Franchising: Page 7

  • An image of Subway's footlong cookies, pretzels and churros
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway sells 3.5M Sidekick snack items within 2 weeks of launch

    The chain’s Footlong Cookies have been so popular that it temporarily removed them from digital ordering platforms to better manage demand. 

    By • Feb. 2, 2024
  • Jason Maceda, Inspire Brands' new chief development officer, smiles in front of some branded items.
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Inspire Brands promotes Jason Maceda to development chief

    Maceda will oversee the restaurant company’s franchise growth as part of a reorganization of its corporate structure.

    By • Jan. 31, 2024
  • Pick-up zone at Burger King
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    Michael Thomas via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Cost pressures may drive restaurant franchisee bankruptcies in 2024

    Issues with margins or cash flow due to supply shocks, labor shortages and other disruptions can push operators into covenant default over their debts, experts said.

    By • Jan. 30, 2024
  • A Boston Market sign is shown.
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    Kate Tornone/Restaurant Dive
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    Boston Market’s fee-free growth push raises questions

    The beleaguered chicken chain, which has faced hundreds of closures and numerous lawsuits, wants to expand into non-traditional locations with no buy-in requirements for operators. 

    By • Jan. 26, 2024
  • Exterior of a Potbelly restaurant
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    Permission granted by Potbelly
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    Potbelly has signed 192 development agreements in 16 months

    The signings are part of Potbelly’s Franchise Growth Acceleration initiative, which launched in 2022, to become 85% franchised and reach 2,000 units. 

    By • Jan. 25, 2024
  • An Applebee's in New York City
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    Courtesy of Doherty Enterprises
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    Doherty Enterprises buys 21 Applebee’s restaurants

    The acquisition will expand the franchisee’s territory to include the Five Boroughs of New York City and Westchester County. 

    By • Jan. 19, 2024
  • An image of serveral food items from Taco Bell's Craving's Value Menu
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    Courtesy of Taco Bell
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    Restaurants are cranking up value in 2024 — but traffic may not follow

    Chains from Taco Bell to Popeyes are pushing more promotions for low-priced items, but analysts said they expect few improvements to traffic and margins.

    By • Jan. 18, 2024
  • A portrait photograph of Tatiana Lambert, Wendy's new U.S. chief development officer.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s hires Yum exec to lead US development

    Tatiana Lambert will lead the company’s domestic expansion as it looks to grow its franchisee base and build new restaurant formats.

    By • Jan. 17, 2024
  • The results of a roll call vote to pass a measure rejecting the NLRB's joint employer rule
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    Retrieved from The House of Representatives on January 12, 2024
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    House votes to overturn NLRB’s joint employer rule

    The House may disapprove of joint employer, which would increase restaurant franchisor liability for employees, but Senate maneuvering will determine the fate of the rule.

    By • Updated Jan. 12, 2024
  • QDOBA Burrito
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    Courtesy of QDOBA
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    How Qdoba is plotting growth in Chipotle’s shadow

    Chipotle’s company-owned business model has left a franchised-shape hole in the Mexican fast casual sector. Qdoba wants to fill it.

    By • Jan. 11, 2024
  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    How Papa Johns plans to boost margins, store-level profitability

    The second phase of the pizza chain’s Back to Better initiative will focus on a new nationwide marketing strategy, development incentives for franchisees and supply chain improvements in North America.

    By • Jan. 10, 2024
  • An photograph of five people behind a desk.
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    Courtesy of Pret A Manger
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    The biggest franchise agreements of 2023

    From Caribou Coffee to Hawaiian Bros, several chains signed large multi-unit deals as part of their aggressive growth strategies. 

    By • Dec. 22, 2023
  • Beef O' Brady's restaurant
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    Permission granted by Beef O' Brady's
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    FSC Franchising buys Newk’s Eatery

    The owner of The Brass Tap and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, plans to add 10 to 15 units annually to Newk’s system. 

