Atlanta — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, is ready for expansion into five new states — Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Utah — creating opportunities in key markets for experienced franchise owners who are ready to grow quickly. The brand is on pace for a record-setting year through robust sales growth and an ambitious development pipeline. Key Markets for Growth: • Arizona: Flagstaff, Phoenix metropolitan area, Prescott, Tucson • Nevada: Las Vegas metropolitan area • New Jersey: Central and South Jersey • …
franchise development
Pasadena, Calif. — Dog Haus will soon make its Florida debut. The California-born concept has signed an area development agreement with seasoned restaurant franchisees Livingston and Terri Chatman, marking the brand’s first expansion into the Sunshine State. Livingston, a notable University of Florida basketball alumnus, and his wife, Terri, bring more than 20 years of experience in franchising multiple restaurant concepts. The duo plans to open their first Dog Haus location in Tampa in late 2025 or early 2026. They are exploring potential additional sites across Florida in the years …
San Antonio — Whataburger has hired Jessica Reicher as executive vice president and chief operating officer. She brings more than 30 years of diverse restaurant leadership experience, with a proven track record of operational excellence, brand growth and people-first leadership. Most recently, Reicher served as president of Arby’s at Flynn Group, where she led over 360 locations across 10 states. Under her leadership, Flynn Arby’s consistently ranks at the top of the system on national benchmarks in sales and customer satisfaction. Her people development strategy resulted in industry-leading turnover improvements, …
Houston — SPB Hospitality, a portfolio company of Fortress Investment Group and a leading operator and franchisor of restaurant brands, has appointed Robert “Bob” J. Fargo as senior vice president of development. Fargo first joined SPB Hospitality in 2023 as vice president of construction and design. In his new role, Fargo will lead all aspects of real estate, design and construction management for SPB Hospitality’s portfolio, including J. Alexander’s, Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill, Amada, Village Whiskey, Krystal and Logan’s Roadhouse. He will be responsible for managing SPB’s national development …
New York City — Bojangles, the North Carolina-born restaurant chain specializing in craveable breakfast and Southern-style chicken, biscuits and tea, has signed a 20-unit agreement that will bring the concept back to New York City. After a brief chapter in the city during the 1980s, this agreement marks the beginning of a new era for Bojangles in the city. The agreement, spearheaded by experienced restaurant owner and operator Habib Hashimi and Hashimi Holding Corporation, is expected to bring Bojangles to New York City over the next 10 years, with the …
Philadelphia — With nearly 40 new locations on track to open in 2025 and recognition as one of the nation’s top-performing restaurant brands, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is celebrating strong mid-year momentum rooted in innovation, accessibility and franchise growth. In the first half of the year, Rita’s opened 16 new shops, including locations in new and developing markets like Grand Rapids, Mich.; Nexton, S.C.; and Liberty Township, Ohio. With 19 additional shops currently in the pipeline, the brand is poised for continued growth across the U.S. “As we …
Newtown, Pa. — Norman’s Hallmark continues to grow its brick-and-mortar footprint with a portfolio of 22 stores in Maryland. The acquisition, which includes locations in Annapolis, Baltimore, Bethesda, Columbia, Frederick and Rockville, punctuates sustained growth for the Newtown, Pa.-based greeting card and specialty gift retailer and marks the company’s largest portfolio addition in its 86-year history. With 100 locations and a strong e-commerce presence, Norman’s Hallmark has grown from a single retail store in Trenton, N.J., to a leading force in the social expression industry. An independent owner of Gold …
Toledo, Ohio — Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, is celebrating a powerful first half of 2025, marked by 41 new store openings. If current trends continue, the brand is poised for a 28% year-over-year increase in new store openings — reinforcing its strength in a highly competitive market. “We entered 2025 with momentum from a very intentional development strategy — and that pipeline is now turning into stores,” says Gerardo Flores, chief development officer of Marco’s Pizza. “The potential of our model and the power of …
Orlando, Fla. — Sonny’s BBQ, an industry-leading BBQ restaurant, has added Matt Zeiger to its team as chief financial & development officer. In this key leadership role, he will oversee finance and development, bringing his strategic vision and deep expertise to support Sonny’s growth plan. “Matt brings an impressive 25 years of exceptional financial and operational leadership, having worked with some of the most respected restaurant franchise brands in the industry,” says George McAllan, chief growth officer at Sonny’s BBQ. “His depth of expertise will help guide Sonny’s BBQ as …
Tampa, Fla. — Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. has implemented a series of senior leadership appointments designed to support the company’s ongoing business turnaround, focusing on the Outback Steakhouse brand. “The Bloomin Brands leadership team has broad operational and restaurant experience across diverse consumer facing businesses. As we reinvigorate sales and profit growth in our restaurants, our leaders are committed to our founder’s values of leading growth that is enabled by our people with a passion for guest hospitality,” says Mike Spanos, chief executive officer. “These organizational updates enhance our bench strength, …