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5 days 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.
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1 week 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.
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1 week 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.
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1 week 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.
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1 week ago | 
franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern
Jim D’Aquila got noticeably excited as he talked about the Shipley Do-Nuts and Sweet Paris Creperie and Café flagshipstores his company is constructing in Nashville Yards, the $1.3 billion mixed-used development project underway in Tennessee’s largest city.
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1 week ago | 
franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern
If there was any doubt Matt and Cassie Hufnagel are in it for the long haul as Subway franchisees, it was put to rest when the couple shared plans to grow their 37-unit portfolio in New York. Further proof came as they spoke about their children’s involvement in the business and the potential for them to carry on the family legacy. “Subway has been life changing for me and my wife and our plan is to have this be a family business for years to come and possibly having our children keep it going.
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1 week ago | 
franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland |Joe Halpern |Laura Michaels
Ever wonder how consumers feel about your franchise? Franchise Times editorial staffers check out three brands in a different genre each month, and report back in FT Undercover. Visiting the Unity Rd. (A) in Boulder, Colorado, a lack of cannabis knowledge resulted in some apprehension. It’s legal in Minnesota but no one can sell full-strength marijuana yet, and weed shops aren’t commonplace. After checking IDs, a knowledgeable clerk let us into the store.
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2 weeks ago | 
franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern
First-time restaurateur Erin LeDoux teamed up with her husband and father to sign two separate area development agreements with Dog Haus in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles, Louisiana, and in central TexasErin 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.
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3 weeks ago | 
franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern
The husband-wife team of Giuseppe and Nicole Lahara is among the first franchisees for the legacy brand Perkins’ new concept that targets a younger, on-the-move audience with smaller prototypes and digital-ordering tools. Giuseppe "Peppe" Lahara has a passion for food and he’s not afraid to use self-depreciating humor to drive home the point. “I love food. Look at the size of me,” he said. Lahara’s wife, Nicole, jumped in. “He really does. Food is his passion.
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3 weeks ago | 
franchisetimes.com | Joe Halpern
Patrick Lam’s 18-unit agreement makes him the exclusive area developer in Arizona for the plant-based food concept which has its sights set on both domestic and international expansion. Patrick Lam is not a vegan but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming the plant-based brand Mr. Charlie’s Told Me So’s first franchisee. “I will tell you that most vegan foods I ever tried didn’t taste very good,” Lam said. “And then I tried Mr. Charlie’s and it all changed for me. I couldn’t believe how good it was.
