[Announcing]: A long awaited Steak-N-Shake is anticipated to open in West Des Moines this coming January 2021. A couple of years ago in a Des Moines Register poll, Steak-N-Shake was one of the most desired businesses for the Des Moines area.

Delayed for more than a year, West Des Moines Steak-N-Shake to Open Next Month –  Des Moines Register

Although Steak ‘n Shake traditionally has offered table service, the new location will rely on counter service, a drive-thru and carhop curbside service. Delivery also will be available through third-party services such as GrubHub and Doordash.

Franchising on the Precipice: Unknowns in Transition – Natalma McKnew of Fox Rothschild LLP via JD Supra

Over the last 8 years or so, the ever-changing landscape of employment laws has arguably posed an existential threat to franchising. The franchise business model may not make sense if franchisors are legally defined as the employers of their franchisees or joint employers of their franchisees’ employees. But what is an “employee” and who is a “joint employer?”

With Biden becoming President are there more challenging times ahead for the franchise industry?

Hooters to Expand its Fast Casual Chain through Franchising – Restaurantdive.com

Hoots Wings offers a wings-focused menu with breaded bone-in, naked bone-in, boneless, smoked and roasted wings and over a dozen sauce and rub options. A handful of full-service chains, including Bloomin’ Brands and Cracker Barrel have looked toward their fast casual brands to expand, but HOA is among the first to do so through franchising the concept. Hoots anticipates opening 17 locations in 2021, 35 locations in 2022 and 50 locations in 2023, with key expansion in 2021 focused on the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast.

Hooters closed its only metro Des Moines location back in 2013. We’ll see if a franchisee brings the new fast-casual concept back to the area.

Planet Fitness Franchisee CEO Pushes for Larger Gyms to Stay Open – Spectrum Local News – New York State

Candidly the whole reason we exist is to help people be healthy, and there are millions of New Yorkers that struggle with the consequences of being overweight, diabetes, heart attack, stroke,” he said. “People can get out, get exercise, and boost their immune system. That’s what people need to be doing. It’s the worst possible time to shut down gyms in that respect.

Covid has caused many challenges for the fitness and gym industry. In Iowa the group fitness ban has been lifted but participants still must maintain a 6-foot social distance requirement.