1) Smalls Sliders Names Tropical Smoothie Vet Charles Watson as CEO

About five months after departing from Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson is taking the helm at Smalls Sliders. “I just couldn’t be more excited to be with this brand to get back to my roots of really being a builder and building a brand and growing it,” Watson said. Watson spent 15 years at Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the last six of which were in the CEO role. 

The 27-unit burger concept, partly owned by former NFL player Drew Brees and founder Brandon Landry, has huge growth plans with 375 stores sold. Watson anticipates nearly doubling that unit count to 50 stores by the end of this year. With a background in development, he said he feels prepared to propel growth at Smalls Sliders.

“I think we’re well on our way,” he said. “What it comes down to is the relationships that you have with your developers and your franchisees and making sure that we’re working back into that pipeline and supporting our franchisees as they move forward to develop.”

2) SBA Reinstates Franchise Directory, Adopts New Underwriting Standards

Two years after it published a new rule eliminating the Franchise Directory, the United States Small Business Administration is reversing course. The decision to eliminate the Franchise Directory took effect in May 2023, while the SBA was under the leadership of previous Administrator Isabel Guzman. Since assuming the administrator role in February, President Donald Trump selection, Kelly Loeffler, has been reversing decisions from the previous four years.

The SBA implemented the directory in 2018 during President Trump’s first term. The index was a running list of brands and franchised business models that met eligibility standards for loans and financing. Once on the list, banks and lenders were able to simply check if a franchise was on the directory, rather than go through a longer vetting process.

In addition to reinstating the directory, a move that takes effect June 1, the SBA also replaced a requirement for addendums with a new franchisor certificate. Previously, the addendum was required on franchise agreements with a signature from the franchisor. The International Franchise Association, which worked with the SBA on the new rules, sees it as an improvement.

3) BIGGBY® COFFEE Names Erin Kaylor as President, Reinforcing People-First Vision and Growth-Focused Future

BIGGBY® COFFEE has officially named Erin Kaylor as the company’s new president. Kaylor, who joined the franchise as chief financial officer in 2023, brings decades of franchise experience and a deep commitment to BIGGBY® COFFEE’s purpose-driven approach to leadership.

“Having the opportunity to lead an organization I’ve grown so passionate about is really exciting to me,” Kaylor said. “I’ve only been here for about a year and a half, but what I truly love about our company is the way that we always put people first. Whether that’s our staff or our franchise owners, our customers and our suppliers, we’re very focused on and committed to people.”

Kaylor’s vision as president is centered around three key goals: enhancing the level of support for franchise owners, delivering consistent and exceptional service to customers and fostering continued franchise growth systemwide.

EXTRA SAUCE 💥

Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™ Promotes Jonathan Norman to President: Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™ has tapped Jonathan Norman as the company’s President. Norman, who also continues to serve as Chief Investment Officer, will lead the brand’s strategic direction across both operations and investment.

Since joining Tint World as CIO, Norman has overseen the organization’s investment portfolio and played a key role in enhancing profitability and scalability system wide. His promotion to President reflects the company’s confidence in his leadership.

With more than 20 years of experience in investment structuring, franchise operations, and business development, Norman previously served as a multi-unit Franchisee and partner for brands such as Planet Fitness and Nekter Juice Bar. He also brings first-hand experience as a member of multiple franchise advisory councils.

Paul Davis Restoration Senior Vice President Named President and Chair of the Industry’s Important Certification Board: The IICRC proudly announced the appointment of Leslie Anderson as its new President and Chair, effective April 22, 2025. Leslie has more than twenty years of experience in learning and development within the restoration industry. She began her career with Paul Davis Restoration, Inc. in 2011 as a Regional Manager, where she empowered franchisees to reach new levels of operational and financial success. In 2016, Leslie transitioned into a training role, spearheading the development and deployment of innovative Learning and Development (L&D) programs and eLearning systems that continue to shape the industry’s approach to education. She now serves as the company’s Senior Vice President of Training & Launch.

Her strategy centers around cultivating a culture of continuous improvement grounded in best practices and business intelligence. Leslie has received several industry recognitions, including the Golden Rule Award in 2016, and was featured in Martha Stewart Magazine for her home flood prevention expertise. Most recently, she received Industry recognition by being awarded the R&R Women in Restoration Annual Award in 2025. Leslie is widely respected in the industry for her integrity, vision, and commitment to education and industry standards.

JETSET Pilates Takes Off in Chicagoland with Two Initial Signed Deals: JETSET Pilates is entering a new market after signing its first two deals in the Chicagoland area, confirming new locations in Naperville and Winnetka. 

The city’s accessibility to bike paths, lakefront running trails and parks support active lifestyles, with many residents actively seeking new and innovative fitness experiences. These neighborhoods align with JETSET Pilates’ mission to bring a unique, music-infused Pilates experience to an active customer base.

Water Wings Swim School Launches National Franchise Program: Water Wings Swim School, has successfully operated for more than two decades, is launching its national franchise program under the leadership of Unleashed Brands, the world’s first and largest youth enrichment platform.

Founded in 2003 by a husband-and-wife team with expertise in swim school management, child psychology and water safety, Water Wings has grown into a trusted name with 13 corporate locations across multiple states. Now, with the backing of Unleashed Brands, providing safe, fun and enriching environments to help kids learn, play and grow, the brand is poised to expand its reach and bring life-saving swim instruction to communities across the country.

“The launch of the Water Wings Swim School franchise program marks an important milestone in expanding access to high-quality swim education across the country,” said Josh Wall, Chief Operating Officer of Unleashed Brands. “With more than 20 years of experience, Water Wings meets the urgent need for early swim instruction. Combined with our ability to build efficiently in today’s cost-conscious environment, we’re well-positioned to scale and bring these critical skills to more families nationwide.”

School of Rock Expands with First Location in Uruguay: School of Rock announces the grand opening of its first location in Uruguay. The new school officially opened on April 29, 2025, in Montevideo. .

Located at Bulevar España 2603 in the Pocitos neighborhood, the facility will include five rehearsal rooms, nine individual lesson rooms, and shared spaces designed to inspire creativity and community. The school’s design is led by renowned Chilean architect Enrique González Barrenechea, who has helped shape the School of Rock experience throughout Latin America.

The expansion into Uruguay is spearheaded by Matías Puga H., the Master Franchisee for Latin America and the United Kingdom. In November 2023, Matías signed a Master Franchise Agreement encompassing Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Ecuador. Since becoming a master franchisee, Puga has opened over 15 School of Rock locations across Chile, Peru, Panama, Colombia, and Mexico.