Radio host and television personality Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey and his wife and business partner, Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey, are the newest high-profile franchisees for slider chain Krystal. The two plan to open six restaurants, starting in their hometown of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, north of Charleston.
The agreement is a continuation of Krystal’s long-term revitalization strategy and follows the 90-year-old brand’s partnership with Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz and former NFL player Victor Cruz.
Known as Charlamagne Tha God, McKelvey is a co-host of morning radio show “The Breakfast Club,” hosts Comedy Central’s late-night show “Hell Of A Week with Charlamagne Tha God, andis a New York Times best-selling author and founder of the Mental Wealth Alliance.
Amazing Lash Studio signed an agreement with Sanjay Patel, a former electrical engineer turned entrepreneur, to open fivelocations in Virginia Beach and Richmond, Virginia. Patel’s partner, Falguni Amin, will oversee the operations of the five studios. Franchised by WellBiz Brands, Amazing Lash has nearly 300 units.
Quiznos signed a development deal with entrepreneur Parish Patel to open 30 units across Arizona over the next seven years. Patel is a former multi-unit franchisee who left the system in 2015 to pursue other restaurant ventures who’s coming back to the Quiznos concept.
El Pollo Loco, a fire-grilled chicken concept, signed an agreement for eight locations in the Kansas City area, as well as other parts of Kansas and Missouri. The deal is with franchisee group EPL Missouri. The group has more than 50 years of combined experience in the restaurant, grocery, liquor and gas station industries. Founded in 1980, El Pollo Loco has 480 locations in the United States.
El Pollo Loco, a grilled chicken chain, is expanding in Kansas and Missouri.
Checkers & Rally’s signed a trio of agreements for 40 total units. In California, the brand inked a 10-unit agreement with new franchisee Marcus Frisc. For Tennessee, existing franchisee Michael Rezi signed a 15-unit deal. Another deal was signed for 15 locations in Maryland with SBA Management, with the move spearheaded with by SBA’s Vice President of Operations Haider Ali Memon.
Shipley Do-Nuts inked a three-unit deal with Jody Mask, a lawyer and businessman, who intends to open locations in Virginia. He is looking for potential sites in the Virginia Tech area as well as Roanoke, Salem, Lynchburg, Harrisonburg and Williamsburg/Stanton. Founded in 1936, Shipley has more than 330 locations across 10 states.
Urban Air Adventure Park signed a four-unit deal with entrepreneurs Haydee and Federico Carvallo and Oscar Acosta to open locations in Florida and Texas. The business trio already own and operate two Urban Air units in the Miami area. Founded in 2011, Urban Air has more than 159 locations.
Vio Med Spa signed a deal with Houston-based entrepreneurs Laurence and Carnesha Humphries to open two locations in the area. Laurence Humphries is a retired senior executive with Chevron, while Carnesha Humphries has a background in retail sales and operations. Founded in 2017, Vio Med Spa has 15 locations open in six states.
Eggs Up Grill signed an agreement for 10 new locations with Ron and Amy Fausnaught through their company LJSweets. The franchisees, who also own and operate two Crumbl Cookies units, plan to develop the Eggs Up Grill restaurants in the Nashville area. Eggs Up Grill is a breakfast concept with 58 locations open.
Eggs Up Grill is expanding in the Nashville area.
Scooter’s Coffee inked a deal with Matt Bozarth and his mother, Carol, to open three locations in Copper Canyon, Texas. In addition to being a new franchisee, Matt Bozarth is a finance manager for a transportation company. Founded in 1998, Scooter’s Coffee has nearly 600 stores in 28 states.