Good News! - February 2017

The good news: Despite ongoing external threats to the business model, franchising is experiencing a remarkable growth phase - not only in unit count and system-wide revenue, but also in the number of new and emerging brands. The bad news: It's harder to keep up with all the good news! That's a nice problem to have - and why we've brought back our "Good News!" roundup of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion news, refranchising, and milestones attained by franchisors large, medium, and emerging. 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.

New Units/Growth/Expansion

Arby’s Inks 25-Unit, 5-Year Development Agreement for PA and NY

Restoration 1 Trains 16 New Franchisees in January

Salata Signs 35-Unit Area Development Deal for Central and South Florida

Salata Signs 20-Unit Area Development Deal for Atlanta Market

Penn Station East Coast Subs Has Good 2016, Aims for 20 New Units in 2017

Tropical Smoothie Café Inks 20-Unit Deal for Texas

Mod Pizza Signs Development Deal with Southern Pie for Georgia, Alabama

Del Taco Opens First Two Units in Central California Expansion

Muscle Maker Grill Announces 10 New Agreements, 4 Company Stores

Financial

Buffalo Wild Wings Looks To Refranchise 10% of Its 631 Company Stores

Aaron’s Reports Positive 2016 Results; $3.2 Billion in Revenues

Legendary Restaurant Brands (Bennigan’s) Reports Good Year

Wetzel’s Pretzels Reports Strong 2016, Announces 2017 Plans

Snap-on Tools Reports Rise in 2016 Sales and Net Earnings

Blink Fitness Signs 5-Unit Deal for Central New York

Primrose Schools Continues Steady 6-Year Growth Pattern

Newk’s Eatery Growth Accelerates in 2016

Johnny Rockets Reports Record Growth in 2016

Panera Bread Reports Digital Sales and Delivery Up in Q4

Big Plans, Big Dreams

Wendy’s Announces Plans To Add 1,000 Units by 2020

Over the Top Cake Supplies Aims To Open 50 Locations by 2019

Bryn + Dane Sets Sights on 100-Unit Expansion with FranSmart & Kitchen Fund

International

McDonald’s Looks to Expand Eastward into Siberia

Hooters Opens for Business in Managua, Nicaragua

Miami Grill Signs Deal To Open in Peru, Chile, and Colombia

A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections Signs 9 More Agreements in India

New And Emerging Brands

Plumbing Professors Announces Launch of Franchise Program

Modern Acupuncture Opens 1st Location; 95 Licenses Sold or Pending

Staymobile Adds 13 Units in 2016; Shoots for 100 More in 2017

Tikiz Shaved Ice & Ice Cream Targets 24 New Trucks by Year-End

Tayne Law Group Franchises Its Debt Resolution Practice

Milestones

Pizza Ranch Opens Its 200th Restaurant (Sterling, Illinois)

Mod Pizza Opens 200th Restaurant in January; Added 100 Stores in 2016

Pinot’s Palette Has Good 2016, Passes 100-Unit Milestone

Nékter Juice Bar To Reach 100 Units with New Multi-Unit Deals

World of Beer Celebrates 10th Anniversary; Now Up to 75 Locations

People & Awards

Church’s Chicken Names Pete Servold EVP of U.S. Operations

LearningRx Announces C-Suite Changes; Founder Now Chairman

Papa John’s Hires SVP/CIDO from Panera After Lawsuit

TGI Fridays Announces New COO and CMO

First Watch Adds New Chief People Officer & Chief Development Officer

Capriotti’s Hires David Bloom as Chief Development Officer

Sonic Appoints Christina Bell Vaughan President of Company Units