Franchising: Page 5


  • An exterior shot of Twin Peaks restaurant
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands/Twin Peaks
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    Fat Brands files for Twin Peaks IPO

    Fat plans to use the proceeds of an IPO to deleverage its balance sheet, which includes over $1 billion in debt taken on in a flurry of recent acquisitions. 

    By May 14, 2024
  • A beige building with a yellow "M" and white "McDonald's" sign.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s to focus on digital marketing with new fund

    The fund, which will be paid with existing contributions, will allow the chain to market more effectively to customers within its app. 

    By May 10, 2024
  • A rendering of Potbelly's 1,800 square foot design
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly unveils smaller, digital-centric prototype

    The 1,800-square-foot design is 500 square feet smaller than a traditional Potbelly store, which CEO Robert Wright said will help lower construction and lease costs.

    By May 9, 2024
  • An image of a Smoothie King with a drive-thru
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    Permission granted by Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King hires Yum Brands exec as CFO

    Gavin Felder, who most recently served as chief strategy officer at Yum Brands, joins the chain as it continues an aggressive growth push with positive same-store sales momentum. 

    By May 9, 2024
  • The front facade of a courthouse is shown, bearing the words "John Minor Wisdom United States Court of Appeals Building Fifth Circuit"
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    Rex_Wholster via Getty Images
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    NLRB appeals joint employer ruling to 5th Circuit

    A federal judge vacated the Board’s joint employer final rule in March, holding that it was “contrary to law” and “arbitrary and capricious.”

    By Ryan Golden • May 7, 2024
  • El Pollo Loco's first LA Mex restaurants, which emphasize off-premise, opened in 2021.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    El Pollo Loco’s new CEO unveils 5-part operations overhaul

    From digital investments to incentivizing franchisees to bolster growth, Liz Williams laid out a path she expects will drive sales while decreasing costs.

    By May 6, 2024
  • President Joe Biden speaks at UAW event in Warren, Michigan
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Biden vetoes bill against joint employer rule

    The president scotched congressional efforts to block a broadened definition of joint employment, though court decisions may yet kill the rule.

    By May 3, 2024
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop accelerates growth trajectory amid record-breaking Q1

    The company, which now expects to open up to 25 more net new units than initially planned, reported 21.6% same-store sales growth.

    By May 1, 2024
  • Two women putting an order for food through a kiosk
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    Don Wu via Getty Images
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    Yum’s digital sales mix tops 50% systemwide

    Following several quarters of kiosk and e-commerce deployment, digital is on track to generate $30 billion in annualized sales. 

    By May 1, 2024
  • Four different juices from Clean Juice
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    Permission granted by Clean Juice
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    Brix Holdings to buy Clean Juice

    The Christian juice chain, which lost dozens of franchise locations over changes to its business model, sold itself for undisclosed terms.

    By April 29, 2024
  • A hand dips a chicken tender into a dipping sauce.
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    Courtesy of Sticky's
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    Chicken tender chain Sticky’s Finger Joint files for Chapter 11

    Low foot traffic in Manhattan, exacerbated by high prices for chicken and potatoes, left 12-unit Sticky’s in a weak position.

    By April 26, 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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    Flynn Group buys 26 Applebee’s units, will build 25 more

    Applebee’s is trying to turn around sliding sales and a shrinking footprint through franchising initiatives and traffic-oriented marketing moves.

    By April 23, 2024
  • Inside a Papa Johns location
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    Permission granted by Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns franchisees accelerating growth this year in light of incentives

    Operators who open new units in 2024 don’t have to pay a national ad contribution for five years, which could save $330,000 in development costs, per a BTIG report. 

    By April 22, 2024
  • An image of Chuck E. Cheese menu items and kids playing at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant
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    Courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
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    6 restaurants that plotted international growth during Q1

    Chains like Fazoli’s, Marco’s Pizza and Chuck E. Cheese secured deals to enter new countries as part of ongoing global expansion plans.

    By April 19, 2024
  • Little Caesars Hot and Ready
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    Courtesy of Little Caesars
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    Little Caesars signs multi-unit deals in 7 states

    The chain returned to net unit growth in 2023 and is looking to build on that momentum this year in markets including California, Tennessee and Texas. 

    By April 17, 2024
  • Bojangles restaurant
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    Courtesy of Bojangles
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    Bojangles to enter Los Angeles market in 2025

    California’s recent wage hike hasn’t stopped the chicken chain from committing to open 30 units in the Golden State, continuing its national expansion.

    By April 16, 2024
  • An empty, dark restaurant has chairs stacked on top of the tables.
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    Halfpoint via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Ask an expert: How can brands protect struggling franchisees from bankruptcy?

    A bad franchisee can do “irreparable harm” to its parent chain, but early intervention can help avoid sales shortfalls and covenant defaults, said Chris Desiderio of Nixon Peabody.

    By April 15, 2024
  • The inside of a Noodles & Company restaurant with views of tables, chairs, booths and the front counter
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company bets menu innovation will help drive traffic

    As part of a five-point overhaul plan, the chain will use digital capabilities, expanded catering and improved operations to reverse sales declines.

    By April 12, 2024
  • An image of Buffalo Wild Wings with its to-go branded section
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Buffalo Wild Wings opens 100th to-go concept, with 600 more planned

    This year, the chain expects to reach 150 Buffalo Wild Wings Go units as it sees ongoing interest from new and existing franchisees.

    By April 11, 2024
  • U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V.,  listens during a hearing before Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of Senate Appropriations Committee.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Senate kills joint employer rule, setting up veto battle

    With a presidential veto likely and federal courts considering the rule, the fate of the National Labor Relations Board’s joint employer standard is tenuous. 

    By April 11, 2024
  • An image of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop CEO Jeff Galletly standing in from of a Brooklyn Dumpling Shop logo.
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    Permission granted by Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
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    Brooklyn Dumpling Shop hires former RBI exec as CEO

    Jeff Galletly will oversee operations, store development, franchise expansion and menu innovation as the chain expands in new markets.

    By April 10, 2024
  • An image of Krispy Krunchy Chicken display at NACS
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    Permission granted by Krispy Krunchy Chicken
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    Krispy Krunchy Chicken expands beyond c-stores, targets 700 openings in 2024

    The concept is entering new markets and enhancing its menu after growing by nearly 500 units last year, including 14 locations inside Walmart stores. 

    By April 9, 2024
  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns signs new 50-unit franchise deal with The Bajco Group

    The Bajco Group currently operates over 200 Papa Johns locations and plans to eventually reach 500 restaurants. 

    By April 9, 2024
  • An evening image of Marco's Pizza
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    Permission granted by Marco's Pizza
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    Marco’s Pizza appoints COO as it aggressively franchises

    John Meyers previously served as SVP of finance and analytics at the chain and will now oversee departments like technology, supply chain and operations.

    By April 2, 2024
  • Wendy's
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    Delight Restaurant Group acquires 65 Wendy’s restaurants

    The operator, which previously bought about 100 Wendy’s units in 2021, said it would continue to grow with new development and acquisitions. 

    By April 2, 2024