Franchising

  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant in the daytime.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    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
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    Permission granted by Mountain Mike's
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    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
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Huddle House
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    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
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    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
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    Retrieved from Google.
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    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.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    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
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    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
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    Permission granted by Restaurant Technologies
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    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
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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."
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    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
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    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"
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    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
  • A picture of Burger King signs.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    57-unit Burger King operator goes bankrupt

    Despite high performance metrics, Consolidated Burger Holdings has faced traffic declines and revenue losses since the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By • April 16, 2025
  • Noble Markets
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    Permission granted by Noble Markets
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    Noble Gas bringing Capriotti’s sandwiches to East Coast c-stores

    The retailer will open the sub shop inside its newest gas station in Enfield, Connecticut, later this month, with several more sites to come.

    By Brett Dworski • April 14, 2025
  • An image of a small restaurant with a red facade that has a white logo saying Checkers. There is a woman waiting at a pickup window and a blue car at a drive-thru window.
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    The image by Pokemonprime is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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    Checkers & Rally’s new prototype cuts square footage almost in half

    The burger brand redesigned its kitchen layouts and is streamlining workflows to operate in just 570 square feet.

    By • April 10, 2025
  • A photograph of a restaurant with the words Huddle House on the side.
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    Permission granted by Huddle House
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    Ascent Hospitality promotes Blain Shortreed to COO

    Shortreed, who joined the company in 2023 as Huddle House president, will focus on strategic growth, operations and franchise relations in his new role.  

    By • April 10, 2025
  • A smiling white man in a black polo against an orange background.
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    Courtesy of Smalls Sliders
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    Smalls Sliders names former Tropical Smoothie Cafe chief as CEO

    The chain is betting Charles Watson can bring some of the development magic from Tropical Smoothie Cafe, but the macroeconomy may have other ideas.

    By • April 8, 2025
  • Dessert items with ice cream and baked good elements.
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    Courtesy of Cinnabon
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    GoTo Foods debuts Cinnabon Swirl dual-branded concept

    Rather than simple co-branding, Cinnabon Swirl will have its own rewards program, indicating the possibility of an independent brand identity.

    By • April 8, 2025
  • An image of a giant logo that says Applbee's.
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Why urban areas are a challenge for casual chains

    High rents, difficult buildouts and space limitations are among many reasons why casual full-service chains often avoid spaces in cities. But opportunities are out there, experts say.

    By Danielle McLean • April 3, 2025
  • An evening image of a buildign with white letters that says Texas Chicken
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    Retrieved from Texas Chicken on March 18, 2025
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    Church’s Texas Chicken to open 900 more international units

    Through its international brand Texas Chicken, the chain will enter Germany, Hungary and Georgia for the first time, expanding its presence in Europe.

    By • April 3, 2025
  • An image of purple cups that say PJ's coffee house
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    Retrieved from PJ's Coffee of New Orleans on April 01, 2025
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    PJ’s Coffee parent company CEO to retire

    Peter Boylan, who has headed up Ballard Brands since 2016, will remain on as an advisor while David Mesa takes over as president of franchise development.

    By • April 1, 2025
  • An image of a light blue building with a sign that says "The original Hooters"
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    Courtesy of Hooters Inc.
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    Hooters of America sells itself, files Chapter 11

    The chain will sell over 100 company-owned locations to two major franchisees, which will also take over franchise support and corporate functions.

    By • April 1, 2025
  • An image of a Jack in the Box restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box hires Lance Tucker as permanent CEO

    Tucker, who rejoined the chain as CFO late last year, said the company needs to make priority changes quickly to reverse same-store sales problems.

    By • April 1, 2025
  • A rendering of a restaurant interior
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    Permission granted by Famous Dave's
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    Q&A

    Famous Dave’s shrinks dining room in play for big market growth

    The new units, which are thousands of square feet smaller than standard full-service barbecue joints, will open up new markets and real estate, particularly end caps, to the brand.

    By • March 27, 2025
  • A rendering of a potential Jamba Juice prototype
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    Courtesy of Jamba Juice
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    Jamba’s new store prototype goes digital

    The juice brand is looking to reduce costs, boost tickets and strengthen its brand through store design featuring self-ordering kiosks.

    By • March 26, 2025