Cousins Maine Lobster operators Yunus and Thameem Shahul acquired the South Florida market for the brand across Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the Florida Keys. The Shahul brothers started franchising with Cousins Maine Lobster in 2018, and now are in seven U.S. markets. The first of their South Florida trucks relaunched in June.
Restaurant Brands International is investing in two of its brands’ operations in China through the acquisition of Popeyes China and a co-investment in Tims China. RBI will invest up to $45 million in the two transactions. RBI acquired the Popeyes China business from Tims China for $15 million. Popeyes China, which opened its first restaurant in August 2023, has 14 locations in Shanghai. The company also intends to establish a traditional master franchise structure with local partners in the long term, similar to its operations in other international markets.
To support Tims China’s growth, RBI and Cartesian Capital will co-invest up to $50 million in the company through three-year convertible notes. RBI will hold the right to appoint two directors to the Tims China board and its ownership stake could increase to 18 percent upon conversion of the notes.
John, Nick and Joe DePinto, owners of Lone Star Custard franchise group, acquired 18 existing Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers restaurant locations in the Houston market. As part of the deal, the DePintos are developing 20 units in the Houston area. Prior to this agreement, Lone Star Custard had 24 Freddy’s restaurants open throughout Texas, including locations in the San Antonio, Austin, and Rio Grande Valley markets.
Dog poop scoop franchise Pet Butler acquired Fluff Inc., a pet care franchise. The move adds pet sitting and walking to the brand. The deal was brokered through BridgeWorth and Associates and Pet Butler owner Michael Kidd.
Sylvan Learning transferred ownership of its Arlington, Cedar Hill, Coppell, Dallas, Southlake and Waco territories in Texas to first-time franchise owner Rashmi Sharma. Sylvan Learning, a provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12, has more than 710 locations worldwide.
Prit Sonic and Hitesh Desair are the new owners of the Metal Supermarkets Northeast Atlanta store, formerly operated by Michael Anderson, who recently retired. With more than 100 locations, Metal Supermarkets offers 8,000 types, shapes and grades of metal, cut to requested specifications.
Boston-based MaidPro transferred ownership of its West Palm Beach, Florida, territory to William and Mary Hartmanan. The house cleaning service has more than 255 locations in 38 states and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1997, is backed by parent Threshold Brands.
South Carolina-based SLG Staffing, the owner of Snelling Staffing Services franchise offices in South Carolina, Kentucky and Virginia and the HireQuest Direct office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, acquired a fifth franchise office in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This is the 11th acquisition for parent company SLG Investment Holdings. Founded in 1951, Snelling Staffing Services and its affiliates operate more than 200 offices nationwide. Founded by Sharon Gordon, SLG Staffing owns and operates four Snelling Staffing Services franchises in the Southeast, Midwest and Mid‐Atlantic regions and one HireQuest Direct office in the Southwest.