Monday, July 21, 2025
Read the Magazine Subscribe

franchise development

franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay Names New President

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Bobby’s Burgers, the ultimate burger experience by celebrity chef Bobby Flay, has named Michael McGill as president of its franchising company. Beyond overseeing all departments, McGill’s responsibilities include management of the strategic brand expansion, which is to franchise more than 500 locations worldwide. The franchising initiative McGill is leading stems from the formation of Intelligration Capital BB, LLC, which is the franchisor company for Bobby’s Burgers. McGill and the board of directors, made up of best-in-class executives from the restaurant and franchise industries, respected investors and experienced …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Dine Brands to Acquire Fuzzy’s Taco Shop

by Katie Lee

Glendale, Calif. — Dine Brands Global, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar® and IHOP® restaurants, has agreed to acquire Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® from Experiential Brands LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NRD Holding Company, for $80 million in cash. Fuzzy’s is a fast-casual restaurant concept serving Mexican favorites with a Baja twist. Net of tax benefits, the purchase price is approximately $70 million. Founded in 2003 in Fort Worth, Texas, Fuzzy’s is a category innovator, offering a new twist on Mexican favorites at a value price …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsretailers

Plato’s Closet® Hits Milestone with 500th Store

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Winmark Corporation, North America’s leading franchisor of sustainable resale brands, has opened the 500th store of its industry-leading teen and young adult resale concept, Plato’s Closet®. The landmark new store opened on December 1, 2022, in Windsor, Ontario. “500 Plato’s Closet locations is a huge accomplishment and a testament to our collective efforts with our franchise partners, their employees, and the team at Winmark to achieve this milestone. To see the impact that this brand has had on our franchise partners and their communities is inspiring,” says Renae …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Chicken Salad Chick Debuts in Chicago Area

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, will open its first-ever location in the Chicago metro area and the fourth in Illinois on Jan. 10, 2023. Located at 220 North Randall Rd., Chicken Salad Chick Batavia is opening in the former Crabby Boil building in front of Menards and features a drive-thru as well as a private event space. Kim and Garrett Seaman of Fox Valley Chick, LLC are the duo bringing Chicken Salad Chick to the Chicago area. The husband-and-wife team met when …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Smoothie King Makes 3 Key Additions to Executive Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King has made three key additions to its executive leadership team: Marianne Radley, chief marketing officer; Juan Salas, chief information officer; and Laura Scavone, chief people officer. All three have been added to the brand’s C-suite and will be responsible for leading effective, cross-functional teams to achieve Smoothie King’s strategic business goals. “We’re excited to have Marianne, Juan and Laura join our growing leadership team. They are exemplary leaders in their respective segments, each possessing a wealth of experience in the QSR industry and will undoubtedly make …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsretailers

Pet Supplies Plus Operator Signs Deal for 29 Wag N’ Wash Stores

by Katie Lee

Livonia, Mich. — The largest multi-unit operator of Pet Supplies Plus, US Retail Holdings, has signed a deal to purchase 29 Wag ‘N Wash stores. This agreement follows their previous development announcement to open 20 additional Pet Supplies Plus stores over the next 5 years. The entrepreneurs behind US Retail Holdings are Aaron Young, Chad Bush and Doug DeLozier, who collectively have over 60 years of PSP experience and own and operate 49 Pet Supplies Plus stores across Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin and Texas. Over the next 4 years, …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

FAT Brands Opens First Tri-Branded Location

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has opened its first tri-branded location: a Fatburger, Buffalo’s Express and Hot Dog on a Stick. This unique new location is situated in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Valley Village. “Since 2013, we have been able to effectively scale the co-branded model of Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express,” says Mason Wiederhorn, chief brand officer of FAT Brands. “As FAT Brands has continued to expand its portfolio, we have been exploring other like-minded brands to join together, most recently, Johnny Rockets and Hurricane …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Bonchon Opens 20th Location in Virginia

by Katie Lee

Virginia Beach, Va. — Bonchon is continuing to grow in the state of Virginia. The popular restaurant, known for its crispy, hand-brushed Korean fried chicken, has a new opening in the Hilltop West shopping center in Virginia Beach, Va. The new location opened on November 22. The Virginia Beach Bonchon location has full table service and everything on the menu is available for takeout and delivery. Founded in Busan, South Korea, in 2002, Bonchon today has more than 390 locations across eight countries including Thailand, Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Australia, …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Island Fin Poké Co. Debuts in Tennessee

by Katie Lee

Clarksville, Tenn. — Rapidly expanding franchise Island Fin Poké Co. has made its debut in Clarksville, Tenn., marking its 26th location and its first in Tennessee. The new location opened on November 14. Island Fin Poké Co. is a Florida-based fast-casual concept known for its Hawaiian-style build-your-own poké bowls. “Our area has been craving something new and fresh, so we are glad to be able to provide these exciting, Island-inspired flavors to Clarksville,” says Jeff Bryant, franchise owner of the new Island Fin Poké Co. “We’re looking forward to introducing …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Caribou Coffee Opens First Domestic Franchise Location

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Caribou Coffee®, a national premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands company, has opened its first-ever domestic franchise location. Located in Wooster, Ohio, the grand opening on Nov. 17 marked a significant milestone for Caribou Coffee since announcing its domestic franchise program in October 2021. Earlier this year, Caribou Coffee announced its first multi-unit agreement with franchisee Mike Mariola, who intends to develop locations in the Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati markets. “We’ve been anticipating the day when we could welcome guests to Caribou’s first U.S.-based franchise location,” says Matthew Walls, …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts