Good, Bad, and Other News! – January 2022

Omicron or no omicron, franchises are expanding and looking forward to opening a slew of new units in 2022. 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 (and other) news here!

POST-COVID – REOPENING & RECOVERY

Restaurants Seek Federal Aid as Omicron Surge Threatens Another Tough Winter

7 Restaurant Experts Predict 2022 Trends

Some Chipotle & Starbucks Sites Cut Hours, Limit Seating Over Omicron

Omicron Threatens To Upend Gyms’ Fragile Recovery

Omicron Surge Spurs New Covid-19 Relief Push in Congress from Gyms, Others

How McDonald’s CEO Is Navigating Covid, Inflation, Labor Shortages, Etc.

COMPANY NEWS

Focus Brands Sells Record 561 Franchises, Opens 175+ Units in 2021 in U.S., Canada

Roll-Em-Up Taquitos Announces 315-Unit Development Deal for Texas and Oklahoma

Raising Cane’s Opens 600th Restaurant; Plans To Open 100 More by Year-End

My Salon Suite Opens 40 Locations in 2021 Under New Owner, Propelled Brands

American Family Care Closes 58 Deals in 2021

Massage Heights Reports Record 2021 Revenues

Stretch Zone Ends 2021 with Highest Revenue Year

Taiwanese Bubble Tea Concept Gong cha Eyes Aggressive U.S. Expansion

KOA Reports Highest Revenue in Its 60-Year History, Adds New Campgrounds

Bonchon Korean Fried Chicken Brand Reports Strong 2021, Opens 11 U.S. Units

HIRING & EMPLOYMENT

U.S. Hiring Hit Annual Record in 2021, Despite December Slowdown

Poll Finds Optimistic Outlook Among Hiring Managers

Quitting Is Just Half the Story: The Truth Behind the Great Resignation

Top 5 Workplace Wellness Trends for 2022

Starbucks Imposes Covid-19 Vaccine, Testing Requirements for U.S. Workers

FINANCE/M&A

Planet Fitness To Buy 114-Unit Franchisee Sunshine Fitness for $800 Million

LEADERSHIP

Are You a Caring Leader? Take the Caring Leadership Self-Assessment

TECHNOLOGY

3 Technology Trends that Will Shape How Restaurants Function in 2022

6 Restaurant Tech Trends to Follow in 2022

Checkers & Rally’s Rolling Out Automated Voice Ordering at 250 Stores 

MARKETING/CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

Marketing Predictions for 2022: 4 Keys to Success

Euromonitor International Releases “Top 10 Global Consumer Trends 2022” Report