Franchising

  • The exterior of a Del Taco with several empty parking lots out front
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    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 • Oct. 16, 2025
  • An image of a building with red and orange signage. The sign says El Pollo Loco.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    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 • Oct. 15, 2025
  • 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 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 • Oct. 14, 2025
  • An evening image of a building that says Papa Murphy's
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    The image by Rick Obst is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    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 • Oct. 14, 2025
  • An image of a small restaurant with people gathered around. Thereis 7 Brew signage.
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    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 • Oct. 14, 2025
  • An image of a red sign with white logo that says "Wendy's." Above the sign is an cartoon image of a girl with red hair and pigtails with blue bows.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    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 • Oct. 9, 2025
  • A brick wall with a black sign that says Bar Louie Bar & Eatery with a logo of a martini glass
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    The image by JJBers is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    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 • Oct. 8, 2025
  • A person stands in a parking lot with a blurred building with Swig signage in the background.
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    Courtesy of Swig
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    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 • Oct. 7, 2025
  • Fiserv Clover point of sale CardFree mobile ordering payments
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    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 • Oct. 7, 2025
  • A rendering of a Subway restaurant with tables and green walls.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    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 • Sept. 24, 2025
  • A zoomed in image of a white store with a red Bojangles logo.
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    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 • Sept. 22, 2025
  • Children and consumers eat ice cream outside a Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams location.
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    Permission granted by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
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    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 • Sept. 16, 2025
  • A Chuck E. Cheese sign.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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 • Sept. 15, 2025
  • Young chef cooking in commercial kitchen
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    Permission granted by Restaurant Technologies
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    Sponsored by Restaurant Technologies

    Denny’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
  • Two men in suits sign papers.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    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 • Sept. 11, 2025
  • An image of a person in a coat in front of an orange background with the Togo's logo.
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    Permission granted by Togo's Sandwiches
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    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 • Sept. 10, 2025
  • An image of a gray building with a logo that says "Smokey Bones Bar & Fire grill"
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    Retrieved from Smokey Bones on September 02, 2025
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    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 • Sept. 2, 2025
  • A pretzel shop in an airport.
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    jessicaphoto via Getty Images
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    Auntie Anne’s airport strategy takes flight

    High-traffic, high-volume locations connect the brand to new consumers, setting the stage for expansion beyond captive audience venues. 

    By • Aug. 25, 2025
  • Customer spending rising due to inflation
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    Improving franchise profitability in uncertain times

    Uncertainty caused by tariffs and interest rates may be hurting consumer traffic, but it shouldn’t stop savvy investments, Alicia Chandler from First Franchise Capital Corporation says.

    By Alicia Chandler • Aug. 22, 2025
  • A fast casual restaurant with a celebratory crowd ready for its opening.
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    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick targets Northeast, Southwest for franchised expansion

    The fast casual chain plans to grow in Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Utah after its store system increased 13% last year.

    By • Aug. 21, 2025
  • The sign on a Bojangles restaurant
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    Courtesy of Bojangles
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    Bojangles signs 20-unit New York franchise deal

    With its return to the Big Apple and a 35-store agreement for New Jersey, Bojangles is poised to establish a major foothold in the Northeast.

    By • Aug. 14, 2025
  • An image of six cookies of different colors and flavors in front of a white background.
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands, Virtual Dining Concepts
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    Fat Brands to serve Great American Cookies at Chuck E. Cheese

    The delivery-only partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts will bring the cookie brand to 400 Chuck E. Cheese locations initially.

    By • Aug. 12, 2025
  • Zaxbys first Arizona unit, a restaurant with white walls and blue awnings
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys’ Southwestern growth continues with Phoenix store

    The chicken chain is growing far beyond its Southeastern base, putting pressure on larger QSRs that are innovating with poultry menus. 

    By • Aug. 11, 2025
  • An image of Burger King restaurant in a new design
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    Burger King speeds up refranchising, adds late-night hours

    Investments in everything from remodels to operating hours helped the chain’s U.S. stores find some sales strength this quarter.

    By • Aug. 7, 2025
  • Person in suit holds Qdoba queso
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    Courtesy of Qdoba
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    Qdoba secures $527M fund to support growth

    The investment was led by Apollo S3, a subsidiary of the private equity firm that sold Qdoba to Butterfly in 2022.

    By • Aug. 6, 2025