Franchising
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Courtesy of Dine Brands
Dine Brands to open 80 dual-branded US restaurants by end of 2026
CEO John Peyton said there is white space opportunity in the U.S. to open about 900 co-branded Applebee’s/IHOP locations, which reap up to twice the sales of standard units.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 5, 2025 -
Courtesy of Church's Chicken
Church’s Texas Chicken hires Jimmy John’s vet as development chief
Bobby Morena will help the chicken QSR reach its goal of $2 billion in systemwide sales through domestic franchising growth.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 3, 2025 -
Permission granted by 7 Brew
7 Brew, Flynn Group strike 160-store development deal
The agreement is the first step in Flynn’s push to increase its investment in scaling potential breakout brands.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 3, 2025 -
Courtesy of Zaxbys
Zaxbys eyes non-traditional growth following first military base deal
Non-traditional locations could help complement Zaxbys’ growing international footprint and add more high-volume units to the chain’s system.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 29, 2025 -
Permission granted by Qdoba
These 5 chains built significant franchised pipelines
From Cilantro Taco Grill to PopUp Bagels, emerging chains plan to add hundreds of units and expand rapidly across the country with new operators.
By Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 28, 2025 -
Permission granted by Layne's Chicken Fingers
Layne’s Chicken Fingers signs agreements for 68 stores
Layne’s is the latest brand to bet on chicken fever and franchising to catapult it to national status — but the competitive landscape may be shifting.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 22, 2025 -
Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
Pizza Hut operator to close 68 UK stores
DC London Pie has entered administration to manage its debt, but Yum Brands will continue to run 64 of the operator’s locations.
By Emma Liem Beckett • Oct. 21, 2025 -
Courtesy of Taim Mediterranean Kitchen
Deep Dive4 brands growing in Cava’s shadow
As the Mediterranean fast casual segment grows, franchised chains like Taim and Taziki’s are competing to see who will emerge as Cava’s main challenger.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 20, 2025 -
Permission granted by Del Taco
Jack in the Box sells Del Taco to Yadav for $115M
Less than four years after spending $575 million to acquire the chain, Jack in the Box is selling it to a franchisee.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 16, 2025 -
Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco opens 500th restaurant
The Colorado Springs location is the third in Colorado and shows the chain’s rapid expansion outside of its home state of California.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 15, 2025 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
Domino’s posts biggest US comparable sales growth in 6 quarters
The chain has had two consecutive quarters of growth driven by deal promotions and the popularity of Parmesan Stuffed Crust.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 14, 2025 -
Papa Murphy’s shutters underperforming stores
The take-and-bake pizza chain has faced significant competition from other pizza brands that have invested heavily in aggressive marketing campaigns.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 14, 2025 -
Permission granted by 7 Brew
7 Brew hits 500 store mark
The brand has grown its storebase by more than 50% in 2025, and its dramatic expansion could put pressure on legacy chains at the top of the coffee sector.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 14, 2025 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Wendy’s to invest at least $20M to boost AUV
After same-store sales dropped two quarters in a row, the burger brand shifted money from development funds to in-store labor and equipment.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 9, 2025 -
Sun Holdings buys Bar Louie
The multi-brand company acquired the distressed chain out of bankruptcy less than a year after it bought Uncle Julio’s in a foreclosure auction.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 8, 2025 -
Courtesy of Swig
Swig plots aggressive growth with new president, franchise chief
The dirty soda brand promoted Todd Smith from chief commercial officer to president and hired Shannon Swenson as chief of franchise partnerships.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 7, 2025 -
Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
Dunkin’ hits 10K stores in the US
The coffee chain is the latest brand to pass this milestone, joining Starbucks, McDonald’s and Subway in an elite — but sometimes troubled — cohort.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 7, 2025 -
Courtesy of Subway
Subway franchisees fight remodel push
The North American Association of Subway Franchisees is backing an arbitration case brought by a franchisee and claims that mandated remodels create significant financial burdens.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 24, 2025 -
Permission granted by Bojangles
Bojangles’ largest franchisee acquired by PE firm
Eyas Capital bought 120 units from BOJ of WNC, a franchisee owned by Jeff Rigsby, in a sale that includes a commitment for 40 additional locations.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 22, 2025 -
Permission granted by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams plans national growth through franchising
Jeni’s has an AUV of about $1 million, higher than more established brands like Baskin-Robbins and Häagen-Dazs, which could speed up expansion.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 16, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Chuck E. Cheese heads to the UK
The eatertainment chain joins the likes of Raising Cane’s, Dave’s Hot Chicken and Chick-fil-A by expanding into Europe amid strong consumer demand for U.S. restaurant chains.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 15, 2025 -
Permission granted by Restaurant Technologies
Sponsored by Restaurant TechnologiesDenny’s franchisee boosts savings and food quality with kitchen automation
Learn how Denny’s franchisee cuts costs and elevates food quality with kitchen automation.
Sept. 15, 2025 -
Courtesy of Chipotle
Chipotle is coming to Asia in 2026
The brand has signed an agreement with operator SPC Group to open stores in South Korea and Singapore starting next year.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 11, 2025 -
Permission granted by Togo's Sandwiches
Togo’s Sandwiches former CEO retakes the helm
Glenn Lunde, who was at the brand for five years before joining Yoshinoya’s, will reprise his role with a focus on digital channels and franchised growth.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 10, 2025 -
Retrieved from Smokey Bones on September 02, 2025
Twin Hospitality closes 15 Smokey Bones restaurants
The company will also convert 19 Smokey Bones units into higher-performing Twin Peaks restaurants, leaving the barbecue brand with 26 units.
By Julie Littman • Sept. 2, 2025
