Joe Halpern

Boston

Senior Writer at Franchise Times Magazine

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Articles

AES Takes No. 2 Spot in Arby’s System With 40-store Acquisition

1 week ago | franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern

John Wade’s Indiana-based franchisee company AES Restaurant Group moved past Sun Holdings with 229 Arby's stores. The veteran restauranteur said he’s not done expanding his portfolio. AES Restaurant Group CEO John Wade doesn’t get caught up in where his company ranks in Arby’s franchise system. The veteran restaurant owner said what’s far more important to him is the success of his restaurants and employees. “We want to continue to grow profitably.
Let’s Get Moving Moves Fast with U.S. Development

1 week ago | franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern

The full-service moving franchise founded by Tiam Behdarvandan in Canada is up to 40 locations in United States. It’s targeting opening 300 to 500 additional domestic territories in the next five to 10 yearsAfter selling all available territories in Canada, Let’s Get Moving is targeting the United States. It’s all part of CEO Tiam Behdarvandan’s ambitious plans for the moving business he founded 15 years ago at 19 and began franchising in the states in 2023.
Famous Minnesota Hoops Family Ready for Next Journey as Chicken Salad Chick Franchisees

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern

Richard and Sheba Coffey and their three children signed a 10-unit agreement in their adopted state with the southern-style restaurant brand that’s on an aggressive growth path. After building a historic basketball legacy in Minneapolis, Richard and Sheba Coffey and their three children are ready to start a new family legacy in Minnesota—this time as first-time franchisees with a popular southern-style fast-casual restaurant brand.
Barberitos Targets Florida Growth With Existing Franchisee

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern

Matt O’Neill, who joined the system last year, signed a seven-unit development agreement in Tampa and St. Petersburg, Florida, with the WOWorks restaurant brand. The initial success of his first Barberitos location motivated a 31-year-old first-time franchisee to commit to opening more restaurants with the southwestern-inspired brand in his home state of Florida.
Nothing Bundt Cakes Sells 9 Company Stores, Plus More Bold Deals

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland |Joe Halpern

Pennsylvania-based operator National Fitness Partners acquired 21 Planet Fitness gyms in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois from Pizzazz Fitness. The acquisition includes six gyms in Philadelphia, 11 in Maryland and four in Illinois. It is the 15th acquisition for National Fitness Partners, a portfolio company of Atlanta-based Argonne Capital Group, since its founding in 2016.
Oklahoma Franchisees Help Drive Uptown Cheapskate’s Growth

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern

The husband-wife team of Richard and Margarette Baze are top performers in the thrift store franchise’s system while the parent company, BaseCamp Franchising, is posting double-digit annual sales growth across its two brands. When Richard and Margarette Baze became Uptown Cheapskate franchisees in 2015, they recalled there being a stigma about shopping at thrift stores. Many consumers avoided them, the Bazes said, because they didn’t want to be seen hunting for secondhand clothes.
Former HomeVestors Franchisee Pleads Guilty to Bilking Investors

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern

Charles Carrier, who was terminated by the house flipping franchise in October, faces a 20-year prison sentence after admitting to felony wire fraud involving $200,000. Federal prosecutors in Texas said his Ponzi-like scheme cost investors nearly $40 million. HomeVestors of America said it’s pleased to see justice play out after one of its former franchisees pleaded guilty to bilking investors in Texas out of tens of millions of dollars.
Large Dunkin’ Franchisee Inks 12-unit Agreement with Slim Chickens

4 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern

Family-owned Vigario Management plans to develop the southern-style chicken brand in its core markets of Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Vigario Management Corp., a large Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins franchisee based in Virginia, is back in the chicken business and CEO Andy Cabral said his family selected the right brand to grow their restaurant portfolio.
Large Multi-Unit Franchisee Fitness Ventures Powers Toward Top Within Crunch

1 month ago | franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern

The second largest Crunch franchisee is harnessing the power of the brand and making its own intensive membership push as it seeks dominance in the high-value, low-price gym segment. "We really hit the ground running from the start and have never looked back," said the group's CEO.
Food Truck Franchises Capitalize on Growing Sector

1 month ago | franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern

Kona Ice, Frios Gourmet Pops, Cousins Maine Lobster and other companies are expanding their unit counts as they tap into the advantages of mobile units over traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants that are grappling with rising food, labor and operating costsWhen Tony Lamb started Kona Ice in 2007, food trucks were still a new franchise concept. “We had a lot of folks back then saying, you’re doing what? You’re kidding. Food trucks? That will never work,” Lamb recalled.