Bob Funk, Jr. Promoted to President of Express Employment International: Express Employment International is pleased to announce the promotion of Bob Funk, Jr., to President, effective immediately.
As President, Funk Jr. will lead the company’s Sales and Marketing teams, along with his current role leading international efforts and business intelligence, ensuring ongoing innovation and expansion.
“Bob is the perfect fit to step into this role because, having grown up with Express, he is deeply connected to our brand and mission,” Express International CEO Bill Stoller said. “His passion for empowering entrepreneurs and his drive to provide hope through employment to millions of individuals and families are core to who he is.”
Jim Howe Named as President of FASTSIGNS® by Parent Company Propelled Brands®: FASTSIGNS®, the leading sign, graphics and visual communications franchise, announced today the appointment of Jim Howe, former president of Propelled Brands’ company NerdsToGo®, as president of FASTSIGNS, effective immediately.
“Jim is the perfect fit to lead FASTSIGNS, bringing his strategic vision and deep expertise in franchising to drive the brand’s objectives and large-scale initiatives forward,” said Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands. “I’ve witnessed Jim’s positive impact firsthand across the Propelled Brands network for over a decade, and I’m honored to appoint him to this role.”
Howe brings more than 30 years of franchising experience to his new role, including 11 years as vice president, leading operations and franchise support at FASTSIGNS. Most recently, he served as president of NerdsToGo®, the managed IT services brand for small businesses under the Propelled Brands® umbrella. During his tenure, Howe demonstrated exceptional brand stewardship, leading NerdsToGo's transformation into a Managed Service Provider (MSP), positioning him for success in his new role as FASTSIGNS president.
Barrio Burrito Bar's Expansion With Master Franchise Agreements for Long Island Ny and Westchester County in New York State.: BurritoBar USA Inc. is pleased to announce that it has awarded the Master Franchise rights for Long Island and Westchester County in the state of New York. These agreements will see the opening of new franchised Barrio Burrito Bar restaurants.
Barrio Burrito Bar is known for its fresh, high-quality ingredients, daily-prepared meats, homemade salsas, and unique menu offerings such as Bang-Bang Shrimp, Crunchy Chicken, and “Extreme Fries,” providing options the whole family can enjoy.
Always Best Care Senior Services Names Todd Hillman as VP of Franchise Development: Always Best Care Senior Services has appointed Todd Hillman as its new Vice President of Franchise Development. Hillman, an accomplished franchise executive with over two decades of experience in franchise sales, development, and operations, will lead the company’s expansion efforts.
Bringing a strong track record in franchise growth, Hillman has successfully scaled multiple franchise brands in diverse industries, including health and wellness, home services, and quick-service restaurants. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in expanding brands by hundreds of locations and strengthening their franchise development strategies. At Always Best Care, Hillman will focus on targeting new markets, optimizing franchisee recruitment efforts, and strengthening relationships with brokers and consultants to drive growth.
Hydrate IV Bar Names Dr. Chris Seitz as Fractional Chief Medical Officer: Hydrate IV Bar has appointed Dr. Chris Seitz as its new fractional chief medical officer. In this role, Seitz will oversee clinical protocols, medical training and quality assurance across Hydrate IV Bar’s network of locations.
A board-certified emergency physician licensed in all 50 states, Seitz brings extensive experience in emergency medicine, functional health and IV therapy innovation. Passionate about empowering healthcare providers to launch and scale their own practices, he is the founder, CEO and chief medical officer of Guardian MD, a healthcare technology platform designed to make medical direction and physician collaboration more accessible and efficient. He also serves as board chair for the American IV Association’s Scientific Advisory Board, helping shape best practices and research in IV therapy.
Hike Doggie Continues Expansion in Colorado with Multi-Territory Deal in the Flatirons: Fueled by what it calls a lack of enriching dog activities, Denver-based Hike Doggie continues its move toward growth with six new territories across the Flatirons.
The new territories – which encompass over a dozen zip codes across Arvada, Broomfield, Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville/Superior, and Erie – will be operated by Arvada native and first-time business owner Matt Gray. The business will offer convenient weekly dog hiking services, created to help local pet parents keep their doggies healthy and happy while they are busy.
“There’s a significant shortage of services that provide enriching outdoor activities for dogs. There are daycares and neighborhood walking services, however they typically do not result in a well-rounded experience,” says Gray, who grew up attending Fremont Elementary, Oberon Middle School, and Arvada West High School before heading to the University of Northern Colorado. “I can’t wait to bring our services to the area and provide local dog parents and their dog soulmates with the enriching outdoor experiences they crave.”
