Global Franchise 10.3

71 GLOABL-FRANCHISE.COM Opportuni t ies 4 LONDON, UK HighPost Capital, co-founded by Jeff Bezos’s half-brother Mark Bezos, has invested £7.3 million (US$9.9 million) in the luxury UK coffee chainWatchHouse, leading a $14.8 million Series B round to support U.S. expansion. The design- led brand, founded in London in 2014, currently operates two NewYork locations and plans further growth across key American cities. 5 OMAN & BAHRAIN Middle Eastern dessert brand Dar Alkonafa has signed a master franchise agreement with Franchise India Brands Limited to expand into India’s growing specialty sweets market. Founded in Oman and operating across Oman and Bahrain since 2016, the brand is known for authentic Nabulsi and Turkish Dar Alkonafa, baklava, and other traditional Arabic desserts. Backed by Franchise India’s market expertise, Dar Alkonafa plans a rapid rollout across major Indian cities, targeting double-digit store openings by the end of 2026. 7QATAR, MIDDLE EAST Subway® has signed a new master franchise agreement with Alamtiazat Al Alamyah Food Stuff under Al Mana International Holding, strengthening its presence in Qatar and setting the stage for growth over the next seven years. Under the agreement, the group will acquire exclusive rights to manage and develop all Subway locations in the country, building on its role as an existing multi-unit franchisee. The move supports Subway’s broader Middle East expansion, where the brand has secured more than 800 new restaurant commitments through six master franchise agreements in the past four years. 6 NEWDELHI, INDIA French laundry and dry-cleaning specialist 5àsec has signed a master franchise agreement with Franchise India Brands Limited, marking its entry into India’s fast-growing apparel care market. 5àsec operates more than 1,700 outlets across 25 countries and is known for its full-service, technology-enabled textile care solutions. The partnership aims to bring structure, consistency and premium standards to India’s laundry sector, as demand rises for quality-driven services. Backed by Franchise India’s extensive market expertise, 5àsec plans an ambitious rollout, targeting double-digit store growth by the end of 2026. 8TOKYO, JAPAN Krispy Kreme has agreed to sell its Japan operations to Unison Capital in a deal expected to generate approximately $65 million in cash proceeds. The transaction is slated to close in the first quarter of 2026, with proceeds earmarked for debt reduction. The announcement comes as Krispy Kreme marks 20 years in Japan, where the brand has grown to 89 stores and nearly 300 delivery access points across major cities. CEO Josh Charlesworth said the agreement represents the company’s first international refranchising move under its turnaround plan. Unison, which specializes in consumer and foodservice investments, will assume ownership and drive the brand’s next phase of growth in the Japanese market. “The sale of our Japan business is an important step in advancing our refranchising initiative, supporting greater financial flexibility and reducing debt” KrispyKreme CEO Josh Charlesworth 5 4 8 6 7 3