The Halal Guys signed a five-unit agreement to mark its entry into South Carolina. Shak Patel, a multi-unit Potbelly franchisee, plans to develop Halal Guys locations in Fort Mill, Rock Hill and Columbia, South Carolina. With business partners Vrund Patel and Robert Parks, the trio formed The Carolina Guys to expand the gyro- and chicken-focused concept. Founded in 1990, The Halal Guys has more than 100 locations.
Layne’s Chicken Fingers signed a 17-unit agreement with a trio of entrepreneurs who are already developing the first location for the brand in Georgia. Alvin Shah, Shahid Panjwani and Seth Bickle, who have experience with Subway and Dunkin,’ will open their first unit in October and continue building out the Atlanta market from there. Founded in 1994, Layne’s has 13 units open.
Layne’s Chicken Fingers focuses on its core product, for dipping or in sandwich form.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf inked a 10-unit deal with an experienced entrepreneur for New Mexico markets. Kat Williams, based in Los Lunas, New Mexico, brings 25 years of business experience to the deal as the owner of two insurance agencies. Founded in 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has more than 1,100 locations globally.
Fatburger and Round Table Pizza, both part of the FAT Brands portfolio, inked a deal for 12 co-branded units. The agreement is with Blacksheep Hospitality, which will open a dozen dual Fatburger and Round Table units in Utah over the next six years. Blacksheep is led by Shelby Jobe, who also opened the first Fatburger/Round Table co-branded store in Texas.
Smalls Sliders signed an eight-unit agreement for the northern Alabama area with three entrepreneurs. Jason Owenby, Kevin Kynerd and Travis Meyer, who have experience in contracting and in real estate, are also owners of 20 Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint units. Founded in 2019, Smalls Sliders has 14 units open, the majority of them in Louisiana.
Twin Peaks signed a six-unit agreement to expand in four states. The deal is with Josh Bates, president of Lighthouse Hospitality Group, a developer and operator for Hilton, Hyatt, Intercontinental Hotel Group and Marriott. Bates will open Twin Peaks in Charleston, South Carolina, Mobile, Alabama, Savannah, Georgia, and the Florida panhandle area. Founded in 2005, Twin Peaks has about 115 locations in the U.S. and Mexico.
Crisp & Green, a healthy fast-casual brand, is expanding its footprint in the state of Iowa.
Crisp & Green signed a five-unit deal to develop in several Iowa markets. The agreement is with entrepreneurs Michael and Aricka Hilton, who formed Evergreen Eateries and plan to open locations in Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Waukee, Ankeny and Council Bluffs. The two are also Crumbl franchisees. Founded in 2016 and based in Minnesota, Crisp & Green has 50 locations open in 16 states.
Multi-brand franchisor Brix Holdings signed a multi-unit agreement to open locations featuring two of its concepts in Arizona. Franchisee Richard Stassi, also a Jimmy John’s operator, plans to open three Smoothie Factory + Kitchen and Red Mango co-branded stores in the Phoenix and Scottsdale markets over the next three years. Brix is also working on franchise restarts for three of its other brands, Clean Juice, Friendly’s and Orange Leaf.
Wellness brand Woodhouse Spa is set to expand in Louisville, Kentucky, and Sarasota, Florida, after signing an agreement with existing franchisees Kim Stevens and Karen Coyle. The two are longtime operators in Tennessee and Texas. Founded in 2001, Woodhouse Spa has 85 locations across the country and is part of Radiance Holdings.
Perspire Sauna Studio signed a two-unit agreement with Oklahoma City entrepreneurs Rajiv and Pooja Patel. Rajiv Patel brings experience as an operations executive in hospitality while Pooja Patel is a pharmacist. Their units will be the first Perspire Sauna Studio locations for Oklahoma. Founded in 2010, the brand has 59 locations open.
BurritoBar, the U.S. counterpart to the Canadian brand BarBurrito, signed a 93-unit deal for the state of New Jersey. The fast-casual brand signed the agreement with Sarang Franchising, which also has the master franchise rights for Ohio. BarBurrito was founded in 2005 and has 325 locations in Canada. The brand launched its U.S. affiliate in 2020.
International Development News
Electronics retail brand PayMore is crossing the Atlantic, signing a 60-unit deal for the United Kingdom and Ireland. The agreement is with Liam Dalgarno and Nin Atwal, master Subway franchisees in the United Kingdom looking to diversify their portfolio. Established in 2011, PayMore has 34 locations.
Dave’s Hot Chicken signed an agreement with the Azzurri Group to open 60 locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Based in London and led by CEO Steve Holmes, Azzurri Group operates two Italian full-service brands, Zizzi and ASK Italian, a quick-service concept called Coco di Mama, and fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand Boojum. It has more than 230 locations across its brands.