The 8 | January 13, 2017

1. Frantastic: Wendy’s is bringing the sass on social media. From roasting customers to dissing the competition, the brand’s social media manager is kicking off 2017 with a new digital strategy. And so far, it’s catching on among consumers and businesses alike. Wendy’s is raising the bar when it comes to creating a unique voice on social media. Check out this week’s edition of “The 8” to see our favorite sassy tweets.

2. Franlebrity: You know your brand’s doing something right when thousands of people have the logo tattooed on their bodies. That’s why the CEO of Anytime Fitness, Chuck Runyon, is this week’s Franlebrity. Beyond permanent ink, the brand’s focus on ongoing education and global expansion opportunities is fueling its mission to make 2017 its best year yet.

3. Frash Money: “Alexa, order chicken wings,” is something you might find yourself saying a lot this year. Wingstop is partnering with Amazon to make ordering food even easier. Once customers link their Wingstop account to the smart device, they’ll be able to place an order with a simple verbal command.

4. Frant of the Week: No Limit Agency* Chief Brand Strategist Nick Powills takes on B-to-B marketing in his column this week.  He explains that when it comes to tapping into the right audience, place is now irrelevant. Instead, brands can focus on getting their perfectly crafted messages out there by targeting a specific audience.

5. Franch Forward: Phoenix is so hot right now. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing states for craft breweries. That’s why The Brass Tap* is targeting the area for development. The brand already has a strong reputation in the region through its successful location in Mesa, so it's gearing up for rapid expansion.

6. FranFunny: Why did the marketing couple decide not to get married? Because they weren’t on the same landing page.

7. Franspiration Misquote: “The best way to predict the future is to create it. That’s right—get on with your bad self and become a franchise owner.” – Abraham Lincoln

8. Frenemies vs. Frands: Triad Manufacturing is one of the franchising industry’s best Frands. The brand provides custom fixtures, store prototypes and complete build-outs for every type of franchise concept, ultimately taking the pressure off of franchisees by allowing them to open their doors quicker and more efficiently.