FROM THE WOLF DEN

1) Anchored Tiny Homes Co-founders File for Bankruptcy After Abandoning Franchise Operations

Two former Anchored Tiny Homes executives filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection weeks after shutting down their company headquarters.

Colton and Austin Paulhus, brothers and co-founders of the home builder franchise, filed bankruptcy petitions in California October 11 and September 30, respectively.

Anchored Tiny Homes manufactured tiny homes and accessory dwelling units, which can be built on lots with existing houses. Theirs was a style of unit growing in popularity as the housing crisis in the United States continues and people look for less expensive housing options.

2) Mountain Mike’s Signs 10-Unit Deal to Enter Florida Market

A brand based in the Golden State has its sights set on expansion in the Sunshine State.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza, which has 250 of its nearly 300 locations in California where it’s headquartered, is making an effort to grow beyond its West Coast origins. The latest move to do so is in the form of a 10-unit agreement with an entrepreneurial duo in Florida.

The deal was inked by Sean Morrison, CEO of BizBox Restaurant Group, and Ned Algeo, founder of Multipli Capital. Their plan is to develop the restaurants across Orlando, Sarasota and Tampa, with the first opening in late 2025.

3) Batteries Plus Awards 5-Unit Franchise Deal to Expand West Texas Presence

Batteries Plus recently signed its latest multi-unit franchise agreement for the development of five new units throughout West Texas. 

Husband and wife duo, Liz and Jay McKee, will own and operate the five stores across the region. For the last 40 years, Jay has spent his career working in the oil and gas industry in California, New Mexico, and most recently Texas after moving back to the state he was born and raised in with Liz. During his time spent in the oil and gas industry, Jay has held roles in sales along with extracting and producing – touching every aspect of the business throughout his journey. Liz has spent over three decades in direct sales, the most recent being at a chemical company where she spent the last 13 years.

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EXTRA SAUCE 💥

Vio Med Spa to Use New Investment to Grow Store Count: Private equity firm Freeman Spogli invested in Vio Med Spa, securing a majority stake in the med spa franchise. 

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, but Vio’s existing management team will continue running the brand and its founders, Harish Kakarala and Joe and Nick Stanoszek, remain minority investors. Vio is stylized “V/O” and pronounced “vee-oh.”

The 50-unit franchise offers a variety of medical aesthetic services, like Botox, facials, medical weight loss solutions and dermal fillers. Vio launched in 2017 in Strongsville, Ohio, and started franchising in 2018. The brand has more than 200 units in development throughout the country.

Another Broken Egg Cafe Names Brad Cameron as Chief Financial Officer: Another Broken Egg Cafe, the award-winning, upscale breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant, today announced the appointment of seasoned financial executive Brad Cameron as the company’s new chief financial officer (CFO). His appointment comes at a crucial time for the brand, which surpassed 100 units this year, enhancing its financial leadership to support ambitious growth plans and drive franchise development initiatives. 

Leveraging more than two decades of experience, Cameron will focus on developing actionable growth strategies, including optimizing financial performance and supporting franchise expansion efforts in collaboration with Chief Development Officer Jeff Sturgis and President & CEO Paul Macaluso. He will oversee financial operations and IT functions, guide investment strategies and implement best practices that align with Another Broken Egg Cafe’s expansion goals. Additionally, he will support existing franchisees and corporate-owned locations, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed to excel in the daytime-only restaurant sector, particularly as the brand rolls out new bar and culinary initiatives designed to drive incremental sales and increase profits.

Angry Chickz Continues Building Robust Leadership Team: Angry Chickz announced today the hiring of Vice President of Marketing Tonya McCoy and Vice President of Development Christopher Wadleigh, along with the promotion of Will Lopez to Vice President of Operations.

Angry Chickz’s commitment to food quality has garnered widespread recognition and numerous accolades over the years. Angry Chickz was founded in 2018 by David Mkhitaryan, who wanted to share his love of spicy chicken with the world. 

