COMPUCHILD, a leading provider of entrepreneurial and technology-focused enrichment programs for children, is excited to announce the launch of its newest franchise territory serving Union City and Hayward, California. The location will be owned and managed by Ms. Samareen Rafai, an experienced educator, technology professional, and dedicated East Bay community member who is passionate about empowering young learners.
 
As demand continues to rise for after-school programs that equip children with the skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven future, COMPUCHILD is expanding its presence in communities seeking innovative educational opportunities. The organization's unique Entrepreneurial STEAM™ framework integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics with financial literacy, communication, ethics, and entrepreneurial thinking. This comprehensive approach helps students develop creativity, adaptability, confidence, and critical problem-solving skills through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
 
Families in Union City and Hayward will soon have access to a broad range of enrichment programs covering robotics, computer programming, drone technology, 3D design and printing, clean energy concepts, electronics, public speaking, debate, financial literacy, digital publishing, Science Bowl preparation, investing fundamentals, artificial intelligence, machine learning, startup development, and other experiential STEM and entrepreneurship-based subjects. These programs will be available through after-school classes, weekend workshops, holiday camps, and summer learning experiences designed to make education both enjoyable and relevant to the future.
 
As a parent of school-aged children, Ms. Rafai understands the lasting impact that quality educational opportunities can have on a child's development. Her academic background in Computer Science Engineering, combined with more than five years of experience in the technology sector and several years working with elementary-age students, positions her well to lead this new venture.
 
Ms. Rafai's relationship with COMPUCHILD began in the classroom as an instructor, where she spent over three years teaching enrichment courses and collaborating closely with students and families. During that time, she witnessed how interactive, project-based learning could spark curiosity, build confidence, and inspire children to take an active interest in their education.
 
"My experience as both a parent and an instructor has shown me how powerful hands-on learning can be," said Ms. Rafai. "What initially attracted me to COMPUCHILD was the way students were encouraged to actively explore, create, and solve problems rather than simply memorize information. Watching children become excited about learning motivated me to expand my involvement and bring these programs to even more families through franchise ownership."
 
Discussing her decision to join the COMPUCHILD franchise network, Ms. Rafai added, "One of the things that impressed me most was the strong culture of collaboration and support throughout the organization. The mentorship and guidance provided by Ms. Kant are exceptional, and franchise owners genuinely support one another's success. It feels like a network of educators and entrepreneurs united by a shared mission to help children reach their full potential. I'm thrilled to introduce these opportunities to families throughout Union City and Hayward."
 
Welcoming Ms. Rafai to the franchise family, COMPUCHILD President Ms. Shubhra Kant shared, "I have had the privilege of knowing Samareen for nearly five years and have consistently admired her dedication to children and education. She brings genuine enthusiasm, compassion, and commitment to everything she does. Her willingness to continuously learn, embrace new challenges, and strive for excellence makes her an outstanding leader. I am confident that her passion, expertise, and strong community connections will help many children discover a love for learning while benefiting from our hands-on educational programs."
 
With growing awareness among parents about the importance of future-ready skills, COMPUCHILD continues to expand throughout the United States and Canada by partnering with franchise owners who share a commitment to education and community engagement. Its affordable franchise model provides educators, professionals, and aspiring entrepreneurs with an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while building a rewarding business.
 
Drawing on more than three decades of experience in children's enrichment education, COMPUCHILD has established itself as a respected provider of STEM and entrepreneurial learning programs. The organization is proud to hold Cognia STEM Certification and has been recognized by Franchise Business Review for franchisee satisfaction for 13 consecutive years, reflecting its dedication to educational excellence and franchise support.
 
Individuals interested in exploring franchise ownership opportunities with COMPUCHILD and contributing to the development of future-ready learners can learn more by visiting the company's Own a Franchise page.

Skiptown, a contemporary, technology-driven dog care franchise, is continuing to advance SkipOS, its proprietary end-to-end platform that integrates operations across all five of its service offerings. The internally developed system is intended to simplify workflows, strengthen profitability, and enhance the customer journey as the company broadens its presence.

One of the platform’s newest additions is a valet-inspired check-in and pickup option within the app, introduced in the summer of 2025 to improve the boarding and daycare process. Through the Skiptown app, pet owners can alert staff when they arrive, enabling dogs to be checked in or brought out without customers leaving their cars. Created in response to user feedback, the feature was rapidly improved to offer better wait-time transparency. As a result, 95% of drop-offs and pickups are now completed in under eight minutes. The process also supports more efficient staff scheduling during busy hours. This timing includes comprehensive wellness assessments at both check-in and pickup, during which staff evaluate each dog’s condition and watch for signs of injury, irritation, or other health concerns.

