Hospitality & Leisure

Global Fight League Sells First Franchise for Seven Figures

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Global Fight League Sells First Franchise for Seven Figures

Las Vegas – September 24, 2026 -- Global Fight League (OTC: GFLE) has signed a seven-figure binding Letter of Intent with investor Ryan Brockbank for the rights to own and operate the league's first independently owned franchise, marking its inaugural third-party ownership deal.

GFL secures non-refundable payment to fund Argentina proof-of-concept event

GFL has received and deposited a non-refundable initial payment toward the seven-figure purchase price, with the remaining balance due in 2027. The capital will help finance an international proof-of-concept event in Argentina during the fourth quarter of 2026, with further details expected in the coming week, as well as preparations for the league's first full season of competition in 2027.

EdgeLabs Debuts Blue Bird Bonus Extreme at SBC Summit Lisbon

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EdgeLabs Debuts Blue Bird Bonus Extreme at SBC Summit Lisbon

Toronto – September 24, 2026 -- EdgeLabs gaming studio will unveil Blue Bird Bonus Extreme, a higher-multiplier spin-off of its Blue Bird Bonus title, at SBC Summit Lisbon, running September 29 to October 1 at Stand B551, Hall 2.

EdgeLabs expands its live demo lineup with new volatility mechanics

The studio will let operators play Blue Bird Bonus Extreme live on the show floor alongside Steampunk Fortune. Attendees will also get an early look at upcoming releases built around 3Pot and 4Pot mechanics, modeled on the studio's existing Flaming Skulls title.

"There's a big difference between hearing about a new game and sitting down to play it," said Marina Rodov, CEO of EdgeLabs. "We're bringing our new releases to Lisbon so operators can experience them for themselves."

Ex-UK Gambling Commission Chief Joins GCI as Strategic Advisor

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Ex-UK Gambling Commission Chief Joins GCI as Strategic Advisor

Henderson, Nevada – September 24, 2026 -- Gaming Compliance International (GCI) has appointed Tim Miller, former Executive Director of Policy and Research at the UK Gambling Commission, as Strategic Advisor to guide its regulatory strategy and international expansion.

Miller brings a decade of UK regulatory experience to GCI's global growth push

Miller spent 10 years at the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) before founding GamReg Consulting, an advisory practice focused on gaming regulation. GCI becomes one of Miller's first clients under the new venture, where he will work directly with GCI CEO Matt Holt to shape product development and regulatory policy through a former regulator's lens.

People Incorporated Drops Bid to Take MGM Resorts Private

New York – September 24, 2026 -- People Incorporated (NASDAQ: PPLI) has withdrawn its proposal to acquire all public shares of MGM Resorts International, ending a bid to take the casino and hospitality operator private.

Diller cites unresolved deal terms as reason for retreat

Chairman and Senior Executive Barry Diller said the company "didn't feel the mix was coming together" as hoped and opted against pursuing a going-private transaction at this time.

People Incorporated retains 27% stake worth 66.8 million shares

The company confirmed it continues to hold 66.8 million MGM Resorts shares, representing approximately 27% of the company, and expressed continued confidence in MGM management and its business outlook.

Summit Hotel Properties to Report Q3 2026 Results Nov. 3

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Summit Hotel Properties to Report Q3 2026 Results Nov. 3

Austin, Texas – – September 24, 2026 -- Summit Hotel Properties, Inc. (NYSE: INN) will release its third-quarter 2026 financial results on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, after market close.

Summit schedules investor call for November 4

The real estate investment trust will hold its quarterly conference call at 9:00 AM ET on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. Investors can pre-register for dial-in access, and a live webcast will be available through the company's investor relations page.

A replay of the webcast will remain accessible on www.shpreit.com until February 1, 2027.

Portfolio spans 92 hotel assets across 24 states

As of September 23, 2026, Summit Hotel Properties owned interests in 92 lodging assets, with 50 wholly owned, totaling 14,027 guestrooms. The upscale-segment portfolio is spread across 24 U.S. states.

