People on the Move and Franchising News

Latest happenings from around the Franchising World for the week of April 16.

People on the Move

Gerry Henley, executive Vice President of Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services has been appointed Titus Center for Franchising Advisory Board at Palm Beach Atlanta University.

Las Vegas-based Capriotti’s has hired Dennis Watts as the Vice President of Real Estate. He is a former Area Real Estate Manager for McDonald’s.

Orangetheory Fitness has appointed Mike Mettler as Senior Vice President of Domestic Franchise Development. He was formerly Vice President of Franchise Development for Dairy Queen.

Franchising Gives Back

In honor of World Water Day on March 22, NRD Capital announced its first philanthropic pledge through the NRD Foundation. The first recipient is Jibu, a Kenyan-based social enterprise working to ensure access to basic human needs, with water as its anchor product. Founded in late 2017, NRDF was inspired by Aziz Hashim, managing partner at NRD and member of the IFA Board of Directors. Rooted in two of the firm’s core values – generosity and mentorship – NRDF supports entrepreneurs and job growth around the globe. “Launching the NRD Foundation is merely the institutionalization of an activity which has existed since I started my career. Helping others improve their quality of life is a core ethic,” said Hashim.

Home Franchise Concepts has given its Heart & Home Awards to Budget Blinds, Tailored Living and Concrete Craft franchisees in the U.S. and Canada. The awards, which recognize extraordinary service in local communities, went to Budget Blinds’ Priscilla Glidewell of Stayton, Ore., James and Elaine Trotter of Tampa, Fla. and Tammy Conner of Terra Haute, Ind.; Tailored Living’s Todd and Juliana Carter of Herndon, Va. and Mark Flood of Oakville, Canada and Concrete Craft’s Chuck Yates of Knoxville, Tenn.

News

Tropical Smoothie Café is working with ApplePie Capital to offer new and existing franchisees access to up to $20 million in debt capital. The effort is aimed at driving continued expansion across the U.S. as part of a company goal to open 1,000 locations by 2020.

RNR Tire Express has signed an agreement for up to 16 new locations across parts of Georgia and Alabama. Game X Change multi-unit franchisees Mike Hultquist and Grant Wetherill inked the six-year deal for locations in Warner Robins and Columbus, Ga., as well as Auburn-Opelika and Phenix City, Ala.

Office Evolution has teamed up with Raleigh business executives, Tara and Greg Abernathy, to open a new business center in Raleigh, the first of three planned for the area.

Camp Bow Wow has opened the doors to its 150th location. The brand is on track for significant growth at the unit level, opening a total of 20 locations in 2018. The company's long term goal involves opening more than 300 units over the next four years.