Good News! - January 2019

Welcome to 2019! Are you ready for a new year of growth, domestically? What about internationally? Changes in franchising in 2018 seemed to be turbo-charged. Mergers and acquisitions abounded last year in a wave of private equity-fueled investments and consolidation - accelerating the merry-go-round of C-suite changes. It's hard keeping up with all the changes - which is why we provide this monthly digest of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion, people, and milestones. Last year we added a section called "Regulation, Legislation, Politics, Etc." - and while it's not always "good" news, it's good to know. We also added a section on Technology, recognizing its key role in achieving sales goals and system growth. This year we've added two new sections: Leadership and Franchisor-Franchisee Relations. So 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

Del Taco Opens 3 New Stores in Greater Atlanta

The Joint Chiropractic Signs Deal with Relax the Back

Financial, M&A, Incentives

NRN's 2018's Restaurant M&A Summary Lists More than 40

WellBiz Brands Sells Fit36 brand to Georgia-Based Investment Firm

Home Franchise Concepts Buys AdvantaClean, Its 4th Brand

Regulation, Legislation, Politics, Etc.

2019 Legislative Outlook for Franchising from Littler Mendelson

Joint Employer: U.S. Appeals Court Makes Business-Friendly Ruling

Franchisor-Franchisee Relations

Jack in the Box Franchisees Sue Over Marketing Funds and Remodels

McDonald's New Owners Association Meeting Draws 75% of Franchisees

Big Plans, Big Ideas, Big Picture

Interim HealthCare Plans Expansion to 45 to 50 Units by Year-End

Anytime Fitness Aims To Double Its Tennessee Gyms to 63 in Next 5 years

Lift Brands Evolves Strategic Direction with New Leadership

International

Church's Chicken Unveils First-Ever Global Brand Positioning

New and Emerging Brands

Chop Stop Inks Deals for 16 New Restaurants in 3 States

Main Squeeze Juice Co. Has Big Plans for 2019

Creamistry Reports a Strong 2018 with 18 New Openings & a China Deal

The Lost Cajun Reports Record-Breaking Growth in 2018

Leadership

Management Is Not Leadership; Learn the Difference

Q&A with Homewatch CareGivers CEO Julie Smith

10 Daily Leadership Resolutions for 2019 from Jim Sullivan

Schlotzsky's President Kelly Roddy on the Brand's Rebirth at 50 (Podcast)

Culture as a Key to Franchise Success

People, Awards, Milestones

Herb Kelleher, Southwest Airlines Founder and Airline Pioneer, Dies at 87

Quiznos Hires Tim Casey as CEO of Newly Formed Rego Restaurant Group

Wetzel's Pretzels Promotes Jennifer Schuler to CEO; Bill Phelps Steps Down

A&W Adds President to COO Paul Martino's Responsibilities