Franchising


  • Japanese food from Pepper Lunch on big hot slabs of iron. Yum.
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    Permission granted by Pepper Lunch
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    ‘Experiential’ brand Pepper Lunch signs West Coast expansion deal

    The deal is a significant expansion of Pepper Lunch’s presence in the U.S. and covers parts of Southern California and Nevada.

    By Oct. 10, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a blue shirt with arms crossed.
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    Permission granted by Rusty Taco
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    Q&A // Meet the exec

    How Rusty Taco’s president is plotting sustainable growth

    Daniel Smith, who joined the chain earlier this year, is restructuring corporate to assist operators, boost franchise communication and optimize its business.

    By Oct. 9, 2024
  • An image of a sign with a red apple and the word Applebee's
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    Applebee’s franchisee files for bankruptcy after creditor lawsuit

    Louisiana Apple’s major creditor, City National Bank of Florida, claimed the operator and the brand transferred control of its restaurants in a breach of credit agreements. 

    By Oct. 9, 2024
  • A building with a brown facade and a yellow sign that says "Barberitos."
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    Courtesy of Woworks
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    Woworks opens first Barberitos redesign in Florida

    Two years after Woworks bought the fast casual brand, a newly imagined storefront opened in Temple Terrace, Florida, in September.

    By Oct. 3, 2024
  • A Subway restaurant interior with white and green countertops and digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway has signed commitments for 10K restaurants globally

    Over the past three years, the chain signed over 20 master franchise agreements that will push the sandwich chain close to 50,000 units.

    By Oct. 2, 2024
  • An image of a refreshed Subway.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Employee sues Subway, franchisee for wage theft

    A lawsuit filed by a California worker alleges that an operator routinely failed to pay her overtime and that she was denied sick leave for years.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • An image of people sitting at tables eating barbecue. The walls say "Dickey's."
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s to cease expanding non-barbecue brands

    Virtual brands grew over the past four years, but never had the same success of Dickey’s Barbecue, said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant in New York City.
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A to open 5 UK restaurants in 2 years

    The chicken chain will spend $100 million in the next decade to make the U.K. its first major international market, starting with restaurants in London, Leeds, Liverpool and Belfast.

    By Sept. 26, 2024
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza will refranchise corporate stores

    The pizza chain’s new owner, Elite Restaurant Group, is undertaking a comprehensive refranchising effort at the largely company-operated brand.

    By Sept. 13, 2024
  • A man in a white shirt and suit jacket.
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    Courtesy of Smashburger
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    Smashburger hires chief development officer

    Jim Sullivan will work on elevating the brand’s identity as a fast casual player through its development strategy.

    By Sept. 12, 2024
  • A Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchisee files for bankruptcy

    The Michigan-based operator blamed the brand’s franchising requirements for the Chapter 11 filing, rather than broader macroeconomic conditions.

    By Updated Sept. 11, 2024
  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays acquisition falls through, bondholders seize assets

    Hostmore still wants to sell its restaurants after the U.K. franchisee’s acquisition plan was torpedoed by the casual dining brand's manager termination event.

    By Sept. 9, 2024
  • An image of various dishes from Modern Market's menu.
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    Permission granted by Modern Market Eatery
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    Thrive Restaurant Group buys Modern Market Eatery

    Thrive previously committed to opening 41 units as Modern Market’s largest franchisee, but felt that buying the brand was a natural next step in its growth.

    By Sept. 6, 2024
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A plots major expansion in Michigan

    The fast food giant expects to open 25 to 30 franchised units in the Mitten State, adding to its existing 28 units.

    By Sept. 5, 2024
  • A sign hangs on the side of a Sonic restaurant in 2018.
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    Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
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    KBP Brands buys 85 Sonic units

    KBP first bought into the Inspire Brands system in 2021, when it purchased a number of Arby’s stores.

    By Sept. 4, 2024
  • 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 signals development strategy with new hires

    The multi-brand platform hired Ammy Harrison, a Papa Johns alum, to lead non-traditional development and Maiyo Hood, a Subway Greater China vet, to lead its international efforts.

    By Aug. 29, 2024
  • Taco Bell breakfast burritos
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell will let franchisees stop breakfast

    Ditching the morning meal gives franchisees the flexibility to focus on other dayparts, the brand said.

    By Aug. 22, 2024
  • An image of the interior of Freddy's new training and innovation center.
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    Courtesy of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburger
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    Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers launches training facility to support growth

    The chain’s ambitious growth plans call for more franchisees and managers. Its training and innovation center will help develop brand leaders.

    By Aug. 21, 2024
  • Freebird World Burrito's brisket-based menu items.
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    Courtesy of Freebird World Burrito
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    Sun Holdings buys 64-unit Freebirds World Burrito

    The Texas-based burrito brand is Sun Holdings’ second purchase of a brand, and proof of its ability to grow as a brand owner, CEO Guillermo Perales said.

    By Aug. 20, 2024
  • Sherif Mityas has been promoted to Brix CEO.
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    Courtesy of Brix Holdings
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    Q&A

    Friendly’s plans a comeback after decades of decline

    The CEO of the chain’s parent company says a new menu, store renovations and social media savvy moves are breathing new life into the retro brand.

    By Aug. 19, 2024
  • Sauce being brushed on fried chicken
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    Courtesy of Bonchon
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    Bonchon breaks its franchising record

    Flexible formats and multi-unit franchisees are speeding up the chain’s U.S. development as it looks to reach 500 stores.

    By Aug. 16, 2024
  • An image of Burger King's Sizzle remodeled restaurant
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King remodels driving double-digit sales lifts

    The chain is on track to renovate 400 stores in 2024, with revamps partly offsetting sectoral sales troubles.

    By Aug. 9, 2024
  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    Hostmore, TGI Fridays deal delayed

    Management says not to expect a Q3 2024 closure, after the companies revised their combined business plan to a full-franchised model.

    By Aug. 9, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a Brooklyn Dumpling Shop vest in front of a blurred out sign.
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    Permission granted by Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
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    Q&A // Meet the exec

    Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s first CEO has big plans for the brand

    With his extensive experience with franchised models, Jeff Galletly plans to refine the model for the chain, allowing it to expand into new markets with local operators.

    By Aug. 6, 2024
  • An oval shaped brick facade with a "world of beer" signage in metal gray.
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    Retrieved from World of Beer Franchising on August 05, 2024
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    World of Beer among latest casual chains to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy

    The craft brew chain’s financial struggles began shortly after it instituted a food and spirit program in 2013 that was met with resistance from franchisees.

    By Aug. 5, 2024