franchise development

Davenport, Iowa — Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream has added several seasoned leaders to its executive team, including Jenny Culp as vice president of purchasing and supply chain and Christopher Anschutz as vice president of restaurant operations. Culp has played a major role within the brand’s operations and supply chain since 2007, most recently serving as the director of purchasing and supply chain. In her new role as vice president, she will oversee sourcing, vendor partnerships and distribution strategies that position franchisees for success while ensuring consistency, quality and …

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New York City — Private investment firm Franchise Equity Partners (FEP) has acquired a majority stake in 7 Crew, the second-largest franchise owner of 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee. As part of the agreement, FEP will continue to execute 7 Crew’s existing development agreement with 7 Brew, which includes opening more than 200 new stands in addition to the 50 currently operating. FEP has taken a selective approach to investing in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector. After evaluating numerous opportunities, 7 Brew stood out as a differentiated, category-defining brand. 7 Brew …

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Salina, Kan. — Salina, Kan.-based Mokas Coffee & Eatery, known for its roasted coffee, freshly baked pastries and breakfast and lunch offerings, has announced the upcoming opening of its first franchise location ahead of the brand’s 20th anniversary this November. Entrepreneur and hospitality veteran Christian Coleman has signed a six-unit agreement to bring Mokas Coffee to Johnson, Douglas and Shawnee counties. The first location is scheduled to open in Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City, Mo., in March 2026. Coleman launched his career in professional tennis at the BNP Paribas Open …

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Drybar

New York City — Drybar, a leading professional blowout beauty concept, has signed a multi-unit development agreement to bring three new locations to Delaware and New York City. Real estate developer and entrepreneur Angelique “Angel” Patterson will open the brand’s first location in Christiana, Del., within the next year, which will mark Drybar’s debut in the state. Drybar will also open its first shops in Brooklyn’s Park Slope and Williamsburg neighborhoods. “As a longtime client and real estate professional, I can appreciate all sides of the brand,” says Patterson. “Both the …

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Scott Norris

Anaheim, Calif. — Anaheim, California-based Friar Tux has appointed Scott Norris as president. Norris is a veteran of the men’s apparel and retail industry who has held various leadership roles for more than two decades. In his new role, Norris will lead Friar Tux’s growth strategy across its digital channels and e-commerce platforms, drive expansion into new brick-and-mortar markets and develop Friar Tux teams. He will also focus on reducing friction across the customer journey, while advancing technologies such as the company’s AI-powered Fit Calculator, which is designed to deliver sizing …

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SAMBAZON Açaí Bowls

South Carolina and Georgia — SAMBAZON®, a California-based açaí food and beverage concept, has signed a multi-unit franchise deal with Açaí SC to open 10 new açaí bowl shops over the next five years. The new shops will span South Carolina and coastal Georgia, including Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Savannah. The first location, which is expected to open in the Charleston area before the second quarter of 2026, will mark the company’s first brick-and-mortar locations in both states. Açaí SC is led by veteran operator Parag Patel, who has …

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New York City — Shake Shack Inc. has partnered with Union MAK Corporation, a leading Hawaii-based company with decades of experience across hospitality and retail, to bring the Shake Shack experience to the Aloha State with the first Shack set to open on Oahu in 2027. Union MAK is a Honolulu-based company deeply rooted in the Hawaii community through its restaurant operations. Union MAK’s proven track record, commitment to excellence and dedication to local communities makes it an ideal partner to introduce Shake Shack to Hawaii. “Bringing Shake Shack to …

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Irving, Texas — Chuck E. Cheese, a global family entertainment brand, will be making its debut in the United Kingdom. In partnership with a dedicated local team, this will mark the brand’s first location in Europe. “Chuck E. Cheese is an incredible global brand that brings families together across cultures through the universal language of fun,” says Mario Centola, chief operating officer of Chuck E. Cheese International. “We’re thrilled to bring our unique magic for family fun to the UK. We have partnered with an outstanding team that shares our …

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Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has made strategic leadership appointments that will strengthen its enterprise capabilities and drive long term value creation across its global portfolio. The appointments come as Chris Turner, chief executive officer-designate and chief financial & franchise officer, Yum! Brands, Inc., prepares to step into the role of CEO on Oct. 1. Sean Tresvant has been promoted to Yum! Brands’ chief consumer officer and chief executive officer of Taco Bell. Since joining Yum! in January 2022 as the global brand officer at Taco Bell, Tresvant’s leadership …

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Belmar, N.J. — Playa Bowls, a leading superfruit bowl brand with more than 340 locations, is fueling franchise expansion under a fresh executive leadership team following its 2024 acquisition by Sycamore Partners. Playa Bowls is poised to deepen its footprint from coast to coast. Since stepping into the CEO role earlier this year, John Cappasola has leveraged his 30 years of accomplished leadership in growing brands to drive Playa Bowls’ next chapter. Cappasola has served on the Playa Bowls board of directors since Sycamore’s acquisition and was previously CEO of …

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