Dallas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has named Jessica Wescott as chief financial officer. She previously served as the executive vice president of finance for the Baja-inspired franchise. Wescott began her career in wealth management before moving into the franchising world and working her way up to vice president of development and finance with MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes. In January 2018, Wescott was named executive vice president of Finance at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, where she oversaw many aspects of financial operations, as well as marketing and technology strategies, and fed …
franchise development
Sacramento, Calif. — Round Table Pizza® has reopened its first location to undergo a complete redesign to embody Round Table’s recently updated logo and brand identity: “Pizza Royalty.” The Round Table store, located at 398 Florin Rd. in Sacramento, Calif., is the first location in the 440-unit system to undergo a full renovation that will dramatically upgrade the dine-in experience to create a store that reflects the same passion Round Table puts into its pizza. “Pizza Royalty,” which was announced earlier this year, reinforces Round Table Pizza’s iconic legacy and demonstrates a commitment to …
Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe concept, is opening its 800th location. The location will open on September 6, 2019 in Arlington Heights, Ill. This milestone opening comes on the heels of a tremendous growth year for the brand, with the opening of its 750th location in May. “Just last August we were celebrating the opening of our 700th location, and now 1 year later we will be celebrating the opening of our 800th location in the Chicago area,” says Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical Smoothie …
Orlando, Fla. — MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, a fast-casual “better burger” chain founded in Plano, Texas, in 2007, is set to have two openings in late 2019 and early 2020 in Orlando, Fla. The Orlando openings mark the second and third MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes restaurants in the market, joining the existing Oviedo Mall location that opened last fall. The franchise brand is planning to bring an additional six locations to the greater Orlando area. For more information, visit www.MOOYAH.com. SOURCE: MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes
Houston — Atlanta-based Tin Drum Asian Kitchen, a Pan-Asian restaurant that transports its guests to a street side café in Asia, complete with hawker style cuisine and atmosphere, will open the first of five restaurants in Houston this year. Tin Drum has tapped experienced Houston restaurateurs Shairoz Lakhani, Avez Maredia and Faizan Momin to own and operate the five units in the Houston area. They are currently identifying potential locations and plan to open by early 2020. Spouses Lakhani and Maredia currently own and operate three Wingstop restaurants in Texas …
New York City — Blink Fitness, a premium-quality, affordable fitness concept, has hit its stride with multi-unit franchising. In the past few months, Blink has signed three major franchise development agreements representing nearly 40 units in Sacramento, Calif.; Boston and Nashville, Tenn. These deals increase the brand’s franchise footprint by 50%. “We’re growing strategically — and quickly — with experienced multi-unit operators across the country,” says Todd Magazine, CEO of Blink Fitness. “Our franchise opportunity is gaining widespread attention, especially with multi-unit groups who are seeking a low-labor concept to …
Chicago — Potbelly Corporation, a neighborhood sandwich shop concept, has signed three new franchise agreements. Over the last 6 months, the company signed franchise agreements that, when fully built out over the coming years, will nearly double its franchise footprint with multi-unit development deals for a total of 38 units spanning Las Vegas; Tampa, Florida; and the Carolinas. In addition, Potbelly has opened a number of franchise stores this year that are driving brand penetration across several areas of the country, including recently opened shops in Irvine, Calif.; Odessa, Texas; …
Jackson, Miss. — Newk’s Eatery plans an 18-restaurant expansion across Texas and Oklahoma over the next few years. Openings are slated for 10 Dallas area locations, as well as eight Oklahoma locations throughout Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore and Stillwater. “We’re thrilled to continue expansion throughout Texas and Oklahoma with this exciting new development agreement,” says Chris Cheek, chief development officer at Newk’s Eatery. “The response to our Dallas locations has been wonderful and we’re looking forward to further growing our footprint with Matthew Biggers and Cuyler Esposito.” Full Belly Holdings, …
Atlanta — Curry Up Now, a fast growing Indian fast-casual concept in the United States, will open its first franchise location on July 30, 2019 in Decatur, Ga. The new greater Atlanta area storefront is the brand’s first East Coast location and is part of a multi-unit franchise deal with experienced local franchise group Curry Up Now Atlanta. As part of this deal, four additional franchise locations are expected to open in greater Atlanta by the end of 2021, including in Madison Yards and The Interlock. “Curry Up Now has …
Charlotte, N.C. — Take 5 Oil Change, a drive-thru quick lube franchise under the Driven Brands family, will open its 400th location in September. Last year, the brand celebrated its 300th-store milestone and has rapidly grown its footprint nationwide by opening 100 locations in only a year. Additionally, during the first half of 2019, Take 5 signed area development agreements to open 58 new franchised locations and also acquired Advance Kwik Lube, a 25-unit quick lube and automotive service chain in Texas. “2019 has proved to be the strongest year …