Pickleball brand Dill Dinkers signed a 10-unit agreement for the Orlando market. The deal is with Justin White and Brien Vega, who each bring management experience from Planet Fitness. Vega also worked as a business development representative for Salesforce, while White has a background in police academies. Dill Dinkers launched in 2022 and has five units.
Schlotzsky’s Bakery Cafe signed a five-unit deal with the husband-and-wife team Vipul and Neha Patel. The Patels, who’ve owned Subways and construction companies, plan to develop the Schlotzsky’s locations in the Detroit area. Based in Austin, Texas, Schlotzsky’s is part of the GoTo Foods portfolio and has more than 300 locations.
Biscuit Belly, a Kentucky-based brunch brand, signed an area development agreement for up to three locations in Atlanta. The deal, signed with franchisee group ATL Biscuits, calls for locations to open across the metro over the next two years. After its launch in 2019, Biscuit Belly started franchising in 2020 and has 12 locations.
Perspire Sauna Studio is developing in the Austin, Texas, market with a three-unit agreement. The deal is with the husband-and-wife team Chiru Melam and Sireesha Paleti, who previously owned and operated two Mathnasium units. Founded in 2010, Perspire has 64 locations across the U.S.
Cheba Hut, a cannabis-themed restaurant concept, has 68 locations in 15 states.
Cheba Hut, a Denver-based sandwich concept, is set to enter Iowa with a three-unit agreement. Franchisee Mistene Nugent, who brings experience working at HP before starting a commercial relocation and furniture business, plans to open a Cheba Hut in Des Moines before expanding to Ames and Iowa City. Cheba Hut, founded in 1998, has nearly 70 locations in 15 states.
Anti-aging concept Serotonin Centers inked a three-unit deal for Bergen County, New Jersey, marking its second agreement for the state in the last few months. The deal is with the husband-and-wife duo Yuri and Elaine Kletsman, who bring backgrounds in health care and real estate, respectively. Launched in 2021, Serotonin Centers has nine locations.
Remodeling brand Re-Bath signed an agreement to develop new locations in three California markets. Behind the deal is Julio Medeiros, who will open units in Anaheim, Irvine and San Bernadino. Along with more than 20 years of experience as a contractor, Medeiros is the owner of a window installation company. Franchising since 1991, Re-Bath has more than 100 locations nationwide.
Jack in the Box, a California-based QSR brand, is building its development plans for the Chicago market with a 12-unit agreement. The franchise deal follows the brand’s announcement of a plan for eight company-owned units, as well as two CloudKitchens. The brand has about 2,200 restaurants across 22 states.
With 1,035 studios, Club Pilates is Xponential’s largest fitness brand.
International News
Fitness franchise Club Pilates is making its way into Mexico with a new master franchise agreement. The deal was signed with existing franchisee group Riser Fitness, which has more than 60 Club Pilates studios open in the western U.S. In Mexico, Riser Fitness will open at least 65 locations over the next 10 years. First opened in 2007, Club Pilates has grown to over 1,000 studios.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is building its Canadian presence with another deal north of the border. The burger brand signed an agreement for three locations in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with franchisee group Steakburger North. The latest deal is the third in Canada for Freddy’s, which has more than 530 restaurants across 36 states.