Franchising
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Permission granted by Galardi Group
GoMart to bring first Wienerschnitzel QSRs to West Virginia
The new partnership is expected to expand beyond the initial two locations over the next five years, with potential sites including conversions and new builds.
By Brett Dworski • Sept. 23, 2026 -
Permission granted by Denny's
How Denny’s is loading the bases for Project Grand Slam turnaround
After closing units and going private, Denny’s is prepping for a new era with more catering, an overhauled menu, fresh tech and renovations.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 23, 2026 -
Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
Wendy’s claims bankrupt franchisee has no right to continue running 314 units
The franchisor said Meritage Hospitality Group doesn’t have the right to seek operations support after Wendy’s terminated its franchise agreements.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 22, 2026 -
RiverNorthPhotography via Getty Images
Inside an award-winning Wendy’s operator’s bankruptcy crisis
Meritage Hospitality Group, which once had more than 350 restaurants, faced declining revenue and sales amid ongoing challenges with Wendy’s system.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 22, 2026 -
Courtesy of Wendy's
Major Wendy’s franchisee declares bankruptcy
Meritage Hospitality Group, which operates 314 Wendy’s units, has closed at least 60 units and opted out or altered the breakfast daypart to improve store-level EBITDA.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 18, 2026 -
Getty Images
Why multi-unit restaurant franchisee bankruptcies are surging in 2026
High labor and food costs and slumping sales have caused franchisee bankruptcies to reach pre-pandemic levels, but various strategies could help mitigate the problem.
By Danielle McLean • Sept. 16, 2026 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Domino’s closes 13 Ohio units
After franchisee Mile High Pizza shuttered 13 restaurants, the pizza giant said it was looking to transition the stores to new ownership.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 15, 2026 -
Getty Images
Why second-generation restaurant space doesn’t always make sense
“The goal isn't to open the cheapest restaurant. The goal is to make the smartest investment,” East Coast Wings + Grill CEO Sam Ballas said.
By Michael Brady • Sept. 9, 2026 -
Permission granted by Potbelly
Potbelly expands into Georgia
The chain opened its first company-owned location in the Peach State as it aims to grow beyond 500 units this year.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 9, 2026 -
Permission granted by The Brass Tap
How The Brass Tap uses local flair to create unique experiences
Operators are free to employ regional touches, like a Wild West theme in a Texas location, to create a dining experience rivalling independent restaurants.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 8, 2026 -
Courtesy of Huddle House
Huddle House woos multi-unit operators with franchising discounts
Plagued by net closures and low unit volumes in recent years, the chain is looking for franchisees willing to build new restaurants quickly.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 2, 2026 -
The image by Salad and Go is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
7 Brew outbids Dutch Bros in $143M offer for Salad and Go units
The drive-thru coffee chain proposed to take over half of the bankrupt fast casual’s closed locations.
By Julie Littman • Updated Sept. 2, 2026 -
Courtesy of Woworks
Woworks targets 40 openings this year
Saladworks’ parent has already debuted 23 units, nearly half of which are co-branded, and is on pace to double its new restaurant openings this year.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 2, 2026 -
Retrieved from Pizza Hut.
It’s official: Yum has sold Pizza Hut for $1.5B
Taco Bell’s parent will focus on its other brands, while Pizza Hut can begin a turnaround sheltered from the immediate pressures of public markets.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 1, 2026 -
Permission granted by Pressed Juicery
Why ghost kitchens aren’t dead for some brands
Pressed Juicery and Chick-fil-A include delivery-centric locations to fulfill demand and acquirie new customers.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 26, 2026 -
Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
Papa Johns sells 28 Florida units
The refranchising deal in Orlando is part of the chain’s initiative to reduce the number of company-owned restaurants in North America.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 26, 2026 -
Courtesy of Dunkin'
Dunkin’ to return to Puerto Rico in 2027
The doughnut and coffee chain is banking on residual brand affinity to make its return to the island territory a success.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 25, 2026 -
Courtesy of Smoothie King
Smoothie King sales soar after flatbread launch
Chicken Flatbreads helped increase July same-store sales by 9%, marking the brand’s best month this year to date.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 14, 2026 -
Permission granted by Bonchon
Bonchon’s American division sold to PE firm
The deal with Serruya Private Equity could help speed up the brand’s U.S. development and follows a busy period for restaurant M&A.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 14, 2026 -
Permission granted by Dine Brands
How Dine’s dual-brands can stave off closures
Conversions to dual branding could generate sales lifts at struggling stores, helping IHOP and Applebee's avoid closures.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Inspire Brands
Inspire Brands debuts first Buffalo Wild Wings Go, Jimmy John’s co-branded restaurant
The Florida restaurant could generate higher average-unit volumes with two brands in one location offering a full menu of products.
By Julie Littman • Aug. 13, 2026 -
Courtesy of Moe's Southwest Grill
Why a major Moe’s operator filed for bankruptcy
Quality Fresca spent years stabilizing its business post-COVID, but inflation and consumer shifts in 2025 undid the 38-store franchisee’s work.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 11, 2026 -
Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
Some Wendy’s franchisees cut breakfast, and it’s hurting traffic
The brand is trying to improve the daypart, which now represents roughly 5% of sales compared to 8% in Q2 2020, as part of a broader menu review.
By Julie Littman • Updated Aug. 10, 2026 -
Courtesy of 7 Brew
7 Brew debuts app, overhauls loyalty system
The new app could aid the coffee brand’s growth by driving sales and raising the quality and volume of consumer data it collects.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 6, 2026 -
Checkers & Rally’s hires development chief to return to growth
Peter Busse, an alumnus of Torchy’s Tacos and Yum Brands, will help the burger brands plot a turnaround after years of shrinking store counts.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 4, 2026