Building on this momentum, Skiptown introduced several additional enhancements in 2026, including the PupCare Plan membership program, an SMS Text Club for promotions and event updates, and a customized in-app promotions center aimed at increasing engagement and encouraging customers to use multiple services.

“SkipOS was built with both pet parents and operators in mind, and we’ve continued refining it as the company has evolved,” said Liz Sims. “Because we own the technology, we can adapt quickly to customer feedback, introduce new capabilities faster, and deliver a more seamless and connected experience.”

Initially created in-house to replace outdated third-party software, SkipOS has grown alongside the company — evolving from a simple dog-walking app into a fully integrated operating platform supporting daycare, boarding, grooming, walking services, memberships, and social experiences across several markets. As Skiptown expanded beyond Charlotte into Denver and Atlanta, the platform demonstrated its ability to function effectively across multiple locations.

Today, SkipOS remains central to the Skiptown business model, supporting success in four primary areas:

“Technology is at the core of how we grow,” said Mike Rotondo. “Without relying on third-party platforms, we can innovate more quickly, scale more efficiently, and create a more distinctive experience for pets, their owners, and our franchise partners.”

With revenue increasing by more than 40% year over year, Skiptown continues investing heavily in its proprietary technology platform as a major factor driving customer loyalty and sustained franchise expansion.

Click here to know more about Skiptown.

Taco John’s, a prominent Mexican quick-service restaurant chain, has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Ian Poole as Vice President of Development. A seasoned professional in business development and franchising, Poole brings close to two decades of experience driving expansion for major restaurant and franchise brands.

A Strategic Move to Accelerate Growth
Before joining Taco John’s, Poole served as Vice President of Development at Subway, where he led North American development efforts. In that role, he oversaw franchise sales, real estate, construction and design, equipment, operations, and leasing for a network of more than 22,000 locations. He has also contributed to the growth of brands such as Dunkin’ and Planet Fitness. At Taco John’s, Poole will focus on supporting brand expansion while improving franchisee success through enhancements in onboarding, real estate strategy, and construction processes.

“Taco John’s has established a strong foundation with a clear focus on supporting franchisees, and I’m excited to help drive the brand’s next phase of growth,” said Ian Poole, VP of Development.

“My priority is to expand the brand thoughtfully and sustainably while providing streamlined, end-to-end support for every franchise owner. We’re building a system that enables both new and existing franchisees to grow with confidence, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead.”

Poole’s background also includes hands-on experience as a franchisee with Burger King, Popeyes, and Arby’s under Ambrosia QSR. His collaborative leadership style is centered on strengthening relationships across the franchise network.

“Heather Neary, President and CEO of Taco John’s, noted that Poole’s appointment marks an important step in advancing the company’s franchise development efforts. His dual perspective as both an executive and a franchise owner provides valuable insight into refining systems that set franchisees up for long-term success. As the brand builds on recent operational investments, his expertise is expected to play a key role in sustaining momentum.”

Renewed Focus on Franchisee Support
Following a year of foundational progress, Taco John’s entered 2026 positioned for strategic, data-driven growth. Investments in the brand’s Path to Ownership initiative are giving franchisees access to expanded resources, succession planning, and improved communication across the system.

The company is also prioritizing non-traditional formats as a key growth avenue, planning pilot locations with experienced operators to evaluate performance and scale responsibly. Future initiatives include menu optimization for smaller spaces, simplified labor models, performance standards for high-traffic environments, and targeted marketing strategies tailored to these formats. This approach allows entry into high-demand locations with lower capital requirements while complementing traditional restaurant development.

Taco John’s continues to invest in its development infrastructure and franchise support systems, presenting an attractive opportunity for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their portfolios with an established concept.

With more than 325 restaurants across 21 states, the brand sees strong growth opportunities in the Upper Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions. Both new and multi-unit operators are being offered customized support to scale efficiently and sustainably.

According to the company’s Franchise Disclosure Document, the top 25% of freestanding Taco John’s restaurants with drive-thru report an average unit volume (AUV) of $1,889,495.

Click here to know more about Taco John's franchise opportunities.