Step Inside Burger King’s ‘Sizzle’ Restaurant of the Future Kiosks, double-lane drive-thru, and more paint the brand’s comeback roadmap. The prototype, labeled “Sizzle,” was designed not only for the evolution of Burger King, but for where the consumer has taken quick service as a whole.

Chick-fil-A Goes Where It's Never Been Before. Minority-owned Hyde Park Hospitality is responsible for bringing the chicken chain to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. The location will debut sometime in October. Hyde Park recently inked the first Chick-fil-A restaurant to Chicago's O'Hare

Burger King franchisee Premier Kings files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Filing is the third this year by a large BK operator, with this case involving 172 restaurants in five Southeast states. Premier Kings of Montgomery, Ala., and its affiliates filed the bankruptcy petition Oct. 26 in U.S.

OAKBERRY Puts Açai on the Map Worldwide. The brand expects to reach over $200 million in revenue and nearly 1,000 stores globally by the end of 2024, and it just landed $67 million in fundraising to help do so. International expansion kicked off in January 2019.

50-Year-Old Port of Subs Bought by Private Equity Firm The Reno, Nevada-based chain has more than 130 locations in seven states. The company was founded in 1972 by two brothers from New Jersey who originally called it Sub Shop. Three years later, John Larsen and his family purchased

Casual dining catering gets a full-scale makeover For full-service restaurant brands, catering is becoming a significant part of the off-premises experience. Casual-dining brands have seen off-premises sales skyrocket since the pandemic began in 2020, and they are continuing

Franchise Growth Solutions Announces the Expansion of its Site Selection Partnership. Industry Leading FranDev/FSO Delivers More Location Support. Franchisees face various challenges when starting up and deciding on their business locations. The biggest challenge is determining the best site

Smalls Sliders franchisee expanding into Florida. Multi-unit franchisee Matt Gallagher liked working with Smalls Sliders so much that he signed up for more. He and the company will enter Florida as part of a recently signed 4-unit deal. Gallagher, who is currently developing the brand’s first 4

Crumbl Shutters Shops for First Time in Company History. The cookie shop closed seven shops in 2023—four in California, and one in Florida, Georgia, and Utah, according to its FDD. The chain also purchased a franchised unit in California to give it two company-owned locations.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar Becomes First Burger Brand to Go Seed Oil-Free with Zero Acres Farms. Hopdoddy Burger Bar, a pioneer in the better burger space since 2010, became the first burger chain in the United States to pledge to go 100% seed oil-free by partnering with Zero Acre Farms

California Pizza Kitchen Announces Launch of Domestic Re-Franchising Program. As CPK looks to strategically expand its presence, the brand is now open to partnering with experienced multi-unit restaurant operators to purchase existing CPK locations in select markets in the United States.

Potbelly announces 22-shop agreement in Seattle-Tacoma region. Franchise deal includes development of 13 new shops, sale of nine units. The agreement includes the transfer of ownership of nine existing restaurants. Additionally, the franchisee will develop 13 new units.

Taurus Capital Teams With PE Firm Hidden River to Buy 7 Little Gym Locations. The Little Gym International deal, announced August 17, is a notable event for both the franchisor and the franchisee. By taking over seven existing locations, and with the agreed-upon goal of acquiring

‘Incredibly difficult decision’ has Boxed filing for Chapter 11 Spresso software will be sold to lien lenders and orders will continue until inventory runs out. Boxed Inc., owners of Spresso software, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company will fund operations

Domino's Introduces In-Car Ordering. Domino's is the first pizza concept to offer to order via Apple CarPlay. Customers have two ordering options via Domino's app on CarPlay: "Tap to Order" or "Call to Order." Tap to Order lets customers submit their saved Easy Order or one of their most recent orders, while "Call to Order" allows them to place the order of their choice, hands-free, by talking to a customer service representative.

Port of Subs Inks 40-Unit Deal with Company’s First Regional Developers. Area 15 Ventures, LLC, a dynamic private equity firm headquartered in Castle Rock, Colorado, acquired Port of Subs earlier this year. One of the pivotal objectives of this acquisition was to rapidly expand

Popeyes to Accelerate Growth in China. Roughly $90 million is being poured into growth and development efforts. The company purchased PLKC International (Popeyes China), holds rights to develop and sub-franchise Popeyes in China and Macau. Popeyes China brings $30 million in cash

Starbucks to shut down Aspen location over seven-figure debtThe Starbucks in Aspen is among the eight coffee shops the company is shutting down Friday because of “issues of nonpayment” with franchisee Manhattan Capital, according to a spokesperson for the Seattle-based chain..

Korean barbecue concept GEN Restaurant Group files for IPO. The casual-dining brand has 32 units in six states and joins Cava and Panera in looking at the public markets. GEN Restaurant Group Inc., which owns the 32-unit GEN Korean BBQ House concept, has filed for an initial public offering,

Bankruptcy for 48-unit Subway Franchisee Comes Amid Wrongful Death Suit. River Sub, based in San Antonio and with 48 Subway restaurants, is seeking to reorganize its business and filed its Subchapter V bankruptcy petition June 20. The company listed between $1 million and $10 million i

Iconic Kilwins Chocolates to Expand Nationwide Under New Owners Levine Leichtman. Levine Leichtman Capital Partners had, and like everyone who lived near a Kilwins, "he grew up loving this brand," Schwartz said. LLCP bought a majority share in Kilwins and will work to expand

New 60-Unit Deal Among Latest Signings for The Picklr. Founded in 2021, The Picklr has seven company-owned locations open, with six in Utah, where it’s headquartered, and another in Colorado. The brand launched its franchise program this year, has agreements signed for 110 units.

Wetzel’s Pretzels Launches New Concept Built for Gen Z The spin-off turns the dial-up on menu innovation. wisted by Wetzel’s will debut spring in Orange County, California. The brand will then target optimal sites at 1,200 square feet with strong street visibility and the potential for outdoor

54 Premier Martial Arts Franchisees Sue Unleashed Brands Alleging RICO Act Violations. Unleashed Brands announced its purchase of Premier Martial Arts in January 2022. 54 franchisees sued Unleashed Brands, its founder Barry Van Over, Premier Franchising Group, franchise development

Burger King employee arrested after allegedly shooting at customer. Eddie Louis Smith was charged with aggravated assault and possession of a weapon after felony conviction. A bystander who was helping a driver that was stranded waved down police on Thursday night.

Subway Exceeds Global Sales Projections in 2022 The company finished 2022 with eight straight quarters of positive comps and exceeded sales projections. Global same-store sales increased 9.2 percent versus 2021 and 29.1 percent against 2020. In North America, comps grew

IFA Announces New Franchise Internship Program. The program will provide financial aid to IFA summer interns who are majoring in business, finance, marketing, hospitality, franchising, entrepreneurship or law. Students will compete for internships, which will teach them best.

McDonald's is hopping onto the latest drink trend. The beverage, which the quick service chain said is made with lemon juice, bits of lemon pulp, and cane sugar, is being introduced in participating markets, including Seattle, Chicago, New York City, and Dallas, for a limited time.

Large Rent-A-Center Franchisees Sell 64 Stores to Directional Capital in 'Life-Changing' Deal. The sale of 64 Rent-A-Center stores awaiting final approvals after two years of work. The deal closed, with Directional Capital buying 39 stores in Arizona and 25 in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Royal Restaurant Group buys 24 area franchised Burger Kings. The West Palm Beach franchisee intends to bring “fresh new Burger King images to Jacksonville.” Royal Restaurant Group does not own all of the Burger Kings in the area and did not own the two that closed recently