September 2019: People and News
Top 5 People On The Move
Minh Le
Checkers & Rally’s appointed Minh Le as their first Chief Information Officer. Le has more than two decades of experience in restaurant technology.
Jason Weintraub
El Pollo Loco appointed Jason Weintraub as their new Chief Legal Officer. Weintraub previously worked for BSH Home Appliances Corporation.
Thomas Flaherty
Blink Fitness has appointed Thomas Flaherty as their new President of Franchising. Flaherty was previously president and CEO of Agile Pursuits Franchising, Inc.
Brian Best
Neighborly named Brian Best their new Senior Vice President, Digital. Best previously worked for Tropical Smoothie Café, LLC.
Mark King
Taco Bell appointed Mark King as the new Chief Executive Officer for the brand. King was previously president of Adidas Group North America.
Franchising Gives Back
Wayback Burgers partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America back in June of 2018, and had pledged to raise $100,000 for the non-profit over a 12 month period. By the end of March 2019, Wayback Burgers had raised almost $125,000, with two months still left of the pledge. Another feature of the company’s partnership is that for each burger sold, a small percentage goes towards the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Sky Zone announced a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS). The brand has a commitment to “Do Good,” which shines through as they offer 90 minute buy-one-get-one-free jump passes to matches in BBBS. This allows for the Big to get a free activity for the Little, and serves as an experience creating quality time for the pairs.
News
Code Ninjas opened its 100th franchise location in Spring, Texas. Wendy and James Nguyen are the owners of the new location. Code Ninjas was also recently ranked as one of Entrepreneur's Fastest Growing Franchises and Top New Franchises.
9Round opened its first women's-only location in Saudi Arabia. The new branch is located in the capital city of Riyadh. The location is owned by Faisal Alfawzan and Abdullah Al-Munif of Al-Munif Holdings.
Aroma Joe’s is expanding in New England. The franchise plans to open their fourth shop in Massachusetts, with the new location being in Swansea at 755 GAR Hwy.
Massage Heights announced a franchise agreement with Dr. Hatem Hatem and Mike Sammam to develop two new locations in Detroit, Michigan. Both men are first-time franchisees and are eager to expand the brand within the community. The brand aims to grow to 200 Retreats by the end of 2020.
Office Evolution is developing three locations for Santa Clara County, California. The locations will be run by a husband and wife team who are from the Los Gatos area.The first location opened in August in Los Gatos.
Firehouse Subs opened its first “Restaurant of the Future” prototype, marking the first huge re-design for the brand since it started. The design features included improved efficiency for guests and a new layout that centered around the brand’s commitment to heartfelt service, community, first responders and quality food.
Thomas Morstead, punter for the New Orleans Saints, has teamed up with Main Squeeze Juice Company as a minority partner. The brand started in Morstead’s hometown of New Orleans, and he is excited to be a part of the team and share the importance of nutrition.
Jim Chapman, owner of Proforma Preferred, pitched to his son, Matt Chapman, at the 2019 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby. Matt is a third-baseman for the Oakland A’s, with this year’s Home Run Derby being the first time a player from Oakland participated in five years. The duo finished with 13 home runs, and a total of 1.1 miles and 477 feet.
Awards
Keegan Trudgen, owner of PuroClean Disaster Restoration Services in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, was named one of Franchise Business Review’s 2019 Rock Star Franchise Owners. The award goes to people who show exemplary leadership, financial and professional success, as well as contributions to their community.
Chicken Salad Chick was named one of QSR magazine’s 9 Best Franchise Deals for 2019. The brand opened 20 new restaurants, two being the first in both Ohio and Illinois. The brand also plans on developing 34 new locations throughout Texas, Kentucky, Florida, Arkansas, and North Carolina.
Steve and Stephanie Brujic were awarded the Canadian Master Franchise territory by Handyman Connection. They will oversee driving the brand’s development throughout Canada and assist 17 existing locations.
Brightway Insurance was named among the best Top Franchises for Women and also Top Service Franchises by Franchise Business Review.