Franchising


  • Two women are sitting at a table while a man holds out a basket.
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A to open first Singapore restaurant, enter Asia in 2025

    The chicken chain will invest $75 million over 10 years to support its expansion within Singapore, which will provide a gateway into the rest of the continent.

    By Oct. 17, 2024
  • Michael Montagano, Dog Haus' CEO, and Jake Paul in front of a Dog Haus restaurant at night. Montagano wears slacks and a sport coat, Paul wears cargo shorts and a t-shirt.
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    Courtesy of Dog Haus
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    Dog Haus signs 25-unit franchise deal with boxer Jake Paul

    The controversial YouTuber will join the company’s board and bring his star power to the brand as it looks to juice sales.

    By Oct. 17, 2024
  • A Smoothie King with a drive-thru.
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    Courtesy of Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King boasts most quarterly openings in 6 years

    The company opened its first units in Delaware and New Hampshire last quarter and is significantly expanding its presence in Colorado.

    By Oct. 17, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a suit in front of an orange logo sign that says "Togo's"
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    Permission granted by Togo's
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    Togo’s appoints CFO to CEO position

    Matt Dowling, who has been CFO for three years, will continue in that role while also taking on the top executive position.

    By Oct. 16, 2024
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    Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick signs 5 franchise agreements across the Midwest

    The flurry of franchise deals will strengthen the chain’s presence in Chicago and bring it to new markets like Cleveland and Kansas City, Missouri.

    By Oct. 14, 2024
  • A Zaxby's logo used for the chicken chain.
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    Glenn, Miles. (2022). "Zaxby's" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    Zaxbys is coming to Maryland

    The chicken brand has signed a three-unit franchising deal covering the state’s Eastern Shore.

    By Oct. 11, 2024
  • A Fazoli's store.
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    Permission granted by Fazoli's
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    Fazoli’s returns to Utah with 5-store deal

    Fat Brands, which acquired Fazoli's in 2021, is focused on bringing the Italian QSR back to markets it once left.

    By Oct. 11, 2024
  • Japanese food from Pepper Lunch on big hot slabs of iron. Yum.
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    Permission granted by Pepper Lunch
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    ‘Experiential’ brand Pepper Lunch signs West Coast expansion deal

    The deal is a significant expansion of Pepper Lunch’s presence in the U.S. and covers parts of Southern California and Nevada.

    By Oct. 10, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a blue shirt with arms crossed.
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    Permission granted by Rusty Taco
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    Q&A // Meet the exec

    How Rusty Taco’s president is plotting sustainable growth

    Daniel Smith, who joined the chain earlier this year, is restructuring corporate to assist operators, boost franchise communication and optimize its business.

    By Oct. 9, 2024
  • An image of a sign with a red apple and the word Applebee's
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    Applebee’s franchisee files for bankruptcy after creditor lawsuit

    Louisiana Apple’s major creditor, City National Bank of Florida, claimed the operator and the brand transferred control of its restaurants in a breach of credit agreements. 

    By Oct. 9, 2024
  • A building with a brown facade and a yellow sign that says "Barberitos."
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    Courtesy of Woworks
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    Woworks opens first Barberitos redesign in Florida

    Two years after Woworks bought the fast casual brand, a newly imagined storefront opened in Temple Terrace, Florida, in September.

    By Oct. 3, 2024
  • A Subway restaurant interior with white and green countertops and digital menu boards.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway has signed commitments for 10K restaurants globally

    Over the past three years, the chain signed over 20 master franchise agreements that will push the sandwich chain close to 50,000 units.

    By Oct. 2, 2024
  • An image of a refreshed Subway.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Employee sues Subway, franchisee for wage theft

    A lawsuit filed by a California worker alleges that an operator routinely failed to pay her overtime and that she was denied sick leave for years.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • An image of people sitting at tables eating barbecue. The walls say "Dickey's."
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s to cease expanding non-barbecue brands

    Virtual brands grew over the past four years, but never had the same success of Dickey’s Barbecue, said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey’s Capital Group.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant in New York City.
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    Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
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    Chick-fil-A to open 5 UK restaurants in 2 years

    The chicken chain will spend $100 million in the next decade to make the U.K. its first major international market, starting with restaurants in London, Leeds, Liverpool and Belfast.

    By Sept. 26, 2024
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza will refranchise corporate stores

    The pizza chain’s new owner, Elite Restaurant Group, is undertaking a comprehensive refranchising effort at the largely company-operated brand.

    By Sept. 13, 2024
  • A man in a white shirt and suit jacket.
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    Courtesy of Smashburger
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    Smashburger hires chief development officer

    Jim Sullivan will work on elevating the brand’s identity as a fast casual player through its development strategy.

    By Sept. 12, 2024
  • A Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit
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    Dickey’s Barbecue Pit franchisee files for bankruptcy

    The Michigan-based operator blamed the brand’s franchising requirements for the Chapter 11 filing, rather than broader macroeconomic conditions.

    By Updated Sept. 11, 2024
  • An image of TGI Fridays signage with red and white stripes
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    Bruce Bennett via Getty Images
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    TGI Fridays acquisition falls through, bondholders seize assets

    Hostmore still wants to sell its restaurants after the U.K. franchisee’s acquisition plan was torpedoed by the casual dining brand's manager termination event.

    By Sept. 9, 2024
  • An image of various dishes from Modern Market's menu.
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    Permission granted by Modern Market Eatery
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    Thrive Restaurant Group buys Modern Market Eatery

    Thrive previously committed to opening 41 units as Modern Market’s largest franchisee, but felt that buying the brand was a natural next step in its growth.

    By Sept. 6, 2024
  • A Chick-fil-A restaurant is seen on July 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A plots major expansion in Michigan

    The fast food giant expects to open 25 to 30 franchised units in the Mitten State, adding to its existing 28 units.

    By Sept. 5, 2024
  • A sign hangs on the side of a Sonic restaurant in 2018.
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    Scott Olson / Staff via Getty Images
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    KBP Brands buys 85 Sonic units

    KBP first bought into the Inspire Brands system in 2021, when it purchased a number of Arby’s stores.

    By Sept. 4, 2024
  • An image of a beige building wiht both Fatburger and Round Table Pizza signage
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands signals development strategy with new hires

    The multi-brand platform hired Ammy Harrison, a Papa Johns alum, to lead non-traditional development and Maiyo Hood, a Subway Greater China vet, to lead its international efforts.

    By Aug. 29, 2024
  • Taco Bell breakfast burritos
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell will let franchisees stop breakfast

    Ditching the morning meal gives franchisees the flexibility to focus on other dayparts, the brand said.

    By Aug. 22, 2024
  • An image of the interior of Freddy's new training and innovation center.
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    Courtesy of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburger
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    Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers launches training facility to support growth

    The chain’s ambitious growth plans call for more franchisees and managers. Its training and innovation center will help develop brand leaders.

    By Aug. 21, 2024