The biggest franchise agreements of 2023

From Caribou Coffee to Hawaiian Bros, several chains signed large multi-unit deals as part of their aggressive growth strategies. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 22, 2023

FSC Franchising buys Newk’s Eatery

The owner of The Brass Tap and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, plans to add 10 to 15 units annually to Newk’s system. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 20, 2023

Rock N Roll Sushi hires experienced franchise exec as CEO

Craig LeMieux, who has decades of franchising experience, will lead the chain as its top executive. Terri Jessen was appointed VP of operations. 

By Julie Littman • Dec. 7, 2023

Huddle House hires former Long John Silver’s CEO as brand president

Blain Shortreed, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company operations, franchising, marketing and culinary innovation.

By Julie Littman • Dec. 4, 2023

Sprinkles promotes new COO

Justin Murakami will lead operations as the company prepares to expand its network of production and pantry bakeries, as well as its cupcake “ATMs.”

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2023

A look back at 8 major franchisee bankruptcies in 2023

Burger King, Popeyes, McDonald’s and more saw multi-unit operators go belly-up due to struggles with inflation, low traffic and rising costs.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2023

Coffee, tea QSRs report traffic bump from return to office

Category operators opened 3,500 new units as of March 2023 compared to March 2022 following a spike in consumer demand, according to Circana data.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 27, 2023

Why QSRs are doubling down on kiosks

Burger King, Taco Bell and Shake Shack are among the chains adding this technology to boost check and reduce labor pressure.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 27, 2023

Sprouts expands partnership with Phoenix coffee chain

Following a successful pilot, the grocer has opened a Press Coffee bar in a store in Scottsdale, Arizona, and plans to bring the concept to three more locations in the city during the coming weeks.

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 21, 2023

Bar Louie offers 50% franchise fee discount for first-time operators

The casual chain also developed a contemporary, flexible design as part of its strategy to accelerate franchise growth. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 17, 2023

Modern Market Eatery opens first drive-thru restaurant

The Colorado Springs, Colorado, location uses a double-sided production line to ensure quick service for drive-thru guests.  

By Julie Littman • Nov. 16, 2023

What keeps 4 restaurant CEOs up at night

Employee welfare and threats to franchising’s “American dream” are two of the existential fears the heads of Cava, Chicken Salad Chick, Golden Corral and Caribou Coffee discussed at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 15, 2023

Wendy’s franchisee files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Starboard Group, which operates 72 units, said inflation, falling customer count and expensive remodels contributed to its financial woes.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 15, 2023

Patrick Doyle: RBI’s key product is its franchise model, not brand menus

“People use the term owner-operator interchangeably with franchisee, and I think where people have gotten in trouble is when they are just owners. You have to be both,” Doyle, RBI’s executive chairman, said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Nov. 14, 2023

How Biggby plans to grow from over 350 units to 1K by 2028

By offering flexible store models, like kiosks and modular units, the chain is rapidly signing new locations and plans to have 66 new units open this year.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 14, 2023

Shipley Do-Nuts appoints Blaze Pizza exec as CFO

Brad Reynolds joined the chain as CFO and Chris Smith became VP of operations, as Shipley pursues franchised growth and entry to new markets. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 8, 2023

A third Burger King franchisee declares bankruptcy

Premier Kings, which operates 172 units, struggled with high inflation, increased borrowing rates and the untimely death of its owner in 2022.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 8, 2023

Denny’s franchisee files for bankruptcy

Denn-Ohio reported negative net income of $1.3 million in 2022 after struggling with rising labor, food and delivery costs for two years. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 3, 2023

Scooter’s Coffee promotes president to CEO

Joe Thornton, who has been the chain’s president since 2022, will become CEO on Jan. 1 as the nearly 750-unit chain works toward 1,000 locations. 

By Julie Littman • Nov. 2, 2023

C3 and Craveworthy Brands to franchise Soom Soom concept

The companies plan to sell 80 franchise locations of the Mediterranean fast casual by 2027, marking another step toward traditional franchising for the virtual brand operator.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 31, 2023

Bonchon to try ghost kitchens in 2 US markets

The Korean fried chicken chain is moving into non-traditional formats to add flexibility and make development less expensive.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 30, 2023

NLRB delays effective date of joint employer rule to February

In a reprieve for franchisors, the National Labor Relations Board pushed back the date its joint employer rule would take effect to early next year.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Nov. 20, 2023

TCBY, Mrs. Fields franchisor acquired by Pearl Street Equity

The purchase of the brands, for an undisclosed sum, is intended to “take [their] franchisee support to the next level.”

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 26, 2023

Fat Brands debuts first co-branded Fatburger, Round Table Pizza unit

The restaurant is the first of four dual-branded units to be operated by Fat Brands’ franchisee SNM Management Group in Dallas.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 25, 2023

Marco’s Pizza aims to unseat Papa Johns as fourth-largest US pizza chain

Marco’s has identified over 4,200 locations where it could open smaller units in the next five to 10 years, Chief Development Officer Gerardo Flores said.

By Julie Littman • Oct. 23, 2023