Shipping containers are seeing a new life as pop-up shops, restaurants and destination retail. Subway, Taco Bell and Checkers are three franchises getting into the game. One advantage? They're easy to pick up and move.

As the lifeblood of a franchise, royalty fees are sometimes a sacred cow—never to be changed, let alone discussed. Times change, though, and in the wake of unprecedented competition for “sophisticated multi-unit franchisees” every franchisor covets, some brands are changing up their royalty programs or offering discounts to stand out from the herd.

The Franchise Expo South's move to Houston had people talking. Would it be worth it? Here's the verdict.