franchise development

Boston — Dunkin’ unveiled its most recent non-traditional openings and growth plans for the year. Thus far in 2021, the coffee company has expanded across Las Vegas at the Convention Center, LINQ Hotel and Arizona Charlie’s Boulder Casino, as well as reopened with the unveiling of the new Virgin Hotel. Additionally, the brand opened its 12th location with Great Wolf Resorts at the Manteca, Calif., park and further strengthened its presence in the healthcare setting with locations debuting at the Oak Hill Hospital in Brooksville, Fla., and UMass Memorial Medical …

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Louisville, Ky. — Through 2022, KFC will accelerate development in more urban, metropolitan areas in an effort to serve a younger and more diverse customer. Traditionally a brand known for its suburban footprint, KFC will aggressively enter more densely populated areas, where the real estate doesn’t allow for a traditional drive-thru model, with its urban inline design. Following positive second quarter earnings results, KFC U.S. opened 19 new restaurant locations, resulting in a plus three net-new unit growth year-to-date for the first time since 2004. KFC will continue its aggressive …

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Trevose, Pa. — Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the franchise for affordable massage and facial services, has surpassed the 500-unit mark. Since 2004, Hand & Stone has become the premier massage and facial brand in the wellness space, with locations in 34 states and Canada. In the past 12 months, the brand has signed over 50 franchise agreements, including deals for 30 new spas in the first half of 2021. “This year, Hand & Stone is firing on all cylinders as the economy recovers and consumers increasingly look …

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Bettendorf, Iowa — Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream has partnered with global design consultant firm Harrison to utilize its award-winning strategic branding, interior design and architectural expertise to create a new image and brand design for the family-centric concept, in preparation for expansion. Through its strategic storytelling approach, Harrison is tasked to create a look and feel that connects Happy Joe’s nostalgic 49-year-long past with elements of today’s dining and “eatertainment” venues. With plans to expand across the U.S. and beyond, Harrison will also keep growth top-of-mind in order …

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Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and repair franchise, is having its best development year in the almost three decades since it began franchising with 52 new signings to date for 2021 so far. In fact, Batteries Plus exceeded 2020 total store signings by mid-April this year. With the leadership of its newly promoted vice president of franchise development and relations, Joe Malmuth, Batteries Plus is on pace to surpass 75 franchise signings by the end of the year. The close …

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Atlanta — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only Southern-inspired, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, will open its 200th location in LaGrange, Ga., on August 11. The milestone follows a robust pipeline of development, with Chicken Salad Chick already welcoming over 20 new locations in the first half of 2021 alone. Under the leadership of CEO Scott Deviney, the brand has doubled its footprint in just 3 years. Located at 1509 Lafayette Pkwy and featuring a drive-thru, the LaGrange restaurant will celebrate its grand opening on August 11 by offering free …

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Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® has added multiple new members to the development team, which will be led by Andrew Thengvall, who was recently promoted to chief development officer. For the last 6 years, Thengvall served as senior vice president of strategic growth & chief legal officer. Now he will oversee the company’s most recent additions including Mary Coots, director of franchise development, and Todd Phelps, director of franchise real estate. “Andrew Thengvall’s dedication to advising and strengthening the Freddy’s brand has been stellar …

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Los Angeles — The Dolly Llama, the popular waffle and ice cream concept that currently dominates the Los Angeles dessert-scene with its own unique take on Hong Kong’s iconic Bubble Waffle, has inked two franchise deals for Tyler, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla. The two deals are the first for the newly franchised concept, which was founded in 2017 by French restaurateur and entrepreneur Samuel Baroux and real estate leader Eric Shomof, since partnering with DCV Franchise Group in late 2019. The Tyler, Texas, deal includes one brick-and-mortar location with locals …

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Wichita, Kan. — JRI Hospitality, which operates four restaurant brands spread throughout the country, has opened a new 3,286-square-foot office in Wichita, Kan., to help continue its growth trajectory and added two senior-level executives who will work there. Mark Scholler has joined the company as its new chief development officer. Scholler previously served as senior vice president of franchise development for Freddy’s LLC — the parent company of the Freddy’s brand — since 2007. He has almost 50 years of restaurant experience over the course of his career. Scholler had …

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San Francisco — Starbird Chicken, a super-premium fast food concept, has achieved its third year of positive same store sales growth, with 2021 YTD same store sales coming in at +75% over 2019 and +36% over 2020. The brand increased its location footprint by 28% in the first half of 2021 and is slated to enter multiple undisclosed locations in the Bay Area and Los Angeles within the next 24 months. This growth comes on the heels of a successful 2020 despite the pandemic, where Starbird Chicken reported a 36% …

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