Big Blue Swim School signed deals on both coasts to open 16 units in Baltimore, San Diego and Seattle. On the West Coast, Blue Marlin Ventures inked an agreement to open eight locations in San Diego and five around Seattle. On the other side of the country, Seven Hills Capital signed a deal to open three schools in Baltimore.
The Habit Burger Grill inked an agreement with Madison Food Management CEO Aharon Aminpour to develop 12 new locations in San Bernadino County. In addition to the new units, the deal includes the purchase of 11 existing restaurants. The Habit now has more than 330 locations in 14 states, as well as 13 international locations.
Jars, the new dessert concept from chef Fabio Viviani, signed its first multi-unit agreement, for 10 locations in Texas. Jason and Tejal Wible are the franchisees and plan to open Jars in Austin and Dallas. The flagship Jars location is set to open in Chicago this fall.
Phenix Salon Suites signed an eight-unit agreement with three existing franchisees to expand in California and Florida. Robert Aertker and Rick Day, who opened their first Phenix in 2015, partnered with entrepreneur Scott Vencill; the group plans to develop the concept in Sarasota, Florida. Franchising since 2012, Phenix has more than 330 salons in 33 states.
WaBa Grill, a brand known for its rice bowl menu, signed an eight-unit agreement with franchisee Raj Sangha of Dhindsa Group of Companies. Sangha, who owns and operates seven WaBa Grills in California, will now develop locations in Nevada.
Teriyaki Madness signed agreements with two entrepreneurs to develop new units in Indiana and Massachusetts. One deal is with restaurateur SP Singh, also a franchisee with Mountain Mike’s, Subway and Wings Etc., to open three locations in Indiana. The other agreement is with entrepreneur Joseph Young, who plans to open three shops in the greater Boston area.
Chuck Lager America’s Tavern signed a development agreement in Florida for five locations. Jim Tovey and restaurateur Ralph Desiano formed JLT Hospitality and will build and operate the casual dining concept in Naples, Orlando and Sarasota. Desiano is the founder of Naples Flatbread Kitchen & Bar.
Chicken Salad Chick will expand in New Mexico after signing a five-unit agreement with partners Jennifer Sanchez and Keith Murray, who plan to open locations in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The fast-casual concept also inked an eight-unit agreement in Austin, Texas, with Sara Ingram and Austin Young. Existing Chicken Salad Chick franchisees, they have one location in Waco and two in development, in Temple and Killeen. Founded in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick now has 200 restaurants across 17 states.
Dogdrop, a pet daycare company, signed a five-unit deal for the Denver area with Dina Silverman. An early StretchLab franchisee and that brand’s first operator in Denver, Silverman sold her portfolio in 2021.
Eggs Up Grill, which earlier this year was named a Franchise Times Zor Awards winner as a top breakfast concept, signed agreements for new restaurants in North Carolina and Tennessee. Donny and Marsha Nobles, who have a background in financial operations consulting, are opening two units in the Raleigh area. In Memphis, Rose Heckendorf, Dana McCubbin and Wayland Rice of Greenwave Investment Group are opening three locations.
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop signed a four-unit agreement with entrepreneur John Cassity to open locations in Colorado and Utah. Cassity brings restaurant experience to the deal, owning five Einstein Bros. Bagel locations and four Subways. Fuzzy’s was founded in 2003 and now has nearly 150 units in 18 states.
Franchisees Mike Rogers and Justin Tarrant, who have a 12-year history with Marco’s Pizza, signed a multi-unit agreement with the brand to continue the partnership. Under the new deal, Rogers and Tarrant, who are area developers for the Dallas-Fort Worth market, will open six new Marco’s restaurants in and around Lubbock, Texas.
Buddy’s Home Furnishing signed a three-unit deal with Alex Melvin of MTM Ventures. Melvin has franchised with Buddy’s since 2014 and operates seven locations of the furniture and appliance retailer in North Carolina and South Carolina. The new agreement will continue the development of stores in the Carolinas. Buddy’s, which has 325 locations across the United States, began franchising in 2009.
Re-Bath, a bathroom remodeling brand, signed a two-territory deal for Florida with entrepreneur Ryan Goetz. He has 15 years of franchise experience and has worked as a general contractor for two decades. Founded in 1978 and launching its franchise system in 1991, Re-Bath has more than 100 locations across the country.
PayMore is taking its electronics and gaming retail concept to Texas, signing a multi-unit agreement with ATX Electronics for the development of new stores in the Austin area. Founded in 2011, PayMore sells electronics such as smartphones, gaming systems and other gadgets.
FAT Brands concepts Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express will expand in Puerto Rico after signing a 10-unit agreement with Conceptos Restaurants. The franchisee will develop and open the restaurants over the next five years. FAT Brands has 17 restaurants in its portfolio, with more than 2,300 units worldwide.