1) Launch of Franchise System Signals New Start for &pizza

Michael Lastoria said he would never franchise after launching &pizza with Steve Salis in 2012. Thirteen years later, Lastoria’s Washington, D.C.-based restaurant company is counting on a franchising to rekindle development after it closed 13 units in 2024.

&pizza, which owns 46 locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, filed its franchise disclosure document in February. It will begin to recruit franchisees and establish partnerships at next week’s Multi-Unit Franchising Conference in Las Vegas.

&pizza can sell franchises in 30 states. The brand is anticipating adding another dozen states to that list by April as it makes a national development push. Burns said &pizza is aiming to open 250 to 300 new stores by 2030 with between 80 and 90 percent of them franchised.

2) Spavia Expands to Urban Markets With Tech-Forward Concept

Spa concept Spavia has predominantly served suburban markets over its 20-year history. That’s about to change with its newest concept launch, Sway by Spavia.

Sway adds to Spavia’s offerings, building off its 60-unit operations in 25 states. The concept looks to address the “unmet need” in urban markets and cities, said Sway co-founder and director Emily Langenderfer.

“With Sway by Spavia as our urban design, we met this need and demand for wellness to be accessible and affordable within the city,” she said. Sway’s first location opened February 25 in Denver’s Larimer Square. “Starting with our roots in Denver was really important to us as the flagship location,” Langenderfer said.

3) Dog Haus Expands with New Franchise Locations in Ohio and Arkansas

Dog Haus is bringing its one-of-a-kind dining into new markets. Cherokee Rhoda, founder and CEO of Brooks & Truitt Specialty Group and AirTek Global, and his wife, Michelle, have signed a five-unit franchise agreement, bringing Dog Haus to Columbus, Ohio, and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The agreement includes four locations in Ohio and one in Arkansas, with the first Ohio location expected to open before the end of the year. Rhoda’s leadership and expertise are instrumental in making this possible. His companies have built a reputation for excellence, and his passion for fostering positive community impact aligns with Dog Haus’ brand values. Rhoda is a seasoned entrepreneur with a track record of success in leadership and business development.

EXTRA SAUCE 💥

The Dog Stop Welcomes New Leadership: The Dog Stop is proud to announce the addition of several crucial leaders to its corporate team. The brand has welcomed Jeff Farnell as VP of Operations, John Henning as Director of Franchise Development, Megan Allen as Director of Real Estate and Construction, and Nancy Purvis as Franchise Support Manager, and looks forward to benefiting from their decades of experience in franchising, operations, and pet care as The Dog Stop works to expand its footprint across the country.

With over 20 years of experience in the franchising and dog care industries, Jeff Farnell has a proven track record of supporting operational growth and franchise success, having previously led an operations team responsible for scaling another dog care brand to over 250 units nationwide. As a dog parent himself, Farnell’s passion for delivering an exceptional experience for dogs and their owners aligns perfectly with The Dog Stop’s mission to provide a one-stop solution for all dog care needs. As Vice President of Operations, he’s thrilled to join a standout team as they work to expand The Dog Stop nationwide and optimize and scale operations to drive superior results for franchisees.

Go Mini’s Announces Exclusive National Partnership with College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving: Go Mini’s has announced an exclusive national account partnership with College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving. This strategic alliance will provide Go Mini’s customers with loading and unloading services, while College HUNKS’ clients will gain access to secure storage solutions.

With nearly 90% of College HUNKS franchises not currently offering storage, this partnership positions Go Mini’s as the go-to storage provider for customers. Whether for residential or commercial needs, clients now have a one-stop solution that simplifies the moving and storage process, eliminating the need to coordinate with multiple service providers.

Slim Chickens Expands in London with Back-to-Back Locations in Leicester Square and St. Paul’s: Slim Chickens announced today its opening in Leicester Square and St Paul’s. The openings are spearheaded by multi-unit operator Boparan Restaurant Group, who has over 60+ locations in the United Kingdom.

Slim Chickens is known and loved for its hand-breaded, cooked-to-order tenders and passionate followers within its markets. 

“We’re excited to offer our cooked-to-order, high-quality chicken tenders to Leicester Square and St. Paul’s – two high-footfall locations in London,” said Jackie Lobdell, Vice President of Franchise Development at Slim Chickens.

