Wheaton, MD. — Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee has opened its first location in Maryland this month at the Westfield Wheaton Mall in Wheaton. Located at 2800 University Blvd. W., Suite C., Jollibee’s store hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. Jollibee offers customers the option to order food through the store’s call and pick-up order process. Customers may begin placing their orders two hours in advance of their desired pick-up time. In compliance with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, indoor dining and walk-in orders will not be offered …
Alpharetta, Ga. — Taffer’s Tavern, the new tavern concept founded by star of Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue, Jon Taffer, has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to bring 10 locations to Northern and Central Florida, with an initial focus on the Orlando metro area, Gainesville, Jacksonville and Panhandle regions. The territory also extends into Savannah, Ga. Taffer’s Tavern’s first outpost opened in Alpharetta, Ga. last fall, and there are 22 units already secured in the greater Las Vegas, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta areas. The restaurant concept features tavern food and …
Lake Forest, Calif. — Del Taco, the nation’s second largest Mexican quick-service restaurant chain, is carrying tremendous momentum into the first quarter of 2021. Despite pandemic-induced pressures, the brand was resilient during the initial COVID-19 slowdown and began to thrive during the second half of 2020. This led to the company’s 8th consecutive year of positive franchise same store sales growth. In Del Taco’s recent financial reports, the following notable highlights were included: In Q3, franchised same store sales increased 6.5%. In Q4, franchised same store sales increased 7.5%. For …
Kansas City, Mo. — The Halal Guys, the largest American Halal street food concept in the world, is expanding rapidly across the Midwest, recently announcing a multi-unit franchise deal to open locations in Missouri. The first is slated for Kansas City with at least four additional units to follow. The announcement comes on the heels of an expansion into Ohio that will more than double The Halal Guys’ footprint in the region. Franchisee Osama Hanif will bring the quintessential New York City street cart food experience to Kansas City diners …
West Conshohocken, Pa. — Saladworks, a leading fast-casual salad brand, has signed a deal with Ghost Kitchen Brands to double its footprint across the United States and Canada. The agreement will bring 60 non-traditional locations to the U.S. and 30 to Canada by the end of 2021. Many of these new kitchens will live inside Walmart stores offering some seating, and all locations included in the deal will offer carry-out and third-party delivery. “Saladworks is a perfect strategic partner for Ghost Kitchen Brands as we continue to grow and reinvent …
Phoenix — Dogtopia, a leading dog daycare, boarding and spa franchise with more than 150 locations open, will soon add to its 15 daycares throughout the state of Texas. With two locations under construction, the company signed agreements with three new franchisees, who committed to 15 more daycares throughout San Antonio, Houston and Corpus Christi. Accounting for San Antonio and Corpus Christi’s growth will be serial investor Deven Bhakta. He will develop seven daycares in San Antonio and an additional one in Corpus Christi. New Houston franchisees Amber Woods and Cody …
Irving, Texas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, a Texas-based Baja-style restaurant group, has launched a new concept, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Taqueria. The Taqueria encompasses everything fans have come to love about the brand with the same recipes, but will offer a slightly reduced menu in a smaller, to-go focused footprint. Fuzzy’s Taqueria will open its first location in Minneapolis, a new market for the brand which has nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 16 states (17, when Minnesota opens). Plans for the new footprint began prior to the pandemic, as …
Columbus, Ohio — The Halal Guys recently signed a franchise deal to open its first locations in Ohio, more than doubling its presence in the Midwest and building on successful locations in Illinois. Franchisee group Smart Choice Food LLC will open seven locations in the greater Columbus area, with plans to open the first locations this year. Smart Choice Food LLC is eager to bring the quintessential New York City street cart food experience to Ohio diners. “The economy in Columbus was on the upswing prior to COVID-19, but it …
New York City — Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, a fast-growing dumpling automat concept, has signed its first franchising deal to bring five locations to Connecticut. The brand is poised to disrupt the quick-service restaurant industry with its innovative automat technology and contactless format. Even before the first location opens its doors in New York, potential franchisees are eager to sign on to the concept. The franchisee’s first location will be in New Haven, where Yale is located, as the concept is perfect for college cities and residents will be able to …
Antioch, Ill. — Antioch Pizza Shop has announced a strategic franchising initiative that will accelerate its expansion plans in target markets. With seven locations open and three more in development in Illinois and Wisconsin, Antioch Pizza Shop has set its sights on targeted franchise growth, zeroing in on key markets throughout the Midwest and Southeast. “We’ve seen how our dedication to the communities we serve has bred success, and we think it’s time for people from all over the Midwest and Southeast to experience what makes Antioch Pizza Shop special,” …