franchise development

Irving, Texas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has hired franchise veteran Nick Booras as senior vice president of franchise sales. The Texas-based restaurant group has nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 17 states. Most recently, Booras served as senior director of franchise development at FOCUS Brands, LLC. In his previous position, Booras was responsible for selling all seven of the FOCUS brands in the Southwest region. Prior to that his role was dedicated to one brand in the FOCUS portfolio, McAlister’s Deli, where he sold over 250 units as director …

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Gilbert, Ariz. — MUTTS Canine Cantina®, a fast-growing pet ‘eater’tainment brand from Texas, finalized the lease for a new franchise location in Gilbert, Ariz., marking its first location in the state. Slated to open in early 2023, the unique concept of an off-leash dog park with an outdoor bar and grill will reside within Gilbert’s SanTan Village, an open-air shopping center located 30 miles southeast of Phoenix. Ricardo Martinez of CF Group Investments and Ilse Calderon (pictured) executed the lease early this year. The two franchisees from Mexico currently boast …

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San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats® (QDOBA), the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has added three industry leaders to its development team. Joining the leading concept is Lori Osley as vice president of franchise development, Kyle Brown as director of design and architecture, and Anthony Friel as project manager. The group of trade veterans will spearhead continued growth efforts by offering extended support to new and existing franchisees. Osley is joining QDOBA with substantial development experience through her work with Sonic Drive-In’s as the senior director of …

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Charlotte, N.C. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise in the better-chicken segment, has opened its newest restaurant — and its first in North Carolina — at 5535 Prosperity Ridge Rd. in Charlotte. Seasoned restaurant group Break Bread Ventures is at the helm of the deal. “We are so excited to open our first location in North Carolina,” says Jackie Lobdell, vice president of franchise development at Slim Chickens. “Partnering with talented and passionate operating groups like Break Bread Ventures makes adding Slim Chickens to new communities across the country …

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Westborough, Mass. — BJ’s Wholesale Club, a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States, is continuing its expansion by opening four new clubs as the first phase of its 2022 development plans. BJ’s newest clubs will be located in Warwick, R.I.; Lady Lake, Fla.; Canton, Mich.; and Greenburgh, N.Y. “We continue to accelerate our expansion and we’re excited to open these new locations,” says Bill Werner, executive vice president, strategy and development, BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We’re always looking for ways to bring the value and convenience …

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Denver — Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, a leading coffee franchise renowned for its premium sourcing, roasting and quality 100% Hawaiian coffees and international blends, unveils new prototypes that emphasize franchisee and customer flexibility, including double drive-thru lanes and streamlined order pickups. Debuting this year is the brand’s freestanding full café with drive-thru model, spanning approximately 1,650 to 1,800 square feet, that is slated to open in Hendersonville, Tenn., in late third quarter 2022. As an evolution of this model, that is gaining vast interest among prospective franchisees, the brand …

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The Hummus & Pita Co., which marks its 10th anniversary this year, keeps its location count low and its bar for quality high.   — By Katie Lee —   With two years of pandemic-related upheaval in the rearview mirror, The Hummus & Pita Co. views 2022, the year of its 10th anniversary, as a chance to reset and refocus: a fresh slate to reenergize its Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food roots and not to stray from its core philosophy: “real food that’s real good.” And that goes for each …

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Sterling Heights, Mich. — Jet’s Pizza®, known for its famous Detroit-style pizza, is growing its brand more than ever coming into 2022. This year, Jet’s plans to open 30 new locations. It will expand westward and introduce Jet’s in new states and markets, including Utah, Kansas, New Mexico, Washington and Las Vegas. Expansion also continues in existing markets, including Denver; Phoenix; Austin, Texas; New York City; Chicago; and Naples and Pensacola, Fla. “It’s truly incredible to see the love for our brand grow. People appreciate quality and that’s what sets …

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Minneapolis — Winmark Corporation, North America’s leading franchisor of sustainable resale brands Once Upon A Child®, Plato’s Closet®, Play It Again Sports®, Music Go Round® and Style Encore®, continues to lead the resale industry. In 2021, its franchise locations extended the life of 158 million items, and Winmark expanded its available territories to over 2,800 across all five of its brands throughout the U.S. and Canada. Winmark – the Resale Company® closes out the year with 46 awarded franchises and has its eyes set on aggressive franchise development leading into 2022. While the past 2 years have been challenging for …

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New York, N.Y. — The Halal Guys, the fast-casual American halal restaurant famous for pioneering halal fare in America, is celebrating its 100th store opening this month in Pittsburgh. “We are so grateful to reach this historic milestone as a business. From a food cart on the streets of New York City to an international franchise, we would not be here without the support of our first fans and customers. We thrive off growth and innovation and are excited to see what comes next,” says Ahmed Abouelenein, CEO of The …

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