Franchising: Page 6

  • An image of a brick building with Applebee's signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dine Brands wants to diversify franchising

    The parent company of IHOP and Applebee’s is backing an IFA training program set to launch later this year, which intends to narrow the racial wealth gap through franchising.

    By • March 28, 2024
  • A portrait photo of Jay Rooney, the new CFO for Rave Restaurant Group.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Rave Restaurant Group
    Image attribution tooltip

    Rave Restaurant Group appoints 6 execs, including new CFO

    The company hired Jay Rooney as chief financial officer as it focuses on growing its buffet concept while overall unit count shrinks.

    By • March 27, 2024
  • An image of a drive-thru-only location for Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
    Image attribution tooltip

    Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf opens first drive-thru-only location in CA

    The Rialto, California, restaurant is the first of what will likely be several order-ahead units that will target high-traffic markets.

    By • March 27, 2024
  • An exterior shot of a Beyond Juicery
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Beyond Juicery + Eatery
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    How juice chains are shifting operations to create more profitability

    Beyond Juicery and Main Squeeze did in-depth analyses on how franchisees could improve profitability from the cost of goods to construction.

    By • March 27, 2024
  • Inside a Nekter Juice Bar
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Nekter Juice Bar
    Image attribution tooltip
    Deep Dive

    What’s driving juice chains’ aggressive growth

    Brands like Nekter Juice Bar, Main Squeeze Juice and Juice it Up are pushing into new markets and opening stores as demand rises for healthy foods.

    By • March 26, 2024
  • A picture of Subway's Deli Heroes
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Subway
    Image attribution tooltip

    Subway faces $50M suit for sexual abuse at franchisee

    The suit claims Subway’s restaurant inspections and other forms of control over operations make it a joint employer with franchisee GRB Investments.

    By • March 21, 2024
  • A portrait photo of Heather Neary, Taco John's new CEO.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Taco John's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ex-Auntie Anne’s president joins Taco John’s as CEO

    Heather Neary replaces longtime CEO Jim Creel as the taco chain looks to grow within its existing markets and to enter new areas.

    By • March 20, 2024
  • An image of Jennifer Schuler, Handel's Ice Cream CEO
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Handel's Ice Cream
    Image attribution tooltip

    Handel’s Ice Cream hires former Wetzel’s Pretzels chief as CEO

    Jennifer Schuler joins the 130-unit brand after nine years at Wetzel’s, including five years as CEO, as the chain expects to surpass $130 million in systemwide sales this year.

    By • March 19, 2024
  • A promotional image for Bojangles' boneless chicken options.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bojangles
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bojangles secures 20-unit franchise deal in Phoenix

    The chicken chain said the deal validates its expansion strategy outside its Southeastern base as it pushes to reach 1,000 stores.

    By • Updated March 18, 2024
  • Pictured is the exterior of the National Labor Relations Board building.
    Image attribution tooltip
    "1099 14th Street – National Labor Relations Board" by Geraldshields11 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Texas judge vacates joint employer rule

    The rule, which was set to go into effect Monday, would have lowered the bar for joint employer status. 

    By Emilie Shumway • Updated March 11, 2024
  • An image of a Taco Bell restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Ethan Miller via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco Bell franchisee sued after manager sexually harassed teen employees

    Charter Foods faces two lawsuits from women who were harassed by a convicted sex offender working as their shift supervisor in West Virginia. 

    By • March 7, 2024
  • First Watch restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by First Watch
    Image attribution tooltip

    First Watch will enter New England, Las Vegas as EBITDA nears $100M

    After passing $1 billion in sales, the breakfast chain is eyeing new markets where its suburban-first system could insulate it from high development costs.

    By • March 6, 2024
  • A photograph of an Applebee's sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Scott Olson via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dine Brands hints at US IHOP/Applebee’s dual branding test

    Such units, which have driven strong sales abroad, may offer a solution to Applebee’s weak domestic same-store sales and shrinking footprint.

