Expansion Roundup: A First, a 200th and an Idaho Debut

As November gets underway, chains are growing in new directions, from launching a franchise program to celebrating the culmination of yet another partnership.

Here are some of the latest announcements:

• The Melt: The fast-casual “better burger” brand has signed its first franchise development agreement—an eight-unit deal in Texas with veteran restaurant operator Syed Ahmad. Ahmad was one of the original Jack in the Box franchisees, and he’s also owned and operated 90 Burger King restaurants, 64 Denny’s locations, three Dunkin locations and 11 Popeyes restaurants throughout his career. Locations will be in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin markets. Founded in San Francisco in 2011, The Melt has 24 company-owned units.

• Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream: On Nov. 12, the dessert chain celebrated a sweet milestone within a milestone: the opening of its 200th unit, located in Camarillo, Calif., in a record-setting year for franchise development, with agreements for 75 new units. The 81-year-old brand now has 70 parlors in California. By year’s end, Handel’s is aiming to open 35 additional locations.

Courtesy of Paris Baguette.

• Paris Baguette: A new cafe in Meridian, Idaho, brings Paris Baguette to the Gem State for the first time. The location is owned and operated by military and law enforcement veteran and entrepreneur Jay Kim. This month, the chain—which has more than 4,000 locations worldwide and more than 300 bakery cafes across North America—also opened its first drive-thru, located in Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, other chains, like Port of Subs and California Pizza Kitchen are among those pursuing nontraditional growth—both with a military focus.