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Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café Makes North Carolina Debut

by Katie Lee

Cary, N.C. — Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café is making its North Carolina debut. The first location in the Tar Heel State will open in Cary next year, marking a major milestone in the brand’s continued southern expansion. The new location will open in first quarter 2026 at 1 Fenton Main St. The Cary store will mark the second opening under a landmark 15-unit development agreement between Sweet Paris and Virentes Hospitality, an investment arm of the multifamily office Virentes Partners Group. Comprised of three families of seasoned operators, Virentes …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Stretch Zone Celebrates 400th Location

by Katie Lee

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Stretch Zone, the nation’s leader in practitioner-assisted stretching, announced today the opening of three new locations across the country, reaching 400 studio locations — marking a major milestone in the brand’s rapid national expansion. Stretch Zone has achieved this growth without a single location failure, a rare feat in the franchise world, and a testament to the brand’s proven model, operational excellence and robust franchise support. The multi-location debut underscores Stretch Zone’s momentum and growing national footprint, with three new studios set to open in Rogers, Ark.; …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Chicken Salad Chick to Open First Restaurant in Kansas

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, will open its first restaurant in Kansas on July 1 — expanding the brand’s footprint to 22 states. The new restaurant will be located in Overland Park. Sisters Jo Anne Williams and Cindy Sulzman are the team behind this milestone opening for the brand. In addition to their Overland Park restaurant, the pair are slated to open two more Chicken Salad Chick restaurants in Johnson County in 2026. Sulzman will be heading up retail operations, catering and …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Pilots New Hospitality-Driven Model in Sugar Land, TX

by Katie Lee

Sugar Land, Texas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has shaken things up in the Houston area with the grand opening of its newest location in Sugar Land, called Fuzzy’s Tacos and Margs, on June 16, 2025. The restaurant marks a new offering for the brand, debuting a fresh dining experience with full-service hospitality, digital innovations and a menu refresh. Unlike traditional Fuzzy’s locations where guests order at the counter and collect their food at a pickup window, the Sugar Land restaurant will offer tableside service. Guests will be welcomed to take …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Yum! Brands Appoints New CEO, Effective October 1, 2025

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — The board of directors of Yum! Brands, Inc. has unanimously elected Chris Turner as chief executive officer, effective October 1, 2025. Turner currently serves as chief financial & franchise officer for Yum! Brands. He succeeds current CEO David Gibbs, who, in March 2025, informed the board of directors of his intention to retire in the next year after 37 years with the company and a successful tenure as CEO. Turner has served as Yum! Brands’ CFO since 2019 and expanded his role to include chief franchise officer …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Bobby’s Burgers By Bobby Flay Names New Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Bobby’s Burgers By Bobby Flay has appointed Patrick Cunningham as chief development officer (CDO). This move underscores the brand’s continued momentum and dedication to building a powerhouse franchise network. He joins the company from Little Caesars Pizza. With nearly three decades of experience in the QSR and franchising spaces, Cunningham brings a wealth of expertise to Bobby’s Burgers. In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of the brand’s franchise development strategy, with a focus on new market expansion and both traditional and non-traditional growth opportunities …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Smalls Sliders® Names Industry Veteran as Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Smalls Sliders has appointed veteran restaurant operations leader Clint Penfield as its new chief operating officer. In this role, Penfield will oversee systemwide operations and focus on building scalable infrastructure to support franchisee growth, while preserving the brand’s bold identity and relentless focus on guest experience. Penfield brings over two decades of leadership from Raising Cane’s, one of the most admired growth stories in the restaurant industry. During his tenure, he held multiple senior roles — including chief of restaurant services, senior vice president of restaurant services, and …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Ascent Hospitality Management Appoints Chief Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Ascent Hospitality Management, franchisor to family dining brands Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co., has named Brian Wallunas as chief technology officer. In this role, Wallunas will lead the company’s digital strategy, with a focus on implementing customer-centric technology solutions that drive operational efficiency, elevate the guest experience and fuel brand growth. Most recently, Wallunas served as chief technology officer at Smokey Bones. Under his leadership, online sales tripled, and the brand’s guest engagement capabilities were significantly enhanced. “Brian is a forward-thinking technology leader with a deep …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Shipley Do-Nuts Opens First Location in Virginia

by Katie Lee

Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts, a fast-growing donut and kolache brand with more than 375 shops, has opened its first Virginia location in Lynchburg. The new shop marks Shipley’s expansion into its 14th state. Founded in 1936 in Texas and expanding rapidly into new states such as Virginia, Shipley offers more than 60 varieties of fresh donuts, handmade daily. These include its signature hot glazed, cut in the iconic Shipley hexagon shape, plus filled, iced and cake donuts, bear claws, coffee and more. Owned by Lexington, Va.-based businessman and Texas native …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

MOOYAH Names Industry Veteran as Next President

by Katie Lee

Plano, Texas — MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes has appointed Michael Meche as president. A seasoned restaurant executive with significant leadership experience, Meche will lead MOOYAH into its next stage of growth, focusing on franchisee success, operational excellence and people-oriented leadership. Most recently, Meche served as chief restaurant officer for sister brands Capriotti’s and Wing Zone, where he helped to elevate guest experience, enhance franchisee performance and develop strong operating teams. He began his restaurant journey in high school as a team member at Papa John’s and steadily climbed the …

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