Pvolve Signs Leases for 10 New Studios in Strategic Locations: Pvolve is excited to announce the signing of 10 new leases. The brand is bringing its fitness methodology to new communities, offering innovative studios designed to help members improve strength, mobility, and overall wellness.
The new locations are strategically placed across high-demand markets, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, and Texas.
Pvolve’s expansion is also reinforced by its dedication to women’s health, exemplified by the recent appointment of Dr. Jessica Shepherd as Pvolve’s newest Clinical Advisory Board Member. Dr. Shepherd, a board-certified OB/GYN and longevity expert, will further elevate Pvolve's results-driven approach and contribute to bridging the gender research gap in women’s health.
H&R Block names Phillip Miller as Chief Information Security Officer: H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) today announced that Phillip Miller will join the company as the new Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) as of March 31.
"We are thrilled to welcome Phillip to our leadership team," said Dara Redler, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer. "His extensive experience and innovative approach to information security will be invaluable as we continue to prioritize protecting our clients."
Miller brings over 15 years of executive security experience across retail, manufacturing, and technology sectors. Miller has built and maintained strategic programs for companies to meet security, legal, privacy and regulatory frameworks.
The Dog Stop Welcomes New Leadership: The Dog Stop is proud to announce the addition of several 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.
Led by Founder and CEO Jesse Coslov, The Dog Stop leadership team is united by a shared vision to uphold The Dog Stop’s core values of integrity, superior performance, and dedicated support for franchisees and the communities they serve.
“We are thrilled to welcome these four outstanding leaders to The Dog Stop’s already stellar executive team as we continue to work towards our mission,” said Jesse Coslov. “Each of them brings unique expertise and a deep passion for excellence, which aligns perfectly with our vision for the brand’s future. Their leadership will be instrumental in enhancing our operations and ensuring we deliver the best possible experience for our franchisees as well as dogs and their families. This is an exciting new chapter for our brand, and I couldn’t be more confident in the team we have in place to drive our success.”
How Franchises are Getting in on MLB Opening Day 2025: Baseball fans, rejoice! The 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) kicks off March 27. This beloved American tradition typically falls during the end of March or the beginning of April. For many years, MLB Opening Day has been famous for its pageantry and spectacle, with cities like Cincinnati establishing it as a “city holiday” and hosting an annual Findlay Market Parade to cheer on the Reds. (Fun fact: The Cincinnati Red Stockings are credited as the first all-professional baseball team.)
Today, baseball enthusiasts gather at watch parties filled with wings, pizza, desserts and more. Additionally, diehard fans can be seen at stadiums across the country rooting for their favorite teams and indulging in ballpark franks and other local food from vendors.
More fast-food brands are making their way into baseball stadiums. For example, New York Yankees fans can enjoy delicious options from Mighty Quinn’s, Bobby Flay’s Bobby’s Burgers and The Halal Guys. Dairy Queen has been a sponsor of the MLB since 2022!
Whataburger names McDonald’s veteran Todd Ewen as chief development officer: Whataburger has named Todd Ewen as its new senior vice president and chief development officer. Ewen will lead the company’s growth strategy as it continues expanding to new markets across the United States.
Since 2019, San Antonio, Texas-based Whataburger has expanded to six additional states, including Florida and Georgia, with plans to add a 17th state this year in North Carolina.
“We plan to bring Honey Butter Biscuits and great hospitality to more than 24 million new customers this year,” chief administrative officer Alexander Ivannikov said in a statement. “Todd’s deep understanding of real estate in the quick-service restaurant industry will be integral in helping Whataburger execute our growth strategy, bringing delicious food and a great experience to new markets and new fans.”
Odd Burger halts U.S. expansion plans over U.S.-Canada political tensions: London, Ontario-based Canadian vegan burger franchise Odd Burger is halting its U.S. expansion plans due to ongoing political tensions between the United States and Canada, the company announced Monday.
This is a swift turnaround from the burger chain’s U.S. expansion plan funded by a $2 million private placement announced two weeks ago. Instead, Odd Burger is planning to use the private investment funds to invest in its Canadian manufacturing and franchise operations.
"Given the global tariff uncertainty, we are putting the brakes on our U.S. expansion until pricing metrics can be formulated with certainty," James McInnes, CEO and cofounder of Odd Burger, said in a statement. "We are also seeing increased demand for our products in Canada, and as a Canadian company, we want to make sure that we focus on our core market at this time."
