franchise development

Detroit — Little Caesars®, the third-largest pizza chain in the world, is building on its commitment to serving military communities with four new locations planned across U.S. Navy installations. The expansion follows the brand’s first military base opening at Pearl Harbor in 2025 and marks another step in its continued non-traditional growth. “Military communities are an important part of Little Caesars and our commitment to supporting those who serve,” says Sally Rampersad, director of non-traditional and development services for Little Caesars. “Since 2006, the Little Caesars Veterans program has helped …

St. Petersburg, Fla. — WOWorks, the parent company of better-for-you restaurant brands Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup! Eatery, has opened 23 new restaurants so far this year, with 15 additional locations currently in development. This brings WOWorks’ total footprint to nearly 240 restaurants nationwide and puts the company on pace for nearly 40 new stores by year’s end. New restaurants have launched across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast — including Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia and Texas — as …

Woodbury, Minn. — Moe’s Southwest Grill is bringing its bold flavors and signature hospitality to the Twin Cities area with the opening of its first traditional restaurant in the market. Slated to open by late September in Woodbury, Minn., the new location marks a milestone in the brand’s regional expansion and introduces local guests to the full Moe’s restaurant experience. While Moe’s currently serves travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the new 2,605-square-foot Woodbury restaurant is the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location in the Twin Cities area. “The Twin Cities area …

West Palm Beach, Fla. — During the first 6 months of the year, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill signed 20 domestic franchise agreements — including four multi-unit development agreements — totaling 30 future restaurants across high-growth markets, while also securing its first-ever franchise agreement in Massachusetts. The brand currently has 92 restaurants open across 22 states and internationally. Development activity included six locations for Nassau County, N.Y.; five locations for Dallas; three locations for Naples, Fla.; five locations spanning Omaha, Neb., and Sioux Falls, S.D.; two locations for Bakersfield, Calif.; …

Lexington, Ky. — A&W Restaurants has launched its new restaurant prototype, a design that honors the brand’s iconic past while creating a relevant, differentiated experience for today’s guests. The updated design will serve as the foundation for future A&W restaurant development across the U.S., supporting the brand’s expansion into both new and existing markets. Inspired by A&W’s classic diner restaurants and its original roadside root beer stands, the modern heritage concept blends timeless Americana with contemporary architecture, enhanced guest comfort and a flexible footprint that can be adapted for a …

Houston — Shipley Donuts, which is celebrating 90 years in business this year, will make its Michigan debut in metro Detroit through a 15-unit franchise agreement. The agreement will bring Shipley Donuts to Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties across metro Detroit, with the first location targeted for late first quarter 2027. The agreement establishes plans to open three additional shops per year for the next 4 years, resulting in 15 new stores over a 5-year development period. This agreement marks a major milestone for Shipley Donuts as the brand celebrates …