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. & Miami Intro

TGI Fridays To Expand Use of C3 Virtual Brands After Successful Test

Wendy’s Scales Back Ghost Kitchen Plans with Reef

Ghost Financial Will Provide Up to $100M to Cruising Kitchens Until 2025

A Look Into How Robots Are Advancing the Pizza Industry 

Bellabot Robot Cat Server Helps Customers at NYC Restaurants