Good News! - September 2018

Well, we survived the summer and all it brought. Now as the first days of autumn approach, activity continues apace in franchising, both domestically and internationally. Consolidation continues, new brands are emerging, emerging brands are growing, and the regulations just keep on coming - and the midterm elections are right around the corner. So we've added a new section we're calling "Regulation, Legislation, Politics, Etc." It's not exactly "good news," but it's good to know about. It's hard keeping up with all the growth and changes, which is why we provide our "Good News!" monthly digest of selected news items on unit growth, investment and financial developments, international expansion, 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

Applebee's Franchisee Legacy Apple Buys 8 Restaurants in Tennessee

Freddy's Opens 31 New Restaurants in Strong First Half

The Goddard School Opens in Office Building in Tysons Corner, Va.

Roy Rogers Signs 7-Unit Deal for Long Island, N.Y.

Primo Hoagies Signs 3-Unit Deal for Charleston, S.C. Area

Del Taco Highlights 2018 Growth of Established Multi-Unit Operators

Cowboy Chicken Opens 1st Georgia Location of 5-Unit Deal with Van Jakes

Financial, M&A, Incentives

Canada's MTY Food Group Adds SweetFrog in $35 Million Acquisition

SOCi Lands $10.5M To Expand SM and Reputation Management Services

Regulation, Legislation, Politics, etc.

California Legislature Passes Several Restrictive Restaurant Bills

California Bill Would Require Women on Publicly Traded Corporate Boards

Big Plans, Big Ideas, Big Picture

Subway Plans 9,000 Store Remodels a Year, Reduces Cost to Franchisees

Young Rembrandts Turns 30, Details 2018 Growth and 2019 Plans

Former Naf Naf Grill Execs Form Venture Kitchen as a "Brand Accelerator"

International

Ziebart Signs International Master License Deals for Egypt and Costa Rica

Built Custom Burgers Opens in Ghana, 1st in an Area Development Deal

Profile: Mikkel Paris, Auntie Anne's Philippines Master Franchisee

Papa John's Opens First of 16 Planned Stores in Kazakhstan

New and Emerging Brands

Sauce on the Side Opens It First Franchise (Chesterfield, Missouri)

Main Squeeze Juice Co. Signs 3-Store Deal in Louisiana

Pokeatery Set To Open a Franchise in Houma, Louisiana

Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center Expands to San Diego

NYC's Taboonette Middleterranean Kitchen Launches Franchise Program

Curry Up Now Signs Multi-Unit Deal for Central and Northern New Jersey

Famous Toastery, with 32 Units, Announces Growth Plans for the Year

King's Bierhaus Sign First Franchisee in 3-Unit Deal

West Industries Rebrands as AeroWest, Revamps Franchising Program

People, Awards, Milestones

Smoothie King Celebrates Its 1,000th Store Opening

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Celebrates Its 700th Opening

Genghis Grill Turns 20, Celebrates with One Day of Throwback Prices

Red Robin To Replace COO Carin Stutz with CFO Guy Constant

Tijuana Flats Names Rick Van Warner CEO

Chili's President Kelli Valade Leaves To Be TDn2K CEO; Wyman Roberts Returns