franchise development

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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 …