Robot.com, Grubhub Extend Deal, Add 10 Campuses to Fleet

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Robot.com, Grubhub Extend Deal, Add 10 Campuses to Fleet

San Francisco – September 23, 2026 -- Robot.com and Grubhub have signed a three-year extension expanding autonomous delivery to 10 additional college campuses, pushing total active deployments across the Grubhub Campus platform past 20 nationwide as the 2026-2027 school year begins.

Four-year partnership now includes robot-powered advertising

The extension deepens a relationship dating to 2022, when Grubhub first signed Robot.com as a delivery partner across its higher-education network. The renewed agreement adds Robot.com's R-ads advertising platform, converting delivery robots already on campus into interactive brand-experience units for students.

PRIMA VIP Adds Luxury World Traveler Founder to Expand Hospitality Network

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PRIMA VIP Adds Luxury World Traveler Founder to Expand Hospitality Network

Miami – September 23, 2026 -- PRIMA VIP INC has appointed Gil Antolin, founder of Luxury World Traveler, as a strategic partner to expand its hospitality booking network on both the supply and distribution sides.

Antolin brings a 5-million-follower media platform and 2,000-hotel network to PRIMA

Antolin founded Luxury World Traveler in 2013, building it into a global luxury travel media and marketing brand with more than 5 million followers across social platforms. He has worked with over 2,000 hotels and organized more than 30 influencer marketing events worldwide. He is also co-founder of two AI-powered hospitality software companies, Worldie AI and M2Lux.

Love & Honey Fried Chicken Targets Massachusetts for Franchise Growth

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Love & Honey Fried Chicken Targets Massachusetts for Franchise Growth

Philadelphia – September 23, 2026 -- Love & Honey Fried Chicken is seeking franchise operators to enter Massachusetts for the first time, expanding a Northeast footprint that recently added a Cranston, Rhode Island location.

Brand targets Greater Boston, Worcester and five other Massachusetts markets

The fast-casual chicken concept has identified Greater Boston and its suburbs, Cambridge and Somerville, Worcester, Springfield, and the South Shore and North Shore regions as priority growth markets. The company is recruiting experienced, multi-unit operators to develop the territory.

Air New Zealand, Business-Class.com Partner on Premium Long-Haul Bookings

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Air New Zealand, Business-Class.com Partner on Premium Long-Haul Bookings

Fort Lauderdale – September 23, 2026 -- Air New Zealand has partnered with Business-Class.com to give premium travelers advisor-led booking support for long-haul flights to New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific.

Advisors gain direct access to compare cabin options and fare conditions before booking

Through the partnership, Business-Class.com's travel advisors will help customers compare cabin layouts, routing, connection times, and fare flexibility on Air New Zealand flights, with Air New Zealand managing the onboard experience. The service includes concierge-level support for trip modifications and 24/7 assistance.

HOTWORX Tops 900 Studios, 400,000 Members, Eyes 1,000 Locations by 2027

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HOTWORX Tops 900 Studios, 400,000 Members, Eyes 1,000 Locations by 2027

New Orleans – September 23, 2026 -- HOTWORX, the 24-hour infrared sauna fitness franchise, has surpassed 900 open studios worldwide and now serves more than 400,000 members, putting the brand on track to hit 1,000 locations by spring 2027.

Franchise Network Crosses 900 Studios Nearly a Decade After Launch

HOTWORX opened its first studio in Oxford, Miss., in 2017. The brand has since expanded across the United States, Canada, Ireland and Dubai, with 408,693 members recorded this year and new studios in development in Mexico and Kenya.

Member-to-Owner Pipeline Drives Majority of Franchise Growth

A majority of HOTWORX franchisees joined the system as members before converting to ownership, according to the company. Founder and CEO Stephen P. Smith said the model is working at scale, noting that most owners experienced the infrared workout firsthand before signing a franchise agreement.