Zaxbys Debuts in New Jersey with Plans for First Six Locations: Zaxbys™ is excited to announce its venture into New Jersey. The first two locations, set to open in South Jersey in the summer of 2025. This ambitious move is being made by the GSP Group, led by Premanand Gupta, a longtime New Jersey resident.

Currently, the GSP Group has signed on to open six Zaxbys locations across South, Central, and North Jersey. 

“We started looking into Zaxbys about a year ago,” said Premanand Gupta, co-owner of GSP Group. “We have always been interested in the chicken market. We’re confident that it will quickly become a local favorite.”

K9 Resorts Strengthens Leadership Team with the Appointment of Dan Wheeler as Chief Marketing Officer: K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel proudly announces the appointment of Dan Wheeler as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). With a reputation of industry-leading pet care, K9 Resorts is poised to expand its market presence under Wheeler’s innovative leadership, ensuring continued innovation in the luxury pet care market.

“K9 Resorts has already set the gold standard in pet care, but as we continue to grow, so does the potential to further amplify our brand’s impact,” said Wheeler. “I’m excited to build meaningful connections within our communities to ensure that K9 Resorts remains the premier choice for luxury dog boarding and daycare.”

Teriyaki Madness Expands Leadership Team with New CFO and Key Financial Hires: eriyaki Madness (TMAD) continues to build momentum by strengthening its leadership team.

In the latest of a series of strategic hires, the brand has brought on Bill Bishop as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to guide the company through its next phase. Bishop joins TMAD after 20 years as a partner at Grant Thornton, a leading audit and tax firm. With extensive experience advising major restaurant brands, including Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, McAlister’s Deli and Honey Baked Ham, Bishop brings a deep understanding of financial strategy tailored to the restaurant industry. However, his move to TMAD marks his first internal role with a restaurant brand.

Perspire Sauna Studio Heads for South Florida with Latest 3-Studio Deal: Perspire Sauna Studio, the country’s largest sauna studio now offering contrast therapy, today announced that the franchise will soon make its debut in South Florida. This news comes as the result of a three-studio agreement recently struck with two Palm Beach locals and entrepreneurs, intent on delivering the brand’s full-spectrum infrared (IR) and red-light (RL) sauna therapies to Palm Beach Gardens, Delray Beach, and Wellington.

“The physical and mental health benefits that stem from regular use of infrared saunas have helped Perspire grow rapidly throughout the country,” said Lee Braun, Founder and CEO of Perspire Sauna Studio. “Florida has been one of the most active markets fueling that growth, and this latest agreement to continue the brand’s development there is a testament to that. Soon, an entirely new population of consumers will be able to reap the benefits of our proprietary infrared and red-light technology, whether they are looking to supplement their existing fitness routine or adopt a scientifically-backed alternative.”

Gold’s Gym Inks Development Agreement for 17 Locations in Toronto: Gold’s Gym has signed a development rights agreement with a franchisee to open 17 locations in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area (GTAH), with the first gym slated for a 2025 opening. 

The franchisee group is led by Tony Caparotta, a fitness industry veteran who grew up in Toronto. He and his team plan to build the new gyms over the coming decade.

The new gyms will be built in a modern image of the legendary original Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, California, known as The Mecca, where iconic bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger trained.

Franchise Expo Austin Debuts Nov. 15-16: MFV Expositions and Comexposium will present Franchise Expo Austin on Nov.15-16 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. More than 1,500 people are expected to check out approximately 125 exhibitors at this expo, which is the first MFV expo to be held in Texas’ fast-growing capital city. MFV Expositions shows offer a venue where entrepreneurs can explore a variety of franchises that are wanting to expand their brands. 

Austin, near the center of the Lone Star State, is an ideal site for MFV, says Martin Joksimovic, president of MFV Expositions. “Texas has been named the No. 1 state for future franchise growth,” Joksimovic said in a news release about the groundbreaking expo. “With an incredible lineup of big-name franchisors and exclusive programming from the Latino Franchise Association, this is a must-see event for entrepreneurial candidates who dream of owning a business of their own.”