The 8 | April 28, 2017

1. Frantastic: McDonald’s is taking its relationship with UberEATS to the next level. After testing out the service in about 200 restaurants in Florida, the brand is looking to launch delivery in more cities across the country by the end of June. We scoured the internet to see what this new service will look like for this week’s Frantastic video, and we weren’t disappointed with what we found. Check out the latest edition of “The 8” to see if this is something that you want rolling up to your door.

2. Franlebrity: Our latest Franlebrity and 1851 cover star got his first taste of the franchising industry when he was just a teenager. After immigrating to the U.S. from Pakistan, Tarid Farid started working at McDonald’s before opening up his own flower shop at the age of 17. But it was his idea for Edible Arrangements that changed the course of his career. Recognizing that demand was rising in the specialty food service industry, Farid launched his unique concept in 1999 before deciding to franchise in 2001. Since then, Edible Arrangements has grown to more than 1,300 locations. To learn how the founder and CEO was able to achieve that global success, head to 1851.

3. Frash Money: Dairy Queen*’s combination of legacy and innovation has a long history of standing out to fans, which is why the brand is experiencing consistent growth. In 2016, it sold the most DQ Grill & Chill locations in any single year—81 of the 82 U.S. locations that opened up last year adopted the new model. And Dairy Queen is expecting this trend to continue going forward in 2017.

4. Frant of the Week: No Limit Agency* CEO Nick Powills is back at it again with another Frant. This week, he explains why it’s important for businesses to keep the door open to their former employees. Especially in today’s digital-centric world where company reviews are blasted online—both the good and the bad—it’s good practice for brands to keep an open mind. Even though a candidate may not be the best fit for your brand right now, you never know what will happen down the line.

5. Franch Forward: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK* is Franching Forward in Boston. After 85 consecutive months of record growth, the moving brand is continuing to build on its strong momentum by targeting the New England area for development. With one franchisee already experiencing success in the market, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is expected to continue tapping into growing consumer demand.

6. Fran Funny: Why can’t the marketer go see live shows anymore? He keeps trying to capture the leads.

7. Franspiration: “I make it my business to go to my restaurants every day. I believe in control. I believe in watching, guiding and working. Times are always changing, and we can always do better.” – Enzo Pugliese, founder of La Rosa Chicken & Grill

8. Frands vs. Franemies: For the first time in the history of “The 8,” we have an undecided majority as to whether Starbucks is our Frand or our Franemie. After rolling out its Unicorn Frappuccino LTO, the brand has now announced that it’s planning to open up its largest location yet in 2019. The four-story Reserve Roastery is set to take over Michigan Avenue in Chicago, which will be sure to attract tourists and coffee lovers alike. To weigh in on the debate, head to 1851’s Facebook and Twitter pages.