1) PE Firm Riverside Expands EverSmith Portfolio With Latest Acquisition

With the fifth add-on investment to its EverSmith Brands platform, The Riverside Company acquired The Seals Franchising, a franchisor of refrigeration gasket replacement services for commercial kitchens.

The Seals joins landscaping providers U.S. Lawns and Clintar, specialty flooring concept MilliCare, commercial kitchen exhaust cleaner Kitchen Guard, and restoration concept Prism Specialties under EverSmith. Riverside, a global private equity firm, formed EverSmith in 2020 with a focus on the commercial service space. Among its other franchise investments across a range of segments are Executive Home Care, MaidPro and Blue Moon Estate Sales.

Ken Hutcheson, CEO of EverSmith, said the Seals acquisition gives the company a presence in a highly fragmented market and is complementary to Kitchen Guard, which Riverside bought in 2023 and rebranded from Green Guard Services.

2) Levine Leichtman ‘Thrilled’ With Synergy HomeCare Acquisition

Matthew Frankel, the managing partner at Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, repeated the word “conviction” when discussing his private equity firm’s acquisition of Synergy HomeCare. “We tend to have a lot of conviction when we see a great opportunity and the deeper we got into our analysis of Synergy, the more conviction we had that we really need to get ahead of the process and get this deal done,” Frankel said. “We’re thrilled to be able to close on this key acquisition for us as quickly as we did.”

New York-based Levine Leichtman’s purchase of Synergy from NexPhase Capital for an undisclosed amount represents a new start for the in-home provider that was founded in 1999 by Peter Tourian and began franchising in 2005.

Synergy, which provides a broad range of non-medical care services including personal, companion, memory and specialized care for individuals who are living with physical or developmental disabilities, chronic health conditions or recovering from illness or surgery, has 240 franchisees operating in 540 territories in 42 states.

3) TruBlue Home Service Ally Celebrates Major Milestone With Opening of Its 100th Franchise Location

TruBlue Home Service Ally, a premier franchise dedicated to home maintenance and senior home modification services, has proudly announced the opening of its 100th franchise territory.

The milestone 100th location was awarded to Lake Bancroft, an existing franchisee and a former CNA in the in-home medical and senior care industry who expanded her footprint with TruBlue in Idaho. Bancroft’s decision to invest in an additional territory highlights the brand’s appeal and the trust franchisees place in its business model.

EXTRA SAUCE 💥

Sport Clips Haircuts Selects Curious Jane to Manage Franchise Development Marketing: Sport Clips Haircuts has teamed up with Curious Jane to develop the strategy and creative for the brand’s franchise development marketing campaigns and to execute them.

“We look forward to collaborating with Curious Jane to recruit new team leaders for our brand,” said Vanessa Fox, chief development officer. “We are confident that Curious Jane’s bold approach to franchise marketing will align perfectly with our brand goals and story.”

Founded in 1993, the sports-themed haircutting franchise has Sport Clips stores open in the U.S. and Canada. The brand is known for its MVP Haircut Experience, featuring a precision haircut, hot steamed towel, massaging shampoo, and neck and shoulder treatment.

Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen signs a multi unit agreement to expand into Mexico city: Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen signs a multi unit development agreement to open 10 outlets in Mexico city starting the new year 2025. Russo’s proudly welcomes its newest franchisee, Javier Aguilar. The addition of this pizza franchise marks an exciting milestone for the company.

Javier Aguilar is enthusiastic about joining the Russo’s casual Italian Pizza restaurant franchise. He highlights the tremendous growth in Mexico city and other tourist area and the scarcity of authentic New York-style pizza and ameriican classic italian cusine. Javier emphasizes, “Russo’s offers a taste of little Italy with unique menu items with family recipe, including our favorites such as the prosciutto & burrata pizza, truffle mushroom pizza, and the pesto chicken pizza. Furthermore, their selection of Italian classic pasta dishes made fresh to order using all-natural ingredients truly sets them apart.” like lasagna, baked ziti, fettuccini Alfredo, spaghetti carbonara, gnocchi fresh pasta and many more Italian classic dishes originated from Italy. The variety of menu items is unique and will drive additional sales options for dine-in and delivery.

The Swing Bays Sells Multi-Unit Franchise for Raleigh-Durham Metro: The Swing Bays announces a significant expansion into North Carolina with five new locations. 

In 2024, The Swing Bays partnered with franchise development leader, Fransmart. This strategic move strengthens the franchise brand’s presence on the East Coast while complementing its established West Coast operations. The North Carolina franchisees, Phil and Nancy Gugliotta, will build locations across key markets throughout the state.

The expansion aligns with changing golf demographics, as 75% of new golfers are exploring the sport through indoor facilities first. North Carolina, with its $4.2 billion golf economy and year-round golf culture, represents a prime market for The Swing Bays’ innovative concept, which combines high-tech golf training, fitness, and social elements under one roof.

AtWork Set to Open Two New Locations in South Carolina: AtWork has awarded two locations in Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina to Jason Grant. The new office in Greenville is scheduled to open in April, followed by a second location in Spartanburg at a later date.

Grant, a first-time franchise owner and former human resources executive, has extensive experience in manufacturing. He is deeply connected to the local community, residing in the area and having earned his undergraduate degree from Furman University and a master’s in human resources from the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.

Super Chix Signs New Deal for the Development of 20 Restaurants in the Greater Tampa Bay and Sarasota, Florida Markets: SUPER CHIX is pleased to announce the signing of a new franchise development agreement for at least 20 restaurants in the greater Tampa Bay and Sarasota, Florida markets. “This new Florida SUPER CHIX market area is owned and will be developed by The Pater Group, owned and managed by Todd Pater and Lorraine Pater, along with their operating team. The Pater Group represents a solid development group, deeply experienced in business startup and expansion, and restaurant operations and development in Florida,” said CEO Darryl Neider.

“We are delighted to be working with so many interested franchise development groups who have significant experience and background in the high-end, counter-casual dining market.  Everyone who visits our newly-branded restaurants, samples our food, and experiences our concept, wants to get involved with SUPER CHIX.

Huddle House Franchisee Expands Footprint in Georgia with Multi-Unit Agreement: Longtime Huddle House operator Robert Wiggins Jr. has signed a multi-unit agreement to further expand Huddle House’s footprint in Georgia.

Wiggins, a seasoned operator with a proven track record, will add four locations in Douglas, Swainsboro, and Pembroke to his portfolio. Wiggins currently operates locations in Hazlehurst, Baxley, Alma, Claxton, and Reidsville.

Sonny’s BBQ names George McAllan chief growth officer: Sonny’s BBQ has named George McAllan as its chief growth officer, the company said Thursday.

The Orlando, Fla.-based Sonny’s said McAllan served the past five years as chief operations officer with two franchisee groups, Quality Restaurant Group and Southeast Enterprise Holdings LLC. He previously worked with Dunkin’ and was responsible for 4,000 Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins restaurants in South Korea, Japan, China, and Latin America.

Pizza Hut acquires a chunk of stores from bankrupt franchisee: Pizza Hut acquired 18 units in Georgia, Illinois, and Wisconsin, from EYM Pizza in a court auction held last week. EYM is Pizza Hut’s franchisee that filed for bankruptcy protection in July. The franchisor paid more than $11 million for the locations.

Pizza Hut’s acquisition of these units is noteworthy because the company is mostly franchised and their addition more than doubles the chain’s company-owned footprint in the United States.