Cloud Kitchen Platform Kitopi Plans US Expansion After Raising $60M Yahoo Finance ... Kitopi plans on expanding across the U.S. after closing a Series B round of funding totaling $60 million, Nation's Restaurant News reported. Kitopi ...

PAPA MURPHY’S AND COLD STONE CREAMERY CARRY MTY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC. Market shifts have helped both chains reverse earlier challenges, offsetting the Canadian company’s struggling mall and office concepts. They now need to keep their sales momentum.The two chains generated CA$53 million ($42 million U.S.) additional sales in the first three months of 2021, the company told investors on Friday.

4 Keys to Starting a Successful Franchise Business After the Military. After two deployments to Iraq as a fire support specialist, Matt Noe left the Army and pursued his lifelong dream of owning his own business. He quickly learned just how much work starting a business can be, so he opened a franchise.

Franchisors Who Give Flexibility to Owners Less Likely to Face Litigation, Says Attorney. “Franchisors who have a more team-building, in-this-together approach—who perhaps have shown flexibility when franchisees or franchisee associations have asking for flexibility or asked brands to change and adapt to mitigate affects from COVID—those brands are less likely to see as much litigation as brands that just sort of said, the contract is the contract, too bad,” Appleby said. Franchisors who give flexibility are looking out for their own best interests in addition to their franchisees, even if it means delaying royalty payments.

How the Country’s Largest Restaurant Franchisee Made the Deal of a Lifetime. With Pizza Hut and Wendy's now in the mix, Flynn Restaurant Group now oversees more than 2,300 locations in 44 states. The franchisee acquired 937 Pizza Hut and 194 Wendy’s units for $552.6 million, boosting its total footprint to 2,355 restaurants and 73,000 employees in 44 states. Flynn Restaurant Group is now the largest operator for Applebee’s, Arby’s, and Pizza Hut, the second-largest for Panera, the third-largest for Taco Bell, and the fifth-largest for Wendy’s. Not only did Flynn Restaurant Group enter its desired categories, but NPC also closed the bottom 25 percent of its Pizza Hut portfolio, leaving the new franchisee with a cleaned set of restaurants.

Maid Green Selects BrandWide to Improve Operations PR Web Soffront announcement: Maid Green Selects Popular Franchise Management Platform to Standardize and Improve Franchise Operations. LAS VEGAS ...Maid Green Made Clean franchise is an environmentally-friendly professional cleaning service established in 2006.

Meet the 50 most influential women in foodservice. This all-female Power List includes women in leadership from all segments, both chains and independents. Selected by NRN editors, these include some of the highest-ranking women within global companies, as well as prominent owner/operators.

Customer Mobile Messaging: The New Frontier for Restaurants How mobile messaging drives digital engagement How to use messaging to boost app downloads, plus email subscriber enrollments Five mobile messaging strategies used by top brands to reach customers Which tools brands are using to launch and operate their mobile messaging campaign How to get started with your own mobile messaging campaign

Seven Brew Ready to ‘Disrupt Drive-Thru’ with Jimmy John’s Founder. Seven Brew plans to use the injection of cash to initiate a franchise program, something Liautaud and Coulter are quite familiar with. Liautaud founded Jimmy John’s in 1983 and led the company until October 2019, when it was acquired by Inspire Brands. The chain now has more than 2,800 locations across the U.S. Coulter, previously a Pizza Hut franchisee, met Liautaud a few decades ago and mentored him as he grew Jimmy John’s. They plan to assist Seven Brew with opening company-run and franchise stores in new and existing markets.

Franchise Market To Witness Huge GThe latest research on “Global Franchise Report 2021” offered by HTF MI provides a comprehensive investigation into the geographical landscape, industry size along with the revenue estimation of the business. Additionally, the report also highlights the challenges impeding market growth and expansion strategies employed by leading companies in the “Market”.rowth By 2026: Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Choice Hotels, Dunkin’.

McDonald's Broken Ice Cream Machines Reveal Franchisor's Deep Dysfunctions. The rise and fall of Kytch, a device invented to ease the burden of owning a Taylor ice cream machine and save McDonald’s franchisees thousands in maintenance costs. A company called Kytch sought to ease this burden with their invention, a small device that connects directly to the ice cream machine and provides owners with real-time diagnostic data and analytics. Essentially, Kytch gave owners access to the “secret menu” and allowed them to repair most of the machines’ issues on their own.

