The 35-year-old hot sauce brand makes its franchise debut across three of the top destination retail markets

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn., June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pepper Palace, the specialty hot sauce and spice retailer founded in 1989, today announced the award of its first franchise agreements. The franchised locations will open across three of the top destination retail environments: Toronto’s Distillery District, Fallsview Casino Resort, and Blue Mountain Village. These are all markets where Pepper Palace already operates company-owned stores.

Headquartered in Sevierville, TN and operating over 70 locations across North America, Pepper Palace has built its reputation in high-traffic, experience-driven environments. For more than three decades, its interactive, sampling-driven stores have turned casual shoppers into committed ‘chiliheads.’ With more than 100 franchise opportunities available across the United States, the franchise program represents the company’s next step in bringing that model to new markets.

“Franchising is an exciting next step for Pepper Palace, but we want to grow the right way. The first franchise awards reflects the strength of the brand our team has built and the opportunity ahead as we bring Pepper Palace into new markets with the same energy, quality, and experience our customers know.”
— Morten Jorgensen, CEO, Pepper Palace

What makes the model work for franchise operators is the product. Pepper Palace’s sauces, seasonings, and condiments span every heat level and flavor profile and are entirely proprietary, exclusive to its stores and unavailable anywhere else. That, paired with a simple store design and a proven floor experience, gives operators a clear playbook and a built-in point of difference from day one.

The initial locations represent the first franchise agreements under Pepper Palace’s formal program, designed for both single and multi-unit operators in the U.S. and Canada. The rollout begins in established destination retail markets where the brand already operates successfully, with additional markets under consideration as the program develops.

“As a former licensee myself, this moment is especially exciting. I understand what it feels like to step into a brand, believe in the model, and commit to building something locally. From a franchise development perspective, awarding our first franchise agreements is a major step forward and the beginning of a very exciting chapter.”
— Tavis Scholz, VP of Franchise Development & Real Estate, Pepper Palace

Pepper Palace started as a single storefront in Gatlinburg, TN in 1989. Thirty-five years later, it has grown into a brand with its own manufacturing operation, a loyal national following, and a franchise program built on the same principle that started it all: destination retail is a natural fit for a brand whose in-store experience is the product.

This press release is not an offer to sell a franchise. Franchise opportunities are extended only by delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) in compliance with applicable federal, state, and provincial laws. Not available in all jurisdictions.

About Pepper Palace
Founded in 1989, Pepper Palace is a leading retailer of hot sauces and dry spices dedicated to bringing bold flavors to flavor enthusiasts everywhere. Headquartered in Sevierville, TN, Pepper Palace has grown to over 70 locations across North America, offering handcrafted, small-batch products made with all-natural ingredients. For more information, visit www.pepperpalace.com.

Contact:
Tavis Scholz 
VP of Franchise Development & Real Estate
franchise@pepperpalace.com
865-229-8178

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SOURCE Pepper Palace

ESS, a national talent and management solution, has selected and awarded five substitute teachers as winners for their 12th Annual Impact Awards! The 2026 honorees were each recognized at their school districts, receiving a $5,000 cash prize and an additional $2,000 to donate to their school of choice.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — ESS today announced the recipients of its 2026 Impact Awards, recognizing five exceptional substitute educators for their dedication, reliability, and positive impact on students and school communities nationwide.

The annual award recognizes ESS employees who consistently go above and beyond in support of students, teachers, and school districts. This year’s honorees were selected for their professionalism, flexibility, and meaningful contributions in classrooms across the country.

“Our Impact Award recipients embody what ESS strives for in every partnership with schools,” said Steve Gritzuk, Chief Operating Officer at ESS. “They show up prepared, adaptable, and committed to supporting students and educators wherever they are needed most. This recognition is about honoring the consistency, care, and professionalism they bring to classrooms across the country each day.” -Steve Gritzuk

Chris Delph – Guy-Perkins School District, AR

Since joining ESS in 2025, Chris has filled more than 150 absences at Guy-Perkins Elementary School. Known for his flexibility, positivity, and ability to connect with students, he has become a trusted and valued presence throughout the school community.

“His calm presence and voice make it easier for that student to regulate himself and return to the classroom,” said Tim Barnes, Principal.

Lisa Kelly – School District of Philadelphia, PA

Lisa has been a substitute with ESS since 2023, filling more than 500 assignments throughout the School District of Philadelphia. Her positive attitude, high standards, and willingness to support both students and colleagues have made a lasting impact across the district.

“Lisa Kelly is a central force within any school community.”

Melanie Serafin – Union County Public Schools, NC

Since joining ESS in 2023, Melanie has filled more than 500 absences at Weddington Elementary School. Her leadership, reliability, and dedication to supporting students and staff—particularly within the EC department—have made her an essential part of the school community.

