News

Toronto and Syracuse, N.Y. — Toronto-based Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI) has agreed to acquire Syracuse, N.Y.-based Carrols Restaurant Group Inc. for $1 billion. RBI owns the Burger King, Popeyes, Firehouse Subs and Tim Hortons brands. Carrols is the largest Burger King franchisee in the United States, operating 1,022 locations in 23 states. Burger King says the transaction is part of its “Reclaim the Flame” plan to accelerate sales growth and drive franchisee profitability. The transaction follows the brand’s initial $400 million investment announced in September 2022 to drive high-quality …

Manasquan, N.J. — Jersey Mike’s Subs has signed an area director and development agreement with Redberry Restaurants, one of Canada’s largest restaurant operators. Redberry signed a development agreement to open 300 Jersey Mike’s restaurants across Canada by 2034, via a combination of Redberry-owned-and-operated stores and supported franchisee locations. This marks the first major international expansion for Jersey Mike’s in its 68-year history. “We are proud to partner with Ken Otto and his team at Redberry,” says Peter Cancro, founder and CEO, Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. “Their extensive history and …

Mankato, Minn. — Focus Brands®, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s®, will debut McAlister’s Deli in Minnesota with a 10-unit franchise agreement, alongside a tri-brand franchise agreement that will bring Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon and Jamba to Mankato. Behind the signings are seasoned restaurateurs and husband-and-wife team, Steve and Dani Wegman. The duo owns multiple food concepts around the greater Mankato area. Ready to introduce McAlister’s Deli in the state of Minnesota, the Wegmans are set to open their first location …

Nashville, Tenn. — Captain D’s has signed its first-ever franchise development agreement in Canada. Ontario-based entrepreneurs Ali Saeed and Mudassir Choudri will bring five Captain D’s restaurants to the greater Toronto metropolitan area over the next several years. The brand, which has its roots in the southeastern U.S., has been expanding rapidly with multiple franchise development agreements throughout 2023 as far west as Utah and into the northern states of New York and New Jersey. Captain D’s also has aggressive plans for growth throughout Canada. “As Captain D’s continues to …

Los Angeles — FAT Brands Inc. has opened its inaugural West Coast co-branded Johnny Rockets and Hurricane Wings restaurant. Located in Alhambra, Calif., the new unit marks a milestone in the expansion of the recently launched co-branded model, which first opened in late 2022 in Washington, D.C. “Following the resounding success of our first Johnny Rockets and Hurricane Wings co-branded restaurant in Washington, D.C., we’re thrilled to introduce this unique concept to the West Coast,” says Jake Berchtold, chief operating officer of FAT Brands’ Fast Casual Division. “Similar to Fatburger …