franchise development

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16 Handles Plans California Debut with 8 New Units in Multiple Markets

by Katie Lee

New York City — 16 Handles, the upscale frozen yogurt and dessert franchise, is bringing its concept to the West Coast, announcing its first-ever expansion into California with eight units planned across some of the state’s most high-demand markets. Initial locations are already in development across the Los Angeles metro area, the San Fernando Valley, the San Francisco Bay area and North San Diego. “We’ve always seen California as a natural second home for 16 Handles, but we wanted to enter the market the right way, with strong operators and …

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construction and designfacilities managementfranchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Sweetgreen Names New Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Sweetgreen, Inc. has appointed Ryan Slemons as its new chief development officer, effective May 4, 2026. He now leads all aspects of real estate, design, construction, facilities and portfolio management, and he reports directly to Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO. Slemons brings nearly two decades of experience in real estate, franchising and store development across various industries. Most recently, he served as chief development officer of Unleashed Brands, a portfolio of franchise brands including Urban Air Adventure Park, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning Centers and more. “Ryan …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Huey Magoo’s Introduces Freestanding Condensed Drive-Thru Prototype

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Huey Magoo’s, a fast-casual chicken tenders chain, is introducing a freestanding drive-thru prototype designed to lower build costs and increase site flexibility for franchisees. The design allows development on sites that were previously not viable, supporting growth in more markets while reducing upfront investment. The prototype extends the brand’s cost-conscious design approach into a stand-alone drive-thru format, building on momentum from 2025, when Huey Magoo’s introduced a condensed 1,500-square-foot inline model to reduce buildout costs and expand access to high-traffic retail centers. That format created a more …

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franchise developmentNewspeopleretailers

RNR Tire Express to Debut in Massachusetts with New Franchise Agreement

by Katie Lee

Boston — RNR Tire Express (RNR), the nation’s leading franchise retailer for tires and custom wheels and part of the multi-brand franchisor company DX3 Brands, has signed a franchise agreement that will bring the brand to Massachusetts for the first time. The new location is expected to open in summer 2026 at 995 N Montello St., in Brockton, Mass. “This marks a significant step forward in our New England development strategy,” says Adam Sutton, CEO of DX3 Brands and RNR Tire Express. “Matt’s leadership, operational expertise and commitment to community …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Freddy’s Strengthens Development Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Wichita, Kan. — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is strengthening its development team. Rafik Farouk has joined as vice president of business development, and Jackie Lobdell has been named vice president of franchise sales. As Freddy’s approaches 600 restaurants, the addition of these experienced leaders reinforces the team driving the brand’s expansion. Together, Farouk and Lobdell bring more than four decades of restaurant industry experience, adding significant depth to Freddy’s development bench. “Freddy’s is entering an exciting phase of growth, and Rafik and Jackie are two important additions to our …

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Sonic Automotive Grows Powersports Division by Acquiring 5 Harley-Davidson Dealerships

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Sonic Automotive, Inc., one of the nation’s largest automotive and powersports retailers, has significantly expanded its Sonic Powersports division through the acquisition of five new Harley-Davidson dealerships across California, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. “This acquisition represents a pivotal step in our long term growth plan for Sonic Automotive, extending our reach within the high-growth powersports business and further diversifying our business portfolio,” says David B. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Sonic Automotive. “Our proven ability to integrate and scale operations, coupled with our relentless …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Smoothie King Embarks on New Brand Evolution Plan

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King is marking the beginning of the next chapter in its 53-year history by introducing a new brand evolution plan. The new plan is designed to build on its continued momentum, reinforce category leadership and accelerate long term growth. It includes more than 200 new store commitments, over 1,500 available trade areas in its development pipeline and a newly expanded food menu. The new brand evolution also introduces a transformed in-store experience, rolling out over the coming year. In 1973, Smoothie King introduced a new category to …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Nothing Bundt Cakes® Opens 800th Bakery

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Nothing Bundt Cakes reached a major milestone as it opened the doors to its 800th bakery on April 15. The 800th bakery opened at 2660 Oswell St. in East Bakersfield, Calif., and will be operated by owners Chiral and Dixit Desai, who also own multiple bakeries within the state. “This achievement reflects the work and passion of our bakery owners and teams, along with the fans who make us part of their everyday celebrations,” says Dolf Berle, CEO of Nothing Bundt Cakes. “At this stage of growth, what …

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construction and designCover Storyfacilities managementfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinekitchen equipmentremodelsrestaurantssoftware/technology

A Scalable Refresh

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — 2026 marks the full rollout of Gong cha 2.0, a comprehensive modernization of technology, operations and store design for the bubble tea leader. Gong cha is the world’s leading bubble tea brand with nearly 2,200 locations in 33 markets globally, including more than 240 stores in the U.S. across 23 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. But it still has plenty of room to grow — both in number of locations and in brand recognition — in the United States. With a solid foundation undergirding …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Dave’s Hot Chicken Opens Record 8 Restaurants in a Single Day

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dave’s Hot Chicken continues its rapid growth in 2026 with the opening of 8 new restaurants on April 16, expanding its footprint to more than 400 locations worldwide. The milestone highlights the brand’s disciplined approach to expansion and its ability to execute at scale while maintaining a consistent guest experience. The fast-casual concept, which originated in Los Angeles, is bringing its Nashville-style hot chicken to a diverse set of markets nationwide, including Fairlawn, Ohio; Oneonta, N.Y.; Edina, Minn.; Gastonia, N.C.; Arlington Heights, Ill.; Miami; Saratoga, Utah; and …

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