1) Planet Fitness Same-Store Sales Up 6 Percent in Q1

Planet Fitness sales are up again. The brand saw a 6 percent increase year over year in same-store sales in the first quarter ending March 31.

The company ended March with 20.6 million members, an increase of 900,000 or about 4.6 percent, according to the franchise’s first quarter earnings report. 

“Given the strength and durability of our model, we delivered this healthy growth against a backdrop of increasing volatility in the macro-economic environment,” Planet Fitness CEO Colleen Keating said on the May 8 investor call.

2) Gong cha Appoints Michael Nedelkovich Jr. Vice President of U.S. Non-Traditional Franchise Development

Gong cha is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Nedelkovich Jr. as Vice President of U.S. Non-Traditional Franchise Development. A seasoned franchise executive with over 15 years in the industry, Nedelkovich’s expertise spans franchising, site selection, and strategic partnerships—expanding F&B concepts into non-traditional venues.

In his new role, Nedelkovich will lead Gong cha’s non-traditional development strategy in the U.S.

Nedelkovich’s priorities include refining the flexible design packages, accelerating speed to market, and enhancing operational adaptability. He will also focus on optimizing existing partner relationships, while building new strategic alliances.

3) Fly Dance Fitness Opens New Franchise Locations

Fly Dance Fitness expands after its first franchise location opening in March. Since then, four franchise locations have opened in Johns Creek, GA, Myrtle Beach, SC, Broomfield, CO, along with the latest location opening in Orlando on May 17. 

Known for its trademark dance-fitness experiences, the franchise locations have brought daily workout parties from its Sarasota, Florida-based studio to three more states in just three months.

With its authentic and inspiring videos, Fly Dance Fitness has grabbed the country’s attention with their hard-hitting choreography, team-oriented culture of fitness instructors and supportive community both in and out of the studio.

EXTRA SAUCE 💥

Applebee’s, IHOP Sales Decline in Q1: Sales are down at Dine Brands Global, the parent company of IHOP, Applebee’s and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.

In the first quarter this year, which ended March 31, sales across the three brands totaled $1.97 billion, down about $80 million year over year, according to Dine’s Q1 earnings call. 

Sales at Applebee’s were more than $1 billion in the first quarter, down 2.2 percent, or about $45 million, compared to last year at this time. At IHOP, same-store sales were down 2.7 percent, or roughly $26 million, to $855.5 million.

Biggby Coffee Taps Longtime McDonald’s Exec as Company President: Erin Kaylor knows a thing or two about franchising, but that’s to be expected after 20-plus years working for the world’s best-known franchise.

Kaylor worked in finance roles at McDonald’s, most recently as finance director for the company’s United States portfolio. After a two-year stint at a residential community company, she returned to franchising as Biggby Coffee’s chief financial officer in 2023 and, as of February, leads the company as president.

“I have a deep-rooted love for franchising,” said Kaylor, who said her return felt like coming home. “Some of my best memories are helping franchise owners grow and expand their businesses and become stronger in their marketplaces, so that’s always been a passion of mine.”

Dog Haus Targets Louisiana and Texas Expansion With New Franchisee: Erin LeDoux doesn’t hide her fear of being a first-time restaurateur. At the same time, she is embracing the challenge of running multiple restaurants in two states.

“My biggest fear is having a restaurant and it failing,” she said. “But I know Dog Haus is a great brand and I have a lot of support from my family in making this work. I’m excited to get going.”

LeDoux and her husband, Matt, along with her dad, Gregg Strasburger, signed a three-unit agreement with Dog Haus to bring the restaurant brand to Louisiana for the first time. It’s the second area development agreement for the 35-year-old mother of two. In 2023 she signed on to open three Dog Haus locations in her home state of Texas.

Scenthound Appoints Josh Lyon as Chief Operating Officer: As the pet industry continues to soar, Scenthound announces the appointment of Josh Lyon as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Lyon is focused on scaling operational excellence by creating clarity, structure, and conditions.

About Josh Lyon: Lyon has been an integral part of the Scenthound team for the past four years, most recently serving as the brand’s Vice President of Operations, and brings over 15 years of senior administration and operations management experience to the team.

With routine hygiene contributing to a dog’s overall health, Lyon’s leadership is instrumental in expanding Scenthound and making dog wellness services more accessible. It also plays a crucial role in educating pet parents on the importance of routine, preventive care.

