LEGAL California Governor Signs AB 257 (The FAST Act) into Law on Labor Day McDonald’s U.S.

President Denounces CA Fast Food Council Bill AB 257 BrightStar Sued Over Termination Terms in New Franchise Agreement McDonald’s Faces $250 Million Back Pay Claim in Australia Restaurant Reputations Held for Ransom by Fake One-Star Reviewers HIRING & EMPLOYMENT Workers at Michigan Chipotle Store Unionize with Teamsters in Latest Labor Win Starbucks Accused by NLRB of Withholding Pay, Benefits as a Union-Busting Tactic Starbucks Creating “Culture of Fear” as It Fires Dozens Involved in Union Efforts Restaurant Meals Become a Relative Bargain as Grocery Prices Soar Shush! You Can’t Talk About [CENSORED] at Work Any More MARKETING/CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Cracker Barrel Keeps Critics of Vegan Sausage Debut in Perspective Isle of Wight Restaurant Ditches Plant-Based Dishes Citing “Holier Than Thou” Vegans Germany’s Plant-Based Fast Food Is Years Ahead of the U.S.

New “Dunkin’ Rewards” Program Coming to California Before National Launch TECHNOLOGY/OPERATIONS McDonald’s Considers Chicken Big Mac for U.S Following U.K.