Several emerging chains spent 2025 setting up robust development pipelines ranging into the hundreds of units. Mexican fast casual chains have been particularly active, with high operator demand for franchises in this space. But it’s not just Mexican brands seeing significant interest from operators expanding their portfolios — chicken chains and bagel concepts are also preparing for significant growth.
Check out some of the chains that have built significant franchised pipelines so far this year.
Cilantro Taco Grill
Pipeline: 110 units
The Chicago-based fast casual chain started the year with just 17 company-owned units, but opened its first franchised location in November 2024 followed by its first franchised location outside of Chicagoland in April. As of March, the company secured six agreements to develop 110 units, with 100 units planned for Florida.
Qdoba
Pipeline: Over 600 units
The fast-growing Mexican chain surpassed a pipeline of 500 units in March, a number that reached 600 units later in the year. The company already has 800 units open and its latest commitments will help it reach its goal of having 1,500 units by 2033.
Qdoba is the number two player in the Mexican fast casual segment and is the leading franchised concept in the space. In a previous interview, Jeremy Vitaro, the chief development officer for the brand, said it wanted to hit a 100-opening yearly cadence in the near future. The chain has shifted its real estate focus toward smaller footprints to accelerate development and reduce costs.
In August, the chain’s parent company Butterfly Equity secured a $527 million continuation fund from Apollo S3 meant to support the fast casual brand’s franchised expansion.
Barrio Burrito Bar
Pipeline: Over 1,500 units
No other emerging chain has gained quite as significant a pipeline as Barrio Burrito Bar in 2025. The Canadian-based concept has been on a tear, signing master franchise agreements across the country. The chain, which has 375 units in Canada, entered the U.S. in 2020 and currently has about 12 units open in the U.S and 11 listed as “coming soon.”
PopUp Bagels
Pipeline: 300 units
As of July, PopUp Bagels had 300-units signed with 15 operators and expects to reach 100 open locations by 2027. The emerging bagel chain expects to operate across 10 states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, California and Maine. It began franchising in late 2024.
The brand, which started as a pandemic side-hustle, has been preparing for national expansion by developing regional production hubs for its bagels and schmear to ensure consistency.
Layne’s Chicken Fingers
Pipeline: 68 units
Layne’s began the year with 19 units and its latest deals will give it a sizable presence across West Texas, Wisconsin and Oregon. The company has more than tripled its franchised footprint since the end of 2022. It expects to reach 45 units this year, as consumer demand for boneless chicken drives growth in new chicken concepts.
