Franchising

  • A photograph of a brick building with signage that says "Fuzzy's Tacos and Margs."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Fuzzy's Taco Shop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fuzzy’s to open first full-service restaurant

    Fuzzy’s Tacos and Margs will offer tableside service, a taco-focused menu and a new slate of beverages in Sugar Land, Texas, next week.

    By • Updated 11 hours ago
  • Culver's ButterBurger fast food drive-thru restaurant in Illinois
    Image attribution tooltip
    Patty Colabuono via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Slurs, stalking and shoddy pay: Culver’s franchise settles slew of EEOC claims

    The settlement includes one case alleging sexual orientation-based discrimination, despite EEOC’s recent enforcement shifts affecting LGBTQ+ workers.

    By Ryan Golden • June 10, 2025
  • A person smiling at the camera
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco John's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco John’s hires GoTo Foods vet as COO

    Jackie Secor, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, joins the 350-unit chain as it expands into new and existing markets.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • Burritobar's barbacoa bowl. Slow cooked, pulled beef on top of a variety of Tex-Mex ingredients.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burritobar
    Image attribution tooltip

    Barrio Burrito Bar surpasses 1,500 franchisee commitments

    With an additional 370 units signed across four territories, the Tex-Mex chain is on its way to becoming one of the fastest-growing brands on the East Coast.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • A rendering of a storefront with blue banner that says Auntie Anne's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Auntie Anne's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Auntie Anne’s unveils refreshed store design

    A bolder color palette and new logo are meant to attract Gen Z and millennials, while other elements will improve operations and support long-term growth.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • Blaze Pizza's new signature pizzas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Blaze Pizza appoints Starbucks vet as COO

    Jaime Denney, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company and franchise operations and work to boost speed, profitability and hospitality.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • An image of a person wearing a suit and smiling.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by CKE Restaurants
    Image attribution tooltip

    CKE hires former Yum Brands exec as international president

    Ewan Davenport spent over nine years in leadership roles with Pizza Hut international and succeeds Mike Woida, who retired earlier this year.

    By • June 4, 2025
  • An image of a brick building with a logo that says Saladworks
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Saladworks on June 03, 2025
    Image attribution tooltip

    Saladworks to expand in North Carolina with 10-unit deal

    The chain, which once leaned on alternative growth vehicles like ghost kitchens and automated saladbots, will open the first of these traditional units in 2026.

    By • June 3, 2025
  • A Dave's Hot Chicken fast casual restaurant in Chicago viewed from above.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dave’s Hot Chicken sells majority stake to Roark

    The long-rumored deal will help the chain hit its ambitious unit growth targets as it looks to become the leading fast casual chicken brand.

    By • June 2, 2025
  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Freddy's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Freddy’s to open first Canadian restaurant

    The Winnipeg unit is the first outside the U.S. for the growing burger chain, which is building out a significant store pipeline.

    By • June 2, 2025
  • A photograph of the inside of a restaurant with chairs and tables
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes on June 02, 2025
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes appoints Papa Johns vet as president

    Michael Meche, who spent almost 30 years at the pizza chain, joins the burger brand as it prepares for accelerated growth.

    By • June 2, 2025
  • A fast casual restaurant with a celebratory crowd ready for its opening.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chicken Salad Chick hits 300 restaurants

    As fast casual restaurants outperform the rest of the industry, the chain signed a record number of franchising agreements in Q1 and its AUV is growing.

    By • May 28, 2025
  • A photograph of various burgers, chicken sandwich, chicken nuggets and fries in cardboard packaging.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Ant DM via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Shake Shack bets on 10 casino locations with PENN Entertainment

    The fast casual chain, which already operates in three casinos, will open its first restaurants with the entertainment company in 2026.

    By • May 21, 2025
  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant in the daytime.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Twin Hospitality Group hires CPK vet as CEO

    Kim Boerema, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience, succeeds Joe Hummel, who resigned in April after Fat Brands spun off Twin Hospitality in a January IPO.

    By • Updated May 15, 2025
  • A beige storefront with a bank of windows in the front. The top of the buildings sayd "Mountain Mike's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Mountain Mike's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why Mountain Mike’s doesn’t want to be like every other pizza chain

    Unlike rival brands that are shrinking footprints to focus on off-premise service, the California-based chain leans on its dining rooms, salad bar and arcade games to stay competitive.

    By • May 13, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Potbelly
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Potbelly harnessed transformational growth

    After undertaking a turnaround strategy, the company has grown comparable sales, accelerated franchise development and added popular menu items.

    By • May 12, 2025
  • A rendering of a new Huddle House prototype.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Huddle House
    Image attribution tooltip

    Huddle House pursues drive-thrus, non-traditional growth in rebrand

    As casual dining struggles, brands are leaning into a wide array of real estate and menu changes to capture fast casual and QSR diners.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of a co-branded Applebee's, IHOP restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dine Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Why Dine Brands is going all in on dual-branded restaurants

    Franchisees are increasingly buying into dual-branded units since they lead to higher sales compared to a standalone restaurant.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • Circle K
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Google.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Circle K adding Burrito Express QSRs in Phoenix

    The retailer, which has over 150 c-stores in the city, is expected to open six Burrito Express Fast and Fresh restaurants as it strengthens its foodservice capabilities.

    By Brett Dworski • May 6, 2025
  • A rendering if a red and orange building with El Pollo Loco signage.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
    Image attribution tooltip

    El Pollo Loco will open 500th restaurant this year

    The chain will open at least 10 units this year, most of which will be outside of California, as the chain works toward regaining unit growth momentum.

    By • May 5, 2025
  • An image of a beige building wiht both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Fat Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fat Brands promotes Taylor Wiederhorn to co-CEO

    Taylor Wiederhorn, the company’s chief development officer since 2017 and son of former CEO Andrew Wiederhorn, will work alongside Ken Kuick.

    By • April 30, 2025
  • Driver walking by a truck
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Restaurant Technologies
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Restaurant Technologies

    One of Freddy’s biggest secrets: Automation

    One Freddy’s franchisee deployed automated cooking oil management in his restaurants. Learn how it has helped reduce costs, safety risks and increased efficiency.

    April 28, 2025
  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jack in the Box will shutter up to 200 stores, mulls Del Taco sale

    The brand will also scale back its company-owned development starting next year and sell off real estate to pay down debt.

    By • April 24, 2025
  • A close up image of a round red sign that says "Chipotle Mexican Grill."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle is going to Mexico

    Alsea, a restaurant operator with 4,700 restaurants in Latin America and Europe, will build the chain’s first Mexico location by early 2026.

    By • April 21, 2025
  • A photograph of a brick building with signage that says "Krystal"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Krystal
    Image attribution tooltip

    Krystal to open first Texas travel center location

    The QSR is focusing on non-traditional locations like travel centers, c-stores and airports as part of a strategy to add high-traffic restaurants to its portfolio.

    By • Updated April 17, 2025