HTeaO New CFO and VP of Human Resources: HTeaO announces two new executive hires. Corey Horsch has joined the brand as Chief Financial Officer, and Adam Smith will serve as Vice President of Human Resources. Both leaders bring extensive experience in scaling brands and are positioned to support HTeaO’s future growth.

“We’re focused on building a leadership team that will help us scale with excellence,” said Justin Howe, CEO and Co-Founder of HTeaO. “Corey and Adam bring not only deep expertise in their respective fields, but also a clear alignment with our culture and values. Corey’s financial background across some of the most recognized names in the industry and Adam’s people-first approach to talent development will play a key role in strengthening our infrastructure, supporting our franchisees, and ensuring we’re prepared for the road ahead. We’re excited to welcome them to the team.”

Pet Butler Acquires Parapoopers Scoopers in Clarksville, TN: Pet Butler is proud to announce that Rob Moore, the franchise owner of Pet Butler in Clarksville, Tennessee, has successfully completed the acquisition of Parapoopers Scoopers.

This strategic move marks a milestone in Moore’s journey and underscores Pet Butler’s commitment to delivering reliable, professional pet services. By integrating Parapoopers’ customer base and operational territory into the Pet Butler brand, Moore aims to elevate services and broaden reach while maintaining the same trusted local care.

Waterloo Turf Poised to Open Three Territories in Nashville: Waterloo Turf is proud to announce the opening of its first territory in Tennessee. This new territory marks an exciting milestone in Waterloo Turf’s growth, bringing its complete artificial turf services to the Nashville community and further transforming outdoor spaces to enhance the lifestyles of clients. The local owners will be opening three territories and are set to open this July in South Nashville. At the helm of this new venture are local residents Ken Trager and Allen Silvia.

Ken Trager has over a decade of experience in the franchise business world, known for his unwavering commitment to customer service. His expertise lies in building strong client relationships and driving operational success within franchise systems.

Allen Silvia is a seasoned project management expert with years of landscaping expertise and a lifelong dedication to craftsmanship. His meticulous approach ensures high-quality outcomes, making him a trusted leader in delivering complex projects with precision and excellence.

Doner Shack Expands to Boston with Multi-Unit Franchise Deal, Continuing National Growth Surge: Doner Shack, has announced a multi-unit franchise agreement that brings five new locations to Boston. The deal marks the brand’s first entry into the Northeast and adds to a  series of recent franchise signings across key U.S. markets.

The Greater Boston development will be led by local entrepreneur Sam Singh, who brings a  deep operational background and a strong connection to the community. In addition to his Boston commitment, Singh is also in talks to secure some development rights in New York,  positioning the brand’s regional expansion across the Northeast corridor.

“This is a concept that Boston and the U.S. as a whole, has been missing,” said Singh. “The  freshness of the food, the operational efficiency, and the innovative marketing of Doner Shack  were the top reasons I decided to join the brand. Once people try it, I believe they’ll become  customers for life.”

Port of Subs Announces 20-Unit Deal for the Dallas-Fort Worth Suburban Region: Port of Subs® proudly announces its latest development deal. With 20 units expected to open across the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs, this agreement is spearheaded by Texas-based entrepreneurs Robert and Nikki La Grace, a husband-and-wife team with deep ties to the region and a passion for community-building.

This deal will further its reach across Dallas, targeting Plano, Frisco, and its surrounding suburbs. The entrepreneurial duo bringing the brand to this part of the state has a diverse background. Robert brings a wealth of operational and strategic insight to the table. Nikki, who spent years supporting executive leadership before stepping into a more hands-on role at their children’s school, shares Robert’s dedication to fostering meaningful connections in the community.

Tommy’s Express Opening Three New Locations: ommy’s Express is thrilled to announce the opening of three new locations: 520 W. Riggin Avenue in Visalia, California , 450 N. Military Hwy in Norfolk, Virginia , and 4922 S. 202nd Avenue in Omaha, Nebraska.

This will be the first location in Visalia and Norfolk, and the fourth location in Omaha. Guests visiting these Tommy’s Express sites will receive free car washes from Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 25.

Tommy’s Express Car Wash is transforming the car wash experience with a fresh, customer-focused approach. Renowned for its sleek, high-tech wash tunnels—featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and a transparent roof—each location offers more than just a clean car. They deliver a bright, modern, and welcoming environment that turns a routine errand into a moment of convenience and enjoyment.