franchise development

Houston — Shipley Donuts has signed a three-unit franchise agreement in Cincinnati, marking its entry into Ohio. The deal is with Houston-based Koelache Co. LLC, which plans to open its first Shipley location in first quarter 2027, with the other two units expected to open through 2029.  Founded in Texas in 1936 and expanding rapidly into new markets, Shipley Donuts is known for its signature hot glazed donuts plus dozens of varieties of fresh, handmade donuts including filled, iced and cake donuts. Shipley is also famous for its kolaches, which …

Toledo, Ohio — Marco’s Pizza is developing a new Operations Center of Excellence in Orlando, Fla., a strategic investment designed to elevate franchisee training, strengthen operational execution and support the brand’s continued national and international expansion. The new facility represents an extension of the company’s headquarters in Toledo, Ohio. Construction is currently underway, with the facility expected to open in fall 2026. Located at 222 South Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando, the approximately 14,030-square-foot center will serve as a corporate office, training destination and operational hub. Backed by an investment …

Lexington, Ky. — PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans has signed a 7-unit license agreement with Steve Estepp, founder of Estepp Energy and Coffee Dudes LLC, to expand the New Orleans-born coffee brand throughout convenience stores in Central Kentucky. A locally owned and family-operated business, Estepp Energy has built a strong reputation throughout Kentucky’s convenience store industry over the past 50 years by emphasizing operational excellence, customer service and strategic growth. Today, the company operates more than 13 convenience stores across Central Kentucky and continues expanding its portfolio with complementary brands …

Atlanta — Krystal, the iconic quick-service chain that has been serving its signature square sliders hot off the grill since 1932, opened its first New Jersey restaurant on June 4 in Union, marking the brand’s Northeast debut. “Opening our first restaurant in New Jersey is a major milestone for Krystal and an important next step for the brand,” says Amanda Hyde, chief operating officer of Krystal. “Krystal has always had fans beyond the South, and now we’re proud to introduce the full experience to the Northeastern community.” Krystal is actively …

Alpharetta, Ga. — Your Pie, a pizza brand known for its customizable brick-oven pizzas and open-kitchen dining experience, is targeting scalable growth across the Southeast, with a focus on metro Atlanta, the Chattanooga-Knoxville-Nashville corridor and Columbia, S.C. “Focusing on the Southeast markets is big for Your Pie right now, especially with the growing population and demand for something new in those areas,” says Ken Caldwell, CEO and head of development of Your Pie. “We believe that these markets resonate exceptionally well with our brand and will give us the opportunity …