Hungry Howie’s Accelerates Detroit Expansion With Three New Store Openings, Campus Location Coming Soon: Hungry Howie’s, the originator of the Flavored Crust® pizza franchise, is continuing its growth across Metro Detroit with the opening of three new locations in Mt. Clemens, Redford and West Bloomfield, with a Detroit proper location on the Wayne State University campus slated to open soon.
The new restaurants build on the brand’s recent momentum in the region, following openings in Southfield and St. Clair Shores, and reflect continued franchisee investment across suburban and urban markets throughout Metro Detroit.
“Hungry Howie’s has long-standing ties to Metro Detroit, and expanding across the region is incredibly meaningful for our brand,” said Steve Jackson, president and CEO of Hungry Howie’s. “From established suburban communities to walkable urban neighborhoods, these new locations allow us to serve more guests while supporting passionate franchisees who know their local markets best.”
76 FENCE Expands into Iowa with Launch of Greater Des Moines Territories: 76 FENCE launches new territory in Greater Des Moines, led by local business owner Edwin Njoroge.
The Greater Des Moines expansion introduces a recognized fencing brand to Central Iowa under local ownership, pairing 76 FENCE’s proven systems, vendor partnerships, and professional standards with a hands-on, community-driven approach tailored to the needs of Iowa homeowners and businesses.
“Iowa represents an important growth market for 76 FENCE,” said Ed Samane, CEO of 76 FENCE. “Edwin brings a strong work ethic, a service-oriented mindset, and a genuine commitment to the community. He’s exactly the type of owner we look for to represent our brand at the local level.” Each 76 FENCE location is built to serve its market with consistency, professionalism, and personal accountability, values Njoroge plans to carry into every project.
H&R Block Enhances Board Expertise with New Appointments: H&R Block today announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Geralyn Breig, former President of Revlon North America; Christian Charnaux, Chief Development Officer of Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.; and Stephanie Plaines, former CFO of JCPenney.
"Maintaining a strong, diverse board remains a top priority, and these appointments advance our ongoing goals of broadening expertise, adding fresh perspectives, and strengthening board succession planning while returning it to a more optimal size," said Richard Johnson, H&R Block Chairman of the Board. “These leaders bring a wealth of experience to H&R Block as we bolster our capabilities to meet evolving client expectations. Geralyn's deep understanding of consumer behavior, Christian's track record scaling complex organizations, and Stephanie's financial expertise will each play an important role in guiding our strategic direction and ensuring we continue to deliver value to stakeholders."
OneRyan Global Acquires Controlling Interest in Mr Gatti’s Pizza: Mr Gatti’s Pizza announced today that Dallas-based OneRyan Global LLC, the family office of businessman and philanthropist G. Brint Ryan, has acquired a controlling interest in the Mr Gatti’s brand. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The acquisition follows OneRyan’s purchase of the corporate-owned Mr Gatti’s restaurant at South Park Meadows in Austin, Texas, last October. That transaction completed the Company’s transition to a 100% franchised system, concluding the re-franchising of all corporate-owned locations. OneRyan also owns the Mr Gatti’s Family Entertainment Center in Big Spring, Texas.
Ryan will serve as Chairman and Amanda S. Ryan will serve as Vice Chairwoman of the Board of Managers. Mr Gatti’s corporate headquarters will remain in Fort Worth and the leadership team will remain in place, including Jim Phillips as CEO and KC Mann as Chief Financial Officer. No changes to the senior management team are anticipated.
Main Post Partners and Management Acquire HomeWell Franchising Inc.®️ to Drive Collaborative Growth: HomeWell Care Services, a leading national franchise provider of in-home care for seniors and homebound individuals, has been acquired by Main Post Partners, a private equity firm based in San Francisco with extensive expertise in franchising and consumer service brands, and the existing senior leadership team. This acquisition marks a new chapter for HomeWell, rooted in a partnership-driven approach prioritizing collaboration, shared values, and strategic growth.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Main Post Partners, whose approach to business aligns seamlessly with our mission and core values,” said Crystal Franz, CEO of HomeWell Franchising. “This acquisition represents not only financial backing but also a significant milestone in HomeWell's journey to empower seniors to live safely and independently at home through personalized care. Main Post will help us further this mission with their collaborative spirit and valuable resources. Together, we will enhance the support we provide to families nationwide and across the care continuum.”
JINYA Ramen Bar Makes Its New York Debut with First Long Island Location: JINYA Ramen Bar is bringing its first-ever New York location to Long Island. The new restaurant will open Jan. 21 at DSW Plaza in Lake Grove, N.Y., in partnership with Doherty Enterprises, Inc. This opening marks JINYA’s official entry into the Empire State.
Located near Wegmans, the space will offer guests an elevated dining experience that blends authentic Japanese cuisine with a modern, inviting atmosphere. The Lake Grove location will also feature outdoor seating with a cozy firepit and a private dining room available for special events — making it an ideal destination for everyday dining and group celebrations.
“Lake Grove, we can’t wait to bring the JINYA experience to such a lively community and continue expanding our presence in the Northeast,” said Tomo Takahashi, Founder and CEO of JINYA Ramen Bar. “At JINYA, we believe in taking ramen to the next level by focusing on authentic flavors, high-quality ingredients, and a modern dining atmosphere. We can’t wait to welcome guests to experience our signature broths and hand-crafted noodles.”
Fastest Labs Names Matt Kunz President and CEO: Fastest Labs, a leading provider of drug, alcohol and DNA testing services, today announced that Matt Kunz has been promoted to president and chief executive officer. A 27-year franchising leader across education, home services and business-tobusiness testing, Kunz will focus on disciplined execution, healthy unit economics and a culture where franchise owners and teams win together.
“I’m honored to step into the role of president and CEO at Fastest Labs,” Kunz said. “Our mission doesn’t change: relationship-first, process-backed scale. We’ll stay disciplined to the plan, protect unit economics and enjoy the work together.”
Kunz has led brands through critical growth phases, including scaling operations from roughly 20 units to more than 100 locations. He previously served as president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing and Five Star Painting at Neighborly and led global operations at Sylvan Learning.
Taco Bell’s Live Más Café exceeded growth expectations in 2025: Taco Bell exceeded its Live Más Café 2025 expansion goal, opening 31 café locations across Southern California, Houston, Dallas, and Las Vegas by December. The company’s goal was to open 30.
The concept debuted in late 2024 at a single Taco Bell restaurant in San Diego in partnership with its longtime franchisee Diversified Restaurant Group.
By mid-2025, the company announced plans to expand Live Más Café to select restaurants in Southern California and added a new lineup of Refrescas to complement its Chillers, specialty coffees, and seasonal drinks, all served by “Bellristas” and within a traditional Taco Bell. By the fall of 2025, the concept had expanded to Texas, with units in the Dallas and Houston markets.
