Honey Baked Ham plans to double its revenue in 6 years

The company, which hasn’t aggressively franchised in the past, signed the largest development deal in its history as it works to open 60 units in six years.

By Julie Littman • May 26, 2023

Shipley Do-Nuts hires Bonchon CEO as top exec

Flynn Dekker, who has over 30 years of retail and restaurant experience, will oversee the chain’s rapid growth, including a pipeline of 200-plus units.

By Julie Littman • May 17, 2023

Captain D’s leans into flexible prototypes, pushes toward 1K units

The 540-unit seafood QSR offers four store models, one of which includes a double drive-thru and another that offers drive-thru and pickup only.

By Julie Littman • May 12, 2023

How Rock N’ Roll Sushi plans to grow from 62 to 250 units in 5 years

The Asian concept, which originated in the Southeast, is pursuing growth in states like Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.

By Julie Littman • May 8, 2023

Major CKE franchisee goes bankrupt, shutters 39 stores

Summit Restaurant Holdings, which operates around 106 Hardee’s locations, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Thursday.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 5, 2023

DOL says it discovered 10-year-olds working at Louisville McDonald’s

“We are seeing an increase in federal child labor violations,” a DOL district director said.

By Emilie Shumway • May 4, 2023

400 Burger Kings may close in US this year

With traffic still down, Restaurant Brands International expects “more noise” as it moves to concentrate ownership of units among high-level franchisees.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • May 2, 2023

Sunshine Gasoline Distributors adds combined Quiznos, Taco Del Mar restaurants

A dual-branded restaurant recently opened at a company store in Florida — the first of at least 13 planned locations for Sunshine.

By Jessica Loder • May 1, 2023

Wendy’s says franchise recruitment initiative is helping it meet D&I goals

The news comes just two years after Wendy’s announced the hire of its first vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer.

By Ryan Golden • April 28, 2023

Caribou Coffee is adding 300 domestic franchised units

Six multi-unit franchisees will open stores in Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida as part of the company’s domestic growth efforts.

By Julie Littman • April 25, 2023

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Bar to double store count with 100-unit pipeline

The full-service concept, which was founded by two college athletes, is aiming to open 20 to 25 units per year.

By Julie Littman • April 25, 2023

California Pizza Kitchen turns to refranchising to drive growth

The chain, which launched domestic franchising in 2021, plans to sell corporate-owned units in select U.S. markets to multi-unit operators.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 24, 2023

How Layne’s Chicken Fingers plans to grow to 50 units by 2027

The 10-unit chicken chain, which began aggressively selling restaurants last year, wants to expand within its home state of Texas and enter new markets. 

By Julie Littman • April 21, 2023

Yum completes exit of Russia with sale of KFC units

The sale to local operator Smart Service includes all 1,112 Russian KFC units and the trademark for the Rostik’s brand, which KFC bought in 2011. 

By Julie Littman • April 18, 2023

Hooters franchisee settles DOJ claim that it refused worker’s I-9 documentation

The company must pay a penalty, provide back pay and train staff on the law’s requirements.

By Carolyn Crist • April 17, 2023

Subway transfers 230 restaurants to 5 multi-unit owners

One of the deals includes an existing operator, which acquired 100 restaurants, expanding its Subway portfolio to 140-plus units. 

By Julie Littman • April 17, 2023

Carrols Restaurant Group hires Toys ‘R’ Us vet as CEO

Deborah Derby, who has served on the board at the Burger King and Popeyes franchisee since 2018, becomes the company’s top executive a few months after former CEO Paulo Pena died unexpectedly. 

By Julie Littman • April 13, 2023

Wetzel’s Pretzels gears up to open streetside concept

The first Twisted by Wetzel’s unit, expected to open in Southern California this spring, will offer menu items targeting younger demographics.

By Julie Littman • April 12, 2023

District Taco aims to reach 80 units by 2027

The chain’s expansion plans, which include the opening of 10 to15 units a year, will be primarily focused in Florida.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 12, 2023

KFC franchisee launches texting engagement program

KBP Brands, which operates 847 KFC restaurants, deployed an SMS-based customer engagement tool to strengthen its regional marketing efforts.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 11, 2023

Wienerschnitzel targets 500 units after years of flat growth

By offering sizable incentives and highlighting a simple menu and operations, Wienerschnitzel hopes to resume franchise expansion.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 10, 2023

Why a Focus Brands franchisee is betting on cobranding

Trifecta Restaurant Group, which opened an Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon unit in December, reported triple its expected sales volume in its first month.

By Julie Littman • April 10, 2023

How Tijuana Flats is using franchise incentives to speed expansion

CEO Joe Christina has shifted the chain’s focus from single-unit operators to multi-unit franchisees as it plots 50 openings in 3 years across the Southeast.

By Julie Littman • April 7, 2023

Bankrupt Burger King franchisee sold for $33M to 4 buyers

Toms King, a 90-unit Burger King franchisee that filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, managed to sell the bulk of its stores at a Delaware auction.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 5, 2023

Burger King franchisee bankruptcies may signal more QSR trouble

The bankruptcy of two major Burger King operators laid bare the problems facing franchisees. But at Burger King, the worst may be over.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 31, 2023