As part of this ongoing series, Restaurant Dive profiles emerging and established restaurant brands to explore their strategies for growth through franchising, which can help companies reach new regions. Operators are offering incentives, new store models and increasing support for franchisees to ensure that they are successful as they open restaurants.
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Franchise spotlight: How various brands are accelerating growth
Franchisors are increasingly turning toward entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators to expand their unit counts, and many are building significant pipelines.
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How Biggby plans to grow from over 350 units to 1K by 2028
By Julie Littman • Nov. 14, 2023By 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. Read the full article ➔
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How Golden Corral survived COVID-19
By Julie Littman • Oct. 6, 2023After the pandemic bankrupted several buffet chains, Golden Corral is focusing on growth and offering franchise incentives to offset high operating costs. Read the full article ➔
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Bojangles to surpass 1K units with current development plans
By Julie Littman • Sept. 20, 2023The chicken chain has a 250-unit pipeline and is expanding into non-traditional segments, including travel centers, universities and stadiums. Read the full article ➔
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How Pollo Campero plans to grow from 90 US units to 250 in 5 years
By Julie Littman • Aug. 4, 2023Since expanding its customer base beyond its legacy Guatemalan and Salvadoran diners, the concept has gained traction throughout the U.S. Read the full article ➔
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Is America ready for franchised beer gardens? Dacha thinks so.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • July 19, 2023A 10-year-old beer garden in Washington, D.C., wants to plants its flag in new East Coast markets over the next five years. Read the full article ➔
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NYC-based cookie shop Schmackary’s plots growth beyond Big Apple
By Julie Littman • July 11, 2023After 10-plus years in business, Schmackary’s will expand into new markets through franchise deals. Read the full article ➔
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Caribou Coffee wants to become the third-largest US coffee chain
By Julie Littman • June 16, 2023The brand, which began domestic franchising in 2021, has a pipeline of 300 franchised units that will nearly double its American footprint by 2030. Read the full article ➔
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Honey Baked Ham plans to double its revenue in 6 years
By Julie Littman • May 26, 2023The company, which hasn’t aggressively franchised in the past, signed the largest development deal in its history as it works to open 60 units in six years. Read the full article ➔
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Captain D’s leans into flexible prototypes, pushes toward 1K units
By Julie Littman • May 12, 2023The 540-unit seafood QSR offers four store models, one of which includes a double drive-thru and another that offers drive-thru and pickup only. Read the full article ➔
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How Rock N’ Roll Sushi plans to grow from 62 to 250 units in 5 years
By Julie Littman • May 8, 2023The Asian concept, which originated in the Southeast, is pursuing growth in states like Arizona, Colorado and Nevada. Read the full article ➔
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Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Bar to double store count with 100-unit pipeline
By Julie Littman • April 25, 2023The full-service concept, which was founded by two college athletes, is aiming to open 20 to 25 units per year. Read the full article ➔
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Wienerschnitzel targets 500 units after years of flat growth
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • April 10, 2023By offering sizable incentives and highlighting a simple menu and operations, Wienerschnitzel hopes to resume franchise expansion. Read the full article ➔
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How Tijuana Flats is using franchise incentives to speed expansion
By Julie Littman • April 7, 2023CEO Joe Christina has shifted the chain’s focus from single-unit operators to multi-unit franchisees as it plots 50 openings in 3 years across the Southeast. Read the full article ➔
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Jinya Ramen Bar to grow from 52 units to 200-plus in 10 years
By Julie Littman • March 29, 2023The Asian food chain opened eight restaurants last year and aims to add 25 locations annually. Read the full article ➔
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Steele Brands’ 250-unit pipeline will take it nationwide
By Julie Littman • March 17, 2023After consumer interest in health food boomed following the COVID-19 pandemic, the holding company accelerated franchising of its Crisp & Green concept, which will soon operate in 25 states. Read the full article ➔
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How Dave’s Hot Chicken grew from 2 units to 118 in just 3 years