    By • Dec. 20, 2023
  • An image of Craig LeMieux, CEO of Rock N Roll Sushi and Terri Jessen, VP of operations
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    Permission granted by Rock N Roll Sushi
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    Rock N Roll Sushi hires experienced franchise exec as CEO

    Craig LeMieux, who has decades of franchising experience, will lead the chain as its top executive. Terri Jessen was appointed VP of operations. 

    By • Dec. 7, 2023
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    Permission granted by Huddle House
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    Huddle House hires former Long John Silver’s CEO as brand president

    Blain Shortreed, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company operations, franchising, marketing and culinary innovation.

    By • Dec. 4, 2023
  • Justin Murakami was promoted to COO of Sprinkles in Nov. 2023.
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    Courtesy of Sprinkles
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    Sprinkles promotes new COO

    Justin Murakami will lead operations as the company prepares to expand its network of production and pantry bakeries, as well as its cupcake “ATMs.”

    By • Dec. 1, 2023
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
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    Courtesy of Burger King
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    A look back at 8 major franchisee bankruptcies in 2023

    Burger King, Popeyes, McDonald’s and more saw multi-unit operators go belly-up due to struggles with inflation, low traffic and rising costs.

    By • Dec. 1, 2023
  • A smiling female barista hands two warm takeout coffee cups to a waiting customer.
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    Maksym Belchenko via Getty Images
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    Coffee, tea QSRs report traffic bump from return to office

    Category operators opened 3,500 new units as of March 2023 compared to March 2022 following a spike in consumer demand, according to Circana data.

    By • Nov. 27, 2023
  • A woman is ordering food off of a self-service kiosk.
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    frantic00 via Getty Images
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    Why QSRs are doubling down on kiosks

    Burger King, Taco Bell and Shake Shack are among the chains adding this technology to boost check and reduce labor pressure.

    By • Nov. 27, 2023
  • Coffee bar in supermarket
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    Courtesy of Sprouts Farmers Market
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    Sprouts expands partnership with Phoenix coffee chain

    Following a successful pilot, the grocer has opened a Press Coffee bar in a store in Scottsdale, Arizona, and plans to bring the concept to three more locations in the city during the coming weeks.

    By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 21, 2023
  • A photo of Bar Louie's new unit layout.
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    Courtesy of Bar Louie
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    Bar Louie offers 50% franchise fee discount for first-time operators

    The casual chain also developed a contemporary, flexible design as part of its strategy to accelerate franchise growth. 

    By • Nov. 17, 2023
  • An image of various dishes from Modern Market's menu.
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    Permission granted by Modern Market Eatery
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    Modern Market Eatery opens first drive-thru restaurant

    The Colorado Springs, Colorado, location uses a double-sided production line to ensure quick service for drive-thru guests.  

    By • Nov. 16, 2023
  • Business people, meeting and corporate discussion against a blurred background at the office. Group of employees in team planning, presentation or training staff for collaboration.
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    Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty via Getty Images
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    What keeps 4 restaurant CEOs up at night

    Employee welfare and threats to franchising’s “American dream” are two of the existential fears the heads of Cava, Chicken Salad Chick, Golden Corral and Caribou Coffee discussed at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

    By • Nov. 15, 2023
  • A view of a Wendy's restaurant on May 12, 2021 in Pinole, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s franchisee files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

    Starboard Group, which operates 72 units, said inflation, falling customer count and expensive remodels contributed to its financial woes.

    By • Nov. 15, 2023
  • Patrick Doyle speaks onstage during a keynote session at the Restaurant Finance and Development Conference.
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    Emma Beckett/Restaurant Dive
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    Patrick Doyle: RBI’s key product is its franchise model, not brand menus

    “People use the term owner-operator interchangeably with franchisee, and I think where people have gotten in trouble is when they are just owners. You have to be both,” Doyle, RBI’s executive chairman, said at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference.

    By • Nov. 14, 2023