Smalls Sliders inked a nine-unit deal for the Tampa area with Purple Square Management. Led by CEO Vik Patel, Purple Square operates more than 250 franchised locations in the U.S. across brands including Dunkin’, Popeyes and Take 5 Oil Change. Purple Square is also developing Smalls Sliders in Atlanta after signing a development agreement last year. The group plans to open its first unit in late 2024. Founded in 2019, Smalls Sliders has nine units open.
Sylvan Learning signed a pair of deals to expand the brand in Michigan and Idaho. In the former, the education brand signed a deal with new franchisees and cousins Ed Bahoura and Natalie Yasso to acquire three Michigan territories and develop another 10, all in the greater Detroit area. Over the past 40 years, Bahoura has owned a variety of business, including supermarkets and liquor stores. The Idaho deal is with existing franchisee Dr. Sudhaker Chhabra, who owns centers in Boise and Meridian. Chhabra will expand his portfolio with additional units in Twin Falls and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Sylvan Learning is expanding in both Idaho and Michigan with new deals signed by franchisees in each state for multiple territories.
Sports bar brand Twin Peaks signed a deal with franchisees Tom and Matt Graziano of TWG Management Co. to open five locations. The Grazianos, who over the years have been franchisees of numerous brands including Qdoba, Jamba and Freddy’s, will open their Twin Peaks restaurants in northern New Jersey. Established in 2005 and now part of FAT Brands, Twin Peaks has nearly 115 locations in the U.S. and Mexico.
Goldfish Swim School signed a pair of three-unit deals to expand in California. One agreement is with Swimergy4, led by Parag Mehta, which will open three schools in Orange County. The other is with Shivshakti Corporation, led by Khyati Thakkar, with three units planned for Los Angeles and San Bernadino counties. Founded in 2006 and franchising since 2009, Goldfish has more than 160 locations in more than 30 states.
Skincare concept Glo30 inked a three-unit agreement with Dog Haus franchisees Faizan and Adila Khan. Owners of four Dog Haus restaurants, the Khans will expand Glo30’s presence in Virginia, which already has two corporate locations in the state. Glo30, founded in 2012, has five locations open and began franchising in 2023. It counts “Real Housewives” star Robyn Dixon as a franchisee.
Slim Chickens signed a 14-unit agreement with an existing franchisee to expand the brand in Kansas and Missouri. The deal is with Jeff McCoy of AP Restaurant Group, who has eight units open in Oklahoma with another six in development in the state, as well as six locations in Kansas City. Slim Chickens has more than 250 locations.
Slim Chickens is continuing to expand in the Midwest with a new multi-unit deal signed for Kansas and Missouri.
Buddy’s Home Furnishings signed a three-unit deal for the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, market. The agreement is with Mark and Max Zinn, as well as Andrea Foley, of the investing company Card Sound Partners. A retailer specializing in the sale and rental ownership of furniture, electronics and appliances, Buddy’s has more than 335 locations in the U.S. and Guam.
Bathroom remodeling brand Re-Bath signed an area development agreement for New York City’s five boroughs of Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. The deal is with Robert Citrangola and Grace Campbell, who bring 30 years of combined franchise experience in the remodeling and restoration industry. Citrangola is a third-generation franchisee of Servpro, where he worked alongside Campbell. Franchising since 1991, Re-Bath has more than 100 U.S. locations.
After growing its presence internationally, Japanese fast-casual brand Pepper Lunch is now developing in the U.S. with multi-unit deals.
Pepper Lunch, a Japanese fast-casual concept, signed a five-unit deal for Utah. The agreement is with Gemba Partners, led by Charles and Catherine Johnson. Charles Johnson has 22 years of experience in the restaurant industry with PF Chang’s, while Catherine Johnson has a background in restaurants and the hotel industry. Established in 1994, Pepper Lunch has more than 500 locations in 15 countries and is now expanding in the U.S. through franchising.
International Development News
Seafood concept Captain D’s signed its first Canadian deal, with a five-unit agreement for the Toronto area. The deal is with Ontario-based entrepreneurs Ali Saeed and Mudassir Choudri, who own several Shell gas stations. Captain D’s has more than 530 locations in 23 states.
Xponential Fitness signed a master franchise agreement for its brands Pure Barre and YogaSix in Japan. The deal is with Sunpark Co., which is already Xponential’s master franchisee for StretchLab. Sunpark has agreed to open a minimum of 50 Pure Barre and YogaSix locations in Japan. Other Xponential brands already in Japan include Club Pilates, CycleBar, Rumble and AKT.
Music education brand School of Rock signed a master franchise agreement for Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador and Uraguay with existing franchisee Matias Puga Hamilton. In 2018, Hamilton became master franchisee for Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru. He has 15 locations open now and will add 13 units in the four new countries he signed on for. School of Rock has more than 355 locations worldwide and in 2023 was acquired by Youth Enrichment Brands.