Daddy’s Chicken Shack signed a regional development agreement with Noah Pillsbury to open 30 units in the Denver metro area over the next seven years. Pillsbury in an announcement of the deal said he plans to open 33 stores. A former CertaPro Painters franchisee, Pillsbury also has experience in franchise development, construction and real estate. Established in 2018, Daddy’s Chicken Shack has eight units spread across southern and western states.
Slim Chickens signed a deal to bring 12 new units to Michigan and Ohio. The agreement is with Slims Midwest, which also owns 23 Arby’s units in Michigan. Launched in 2003, Slim Chickens has more than 280 locations open.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza signed a trio of multi-unit agreements to develop 11 locations in three Texas markets. Ajay and Karina Gorde, a management consultant and certified public accountant, respectively, will open three Houston units. Tim Fogarty, who has a background in real estate, will open three in Dallas. In Austin, retail franchise owner Rajeev Dewan will open five. Established in 1978, Mountain Mike’s has nearly 300 locations.
California-based Mountain Mike’s continues to build its presence in Texas.
Little Caesars signed a 10-unit deal to develop more of the New York City market. The agreement is with restaurateurs Suhel Ahmed and Saurabh Desai, who have more than 40 years of combined industry experience. Another franchisee, Kiren Patel, acquired 30 Little Caesars restaurants in the northeast through his group, Sagacity Ventures, with plans to develop another 20.
Pickleball brand Dill Dinkers is continuing its franchise development efforts with a new regional agreement covering areas in Delaware and Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. The agreement is with Jim and Mia Cassady, who will open 10 locations. Jim Cassady has a background working in IT and marketing in the pharmaceutical industry, while Mia Cassady has worked as a school-based occupational therapist assistant. Established in 2022, Dill Dinkers has five locations open.
Smalls Sliders is ramping up its development in Texas with another multi-unit agreement for the state. The brand signed a six-unit deal in Fort Worth with Brett Stewart, who has a background in portfolio management and real estate. Founded in 2019, Smalls Sliders is backed by 10 Point Capital and has 17 locations open.
Tide Cleaners, the dry cleaning franchise extension of the Tide laundry brand, inked a deal for five units in Nashville. The agreement is with the father-son duo of Jason and James Patrick. Jason Patrick is the principal of Patrick Capital Ventures and has nearly 30 years of experience in sales and operations. He’s also a franchisee with Express Employment Professionals. Founded in 2008, Tide Cleaners has more than 180 locations.
The Original Rainbow Cone is set for growth in Florida.
Dessert brand The Original Rainbow Cone is set to grow in central Florida with a new three-unit agreement. The deal is with business partners Candy Krueger and Tom Nguyen. Leading the development is Krueger, who has a background in business and team management. Originally opened in 1926, Rainbow Cone has 20 locations across the Midwest and Florida.
Chicken Salad Chick is entering the Kansas market with the signing of a three-unit agreement. The deal is with sisters Jo Anne Williams and Cindy Sulzman. Founded in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 270 restaurants across 19 states.
Jeff’s Bagel Run is set to enter the Las Vegas market with a three-unit deal. Signing the agreement is JBR Partners, led by business partners Marvin Simeon and Mark Gonzales. Simeon has experience in law while Gonzales brings a background in business ownership. Launched in 2019, Jeff’s Bagel Run has eight locations open. Based in Florida, that state is also in development via a 30-unit agreement.
New York-style bagels from emerging brand Jeff’s Bagel Run
Laundry services concept Mulberry’s Garment Care is building its East Coast operations by teaming with an existing partner. Master franchisor Gemini Cleaners signed a three-unit agreement for the north Virginia region. The deal is with Leesburg CBK, a group led by Brett Vago, Kyo Kim and Carlos Cadenas. Vago and Kim already own a Mulberry’s in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2009, Mulberry’s also has locations in San Francisco and Minneapolis.
Ohio-based Marco’s Pizza inked a three-unit agreement for three Virginia markets. Entrepreneur Marcel Clarke is the new franchisee, who’s developing locations in Bristow, Centreville and Haymarket. Clarke has experience in multiple areas, including real estate, commercial cleaning, cryptocurrency investments and executive coaching. Founded in 1978, Marco’s has more than 1,200 stores in 35 states, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Mexico.
Marco’s Pizza continues to build its presence in the category with multi-unit agreements.
Protein Bar & Kitchen, a better-for-you concept, signed a three-unit deal for the Naperville, Illinois market. Girish Patel, a restaurant operator who also has experience in IT software engineering, will develop the locations, with the first set to open in early 2025. Protein Bar & Kitchen has 16 locations in and around Chicago.
International News
Dine Brands International is introducing its dual-branded Applebee’s and IHOP concept into the Honduras market. The parent company signed an agreement with BLT Global Brands, led by CEO Thomas Christopher Talarico. In addition to Applebee’s and IHOP, BLT Global Brands is a Domino’s franchisee, and Talarico is also developing Big Chicken in Central America. Along with Applebee’s and IHOP, Dine Brands also owns Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and has close to 3,600 locations worldwide.
Buffet brand Golden Corral signed a two-unit agreement to build its Puerto Rico presence. The deal is with existing franchisee Justin Tirri, who has a pair of Puerto Rico units and another two under construction. He also owns two Pizza@ locations, two K1 Speed units and one Krystal restaurant. Founded in 1973, Golden Corral, has more than 300 locations.