    By • Feb. 29, 2024
  • A closed Burgerim in Ashburn, Virginia
    Image attribution tooltip
    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Judge bars Burgerim and its founder from selling franchises

    Burgerim could owe the FTC up to $56 million in civil penalties and money earmarked for consumer redress. Oren Loni, CEO and founder of the disgraced restaurant chain, settled separately in November. 

    By • Feb. 23, 2024
  • Jim Metevier, Mountain Mike's CEO, looks at the camera.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Mountain Mike's Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mountain Mike’s Pizza appoints longtime COO as CEO

    Jim Metevier, who has overseen the pizza brand's operations since 2018, will lead the chain as it looks to grow beyond its West Coast base.

    By • Feb. 22, 2024
  • A newly paved parking lot at a under construction fast food restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    WendellandCarolyn via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    QSR franchised units to grow 2.2% in 2024, IFA says

    Despite ongoing labor pressure and high costs of doing business, the QSR industry will add over 4,300 units this year and become the second fastest-growing franchise industry, per the association.

    By • Feb. 21, 2024
  • A photograph of a Denny's sign over some trees.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Denny’s is still shrinking

    The chain's system has contracted 9% since 2017, and may shrink again in 2024 as the company forecasts comparable sales growth between 0% and 3%.

    By • Feb. 21, 2024
  • An image of a storefront with Auntie Anne's and Jamba branding
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Focus Brands
    Image attribution tooltip

    Focus Brands renames itself GoTo Foods

    The name change is designed to highlight the value its brand portfolio, including Moe’s Southwest Grill, Auntie Anne’s, Carvel and Cinnabon, offers to consumers and franchisees.

    By • Feb. 20, 2024
  • tim Hortons drive thru only
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Tim Hortons
    Image attribution tooltip

    Restaurant Brands International targets 40K stores globally by 2028

    The Burger King and Tim Hortons owner plans to grow its global footprint by 9,000 stores by 2028, driven by international development and strengthened home-market performance.

    By • Feb. 16, 2024
  • An image of Burger King restaurant in a new design
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burger King
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Burger King boosted franchisee profitability in 2023

    Following the franchisor’s hefty investments in marketing, remodels and redesigns, operators reported higher than expected profitability.

    By • Feb. 14, 2024
  • An image of a Taco Bell store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Flynn Group reportedly seeking $5B majority stake sale

    The country’s largest franchisee has about $4.5 billion in annual sales and grew much of its portfolio in recent years through various acquisitions. 

    By • Feb. 12, 2024
  • The exterior of a Del Taco during the evening
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Del Taco
    Image attribution tooltip

    What’s behind Del Taco’s franchising surge

    The Mexican QSR chain signed over 138 franchise commitments in fiscal 2023 and plans to be over 90% franchised by 2026, said Van Ingram, Del Taco’s VP of franchise development.

    By • Feb. 9, 2024
  • Popeyes signage
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Popeyes
    Image attribution tooltip

    17-unit Popeyes franchisee files for bankruptcy

    RRG said losses at three of its units made it impossible to sustain timely lease payments at its remaining stores, pushing the operator to seek Chapter 11 protections.

    By • Feb. 6, 2024
  • A remodeled McDonald's.
    Image attribution tooltip
    garett_mosher via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s franchisee settles rape case for $4.35M

    McDonald’s franchisee Rice Enterprises will sell its restaurants to fund a $4.35M settlement with a minor who was sexually assaulted by a manger.

    By • Feb. 6, 2024
  • An image of Toni Ronayne, Perkins president, and Steven Roach, CTO of Ascent Hospitality
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Ascent Hospitality Management
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ascent Hospitality bolsters C-suite with CTO, Perkins president hires

    Toni Ronayne will lead Perkins after serving as managing director, Canada at Little Caesars, while Steven Roach becomes chief technology officer after working at Focus Brands.

    By • Feb. 5, 2024