Batteries Plus signed a six-unit agreement for Florida, expanding the brand’s presence in the state. The deal is with local couple Kurt and Liz Storkel, who are first-time franchisees. Kurt Storkel brings two decades of experience as a senior regional facilities manager for The Cheesecake Factory, while Liz Storkel spent 30 years as an elementary school teacher. Batteries Plus has more than 700 locations nationwide.
Jack in the Box signed a six-unit development agreement for the Louisville market as part of its entry into Kentucky. The deal comes after the QSR brand opened its first-ever Kentucky restaurant in late October. The agreement is with existing Jack in the Box franchisees Mark and Karen Graffius, as well as another owner with franchise experience, Shane Paul. Based in San Diego, Jack in the Box has more than 2,180 locations across 21 states.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii signed a pair of multi-unit agreements for the Phoenix market. The husband-and-wife duo of Aaron and Lisa Rutter, who are existing franchisees, inked a five-unit deal. Meanwhile, Don and Kate Johnson, who have experience as Jersey Mike’s franchisees, signed on for three locations. Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii has 30 franchised locations throughout the U.S.
Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is continuing its growth push with a new deal for locations in the Phoenix area.
Altitude Trampoline Park signed a five-unit agreement with California entrepreneur Guru Kumar for locations throughout the state. Kumar is a business owner with entities related to IT, business management and engineering. Founded in 2012, Altitude Trampoline Park has nearly 100 locations worldwide.
Smalls Sliders inked a five-unit agreement to expand its presence in Texas. The deal, marking the third for the state, is with Serendipity Provisions, which will open locations in the Dallas area. The franchisee aims to open its first unit in 2024. Founded in 2019, the slider burger concept has nine locations across Louisiana.
United Water Restoration signed a five-unit deal with one of its corporate leaders to expand its presence in Dallas. The agreement is with Vincent Thomas, a former insurance adjuster and vice president of operations for the restoration brand. Founded in 2008, United Water Restoration has 30 franchisees that control more than 90 territories.
Dill Dinkers Pickleball signed a five-unit agreement for the Washington, D.C., market with business partners Travis Andrews and Jonathan Boateng. The duo brings experience in technology, cybersecurity and infrastructure architecture in both the public and private sectors. First opening in November 2022, Dill Dinkers has four corporate locations.
Fast-casual brand The Habit Burger Grill signed a deal with entrepreneur Alia Ganem to develop up to five locations near Sonoma County in northern California. Ganem brings more than 20 years of experience in the industry, having overseen and managed more than 70 restaurants. The Habit Burger Grill was founded in 1969 and today has more than 340 locations worldwide.
The Habit Burger Grill, part of Yum Brands, is expanding in northern California with a new franchise agreement.
Bathroom remodeling brand Re-Bath signed a dual territory deal with married entrepreneurs Kenneth and Lisa Dorman to open units in Alabama and Mississippi. Kenneth Dorman brings ownership experience from his petroleum services company, while Lisa Dorman has 25 years of background in customer service. In business since 1978 and franchising since 1991, Re-Bath has more than 100 locations nationwide.
P.volve, a fitness studio concept, signed a four-unit agreement for the Austin, Texas, market with entrepreneur Marci Bain and her three daughters, Mackenzie, Madison and Brooke. The group brings experience from their family construction company, which Marci started 25 years ago with her husband, Scott. Founded in 2017, P.Volve has eight studios open.
Beverage retail concept Sip Fresh signed a three-unit deal for Orange County, California, with the entrepreneur family Brittany, Bryson and Risa Berryman. Brittany and Bryson have ownership experience with their dog daycare business, while Risa has held leadership roles at a variety of philanthropic organizations. Founded in 2017, Sip Fresh has locations in California and Arizona.
Sip Fresh, established in 2017, is a beverage brand with a new multi-unit agreement in Orange County, California.
Anti-aging concept Serotonin Centers inked a three-unit agreement for the Charleston, South Carolina, market with local entrepreneur Peter Sheehan. With a background in the luxury hospitality space as the owner and operator of a hotel consulting business, Sheehan aims to open his first Serotonin Centers unit by summer 2024. Serotonin Centers was founded in 2021 and has four locations.
Nebraska-based Scooter’s Coffee signed a three-location deal with the father-and-son team Robert and Judd Larkins. The duo plans to open locations in Greenwood and North Augusta, South Carolina. Both bring experience from an electrical subcontracting business Robert Larkins founded in 1978. Scooter’s has nearly 750 locations in 30 states.
Chicken Salad Chick inked a three-unit deal to expand in west Texas communities with the mother-and-daughter team of Liz Sevcik and Alexis Thompson. Sevcik is a registered nurse and teacher while Thompson has been a teacher for the last seven years. Established in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has more than 240 locations across 18 states.
LashKind, a brow and lash concept, inked a two-unit deal for Miami with the husband-and-wife duo Jose Molina and Paula Rodriguez. The couple are already franchisees, owning five Blo Blow Dry Bar locations in Texas and Florida. LashKind is a U.S. franchise system that was launched by Canada-based Mync. Founded in 2011, Mync was acquired by Blo Blow Dry Bar in 2022.
Ziggi’s Coffee locations offer an array of specialty coffees and other beverages, plus an ample food program.
Colorado-based Ziggi’s Coffee signed a major development deal for 50 locations throughout the Atlanta metro area. This marks the largest development deal for the Ziggi’s system. The brand, known for its drive-thru operations, was founded in 2004 and began franchising in 2016. The brand has not released the name of the franchisee.
Dessert concept Jars will enter markets across the United Kingdom and Ireland thanks to a new master franchise agreement. The 60-unit deal is with multi-unit franchisee Haj Atwal, who has experience with Subway. Jars was established in 2021 by chef Fabio Viviani and opened its first corporate location in Chicago in February 2023.