Franchising: Page 2

  • Inside a Nekter Juice Bar
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    Permission granted by Nekter Juice Bar
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    Deep Dive

    What’s driving juice chains’ aggressive growth

    Brands like Nekter Juice Bar, Main Squeeze Juice and Juice it Up are pushing into new markets and opening stores as demand rises for healthy foods.

    By • March 26, 2024
  • A picture of Subway's Deli Heroes
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway faces $50M suit for sexual abuse at franchisee

    The suit claims Subway’s restaurant inspections and other forms of control over operations make it a joint employer with franchisee GRB Investments.

    By • March 21, 2024
  • A portrait photo of Heather Neary, Taco John's new CEO.
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    Permission granted by Taco John's
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    Ex-Auntie Anne’s president joins Taco John’s as CEO

    Heather Neary replaces longtime CEO Jim Creel as the taco chain looks to grow within its existing markets and to enter new areas.

    By • March 20, 2024
  • An image of Jennifer Schuler, Handel's Ice Cream CEO
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    Permission granted by Handel's Ice Cream
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    Handel’s Ice Cream hires former Wetzel’s Pretzels chief as CEO

    Jennifer Schuler joins the 130-unit brand after nine years at Wetzel’s, including five years as CEO, as the chain expects to surpass $130 million in systemwide sales this year.

    By • March 19, 2024
  • A promotional image for Bojangles' boneless chicken options.
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    Courtesy of Bojangles
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    Bojangles secures 20-unit franchise deal in Phoenix

    The chicken chain said the deal validates its expansion strategy outside its Southeastern base as it pushes to reach 1,000 stores.

    By • Updated March 18, 2024
  • Pictured is the exterior of the National Labor Relations Board building.
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    "1099 14th Street – National Labor Relations Board" by Geraldshields11 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Texas judge vacates joint employer rule

    The rule, which was set to go into effect Monday, would have lowered the bar for joint employer status. 

    By Emilie Shumway • Updated March 11, 2024
  • An image of a Taco Bell restaurant.
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    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
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    Taco Bell franchisee sued after manager sexually harassed teen employees

    Charter Foods faces two lawsuits from women who were harassed by a convicted sex offender working as their shift supervisor in West Virginia. 

    By • March 7, 2024
  • First Watch restaurant
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch will enter New England, Las Vegas as EBITDA nears $100M

    After passing $1 billion in sales, the breakfast chain is eyeing new markets where its suburban-first system could insulate it from high development costs.

    By • March 6, 2024
  • A photograph of an Applebee's sign.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Dine Brands hints at US IHOP/Applebee’s dual branding test

    Such units, which have driven strong sales abroad, may offer a solution to Applebee’s weak domestic same-store sales and shrinking footprint.

    By • Feb. 29, 2024
  • A closed Burgerim in Ashburn, Virginia
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    Judge bars Burgerim and its founder from selling franchises

    Burgerim could owe the FTC up to $56 million in civil penalties and money earmarked for consumer redress. Oren Loni, CEO and founder of the disgraced restaurant chain, settled separately in November. 

    By • Feb. 23, 2024
  • Jim Metevier, Mountain Mike's CEO, looks at the camera.
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    Courtesy of Mountain Mike's Pizza
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    Mountain Mike’s Pizza appoints longtime COO as CEO

    Jim Metevier, who has overseen the pizza brand's operations since 2018, will lead the chain as it looks to grow beyond its West Coast base.

    By • Feb. 22, 2024
  • A newly paved parking lot at a under construction fast food restaurant.
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    WendellandCarolyn via Getty Images
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    QSR franchised units to grow 2.2% in 2024, IFA says

    Despite ongoing labor pressure and high costs of doing business, the QSR industry will add over 4,300 units this year and become the second fastest-growing franchise industry, per the association.

    By • Feb. 21, 2024
  • A photograph of a Denny's sign over some trees.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s is still shrinking

    The chain's system has contracted 9% since 2017, and may shrink again in 2024 as the company forecasts comparable sales growth between 0% and 3%.

    By • Feb. 21, 2024
  • An image of a storefront with Auntie Anne's and Jamba branding
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    Permission granted by Focus Brands
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    Focus Brands renames itself GoTo Foods

    The name change is designed to highlight the value its brand portfolio, including Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s, Carvel and Cinnabon, offers to consumers and franchisees.

    By • Feb. 20, 2024
  • tim Hortons drive thru only
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    Courtesy of Tim Hortons
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    Restaurant Brands International targets 40K stores globally by 2028

    The Burger King and Tim Hortons owner plans to grow its global footprint by 9,000 stores by 2028, driven by international development and strengthened home-market performance.

    By • Feb. 16, 2024
  • An image of Burger King restaurant in a new design
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    How Burger King boosted franchisee profitability in 2023

    Following the franchisor’s hefty investments in marketing, remodels and redesigns, operators reported higher than expected profitability.

    By • Feb. 14, 2024
  • An image of a Taco Bell store.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Flynn Group reportedly seeking $5B majority stake sale

    The country’s largest franchisee has about $4.5 billion in annual sales and grew much of its portfolio in recent years through various acquisitions. 

    By • Feb. 12, 2024
  • The exterior of a Del Taco during the evening
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    What’s behind Del Taco’s franchising surge

    The Mexican QSR chain signed over 138 franchise commitments in fiscal 2023 and plans to be over 90% franchised by 2026, said Van Ingram, Del Taco’s VP of franchise development.

    By • Feb. 9, 2024
  • Popeyes signage
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    17-unit Popeyes franchisee files for bankruptcy

    RRG said losses at three of its units made it impossible to sustain timely lease payments at its remaining stores, pushing the operator to seek Chapter 11 protections.

    By • Feb. 6, 2024
  • A remodeled McDonald's.
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    garett_mosher via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s franchisee settles rape case for $4.35M

    McDonald’s franchisee Rice Enterprises will sell its restaurants to fund a $4.35M settlement with a minor who was sexually assaulted by a manger.

    By • Feb. 6, 2024
  • An image of Toni Ronayne, Perkins president, and Steven Roach, CTO of Ascent Hospitality
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    Permission granted by Ascent Hospitality Management
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    Ascent Hospitality bolsters C-suite with CTO, Perkins president hires

    Toni Ronayne will lead Perkins after serving as managing director, Canada at Little Caesars, while Steven Roach becomes chief technology officer after working at Focus Brands.

    By • Feb. 5, 2024
  • An image of Subway's footlong cookies, pretzels and churros
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway sells 3.5M Sidekick snack items within 2 weeks of launch

    The chain’s Footlong Cookies have been so popular that it temporarily removed them from digital ordering platforms to better manage demand. 

    By • Feb. 2, 2024
  • Jason Maceda, Inspire Brands' new chief development officer, smiles in front of some branded items.
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Inspire Brands promotes Jason Maceda to development chief

    Maceda will oversee the restaurant company’s franchise growth as part of a reorganization of its corporate structure.

    By • Jan. 31, 2024
  • Pick-up zone at Burger King
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    Michael Thomas via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Cost pressures may drive restaurant franchisee bankruptcies in 2024

    Issues with margins or cash flow due to supply shocks, labor shortages and other disruptions can push operators into covenant default over their debts, experts said.

    By • Jan. 30, 2024
  • A Boston Market sign is shown.
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    Kate Tornone/Restaurant Dive
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    Boston Market’s fee-free growth push raises questions

    The beleaguered chicken chain, which has faced hundreds of closures and numerous lawsuits, wants to expand into non-traditional locations with no buy-in requirements for operators. 

    By • Jan. 26, 2024