Franchising


  • A rendering of Walk-On's small prototype.
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    Courtesy of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
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    Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux signs first franchise deal to build smaller restaurants

    Operator Port Royal Brands will develop 20 units in Georgia and Tennessee using a prototype that will be half the size of Walk-On’s traditional restaurants.   

    By Nov. 12, 2024
  • An image of a California Pizza Kitchen restaurant.
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    Courtesy of California Pizza Kitchen
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    California Pizza Kitchen signs first US franchise deal under new strategy

    Pizza brands have struggled broadly, including CPK, but the chain is betting on multi-unit operators to change its fortunes.

    By Nov. 11, 2024
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly signs 15-store Georgia deal

    The sandwich brand’s latest move will expand its presence in the Southeast as it targets a nationwide goal of 2,000 units. 

    By Nov. 11, 2024
  • A rendering of a bar and tables with televisions hanging from the center and on the brick walls.
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    Permission granted by Walk-On's
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    Walk-On’s to open first corporate stores since 2016

    The chain will open multiple corporate-owned locations next year that feature a new interior and exterior in addition to updated kitchen equipment.

    By Nov. 7, 2024
  • A rendering of a restaurant that is both an Applebee's and an IHOP
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Dine Brands wants to open a dozen IHOP-Applebee’s units in the US next year

    While the eye-catching new units promise greater profits, they can’t solve the sales pressure that both brands currently face.

    By Nov. 6, 2024
  • Culver's restaurant exterior
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    Courtesy of Culver's
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    EEOC alleges Culver’s operators fired a transgender worker who complained about deadnaming

    Four workers, including the transgender worker who was the subject of the harassment, were fired a day after reporting the behavior to the general manager, EEOC alleged.

    By Ginger Christ • Nov. 4, 2024
  • 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 ramps up remodel efforts with low-cost design

    A new prototype, which includes furniture upgrades and energy-efficient hoods and HVAC, will help reduce buildout costs from $2.2 million to $1.8 million.

    By Nov. 4, 2024
  • An image of a a white building with Chipotle signage at night.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Fast casual chains steam ahead with expansion as other sectors pull back

    Shake Shack, Chipotle and Wingstop are on track to open over 700 units combined this year, while targeting strong sales growth.

    By , Oct. 31, 2024
  • An image of a Perkins Express with a front counter, display cases and point-of-sales system.
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    Permission granted by Perkins
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    Perkins to open fast casual stores in Texas debut

    Griddle & Go will serve as the casual chain’s entry to the Lone Star state as it expands into major U.S. markets.

    By Oct. 30, 2024
  • A restaurant sign on an Art Deco building. The restaurant is empty, the sky beside the sign is a cold, harsh blue.
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    Roman Tiraspolsky via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays has closed 60 stores since September

    The casual dining chain, which may be considering bankruptcy after a failed merger, has closed roughly 100 stores since January. 

    By Oct. 28, 2024
  • A Qdoba store around dusk.
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    Permission granted by Qdoba
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    Qdoba hires Applebee’s exec as COO

    Kevin Carroll has over 30 years of restaurant experience and most recently served as COO at Applebee's overseeing 1,600 units.

    By Oct. 24, 2024
  • The side view of a Pizza Hut restaurant can be seen, with promotional posters and banners on the windows and walls.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Pizza Hut franchisee to settle delivery drivers’ FLSA dispute for $4.75M

    The drivers alleged their actual payment fell below minimum wage due to unreimbursed gas costs, vehicle upkeep and more.

    By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 23, 2024
  • A photograph of a Denny's sign over some trees.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s to shutter 150 underperforming stores

    An extensive review of all the chain’s restaurants revealed 265 locations never fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    By Oct. 23, 2024
  • An image of two men smiling. The man on the left wears a black shirt with a "Fuzzy's Taco Shop" logo while the other wears a suit with a white undershirt.
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    Courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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    Fuzzy’s Taco Shop names new president, COO

    The Dine Brand chain promoted Patrick Kirk to the dual role of president and CMO and hired Marshall Claycamp from sister brand IHOP as its COO.

    By Oct. 21, 2024
  • An image of a blue sign that says Qargo Coffee.
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    Retrieved from Qargo Coffee on October 17, 2024
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    FTC issues $1.3M judgment over coffee chain’s violations of the Franchise Rule

    The Federal Trade Commission alleged Qargo Coffee failed to disclose a founder’s history with defunct Burgerim in addition to details involving a past bankruptcy.

    By Updated Oct. 18, 2024
  • A Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s franchisees sue company over inflated financial projections

    Franchisees from Idaho and Ohio say that buildout costs were higher and sales lower than what the barbecue chain initially stated.

    By Oct. 18, 2024
  • Two women are sitting at a table while a man holds out a basket.
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A to open first Singapore restaurant, enter Asia in 2025

    The chicken chain will invest $75 million over 10 years to support its expansion within Singapore, which will provide a gateway into the rest of the continent.

    By Oct. 17, 2024
  • Michael Montagano, Dog Haus' CEO, and Jake Paul in front of a Dog Haus restaurant at night. Montagano wears slacks and a sport coat, Paul wears cargo shorts and a t-shirt.
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    Courtesy of Dog Haus
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    Dog Haus signs 25-unit franchise deal with boxer Jake Paul

    The controversial YouTuber will join the company’s board and bring his star power to the brand as it looks to juice sales.

    By Oct. 17, 2024
  • A Smoothie King with a drive-thru.
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    Courtesy of Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King boasts most quarterly openings in 6 years

    The company opened its first units in Delaware and New Hampshire last quarter and is significantly expanding its presence in Colorado.

    By Oct. 17, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a suit in front of an orange logo sign that says "Togo's"
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    Permission granted by Togo's
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    Togo’s appoints CFO to CEO position

    Matt Dowling, who has been CFO for three years, will continue in that role while also taking on the top executive position.

    By Oct. 16, 2024
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    Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick signs 5 franchise agreements across the Midwest

    The flurry of franchise deals will strengthen the chain’s presence in Chicago and bring it to new markets like Cleveland and Kansas City, Missouri.

    By Oct. 14, 2024
  • A Zaxby's logo used for the chicken chain.
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    Glenn, Miles. (2022). "Zaxby's" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Zaxbys is coming to Maryland

    The chicken brand has signed a three-unit franchising deal covering the state’s Eastern Shore.

    By Oct. 11, 2024
  • A Fazoli's store.
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    Permission granted by Fazoli's
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    Fazoli’s returns to Utah with 5-store deal

    Fat Brands, which acquired Fazoli's in 2021, is focused on bringing the Italian QSR back to markets it once left.

    By Oct. 11, 2024
  • 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