Author

Katie Lee

franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Newk’s Eatery Promotes 20-Year Veteran to COO

by Katie Lee

Jackson, Miss. — Newk’s Eatery has promoted longtime executive Matt Wilson to chief operating officer. Wilson joined Newk’s straight out of college as an assistant manager at the brand’s original restaurant in Oxford, Miss. Over the next two decades, he steadily advanced through the organization, serving in leadership roles across operations, training, restaurant development and franchise support before most recently serving as senior vice president of operations. “Matt’s story is the Newk’s story,” says Chris Elliott, CEO of Newk’s Eatery and FSC Franchise Co. “His career demonstrates what’s possible when talented people are …

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Newspeoplerestaurantsretailers

Cracker Barrel Plans CEO Succession

by Katie Lee

Lebanon, Tenn. — Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. has appointed David Deno to serve as its next chief executive officer and on the board of directors, both effective Aug. 10, 2026. He succeeds Julie Masino, who will step down as CEO and a member of the board on the same date. Masino will remain with the company in an advisory capacity until Oct. 9, 2026 to support a smooth transition. Deno joins the company from Bloomin’ Brands. “Following a robust and thoughtful search process, we are pleased to welcome …

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Mavis Tire to Acquire Pep Boys for $700 Million

by Katie Lee

White Plains, N.Y., and Sunny Isles Beach, Fla. — Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. and Icahn Enterprises LP have entered into a definitive agreement under which a subsidiary of Mavis will acquire Pep Boys from Icahn Automotive Group LLC for approximately $700 million in cash. IEP will retain the owned real estate previously transferred to IEP from Pep Boys, as well as the AAMCO Transmissions and Precision Tune Auto Care businesses. Formally named The Pep Boys-Manny, Moe & Jack Holding Corp., Pep Boys is an automotive service company offering tires, …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Gong cha Signs Landmark 50-Unit Deal in Texas

by Katie Lee

Boston — Gong cha, the world’s leading bubble tea brand with nearly 2,200 locations across 33 international markets, has signed a 50-unit exclusive area development agreement in Texas with seasoned franchise operator Bakers Acres & Cattle Company (BACC). The agreement marks the largest direct franchising deal in Gong cha history and further expands the company’s U.S. footprint. This deal follows Gong cha’s recent acquisition of master franchise rights for 170 U.S. locations, across 13 states, including Texas. “As Gong cha continues expanding across the U.S., we’re seeing strong interest from …

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Newspeopleretailers

Albertsons Companies’ President and CFO to Retire

by Katie Lee

Boise, Idaho — Albertsons® Companies, Inc. has announced that Sharon McCollam, the company’s president and chief financial officer, plans to retire later this year. McCollam will remain in her role until a successor is named. Thereafter, McCollam will remain with the company in an advisory capacity until the end of the fiscal year, Feb. 27, 2027, to ensure a seamless transition. “Sharon has been an exceptional partner in helping position Albertsons Cos. for its next chapter of growth,” says CEO Susan Morris. “Since joining the company in 2021, she has …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Wienerschnitzel Opens First-Ever Military Base Restaurant

by Katie Lee

San Diego — Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog franchise, is bolstering its non-traditional development with the opening of its first-ever military base location at Naval Base San Diego through the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM). Located in the Navy Exchange food court in San Diego, the restaurant opened in early July. Naval Base San Diego is one of the largest concentrations of active-duty military personnel on the West Coast. The military base opening builds on a period of significant momentum for Wienerschnitzel. Over the past year, the brand has …

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Industry Voicesrestaurantsretailerssoftware/technologyvendors

Strategy First

by Katie Lee

— By Tara Buchler — Why strategy — not software — determines whether technology investments actually deliver value. Technology buying failures rarely happen because a team chose the “wrong” software. They happen earlier when facilities or restaurant operations enter the RFP process without the strategy, clarity or alignment required to make a good decision. Most technology buyers in retail and restaurant facilities only see a handful of locations, kitchens or service workflows over the course of their careers — often within the same company, sometimes within the same operational model. …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Batteries Plus Signs 15 Agreements for 30 New Units

by Katie Lee

Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus has signed 15 franchise agreements covering 30 units and opened 12 new stores in the first 6 months of the year. “Our growth so far this year reflects the strength of a model built for durable, everyday demand,” says Victor Daher, vice president of franchise development at Batteries Plus. “Owners are increasingly investing in more than one unit, and many are seeing their strongest returns on the commercial side, serving the hospitals, schools and municipalities that depend on reliable power. That commercial-first mindset is fueling …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Layne’s Chicken Fingers Signs 24 Franchise Agreements, Reaches 50 Units Open

by Katie Lee

Frisco, Texas — At the close of the second quarter, Layne’s Chicken Fingers has expanded its footprint to more than 50 operating restaurants and signed two dozen franchise agreements. The growth is driven by a blend of internal growth and new franchisees joining the system; in the second quarter, Layne’s celebrated the 50-restaurant milestone in its home state while also laying the groundwork for its California debut with a new 12-unit deal in partnership with tenured IHOP operators. “We’ve added dozens of units to the pipeline this year, and we’ve …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

BaseCamp Franchising Opens 300th Store; Signs 45 New Agreements in 2026

by Katie Lee

Salt Lake City — BaseCamp Franchising, the parent company behind upscale thrift brands Uptown Cheapskate and Kid to Kid, is meeting a growing wave of demand from both customers and prospective franchise owners. In the first half of 2026, BaseCamp’s two concepts opened 16 stores across 10 states, and recently celebrated the company’s 300th store in Weatherford, Texas. BaseCamp has also signed over 45 new franchise agreements so far in 2026 from a combination of existing franchisees expanding their portfolios and new franchisees opening their first stores. As part of …

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