“Ms. Serafin is an indispensable pillar of our school community,” said Fara Orr, Bookkeeper.

Ana Ringhofer – Frisco Independent School District, TX

Ana has served as a substitute with ESS since 2019, filling more than 500 absences at Corbell Elementary School. Her flexibility, dependability, and long-standing commitment to students and staff have made her a valued and familiar presence across the campus community.

“Ana is a tried-and-true substitute who is incredibly dependable, committed, and always willing to step in wherever help is needed,” said Michelle Garcia, Secretary.

Gabrielle Rogers – David Douglas School District, OR

Since joining ESS in 2021, Gabrielle has filled more than 800 absences across David Douglas School District. Her adaptability, strong leadership in the classroom, and commitment to creating supportive learning environments have made her a trusted and dependable presence for both students and staff.

“Gabby’s flexibility, professionalism, and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable asset to our school community,” said Amber Cowgill, Principal.

To read more about the winners and their stories, visit: https://ess.com/blog/2026-impact-award-winners/

About ESS:

Established in 2000, ESS is a leading national provider of managed solutions in K-12 education. It recruits, hires, trains, places, and manages qualified substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and other support staff for school districts throughout the United States.

Each day, the organization fills more than 35,000 daily, long-term, and permanent school assignments for over 1,200 school system partners, serving approximately 5.5 million students.

For more information, call (877) 983-2244 or visit ESS.com.

Media Contact

Catherine Kennedy, ESS, 1 9044280889, ckennedy@ess.com, ess.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/ess-honors-five-local-education-heroes-with-2026-impact-awards-302795521.html

SOURCE ESS

KCM joins HousingWire Solutions, enhancing the platform with richer, more localized market intelligence that helps agents win listings and build client trust

DALLAS, June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HousingWire, the most trusted source for news, data and insights in the housing market, today announced the acquisition of Keeping Current Matters (KCM), the subscription platform real estate professionals trust to explain the housing market to their clients with clarity and confidence.

For the tens of thousands of agents who rely on KCM, HousingWire’s investment has one goal: helping them win more business. KCM becomes a core part of HousingWire Solutions, HousingWire’s insights, analytics and marketing platform, alongside Altos and RealTrends, led by Mark Adams, executive vice president.

By integrating with HousingWire, KCM delivers a clearer, more local and more timely picture of the market inside the tools agents already use to educate clients and win listings. The acquisition comes as agents face a highly competitive market where sellers are increasingly selective and expertise matters more than ever.

“Agents don’t need more data, they need the right intelligence in the moment they’re sitting across from a client,” said Clayton Collins, CEO of HousingWire. “KCM has earned agents’ trust for years by making the market easy to explain. With HousingWire’s data behind it, that story becomes local and specific to the exact market each agent works in, driving sharper conversations, stronger listing presentations and more transactions.”

“We built KCM to help agents explain the market with confidence, and our members have rewarded that with their trust for years,” said Bill Harney, CEO of Keeping Current Matters. “With HousingWire’s data and resources behind the platform, our customers get a more local, more powerful product and an even better reason to bring KCM into every client conversation.”

Keeping Current Matters is HousingWire’s fifth acquisition since 2020, expanding the company’s platform serving housing professionals across real estate, mortgage and homebuilding.

HousingWire Data already powers KCM Local, bringing property-level market intelligence directly into the KCM platform. Building on that foundation, HousingWire will extend local data across content, scripts and client-facing assets to help agents turn market insights into stronger conversations.

“The integration with HousingWire makes our users more local, more relevant and more valuable to the clients they serve,” said David Childers, president of KCM. “It’s a natural next step in the direction our members have been moving all along.”

Members can expect more local depth across the content, scripts and presentations they use every day. Prospective members can explore KCM Local at KeepingCurrentMatters.com.

Monhegan Partners LLC and Newport LLC served as transaction advisers, and The Miller Law Firm PLLC served as legal counsel to Keeping Current Matters in connection with the transaction.

About HousingWire
HousingWire is the most trusted source for housing market news, data and insights. Through its media, data, events and performance intelligence platforms, HousingWire helps housing professionals make better decisions, faster. HousingWire Data powers one of the nation’s most extensive real estate and housing datasets, enabling clients to build data-driven businesses.

About Keeping Current Matters (KCM)
Keeping Current Matters is a subscription content and marketing platform that helps real estate professionals explain housing market dynamics with clarity and confidence. KCM equips agents with presentations, charts, scripts and ready-to-use content to power client conversations, listing presentations and consistent outreach.

Contact:
Brock Ward
Vice President of Marketing, HousingWire Solutions
***@hwmedia.com

Photo(s):
https://www.prlog.org/13150858

Press release distributed by PRLog

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/housingwire-acquires-keeping-current-matters-putting-local-market-data-into-the-tools-agents-use-to-win-listings-302795499.html

SOURCE HousingWire