100% Chiropractic Appoints Steve Schillinger as Chief Executive Officer: 100% Chiropractic today announced the appointment of Steve Schillinger as Chief Executive Officer. Founders Drs. Jason and Vanessa Helfrich will continue their roles as board members and brand ambassadors, reinforcing the company’s vision and mission.

A seasoned executive with nearly three decades of leadership experience, Mr. Schillinger brings a proven track record of operational excellence, strategic growth, and brand transformation. As President and CEO of Salon Lofts Group, he elevated the company in delivering community-driven beauty and wellness services with a focus on supporting Loft Owners and professionals build and grow their businesses through enhanced operational efficiency and marketing performance. Prior to that, he held executive leadership roles at 24 Hour Fitness USA, where he spearheaded initiatives in branding, business development, and customer experience; strengthening both member engagement and operational processes. Earlier in his career at Circuit City Stores, Inc., he led strategic initiatives that streamlined operations and delivered measurable efficiencies.

Hand & Stone Signs Three-Unit Development Agreement to Expand North Texas Footprint: Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the nation’s leading facial and massage franchise, has signed an agreement to develop three new Hand & Stone spas in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area. The first location will be in Cedar Hill followed by two other trade areas, with site selection underway for the first spa. As a wellness industry frontrunner specializing in accessible massage and skin care services, Hand & Stone has inked this deal amid a strategic 2025 growth plan to strengthen its presence within local DFW communities and across the state of Texas.

A group of local entrepreneurs, co-managed by Chandni Patel and a team of three other business professionals, is spearheading the expansion of Hand & Stone in the DFW area. This marks the group’s first franchise venture, with each partner bringing unique professional expertise to the table. Chandni and the team were initially introduced to Hand & Stone by franchise coach and consultant, Kapil Manocha, aligning their passion for health and wellness with the opportunity to invest in a rapidly growing multi-unit brand

Pestmaster Welcomes New Franchise Owners In Texas, California And Georgia: Pestmaster has new franchise owners launching in Houston, Texas, and San Diego, California, as well as new ownership taking over operations in Alpharetta and Marietta, Georgia.

Pestmaster is a provider in the pest control specializing in insect, rodent, bird and wildlife control, as well as vegetation management and health related vector control. 

“These outstanding entrepreneurs bring valuable experience and a strong business mindset to the Pestmaster network,” said Brett Shraiar, Brand Leader at Pestmaster. “We are proud to support them in their journey.”

Craveworthy Acquires Dessert Concept Kinnamōns: Umbrella restaurant franchisor Craveworthy Brands has acquired Kinnamōns, a cinnamon roll concept founded in 2022 by retired NFL defensive star Ndamukong Suh. Kinnamōns developed a fan following with cinnamon rolls that come in nostalgic and innovative flavors. In a news release about the acquisition, Craveworthy said it plans to maintain Kinnamōns’ artisanal qualities while expanding it nationally through a franchise program.

Oregon-based Kinnamōns emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, unique glazes and seasonal flavors. The buns – offered in varieties such as Caramel Apple Pie, Maple Bacon and Cookies and Cream – are baked fresh daily and served to customers quickly. Kinnamōns, whose name is derived from the Greek word for cinnamon, also sells espresso and flavored coffees. Craveworthy’s news release said it will nurture Kinnamōns’ growth via streamlined operations, marketing, supply chain management and training.

From NBA to Fast-Food Empire: Junior Bridgeman Dies at 71: Junior Bridgeman, the former NBA player who became a billionaire entrepreneur, has died at 71.

During his 1980s playing days with the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association, Ulysses Lee “Junior” Bridgeman began amassing what would become a huge business portfolio with an investment in a Wendy’s. Bridgeman eventually owned some 450 restaurants around the United States: Chili’s, Fazoli’s and Golden Corral locations along with Wendy’s. His other holdings included a Coca-Cola bottling business, Ebony and Jet magazines, and a minority stake in the Bucks, The New York Times stated in his obituary. 

The cause of Bridgeman’s March 11 death was a cardiac event. The billionaire was in Louisville, Ky., speaking with a TV reporter when he said he thought he was suffering a heart attack. Bridgeman later died at a hospital.