Instagram-Favorite Soft Serve Chain SomiSomi Sued for $450K by SGV Franchisee. The franchisee claims that the popular dessert coA Temple City franchisee of Instagram-popular dessert chain SomiSomi is suing the brand for $450,000 in damages for allegedly violating two laws established by the state to protect franchise owners, namely the California Franchise Investment Law and the California Franchise Relations Act, and for the company’s alleged misuse of funds earmarked for marketing purposes, according to court documents.mpany violated state laws and misused marketing funds.

DoorDash Plans To Launch Its Own Credit Card Visa, Mastercard… or DoorDash? DoorDash is currently winning the pandemic-induced food delivery war, capturing 55% of U.S. consumer meal delivery sales in February. This move is likely a strategy to put No. 2 food delivery platform Uber Eats, No. 3 Grubhub and No. 4 Postmates even further behind by building loyalty among current users while capturing new customers as well. The company is also hoping its new credit card will attract more customers to DashPass, a membership program that offers subscribers free deliveries from eligible restaurants for orders above $12.

Justice Department Warns Taxpayers to Avoid Fraudulent Tax Preparers. The Tax Division reminds taxpayers that the IRS has information on its website for choosing a tax preparer, has launched a free directory of federal tax preparers, and offers information on how to avoid “ghost” tax preparers, whose refusal to sign a return should be a red flag to taxpayers. (More information can also be found here.) The IRS also has a list of important reminders for taxpayers who are about to file their 2020 tax returns, including how to prepare for a smooth filing process.

Popeyes Plots to Become Global Power An afterthought until its fried chicken sandwich went viral in 2019, Popeyes is confronting KFC’s supremacy, including its U.K. debut this year. The biggest prize, though, is China, where KFC is a cultural fixture as the country’s largest chain with more than 7,000 locations and three decades of experience. It may not work, of course. Its parent, Restaurant Brands International Inc., has a spotty overseas record, at best. But the ambition alone underscores just how startling a transformation the once-sleepy brand has undergone since the summer of 2019, when the launch of a seemingly ordinary sandwich—a piece of fried meat with pickles and mayo—ignited a frenzy that sparked long lines, sellouts and even fisticuffs all across America.

Dunkin’ signs development agreement for 26 new restaurants.Dunkin’, America’s favourite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, has announced the signing of store development agreements across Texas with new franchisee Priceless Coffee, Inc. and existing franchisee Gratitude Restaurant Group, Inc. Each franchise group will open 10 new Dunkin’ restaurants throughout Dallas and four multi-brand locations with Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Additionally, returning franchisees, Jamal and Claudia Awale, have purchased five existing Dunkin’ restaurants and plan to develop six new locations across Houston.

$122.94 Million in Sales Expected for Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT) This Quarter: Equities research analysts expect that Planet Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:PLNT) will report sales of $122.94 million for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks. Eight analysts have made estimates for Planet Fitness' earnings, with the lowest sales estimate coming in at $98.50 million and the highest estimate coming in at $142.90 million. Planet Fitness reported sales of $127.23 million in the same quarter last year, which would suggest a negative year over year growth rate of 3.4%. The company is expected to report its next quarterly earnings report after the market closes on Tuesday,

FAT FAT Brands reported year-end results, showing great progress in spite of pandemic. With about 700 locations among their franchised brands, a critical mass has been reached. The Company has responded well to the demands of Covid-19. The pieces are in place, operationally and financially, to more than double '19 Adjusted EBITDA.Brands: The Growing Attraction Of Multi-Unit Franchising ! Overview – Multi-branded franchisors have a long term competitive advantage

HOW THE ASIAN RESTAURANT COMMUNITY IS COMBATTING THE RISE IN HATE AND VIOLENCE Second-generation Asian-American operators are taking a proactive stance against bigotry. Earlier this week, two Asian women were sitting outside a cafe in New York City’s Chinatown when a passerby came up and slapped one of them across the face. Such random acts of violence against Asian Americans have been on the rise over the past year, especially in cities with large Asian populations, like New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Business Meals Mean Tax Break Now, But Watch for Future Changes. Temporary 100% Deduction To provide targeted relief, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (Public Law 116-260) threw the industry a bone: a temporary 100% deduction for business meal expenses provided by restaurants. The language modifying the deduction is short, weighing in at just under 100 words. Congress simply amended tax code Section 274 to remove the 50% cap for on such meals provided by a restaurant in 2021 and 2022. Section 274 Basics The tax code allows businesses to deduct expenses that are ordinary and necessary. An ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your trade or business, while a necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your trade or business. That includes business-related meals.

