Good News! - June 2018

As we wrap up the first half of 2018, the State of Franchising is strong. Consolidation continues apace as franchisors and private equity firms add new brands to their portfolios and holdings, new brands continue to emerge, emerging brands continue to grow, and domestic U.S. brands are casting their sights overseas. Yet with all this growth and change, it's getting harder to keep up! That's why we provide our "Good News!" monthly digest of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion, people, 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

UFG's Jon Smith Subs Reports Both U.S. and International Growth

Planet Fitness Franchisee Group Buys 14 Clubs in Alabama and Virginia

Nékter Juice Bar To Enter 4 New States this Summer in Continued Growth Push

Financial/M&A/Incentives

JAB Holding Buys Pret A Manger in Deal Valued at Nearly $2 Billion

Del Taco Offers Incentives for 5+ Multi-Unit Deals in New Markets

Big Plans, Big Dreams

Firehouse Subs CFO Talks Up Delivery as Take-Out and Mobile Orders Grow

Cicis New CEO Discusses Future Plans for the Brand

Q&A with Subway's VP of Development James Walker

Saladworks To Focus on Franchisees' Success with Smaller Footprint

Del Taco Targets Orlando for Growth

Jamba Juice Looks to San Antonio for 10 New Stores by 2023

Bravo Brio's New Owners Plan Improvements After Acquisition

International

Century 21 Offers Incentives through June to New Franchisees in the UK

New and Emerging Brands

The Juice Shop Kitchen & Juicery Partners with Fransmart, Starts Franchising

Artichoke Basille's Pizza Signs Multi-Unit Deal for Oakland, CA Area

Rise Biscuits Donuts Inks Multi-Unit Deal for Southern California

Tough Mudder Bootcamp Opens First Studio; 10 to 15 More in the Pipeline

Office Evolution Opens First of 10 Planned Locations in Greater Atlanta

People, Awards, Milestones

Ruth's Chris Steak House Promotes President/COO Cheryl Henry to CEO

United Franchise Group (UFG) Receives President's "E" Award for Exports

Blink Fitness Promotes President Todd Magazine to CEO; Names New SVP

Qdoba Names Keith Guilbault CEO, Susan Daggett CFO

Forbes Names Sport Clips Top Medium Investment "Best Franchise To Buy"

Brad Blum Named CEO of FoodFirst Global (Bravo, Brio)