Saturday, October 25, 2025
Read the Magazine Subscribe

franchise development

franchise developmentNewsrestaurantsstore closings

Jack in the Box Inc. to Sell Del Taco Holdings Inc. for $115 Million

by Katie Lee

San Diego — Jack in the Box Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Del Taco Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the company which operates and franchises more than 550 Del Taco restaurants, to Yadav Enterprises Inc. for $115 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is expected to close by January 2026. The company expects to use the net cash proceeds after taxes and transaction costs to retire debt within its securitization structure. In line with the company’s “Jack on Track” plan announced …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Panera Bread Names New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — Panera Bread, a leader and pioneer in the fast-casual restaurant industry, has appointed Earl Ellis as chief financial officer, effective immediately. Ellis will report to CEO Paul Carbone and join the executive leadership team. “Earl is a proven finance leader who blends disciplined financial stewardship with an owner’s mindset,” says Carbone. “He has scaled complex, multi-brand organizations, led successful transformations and developed high-performing teams. His experience will help accelerate our plan to strengthen the core business, elevate the guest experience and drive long term, profitable growth. Panera …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurantsretailers

RaceTrac Completes Acquisition of Potbelly Corporation

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — RaceTrac, Inc., a family-owned, high-growth leader in the convenience store industry, confirms it has completed the acquisition of Potbelly Corporation, previously announced in September. As part of the transaction, RaceTrac acquires Potbelly’s iconic neighborhood sandwich shop brand, which includes more than 445 company and franchise-owned shops across the United States, and Potbelly’s franchise development platform with a long term goal of reaching 2,000 shops. “Potbelly has spent more than 40 years creating the neighborhood sandwich shop experience customers love, and we are excited to welcome this beloved brand …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeopleretailers

Wireless Zone, the Nation’s Largest Verizon Franchisor, Names Executive Vice President

by Katie Lee

Fishers, Ind. — Wireless Zone® has appointed an executive vice president from within its franchise system: longtime franchisee Al Pellecchia. Under his leadership, the nation’s largest Verizon franchisor is poised to continue growing its system through improved processes, prioritizing automation and providing ongoing support for the stores. Pellecchia started in the industry selling phones while he was in college. An independent mobile retailer then hired Pellecchia to run multiple locations. He went on to work for brands such as AT&T, Nextel and Sprint, serving as his own agent. Pellecchia was …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Firehouse Subs® Opens Milestone 1,400th Restaurant

by Katie Lee

Jacksonville, Fla. — Firehouse Subs has officially opened its 1,400th restaurant, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s continued expansion across the U.S. and internationally. The new Clearwater, Fla., restaurant reflects the brand’s growth trajectory as franchisees continue to expand within the Firehouse Subs family. The Clearwater restaurant is owned and operated by Colin Means, a Tampa, Fla.-area franchisee whose journey reflects the opportunities Firehouse Subs provides. Means began his career with the brand at 21 years old as a team member. Over the next several years, he worked his …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Vicious Biscuit to Open First Georgia Location in Early 2026

by Katie Lee

Savannah, Ga. — Vicious Biscuit, an award-winning fast-casual breakfast concept and Southern-grown originator of bold biscuit creations, will debut its first Georgia location in early 2026 in Savannah. Franchise partners Kelly and Tim Paslawski are leading the charge. The Savannah natives are no strangers to the city’s thriving food scene, having successfully operated four Chicken Salad Chick restaurants across Savannah, Pooler, Statesboro and Bluffton, Ga., for the past decade. Their newest venture with Vicious Biscuit is positioned between Savannah’s bustling hospital corridor and vibrant midtown business district. “Savannah has been …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentIndustry Voicesremodelsrestaurants

Reimagining Real Estate

by Katie Lee

— By Lawrence Brown — How Rita’s® is turning former banks and dry cleaners into thriving dessert shops. The retail real estate market is at one of its most challenging points in recent memory. Vacancy rates are low, rents are high and construction costs continue to climb. For restaurants and retailers, those dynamics have turned traditional site development into a steep uphill climb. But for Rita’s® Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, this environment has been a catalyst for creativity and growth. At Rita’s, we’ve embraced adaptive reuse and flexible prototypes …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Captain D’s Opens First Location in the UK

by Katie Lee

Broadstairs, Kent (UK) — Captain D’s will open its first-ever UK restaurant at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre in Broadstairs, Kent, on Oct. 20. At the new location, Captain D’s will bring its refreshed restaurant design, UK-tailored menu and international expansion strategy to life. This opening is part of a 20-unit master franchise agreement with local partner CD’s Holdings.  The Broadstairs restaurant is the first to showcase Captain D’s modernized UK design, featuring a fresh new color palette, playful seafood and chicken icons and a vibrant, family-friendly vibe. It’s contemporary, fun …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Smoothie King Opens First Stores in Utah and Minnesota; Also Expands in DFW Airport

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King is fueling its national growth with a series of milestone openings this fall, including debuts in two new states and new growth in one of the country’s busiest airports. The brand has officially opened its first-ever Utah location in Washington and its first-ever Minnesota location in Woodbury, marking Smoothie King’s entry into both states. At the same time, Smoothie King is strengthening its presence in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) with two new locations in Terminal A and Terminal D, joining its existing Terminal A store. …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Sola Salons Opens its Largest Flagship Location

by Katie Lee

Denver — Sola Salons, the world’s largest studio suite franchise, has marked the Oct. 4 grand opening of its largest location to date in Northeast Minneapolis. Located at 2626 NE 2nd St., the new facility spans 29,903 square feet and houses 101 studios and 114 chairs, making it a landmark destination for entrepreneurial beauty professionals in the Twin Cities. The scale of the new Sola Salons Minneapolis facility distinguishes it as the largest Sola Salons location ever built, and it has already generated excitement, with 70% of the studios pre-leased …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts