Franchising
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Permission granted by Wetzel's Pretzels/Cold Stone Creamery
Wetzel’s Pretzels, Cold Stone to open 17 co-branded units
The dual-concept units will provide daypart expansion, additional revenue streams and efficient store models for franchisees.
By Julie Littman • May 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
Chicken Salad Chick signs 25-store deal in New York
The development agreement is the chain’s first in the state, and its largest in terms of unit count, marking a major step in its national expansion plan.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut franchisee says AI caused $100M in damages
Chaac Pizza Northeast, which depends on DoorDash to deliver its orders, said the chain’s Dragontail AI system hurt delivery times and damaged operations.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 14, 2026 -
Courtesy of Swig
Swig is bringing dirty sodas to Colorado
The chain, known for its indulgent soft drink concoctions, is pushing for national growth as QSRs join the beverage trend and stoke consumer demand.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Dunkin'
Dunkin’ is coming back to Canada after 8 years away
Foodtastic, a major Canadian foodservice operator, will help Inspire Brands’ doughnutmaker invade Tim Hortons’ home market.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 13, 2026 -
Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
How refranchising is helping Corner Bakery rise from ‘scorched earth’
After years of focus on hospitality, menu reconstruction and unit economics, the fast casual brand is looking to recruit its next generation of operators.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 12, 2026 -
Permission granted by Dine Brands
Dine Brands focuses on new unit growth, dual-brand expansion
The company more than doubled its new unit count during the first quarter, driven by dual-branded openings, relocations and single-concept openings at Applebee’s and IHOP.
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2026 -
Neal McNeil via Getty Images
McDonald’s value, menu innovation drive positive Q1 comparable sales
Traffic could build in the U.S. with the second-quarter launch of an Under $3 Menu and beverage expansion.
By Julie Littman • May 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Subway
Subway closed at least 729 stores in 2025
This marks the beleaguered chain’s steepest decline since 2021, driven by oversaturation and a low average unit volume.
By Julie Littman • May 5, 2026 -
Courtesy of Huey Magoo's
Huey Magoo’s cuts drive-thru build costs by 40%
The regional chicken tender chain is looking to increase the flexibility of its real estate development strategy.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 4, 2026 -
krblokhin via Getty Images
Culver’s to add computer vision to 1K restaurants
Through a partnership with Berry AI, the fast food chain will use the technology to measure service execution, vehicle flow and throughput to improve accuracy and speed of service.
By Julie Littman • May 1, 2026 -
Courtesy of Subway
Subway enters value wars with menu priced under $5
The chain’s Fresh Value Menu offers 15 items and joins McDonald’s and Taco Bell in targeting specific pricing to drive traffic and improve affordability.
By Julie Littman • April 28, 2026 -
Permission granted by Freddy's
Freddy’s hires 2 development execs as it nears 600 units
Rafik Farouk will help the burger brand fill in existing markets and enter new ones, while Jackie Lobdell will work to recruit new operators.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 28, 2026 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Domino’s expects Papa Johns, Pizza Hut to close more stores
CEO Russell Weiner predicts pizza competitors will see more profitability issues as they offer steep discounts to drive sales, while Domino’s franchisees continue to improve margins.
By Julie Littman • April 28, 2026 -
Courtesy of Dine Brands
Applebee’s franchisees sue chain over dual-branding exclusivity
Operators in Texas claim adding Applebee’s to existing IHOP restaurants broke development exclusivity agreements.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 27, 2026 -
Courtesy of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
Hardee’s operator files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy
ARC Burger’s 77 stores have been closed since December, following a lawsuit by Hardee’s against the operator.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 23, 2026 -
Permission granted by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams scoops up Ben & Jerry’s CEO
David Stever, who spent decades at the Vermont-based creamery, joins Jeni’s as it prepares for a new era of franchised national expansion.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 23, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Dairy Queen expands drive-thru voice AI test
Franchisees will now have access to Presto’s technology after a pilot yielded positive results at company-owned stores.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 16, 2026 -
jetcityimage via Getty Images
Church’s Texas Chicken plots 600-unit expansion in China
The company’s international brand, Texas Chicken, will open its first unit in Shanghai this summer as it continues developing globally.
By Julie Littman • April 13, 2026 -
slobo via Getty Images
Carl’s Jr franchisee says California’s $20 minimum wage led to bankruptcy
Friendly Franchisees Corp.’s subsidiary Sun Gir said the pay increase led to significant expenses, while sales declines exacerbated financial woes.
By Julie Littman • April 8, 2026 -
Walter Cicchetti via Getty Images
Major Carl’s Jr franchisee in California files for bankruptcy
A 65-unit operator filed for Chapter 11 protections under various subsidiaries after owning the sites for more than two decades.
By Julie Littman • Updated April 7, 2026 -
Courtesy of Mixue
How international restaurant brands are reshaping the US market
Luckin Coffee, Mixue and other chains are winning over consumers with digital-first operations and experiential dining experiences.
By Michael Brady • April 6, 2026 -
TennesseePhotographer via Getty Images
How Firehouse Subs is leveraging franchise incentives to speed up growth
RBI’s smallest chain wants to speed up openings and fill in key U.S. markets, with bonuses targeting strong operators and multi-unit development.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 1, 2026 -
M. Suhail via Getty Images
53-unit Applebee’s franchisee files for bankruptcy
Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida has faced financial pressures since sales began to soften in 2015 and will now sell its restaurants to Applebee’s.
By Julie Littman • March 26, 2026 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Krispy Kreme closes $90M refranchising transaction with joint venture
The deal with WKS Restaurant Group, which included the sale of 23 company-owned units, is part of the chain’s shift to a capital-light portfolio.
By Julie Littman • March 25, 2026
