Franchising

  • An aerial view of a building with white "Chili'"s sign alongside a red pepper.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Former general manager can proceed with age bias case after Chili’s failed to retain documents, 6th Circuit rules

    A former restaurant general manager raised trial questions over whether he was fired because Chili’s wanted a more youthful culture, the appeals court held.

    By Laurel Kalser • June 27, 2025
  • An image of various cold beverages from Taco Bell.
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell doubles down on beverages

    The chain launched a new drinks lineup nationwide and plans to expand its Live Mas Café concept to 30 additional locations.

    By • June 26, 2025
  • The ordering counter at Town & Country Market's Field House restaurant in Mill Creek, Washington.
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    Courtesy of Town & Country Markets
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    How one grocer is succeeding with in-store restaurants

    While many retailers have struggled to make money with on-site eateries, Town & Country Market’s integrated approach is lifting sales throughout the store.

    By Jeff Wells • June 24, 2025
  • An image of a black building with a green Quiznos logo on top.
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    Permission granted by Quiznos
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    Q&A

    Why Rego Restaurant’s CEO is bullish on modular construction, franchisee growth

    Neel Patel said Rego’s Qube model significantly cuts the cost of construction for the Quiznos brand and allows for an acceleration of new units.

    By • June 23, 2025
  • An aerial image of a brown building with a red and yellow logo that says "Golden Corral Favorites."
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    Permission granted by Golden Corral
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    Why Golden Corral rebranded its fast casual concept

    Homeward Kitchen required too many resources to raise brand awareness, so the chain reopened it using the Golden Corral logo.

    By • June 16, 2025
  • A photograph of a brick building with signage that says "Fuzzy's Tacos and Margs."
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    Permission granted by Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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    Fuzzy’s to open first full-service restaurant

    Fuzzy’s Tacos and Margs will offer tableside service, a taco-focused menu and a new slate of beverages in Sugar Land, Texas, next week.

    By • Updated June 13, 2025
  • Culver's ButterBurger fast food drive-thru restaurant in Illinois
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    Patty Colabuono via Getty Images
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    Slurs, stalking and shoddy pay: Culver’s franchise settles slew of EEOC claims

    The settlement includes one case alleging sexual orientation-based discrimination, despite EEOC’s recent enforcement shifts affecting LGBTQ+ workers.

    By Ryan Golden • June 10, 2025
  • A person smiling at the camera
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    Courtesy of Taco John's
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    Taco John’s hires GoTo Foods vet as COO

    Jackie Secor, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, joins the 350-unit chain as it expands into new and existing markets.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • Burritobar's barbacoa bowl. Slow cooked, pulled beef on top of a variety of Tex-Mex ingredients.
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    Courtesy of Burritobar
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    Barrio Burrito Bar surpasses 1,500 franchisee commitments

    With an additional 370 units signed across four territories, the Tex-Mex chain is on its way to becoming one of the fastest-growing brands on the East Coast.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • A rendering of a storefront with blue banner that says Auntie Anne's
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    Courtesy of Auntie Anne's
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    Auntie Anne’s unveils refreshed store design

    A bolder color palette and new logo are meant to attract Gen Z and millennials, while other elements will improve operations and support long-term growth.

    By • June 9, 2025
  • Blaze Pizza's new signature pizzas.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza appoints Starbucks vet as COO

    Jaime Denney, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company and franchise operations and work to boost speed, profitability and hospitality.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • An image of a person wearing a suit and smiling.
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    Permission granted by CKE Restaurants
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    CKE hires former Yum Brands exec as international president

    Ewan Davenport spent over nine years in leadership roles with Pizza Hut international and succeeds Mike Woida, who retired earlier this year.

    By • June 4, 2025
  • An image of a brick building with a logo that says Saladworks
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    Retrieved from Saladworks on June 03, 2025
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    Saladworks to expand in North Carolina with 10-unit deal

    The chain, which once leaned on alternative growth vehicles like ghost kitchens and automated saladbots, will open the first of these traditional units in 2026.

    By • June 3, 2025
  • A Dave's Hot Chicken fast casual restaurant in Chicago viewed from above.
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    Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
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    Dave’s Hot Chicken sells majority stake to Roark

    The long-rumored deal will help the chain hit its ambitious unit growth targets as it looks to become the leading fast casual chicken brand.

    By • June 2, 2025
  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
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    Permission granted by Freddy's
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    Freddy’s to open first Canadian restaurant

    The Winnipeg unit is the first outside the U.S. for the growing burger chain, which is building out a significant store pipeline.

    By • June 2, 2025
  • A photograph of the inside of a restaurant with chairs and tables
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    Retrieved from Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes on June 02, 2025
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    Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes appoints Papa Johns vet as president

    Michael Meche, who spent almost 30 years at the pizza chain, joins the burger brand as it prepares for accelerated growth.

    By • June 2, 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 hits 300 restaurants

    As fast casual restaurants outperform the rest of the industry, the chain signed a record number of franchising agreements in Q1 and its AUV is growing.

    By • May 28, 2025
  • A photograph of various burgers, chicken sandwich, chicken nuggets and fries in cardboard packaging.
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    Ant DM via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack bets on 10 casino locations with PENN Entertainment

    The fast casual chain, which already operates in three casinos, will open its first restaurants with the entertainment company in 2026.

    By • May 21, 2025
  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant in the daytime.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Twin Hospitality Group hires CPK vet as CEO

    Kim Boerema, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience, succeeds Joe Hummel, who resigned in April after Fat Brands spun off Twin Hospitality in a January IPO.

    By • Updated May 15, 2025
  • A beige storefront with a bank of windows in the front. The top of the buildings sayd "Mountain Mike's
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    Permission granted by Mountain Mike's
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    Why Mountain Mike’s doesn’t want to be like every other pizza chain

    Unlike rival brands that are shrinking footprints to focus on off-premise service, the California-based chain leans on its dining rooms, salad bar and arcade games to stay competitive.

    By • May 13, 2025
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    How Potbelly harnessed transformational growth

    After undertaking a turnaround strategy, the company has grown comparable sales, accelerated franchise development and added popular menu items.

    By • May 12, 2025
  • A rendering of a new Huddle House prototype.
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    Courtesy of Huddle House
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    Huddle House pursues drive-thrus, non-traditional growth in rebrand

    As casual dining struggles, brands are leaning into a wide array of real estate and menu changes to capture fast casual and QSR diners.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • An image of a co-branded Applebee's, IHOP restaurant
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Why Dine Brands is going all in on dual-branded restaurants

    Franchisees are increasingly buying into dual-branded units since they lead to higher sales compared to a standalone restaurant.

    By • May 8, 2025
  • Circle K
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    Retrieved from Google.
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    Circle K adding Burrito Express QSRs in Phoenix

    The retailer, which has over 150 c-stores in the city, is expected to open six Burrito Express Fast and Fresh restaurants as it strengthens its foodservice capabilities.

    By Brett Dworski • May 6, 2025
  • A rendering if a red and orange building with El Pollo Loco signage.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    El Pollo Loco will open 500th restaurant this year

    The chain will open at least 10 units this year, most of which will be outside of California, as the chain works toward regaining unit growth momentum.

    By • May 5, 2025