Toledo, Ohio — Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, kicks off 2026 with deliberate development plans following a year of strategic expansion and systemwide investment. In 2025, Marco’s opened more than 60 new stores and this year, it plans to surpass 80 new store openings while continuing to accelerate growth across new domestic markets, international territories and non-traditional venues. Complementing its expansion, Marco’s is rolling out advanced digital tools, operational enhancements and menu innovations, strengthening franchisee support and setting the stage for sustainable, long term operations. In …
franchise development
Houston — Shipley Donuts, the nation’s largest brand of fresh, handmade donuts and kolaches, has expanded its senior leadership team with the addition of a new chief operating officer, Matt Kafka; chief development officer, Todd Brin; and chief financial officer, John Feray. The three appointments follow the addition of its chief marketing officer, Bill Leibengood, who joined Shipley in late 2025. The expanded leadership team joins the brand as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year and rapidly approaches the opening of its 400th location. Kafka brings nearly 30 years …
Hurricane, W.Va. — On March 4, Buffalo Wild Wings GO — a fast, order-ahead destination built around the brand’s wings, sauces and shareables — opened in Hurricane, W.Va. This opening marks an exciting expansion of the brand’s footprint in West Virginia. Designed for speed, Buffalo Wild Wings GO focuses on the menu items guests crave most — traditional and boneless wings, chicken dippers, burgers, fried chicken sandwiches and wraps, cauliflower wings, fries, tater tots and desserts — all paired with 26 signature sauces and dry rubs. The Hurricane location features …
Spartanburg, S.C. — Eggs Up Grill, a fast-growing “better breakfast” restaurant franchise, has appointed Kayla Money as chief financial officer. She brings more than a decade of financial leadership experience in the restaurant industry to the growing breakfast, brunch and lunch franchise. Money joins Eggs Up Grill from Denny’s Corporation, where she most recently served as senior director of enterprise FP&A and investor relations. Money’s appointment comes on the heels of record-setting momentum for Eggs Up Grill. In 2025, the brand opened 18 new restaurants, the most in company history, …
Oshowa, Ontario (Canada) — RNR Tire Express (RNR), a leading franchise retailer for tires and custom wheels, is officially entering Canada with the signing of its first international franchise agreement. The new location is currently under construction at 1080 Simcoe St. N in Oshawa, Ontario, and is anticipated to open in March 2026. “Expanding into Canada is a natural next step for RNR as we continue to grow alongside our franchisees and the communities we serve,” says Adam Sutton, CEO of RNR Tire Express. “Our focus has always been on …
Atlanta — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, is making its Nevada debut with a six-unit franchise agreement in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The deal marks the brand’s first development in Nevada and underscores continued momentum as Chicken Salad Chick strategically expands beyond the Southeast and into the growing Southwest market. Leading the development is husband-and-wife team Mark and Cayla Rubalcaba, longtime Las Vegas residents who will spearhead the rollout of six restaurants across the market. Their connection to Chicken Salad Chick began at …
Houston — Shipley Donuts has signed four multi-unit deals to expand its national footprint, including in Las Vegas, its westernmost location, plus multiple new locations in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and New Orleans. Development plans include: • Three shops in Las Vegas, marking the brand’s first Nevada locations • Expansion of the brand’s Louisiana presence with five new shops in New Orleans • Three new Atlanta-area shops in Alpharetta, Roswell and Sandy Springs • Build-out of the brand’s Dallas-Fort Worth market with an agreement to open three additional shops throughout the area …
Mike’s Red Tacos Launches National Franchising Initiative with 200+ Locations Under Development
San Diego — Mike’s Red Tacos, the celebrated San Diego-born beef Birria brand, is fueling rapid national growth with the launch of a dynamic franchising initiative. An accomplished team of restaurant industry leaders is spurring expansion through a strategic investment in the brand. Together with the original Mike’s Red Tacos founder, they have created remarkable momentum for the brand, securing development agreements with experienced franchisees from Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jersey Mike’s, Blaze Pizza, Dunkin’, Little Caesars, Carl’s Jr, Wetzel’s Pretzels, etc. that total more than 200 planned locations. Leading the …
Dallas — Black Sheep Coffee, an international coffee brand with a rapidly expanding U.S. presence, has secured a 20-store multi-unit development agreement across the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex. The deal marks a significant step in the brand’s Texas growth strategy and continued expansion across the United States. The agreement will bring 20 additional locations to the DFW region over the next 5 years, with planned sites across Richland Hills, Bedford, Plano, Garland, Rowlett, Mobile City, Sunnyvale, Richardson and Sachse. The expansion builds on Black Sheep Coffee’s established footprint in North …
New York City — Gregorys Coffee, a culture-defining coffee brand born in New York City, has officially launched its franchise program. After nearly 20 years of perfecting the craft coffee experience and scaling to more than 50 cafés, Gregorys is expanding through franchising with a proven brand, a time-tested model, deep guest loyalty and infrastructure built for long term growth. Since opening its first café in Manhattan in 2006, Gregorys has spent two decades earning loyalty through a quality-first approach that touches every part of the guest experience — from …