Franchising
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Rock N Roll Sushi hires experienced franchise exec as CEO
Craig LeMieux, who has decades of franchising experience, will lead the chain as its top executive. Terri Jessen was appointed VP of operations.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 7, 2023 -
Huddle House hires former Long John Silver’s CEO as brand president
Blain Shortreed, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company operations, franchising, marketing and culinary innovation.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 4, 2023 -
Sprinkles promotes new COO
Justin Murakami will lead operations as the company prepares to expand its network of production and pantry bakeries, as well as its cupcake “ATMs.”
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2023 -
A look back at 8 major franchisee bankruptcies in 2023
Burger King, Popeyes, McDonald’s and more saw multi-unit operators go belly-up due to struggles with inflation, low traffic and rising costs.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2023 -
Coffee, tea QSRs report traffic bump from return to office
Category operators opened 3,500 new units as of March 2023 compared to March 2022 following a spike in consumer demand, according to Circana data.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 27, 2023 -
Why QSRs are doubling down on kiosks
Burger King, Taco Bell and Shake Shack are among the chains adding this technology to boost check and reduce labor pressure.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 27, 2023 -
Sprouts expands partnership with Phoenix coffee chain
Following a successful pilot, the grocer has opened a Press Coffee bar in a store in Scottsdale, Arizona, and plans to bring the concept to three more locations in the city during the coming weeks.
By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 21, 2023 -
Bar Louie offers 50% franchise fee discount for first-time operators
The casual chain also developed a contemporary, flexible design as part of its strategy to accelerate franchise growth.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 17, 2023 -
Modern Market Eatery opens first drive-thru restaurant
The Colorado Springs, Colorado, location uses a double-sided production line to ensure quick service for drive-thru guests.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 16, 2023 -
What keeps 4 restaurant CEOs up at night
Employee welfare and threats to franchising’s “American dream” are two of the existential fears the heads of Cava, Chicken Salad Chick, Golden Corral and Caribou Coffee discussed at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 15, 2023 -
Wendy’s franchisee files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Starboard Group, which operates 72 units, said inflation, falling customer count and expensive remodels contributed to its financial woes.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 15, 2023 -
Patrick Doyle: RBI’s key product is its franchise model, not brand menus
“People use the term owner-operator interchangeably with franchisee, and I think where people have gotten in trouble is when they are just owners. You have to be both,” Doyle, RBI’s executive chairman, said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 14, 2023 -
How Biggby plans to grow from over 350 units to 1K by 2028
By offering flexible store models, like kiosks and modular units, the chain is rapidly signing new locations and plans to have 66 new units open this year.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 14, 2023 -
Shipley Do-Nuts appoints Blaze Pizza exec as CFO
Brad Reynolds joined the chain as CFO and Chris Smith became VP of operations, as Shipley pursues franchised growth and entry to new markets.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 8, 2023 -
A third Burger King franchisee declares bankruptcy
Premier Kings, which operates 172 units, struggled with high inflation, increased borrowing rates and the untimely death of its owner in 2022.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 8, 2023 -
Denny’s franchisee files for bankruptcy
Denn-Ohio reported negative net income of $1.3 million in 2022 after struggling with rising labor, food and delivery costs for two years.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 3, 2023 -
Scooter’s Coffee promotes president to CEO
Joe Thornton, who has been the chain’s president since 2022, will become CEO on Jan. 1 as the nearly 750-unit chain works toward 1,000 locations.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 2, 2023 -
C3 and Craveworthy Brands to franchise Soom Soom concept
The companies plan to sell 80 franchise locations of the Mediterranean fast casual by 2027, marking another step toward traditional franchising for the virtual brand operator.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 31, 2023 -
Bonchon to try ghost kitchens in 2 US markets
The Korean fried chicken chain is moving into non-traditional formats to add flexibility and make development less expensive.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 30, 2023 -
"1099 14th Street – National Labor Relations Board" by Geraldshields11 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
NLRB delays effective date of joint employer rule to February
In a reprieve for franchisors, the National Labor Relations Board pushed back the date its joint employer rule would take effect to early next year.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Nov. 20, 2023 -
TCBY, Mrs. Fields franchisor acquired by Pearl Street Equity
The purchase of the brands, for an undisclosed sum, is intended to “take [their] franchisee support to the next level.”
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 26, 2023 -
Fat Brands debuts first co-branded Fatburger, Round Table Pizza unit
The restaurant is the first of four dual-branded units to be operated by Fat Brands’ franchisee SNM Management Group in Dallas.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 25, 2023 -
Retrieved from PRNewswire on September 20, 2022Q&A
Marco’s Pizza aims to unseat Papa Johns as fourth-largest US pizza chain
Marco’s has identified over 4,200 locations where it could open smaller units in the next five to 10 years, Chief Development Officer Gerardo Flores said.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 23, 2023 -
Pret A Manger enters joint venture with franchisee to extend US growth
Existing franchisee Dallas International will take control of 50 units across the Northeast and develop 10 more on the East Coast by 2026.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 20, 2023 -
Golden Corral fast casual spin-off to open in December
Homeward Kitchen, which will debut in North Carolina, will help fuel company’s ongoing expansion plan and help Golden Corral reach new demographics.
By Julie Littman • Updated Oct. 20, 2023