franchise development

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 …

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— 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 …

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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 …

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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. …

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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 …

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Sandy, Utah — Swig, the creator of the dirty soda beverage category, is ramping up its nationwide growth by promoting Todd Smith to president, following his tenure as chief commercial officer, and appointing franchise sales veteran Shannon Swenson as chief, franchise partnerships. “We’re at a major moment for dirty soda,” says Alex Dunn, CEO of Swig. “People crave playful, personalized drinks, and Swig is here to deliver — coast to coast. Todd’s vision, Shannon’s franchising prowess and the talent of Swig’s leaders and team members alike are the perfect combination …

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Columbus, Ohio — Donatos Pizza is partnering with new franchise owners to begin adding more than 50 new locations across the Carolinas over the next several years. Cities in North Carolina include Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, High Point and Greensboro. Cities in South Carolina include Greenville, Spartanburg and Columbia. In North Carolina, Donatos already serves guests through 16 Red Robin locations. South Carolina has Donatos Edge to Edge® pizzas available in four Red Robin locations in addition to four traditional restaurants in Summerville, Boiling Springs, West Ashley and Fort Mill. “This …

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Davenport, Iowa — Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream has added several seasoned leaders to its executive team, including Jenny Culp as vice president of purchasing and supply chain and Christopher Anschutz as vice president of restaurant operations. Culp has played a major role within the brand’s operations and supply chain since 2007, most recently serving as the director of purchasing and supply chain. In her new role as vice president, she will oversee sourcing, vendor partnerships and distribution strategies that position franchisees for success while ensuring consistency, quality and …

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New York City — Private investment firm Franchise Equity Partners (FEP) has acquired a majority stake in 7 Crew, the second-largest franchise owner of 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee. As part of the agreement, FEP will continue to execute 7 Crew’s existing development agreement with 7 Brew, which includes opening more than 200 new stands in addition to the 50 currently operating. FEP has taken a selective approach to investing in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector. After evaluating numerous opportunities, 7 Brew stood out as a differentiated, category-defining brand. 7 Brew …

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Salina, Kan. — Salina, Kan.-based Mokas Coffee & Eatery, known for its roasted coffee, freshly baked pastries and breakfast and lunch offerings, has announced the upcoming opening of its first franchise location ahead of the brand’s 20th anniversary this November. Entrepreneur and hospitality veteran Christian Coleman has signed a six-unit agreement to bring Mokas Coffee to Johnson, Douglas and Shawnee counties. The first location is scheduled to open in Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City, Mo., in March 2026. Coleman launched his career in professional tennis at the BNP Paribas Open …

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