Good News! - October 2019

It's hard keeping up with all of today's franchise news. That's why we provide this monthly digest of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, legislation and regulation, people, and milestones. 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

WKS Restaurant Group Buys 94 Denny's from QK Holdings

Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes To Add 26 Units in Houston in 2 Years

Epcon Franchising Signs Deal for 65 Luxury Ranch Homes in Fargo, ND

Tropical Smoothie: Record YTD Growth; 130 Openings Expected in 2019

Fazoli's Signs 3-Unit Area Development Deal for Greater Orlando

Dog Haus Signs 2 AD Deals for 10 Units in the Austin, Texas Market

Financial, M&A, Private Equity

Inspire Brands Agrees To Acquire Jimmy John's

L Catterton Completes $650M Buy of Del Frisco's, Sells 2 Brands to Landry's

One Group Hospitality Completes Purchase of Kona Grill Out of Bankruptcy

Leeds West Groups Buys 6 Big O Tires locations in New Mexico

Regulation, Legislation, Labor

McDonald's Ruled Not a Joint Employer in California Case

Domino's Loses Bid To Stop Website Accessibility Lawsuit by Blind Man

California's AB5 Joint-Employer Rule: Time To Exhale Cautiously?

DOL Proposes New Rules on Tip Pooling and Tip Credit

Labor Issues To Track: Paid Sick Leave, Predictive Scheduling, Poaching, More

New York State Attorney General Sues Dunkin' Over Data Breaches

BIG PLANS, BIG IDEAS, BIG PICTURE

More Restaurant M&A Activity Seen Coming in Q4

Wetzel's Pretzels Targets Virginia for Growth

Image360 Announces Aggressive Growth Plan for U.S., Canada

New & Emerging Brands

Mad Greens Merges with Snappy Salads; Will Operate as Separate Brands

Ike's Love & Sandwiches Inks 10-Unit Deal with NFL Bengals' John Miller

Avalanche Food Group To Open Its 1st Bread Zeppelin Location

People, Awards, Milestones

Carstar Celebrates Opening of 700th Collision Repair Facility

Golden Corral Donates $2 Million to Camp Corral for Veterans' Kids

Firehouse Subs Turns 25, Donates $250,000 to the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign

John Zillmer Returns to Aramark as CEO

Tim Hortons Names Axel Schwan Regional President for Canada & US

Jeff Sturgis To Lead New Consulting Services at PR Firm Fish Consulting