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Starbird Appoints New CEO to Lead National Expansion

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Starbird has appointed Greg Levin as chief executive officer and board member, effective immediately. Levin will lead the company’s next phase of national expansion, bringing a guest-first leadership mindset, a proven record of scaling premium restaurant brands and deep experience building disciplined, high-performing restaurant concepts and operating systems. As part of the transition, Starbird founder Aaron Noveshen will move fully into the role of chairman of the board. In this capacity, he will continue stewarding the brand’s long term vision and values at the board level, ensuring …

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Starbucks to Open 400 Net-New U.S. Stores as Part of Overall Transformation Plan

by Katie Lee

Seattle — At its recent 2026 Investor Day, Starbucks Coffee Company highlighted progress in its “Back to Starbucks” transformation plan, showcasing new coffeehouse and menu innovation, and detailing a financial framework for delivering long term, sustainable growth. By fiscal 2028, the company expects to open 2,000 net new stores across its portfolio, including approximately 400 net new U.S. company-operated stores. “Starbucks is back,” says Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer. “We’re putting the customer at the center of everything we do and setting our partners up for success. We …

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FAT Brands Inc. Files Voluntary Chapter 11 Petitions to Bolster Capital Structure

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has commenced voluntary chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. FAT Brands plans to use the filings to deleverage the balance sheet, maximize value for its stakeholders and support continued growth of its brands. FAT Brands’ portfolio of 18 restaurant concepts encompasses more than 2,200 locations worldwide. Iconic brands such as Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and Round Table Pizza, among others, are expected to remain operating as usual during the chapter 11 process. “Our dynamic …

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Bricks & Minifigs Surpasses 300th Store, Doubling Growth in Just 2 Years

by Katie Lee

Orem, Utah — Bricks & Minifigs, an authorized LEGO® reseller specializing in buying, trading and selling LEGO® products, surpassed 300 stores in 2025. Through its buy, sell and trade model, each location gives unused LEGO items a second life with new builders, demonstrating the company’s continued success as a franchise-driven, in-person retailer. Since 2023, Bricks & Minifigs has opened 150 stores, marking one of the most accelerated periods of growth in its history. “When I first joined Bricks & Minifigs as CEO in 2018, we had just 35 franchisees operating, …

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Gong Cha 2.0: Bubble-Tea Leader Rolls Out New, Innovative, Efficient Store Model

by Katie Lee

Boston — Gong cha, a leading worldwide bubble tea brand, has unveiled its global Gong cha 2.0 initiative: a comprehensive digital, operational and design refresh to optimize profitability, efficiency and scalability for franchisees — as well as improve the guest experience. This global rollout combines two key technologies — Super Wu beverage automation and self-order kiosks — with a modernized store design to streamline operations, reduce labor demands and improve throughput without compromising quality or hospitality. “Gong cha 2.0 is engineered for today’s operators,” says Geoff Henry, president of Gong …

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Krystal to Debut in Northeast with First-Ever New Jersey Location

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — After more than nine decades rooted in the South, Krystal is officially expanding north. The brand, known for its small, square Krystals served hot off the grill, will open its first-ever New Jersey restaurant at 2200 Route 22 East in Union. This marks Krystal’s debut in the Northeast and a major milestone in the brand’s 93-year history. The Union restaurant will open on March 2, 2026 and is led by brand partner Victor Cruz, a former New York Giants wide receiver, Super Bowl XLVI champion and sportscaster, who …

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Dog Haus Marks 15 Years and a New Era of Growth

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dog Haus, an acclaimed burgers, brats and brews concept, is entering 2026 with strong momentum and a robust growth outlook. As the Southern California-based craft-casual brand celebrates its first 15 years, a full development pipeline signals its most prolific year of new openings to date. “2025 was our best year yet, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and transformative years in Dog Haus’ proud history,” says CEO Michael Montagano. “As we celebrate our first 15 years, we’re pairing our strong brand …

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Vicious Biscuit Names VP of Franchise Operations

by Katie Lee

Mount Pleasant, S.C. — Vicious Biscuit, a fast-growing Southern brunch brand known for its bold flavors and genuine hospitality, has named Mike Ball as vice president of franchise operations. Ball, who previously served as vice president of operations, will now lead a newly defined, franchise-dedicated role focused exclusively on franchise partner success as the brand prepares for accelerated national expansion. The appointment comes as Vicious Biscuit enters its next stage of growth, with an expanding pipeline of franchise openings and a growing roster of multi-unit operators entering the system. The …

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Layne’s Chicken Fingers Doubles Footprint

by Katie Lee

Frisco, Texas — Layne’s Chicken Fingers, a rapidly growing chicken finger franchise, closed out 2025 with historic growth, doubling its restaurant count and achieving record financial performance. Entering 2026 with 40 restaurants open and 10 new franchise owners in the system, Layne’s is prepared for another landmark year as it works toward the longer term vision of 300 units by 2030. Layne’s posted a 50% year-over-year unit increase and a 67% increase in systemwide sales, with 2024 systemwide revenue reaching $30 million, placing the brand among the fastest-growing concepts in …

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Ulta Beauty to Make UAE Debut at the Mall of the Emirates

by Katie Lee

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty, the largest specialty beauty retailer in the United States, is set to make its debut in the United Arab Emirates with the opening of its store in Mall of the Emirates on Jan. 29, 2026 in partnership with Alshaya Group, one of the world’s leading international retail franchise operators. Marking a major milestone in Ulta Beauty’s global expansion building on from the first store opening in Kuwait on Nov. 7, 2025, the Mall of the Emirates opening will be closely followed by new Ulta Beauty …

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