Franchising

  • Krispy Kreme's Times Square location in NYC
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    Courtesy of Krispy Kreme
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    Krispy Kreme signs deal to open 33 units in New York metro

    Franchisee Original Entrepreneurs has worked with the brand since 2017, and has experience running donut shops in a highly competitive environment.

    By • Oct. 14, 2026
  • An image of a a white building with Chipotle signage at night.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    How 4 restaurant brands hit big development milestones this fall

    Cava and Dave’s Hot Chicken surpassed 500 units, while Chipotle reached 1,500 Chipotlanes.

    By , • Oct. 13, 2026
  • An image of a building with Hawaiian Bros branding
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    Permission granted by Hawaiian Bros
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    Hawaiian Bros signs 52-store Florida deal

    The brand’s newest franchisee will open 24 locations in the first three years of its agreement, which spans Orlando, Jacksonsville, Gainesville and Tampa.

    By • Oct. 13, 2026
  • A rendering if a Papa Murphy's and Pinkberry restaurant
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    Courtesy of Papa Murphy's
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    Papa Murphy’s to open co-branded Pinkberry restaurants

    The take-and-bake pizza chain will open three such restaurants, which are expected to provide franchisees with additional revenue streams and dayparts.

    By • Oct. 9, 2026
  • A Hardee's location
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    gsheldon via Getty Images
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    CKE appoints IHOP alum as Hardee’s president

    Alisa Gmelich brings over 30 years of brand experience to her new role, where she will oversee growth, guest experience improvements and menu optimization.

    By • Oct. 8, 2026
  • A photograph of an empty McDonald's restaurant within a warehouse
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    Permission granted by McDonald's
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    McDonald’s navigates pushback over Next initiatives

    Franchisees were reportedly surprised by remodel costs, per Bloomberg, and McDonald’s has been sued for using a pricing tool that allegedly determined what customers would be willing to pay.

    By • Oct. 8, 2026
  • A potograph of a group of people walking through a convention hallway. Signs say National Restuanat Association Show
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    Courtesy of National Restaurant Association Show
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    Restaurant industry events to attend in 2027

    Next year will be jam-packed with restaurant conferences and trade shows that will cover key topics for the sector, ranging from franchising and menu development to economic forecasts.

    By Restaurant Dive Staff • Oct. 6, 2026
  • A photograph of a damaged restaurant with Moe's Southwest Grill signage.
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    Allison Joyce via Getty Images
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    Why restaurants’ worst disaster losses come after the damage is done

    Operators need a plan for what happens after an extreme weather event or man-made accident, but most don’t have one, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • Oct. 5, 2026
  • A photograph of a group of people standing behind a ribbon. A person in the middle holds big scissors that are about to cut the ribbon.
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    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick targets Northeast for growth

    The fast casual chain has signed deals in New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia where consumer demand remains strong.

    By • Oct. 2, 2026
  • An image ofa sign that says TGI Fridays against oa red and white background. There isa tree on the left and a blue sky in the background
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    David Rogers via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays signs first US franchise in over a decade

    The new development agreement could be an early sign of revival for the chain, which fell from 329 U.S. locations in 2020 to 71 this year.

    By • Sept. 30, 2026
  • A daytime photograph of a small gray and orange building with "Salad and Go" signage.
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    The image by Salad and Go is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    7 Brew’s $123M bid for at least 60 Salad and Go units is approved

    The drive-thru locations will be converted to 7 Brews over time, allowing the chain to accelerate its growth toward 1,000 units.

    By • Updated Sept. 29, 2026
  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    3 Big Numbers: How McDonald’s is investing in its Next playbook

    The Golden Arches is targeting 250 basis points in restaurant-level efficiency gains, backed by major investments in equipment and processes. 

    By • Sept. 28, 2026
  • gomart, wienerschnitzel
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    Permission granted by Galardi Group
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    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
  • A photograph of two boxes on a table with various breakfast food items in aluminum pans.
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    Permission granted by Denny's
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    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 • Sept. 23, 2026
  • The Wendy's logo displayed near a Wendy's restaurant on June 18, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
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    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 • Sept. 22, 2026
  • A photograph of a red building with patio umbrellas and a sign that says Wendy's
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    RiverNorthPhotography via Getty Images
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    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 • Sept. 22, 2026
  • An image ofa brick colored building with a logl of a red-headed girl with pigtails.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    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 • Sept. 18, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a red out of business sign hanging on a store window.
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    Getty Images
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    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
  • A diamond sign with red and blue and a white words that say "Domino's"
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    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 • Sept. 15, 2026
  • A photograph of a stripped out restaurant with wall studs and HVAC visible.
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    Getty Images
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    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
  • An evening photograph of a brick building with green and yellow signage that says "Potbelly."
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    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 • Sept. 9, 2026
  • A white resturant with a patio with black trim. There is a logo that says Brass Tap
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    Permission granted by The Brass Tap
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    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 • Sept. 8, 2026
  • A rendering of a new Huddle House prototype.
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    Courtesy of Huddle House
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    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 • Sept. 2, 2026
  • A daytime photograph of a small gray and orange building with "Salad and Go" signage.
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    The image by Salad and Go is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    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 • Updated Sept. 2, 2026
  • A group of people stand behind a blue ribbon and in front of a store that has two signs saying Saladworks and Frutta Bowls.
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    Courtesy of Woworks
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    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 • Sept. 2, 2026