Here are the news articles that have caught our eye in November (...because we missed an edition....oops) and December:
November
New CEO appointed at McDonalds UK - November saw the appointment of Chris Kempczinski as the new CEO of McDonalds UK. Time will tell if he can smooth any friction between "corporate" and the franchise network. Fortune has the story here.
World Franchise Council meets in Abu Dhabi - The World Franchise Council, an association of 47 member states met in Abu Dhabi to discuss best ethical practice in franchising. Read more on GlobeNewsWire.
$12 Million is a whopper of a mistake! - a discounting error by one of Burger King's largest franchisees has cost them in excess of $12 million in lost revenue. For the full story, visit Daily Mail.
TGI Fridays Sold - In November, an agreement was reached by TGIF Holdings to sell the iconic restaurant chain to Alegro Merger Corp for £297m. Read more in FSE Journal.
Saudi Arabia approves Franchise Law - New rules on franchising in Saudi Arabia are set to come into force in April 2020. Franchising.com has a useful article on the features of the new regulations here.
UK troubles not holding Jamie Oliver's franchisees back - Jamie Oliver Group has said international franchisees plan to open 21 new Jamie Oliver-branded restaurants by the end of 2020. More details can be found on the the BBC.
Love Island contestant commits to a future in Franchising - Love Island star, Anton Danyluk has opened a branch of Pepe's Piri Piri in Hamilton, Scotland. For the full story, visit the Daily Record.
December
McDonalds franchise owner expands Scottish portfolio - Elm Restaurants, which is owned by franchise entrepreneur Nick McPartland, has purchased the fast food giant’s outlet in Forfar. The Scotsman has the story here.
Boots appointed as Mothercare franchisee - Boots will offer products online and in stores and will host Mothercare shop-in-shops according to an article in the Guardian.
Regis sell over 100 Hairdressing Salons in the UK - Regis and Bushell Investment Group, have completed a deal whereby Bushell will acquire over 100 Supercuts and Regis salons in the United Kingdom from The Beautiful Group. For the full story, visit Franchising.com.
And Finally, in Legal-ish News... An inmate in Iowa State Penitentiary has creatively (albeit unsuccessfully) argued that he completed his life-sentence for murder when his heart stopped beating as a result of septic poisoning. Doctors were able to revive him and the court has (unsurprisingly) ruled that he is "either still alive, in which case he must remain in prison, or he is actually dead, in which case his appeal is moot".