Franchise Brief
Franchise Brief

Semi-Monthly Edition · June 04, 2026

Today at a glance: healthy drive-throughs, snackable menu moves, smarter loyalty data, franchise events that matter, leadership transitions, and quiet growth plays.

Franchise News & Articles
EMERGING BRANDS
Trace and Jammie Miller celebrate a Konala grand opening with their newborn and rescue dogs Kona and Nala, the very two dogs the brand is named after. Image Courtesy of Konala

Can Healthy Fast Food Win the Drive-Through Lane? Konala Is Betting the Answer Is Yes

Trace Miller turned a childhood health crisis into Konala, a fast-growing drive-through concept built around healthy, high-protein meals that are fast, simple, and franchisable. Now the brand is testing a bigger question: can healthy fast food finally beat the old drive-through playbook?

Read the full story to see why Konala could be one of the next healthy fast-food brands to watch.
 
FRANCHISEE RESOURCES
Sport Clips team members celebrate during the Fans First-themed 2026 National Huddle. Image Courtesy of Sport Clips Haircuts

Franchise Annual Conventions Are Where the Next Year Gets Built

A franchise convention is not just a pep rally with name tags. It is where owners, executives, vendors, and team leaders gather to learn what is changing, what is working, and where the brand is headed next. For franchisees, it can mean better tools, stronger relationships, and a clearer path into the year ahead.

See what really happens inside a franchise annual convention.
 
MARKETING
Participants complete reformer Pilates exercises as Studio Pilates introduces The Pilates Games. Image Courtesy of Studio Pilates International

The Pilates Games Turns a Regular Class Into a Franchise Growth Play

Studio Pilates is proving that franchise innovation does not always need a new product or pricey rollout. By turning its existing reformer classes and 6-week challenge into a scored 100-minute event, the brand created fresh urgency, stronger engagement, and a smart reason for members to show up now.

See how The Pilates Games turns existing programming into franchise-level momentum.
 
Franchise Executive Brief
Measuring Customer Loyalty
A Dogtopia team member welcomes a dog and pet parent at a daycare location. Image Courtesy of Dogtopia

NPS Is More Than a Score. It Is a Franchise Loyalty System

Net Promoter Score gives franchise brands a simple way to see whether customers are merely satisfied, or ready to recommend. Dogtopia’s recent NPS of 90 shows how loyalty data can help operators spot service gaps, improve retention, and turn local customer trust into growth.

See how NPS can become a franchise loyalty system.
 
Franchise Pulse
Menu Magic
Tropical Smoothie Cafe introduces Toasted Snack Rolls in Hawaiian Heat, Bacon Chipotle Chicken and Turkey Bacon Honey Dijon flavors. Image Courtesy of Tropical Smoothie Cafe

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Bets Big on the Snackable Menu Moment

Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s new Toasted Snack Rolls turn bold flavor into a low-price, grab-and-go add-on built for lighter meals, quick cravings, and smoothie pairings. It is a smart menu move for guests who want something warm, portable, and easy to say yes to.

See why snack-sized menu innovation is becoming a bigger franchise play.
 
Talent Spotlight
FranNet Names Amanda Duplantis to Lead Its Next Growth Chapter

FranNet Names Amanda Duplantis to Lead Its Next Growth Chapter

FranNet is entering a new leadership chapter, with President Amanda Duplantis stepping into an expanded role focused on modernization, sustainable growth, and stronger engagement across the company’s consultant network. The transition builds on a long period of industry influence and positions FranNet for its next stage of scale.

See how FranNet’s leadership transition could shape its next growth phase.
 
Reader Poll

If You Could Focus on Only One Franchise Growth Lever This Year, Which Would Create the Most Value?

This week’s edition highlights several ways franchise brands are building momentum: healthier formats, smarter menu innovation, loyalty data, franchisee education, event-driven engagement, and leadership transitions. But if time, budget, and attention were limited, where would you focus first?

Menu innovation and limited-time offers
Franchisee education, conventions, and brand alignment
Customer loyalty data and NPS feedback
Talent development and leadership strength
 
From the Editor's Desk

This week’s edition keeps circling the same idea: the strongest franchise moves aren’t always the loudest ones. Konala is making healthy food fit the drive-through lane. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is turning small bites into an easy add-on. Studio Pilates is using an existing program to create a bigger reason to show up. And franchise conventions remind us that momentum often starts when owners, teams, vendors, and leaders get in the same room.

That’s also why today’s poll is worth answering. Growth can come from menu innovation, stronger customer loyalty data, better events, franchisee education, or talent development. But if you could only put serious attention behind one lever this year, which would create the most value? Tell us where you’d focus first, and we’ll be watching the results closely.

— Tim Katsch

Founder, Franchise Brief

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