Hello Sugar Acquires Waxxpot; Trump Touts Economy

Franchise Acquisitions, Restaurant Trends and Holiday Deals Drive Franchise News

Hello Sugar, a franchise specializing in hair removal and skin care services, announced on Nov. 13 that it had acquired 20 Waxxpot salons in Georgia, Kentucky, Ohio and Texas. Hello Sugar offers expert waxing, sugar waxing and laser hair-removal services nationwide.

“This acquisition not only broadens our geographic presence but also deepens the foundation of our franchise platform,” Hello Sugar founder Brigham Dallas said in a news release. “By integrating these premier locations, we’re building a stronger, more unified system that supports both our franchise partners and our clients.”

The expansion gives Hello Sugar more than 200 open and developing locations nationwide. The 10-year-old franchise is based in Mesa, Ariz.

Trump Tells McDonald’s Operators Inflation Is Improving

In a Monday night speech, President Donald Trump told McDonald’s owners, operators and suppliers that his administration’s economic policies are easing inflation. “I’m fighting every day to support small businesses like yours. There’s still a lot of work to do, and we’re making tremendous progress,” Trump said at the McDonald’s Impact Summit in Washington. The summit is an annual forum where McDonald’s leadership, franchise owners and other stakeholders discuss its corporate strategy, USA Today noted in its report on the speech.

Trump’s tariffs have led to higher prices on several commodities, and lower-income, inflation-burdened Americans have cut back on restaurant meals. In response, McDonald’s has offered a $5 value meal for more than a year now.

The Economist’s “Big Mac” index, which compares the burger’s cost in various countries, pegs the average cost of a Big Mac at $6.01 in July, up from $5.69 in July 2024 and $5.15 three years ago. The price of a pound of ground beef reached an average of $6.32 in September, up from $5.67 a year before,  The New York Post reported, citing data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. 

The annual cost increase for food consumed at home was 2.7% in September, the largest bump in more than two years, Reuters reported. Making affordability a major campaign issue, Democrats handily defeated Republicans in this month’s elections. Inflation probably will remain an issue in the November 2026 elections, so Trump plans to hold rallies in battleground states to defend his economic agenda, two administration officials told Reuters.

Chick-fil-A Launches 2nd Vending Machine at Georgia Tech

A Chick-fil-A vending machine is up and running on the Georgia Tech campus. The installation marks the first Chick-fil-A vending machine on a college campus and one of only two in the country, Atlanta News First reported Nov. 10. The other vending machine is at a hospital in Augusta, Ga.

The campus vending machine is a short-term, limited test and will be available 24 hours, six days a week. It dispenses the Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap, Southwest Veggie Wrap and two flavors of Waffle Potato Chips.

The Joint Chiropractic Offers Bonus Visits in ‘Back Friday’ Deal

In its annual ‘Back Friday’ promotion – arguably one of the best-ever marketing handles – patients of The Joint Chiropractic are eligible for bonus sessions when they purchase treatment packages. The Nov. 17-Dec. 8 deals offer one free chiropractic visit with the purchase of a six-visit package, two freebie visits with the purchase of a 10-visit package, or four additional chiropractic visits with the purchase of a 20-visit package. 

The Joint Chiropractic is known for its convenience to consumers. No appointments are necessary, and its hours of operation include evenings and weekends.

Aqua-Tots and Dunkin’ Launch New Philanthropy Initiatives

Hats off to a couple of franchises for giving back:

• Through a matched-donation campaign, Aqua-Tots Swim School and nine of its Arizona locations raised $25,000 for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital safety program. This marks the third consecutive year of a partnership between Aqua-Tots and Phoenix Children’s to prevent drownings. Mesa-based Aqua-Tots provides year-round swimming and water safety instruction to children.
• Dunkin’ brings extra fun to the holidays with The Little Holiday MUNCHKIN, a new children’s book and animated spot narrated by Emmy-nominated writer-producer-director Mindy Kaling. The story follows one MUNCHKIN Donut Hole Treat on a journey of belonging and joy. A portion of the proceeds from every book sold will benefit the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, which helps children battling hunger or illness.

Franchise M&A News: Twin Peaks Acquisition, Papa Murphy’s Market Exit

Twin Hospitality Group, parent company of the Twin Peaks chain, will pay $47 million for eight franchised locations in Florida. DMD Ventures currently owns the units, which rank among the top-performing Twin Peaks restaurants, Restaurant Business reported yesterday. The purchase is a bit of an anomaly, though, because the company states it mainly plans to expand by awarding franchises. Restaurant Business said that at the end of 2024, the chain had of 34 company-owned and 74 franchised locations.In addition, Restaurant Business reported today that take-and-bake pizzeria Papa Murphy’s has put itself on the market. MTY Food Group, which also owns Pinkberry and Wetzel’s Pretzels brands, has acknowledged that it is looking for a buyer and hired TD Bank to explore a sale.