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 10, 2023The chicken brand’s meteoric rise is driven by a national supply chain deal, an emphasis on recruiting highly experienced operators and strong word of mouth. Read the full article ➔
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Bonchon to double US presence within 5 years
By Julie Littman • March 3, 2023The Korean fried chicken chain, which has over 120 domestic units, has a pipeline of 100 units. Read the full article ➔
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Rush Bowls to triple store count with 100-unit pipeline
By Julie Littman • Feb. 24, 2023The healthy food brand, which has over 30 locations, will focus on organic growth and expansion within its existing markets. Read the full article ➔
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How Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe grew from a craving to an expanding chain
By Julie Littman • Feb. 17, 2023Co-founders Allison and Ivan Chavez aim to scale the restaurant company from 12 to 100 U.S. locations by 2031. Read the full article ➔
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Jeremiah’s Italian Ice plans to triple its units through franchising
By Julie Littman • Feb. 10, 2023After hitting 100 units in 2022, the company will open 45 stores this year as it aims to reach 300 locations. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: How Shuckin’ Shack grew from a dive bar to a budding chain
By Julie Littman • Feb. 2, 2023By focusing on secondary markets, the full-service oyster bar has built a loyal customer base and strong same-store sales growth. Read the full article ➔
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Sprinkles bakes up plan to sign 100 franchised units
By Julie Littman • Jan. 24, 2023The cupcake chain opened its first franchised unit at the end of 2022 and is eying extensive domestic and international growth. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: Teriyaki Madness to double openings in 2023
By Julie Littman • Jan. 18, 2023The Asian chain is signing leases faster than ever and is on a trajectory to reach 500 units within the next few years. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: Toppers Pizza expects to surpass 100 units in 3 years
By Julie Littman • Jan. 12, 2023A tenured executive team, long-term franchisees and a strong support system are helping the 70-unit pizza chain expand in the U.S. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: Dog Haus to more than triple store count with 100-unit pipeline
By Julie Littman • Dec. 21, 2022The 51-unit hot dog brand is generating 10 to 20 calls from prospective franchisees each day, and expects momentum to continue well into 2024. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: Eggs Up Grill leans into hot breakfast segment, accelerates growth
By Julie Littman • Dec. 12, 2022Twenty-five years after opening its first restaurant in South Carolina, the breakfast chain signed a 30-unit development deal, its largest yet. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: How Wings & Rings found new direction after rebrand
By Julie Littman • Dec. 7, 2022A year after changing its name, the company has boosted franchisee interest with discounted fees, new store designs and a more efficient POS system. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: Berkeley-based Grégoire cooks up growth plans
By Julie Littman • Nov. 28, 2022Founder Grégoire Jacquet, who opened his namesake restaurant in 2002, has conceptualized culinary hubs that will prepare items for nearby franchisees. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: Freddy’s targets 1K units with help of existing franchisees
By Julie Littman • Nov. 22, 2022The fast casual chain has a pipeline of 600 units and hopes to reach 800 locations by 2027. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: TaKorean turns food truck concept into burgeoning franchise
By Julie Littman • Nov. 7, 2022The six-unit chain is based in Washington, D.C., and is seeking single-unit franchisees in new markets. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: 810 Billiards & Bowling creates upscale eatertainment
By Julie Littman • Oct. 31, 2022The entertainment concept, which features bowling, billiards and bocce ball, wants to sign eight to 12 franchise agreements annually over the next two to three years. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: Modern Market Eatery is ready to become a national brand
By Julie Littman • Oct. 24, 2022The 30-unit fast casual brand has already signed its first franchisee for 41 units in 11 new markets, and is looking for more locations to grow. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: Pizzeria Uno checks into hotels
By Julie Littman • Oct. 17, 2022By focusing on hotel operators, the company expects low upfront franchisee costs and faster conversion times compared to ground-up development. Read the full article ➔
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Franchise spotlight: District Taco to bring its Yucatan flavors beyond DC
By Julie Littman • Oct. 10, 2022The chain, which began franchising in August, plans to expand into more Mid-Atlantic states, targeting 20 to 25 new franchised units annually through 2027. Read the full article ➔