Two Top COVID-19 Legal Issues: Force Majeure, Sales Fi"The FDD language was an early place where I looked when the pandemic hit, and it seems that force majeure clause largely didn't apply," said Khajeei, who sees that vague language as a point of contention. "How do you see people clarifying that very standard language? I imagine franchisees want looser language and franchisors want more strict language. And for businesses that couldn't survive COVID, does force majeure apply or is that something that will be tested in the courts?"gures.

A labor shortage is forcing chains like Subway and Dunkin' to cut hours, close dining rooms, and push employees to work harder than ever.Fast-food chains are keeping dining rooms closed and cutting hours due to a lack of workers. Some employees who have been hired are working extra hours, resulting in more mistakes and burnout. "Everyone ... is struggling to keep stores open from lack of staff," said a Subway franchisee.

A labor shortage is forcing chains like Subway and Dunkin' to cut hours, close dining rooms, and push employees to work harder than ever.Fast-food chains are keeping dining rooms closed and cutting hours due to a lack of workers. Some employees who have been hired are working extra hours, resulting in more mistakes and burnout. "Everyone ... is struggling to keep stores open from lack of staff," said a Subway franchisee.

Thinking of a franchise business? It can be a good way to go, especially for first-time entrepreneurs over 50. If the idea of starting a business after 50 — perhaps a part-time one in retirement — seems overwhelming, you’re not alone. You might want to consider launching through a successful franchise operation, where you can follow in the footsteps of others who’ve done so already. But if your image of a franchise business is a teenager wearing a paper hat and chewing gum at the deep fryer, you need to think differently. Many franchisees are people starting second acts later in life.

What a Teenage TikTok Star and Burger King's Controversial Tweet Could Teach You About Marketing. The best franchises run multiple campaigns during the year to try to maintain their valuable place in the market. But errors can occur when corporations try to produce campaigns at a fast pace. Regardless, there are important takeaways from franchise upsets and successes.

Viewpoint: Eliminating tipping can help restaurants both serve customers better and provide for workers. Ann Hsing of the restaurant Pasjoli in Los Angeles argues now is the time to raise menu prices to change the way employees are compensated. With tipping, you are basically asking your customer to give you anywhere from 10% to 20% of what your revenue should be. That cost then goes into the true expense of paying your employees so that they can have livable wages, and I just find that to be very backwards

Dutch Bros Coffee Mulls IPO The chain is reportedly seeking to be valued at around $3 billion. The Oregon-based chain, which has more than 450 units, is seeking to be valued at around $3 billion, sources told the media outlet. The company has talked to advisors, but no final decision has been made on the matter.

World's biggest fitness chain seeks GCC master franchisee For Self Esteem Brands, operator of more than 4,800 franchised Anytime Fitness gyms with over 4 million members worldwide, the Gulf's fitness sector is perfectly positioned for accelerated growth. Owned by Self Esteem Brands, Anytime Fitness is the world’s largest gym chain by both membership and number of locations. Now, Self Esteem Brands is seeking a master franchisee partner to bring the fitness chain – alongside studio-based fitness brands The Bar Method and Basecamp Fitness – to the Gulf, a region the Self Esteem Brands team feels is ripe for further growth in already burgeoning fitness sector.

Attorneys Offer Advice to Handle Franchise Terminations, Defaults. There are numerous examples of franchisors exercising their ability to end the franchise agreement before the contractual term is up. Item 17 of the franchise disclosure document lays out provisions for “renewal, termination, transfer and dispute resolution,” and the franchise agreement itself further describes the franchisor’s rights and also when termination by the franchisee is warranted.

3 REASONS NOT TO INVEST IN A RESTAURANT FRANCHISE Buying a franchise can be a good investment in the long run, but RB’s The Bottom Line says buyers should step back and think before diving in. A lot of people appear to be shopping for a restaurant franchise right now, which is what always happens in the aftermath of a recession. People lose jobs. They get sick of not having control over their own destiny, and they take some savings and invest in a hot growth concept.