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Firehouse Subs® Plans to Open 100 Restaurants in Mexico

by Katie Lee

Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico — On May 27, the Firehouse Subs® brand and Foodplay® entered into a development agreement to develop and grow Firehouse Subs in Mexico, with plans to open 100 restaurants in Monterrey and other major cities in the next 5 years. Foodplay is set to open the first Firehouse Subs restaurant this year in Monterrey, Nuevo León, followed by additional openings in the metropolitan area. “We believe Firehouse Subs has tremendous potential in Mexico’s growing sandwich market,” says Duncan Montero, LAC president of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), …

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The Future of Franchising

by Katie Lee

— By Mohaimina Haque — Building success through partnership and innovation. The franchising landscape continues to evolve, shaped by changing consumer preferences, technological advancement and economic dynamics. At Tony Roma’s, we are meeting these changes head-on while staying true to the principles that have made our brand a global success for over 50 years. Our approach to growth is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief: our franchisees’ success drives our success. This isn’t just a saying — it’s the foundation of our business model and shapes every decision we …

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Jack in the Box Inc. Names Interim Principal Financial Officer to CFO

by Katie Lee

San Diego — Jack in the Box Inc. and its board of directors have named Dawn Hooper as the chief financial officer for Jack in the Box, effective immediately. A Jack in the Box veteran of 25 years, Hooper previously served as interim principal financial officer for Jack in the Box from August 2020 to January 2021, from February 2023 to August 2023, and from October 2024 to present, and most recently held the role of senior vice president, controller since December 2022. She has been with the company since …

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Donatos Pizza to Open Fully Autonomous Restaurant in Partnership with Appetronix

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — Donatos Pizza plans to open its first fully autonomous pizza restaurant in June. Donatos and its sister company Agápe Automation partnered with Appetronix to bring the robot operated restaurant to life. The new fully automated restaurant will debut before security in front of Concourse B at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport and will be operated by restaurateur HMS Host. The new autonomous kitchen will deliver a fast and delicious made-to-order pizza for travelers. “We’re not just adding tech to a restaurant; we’re jumping in with a …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

HTeaO Strengthens Executive Team With New CFO

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — HTeaO, a leading iced tea franchise, has hired Corey Horsch as chief financial officer. He bring extensive experience in scaling high-growth brands and is well-positioned to support HTeaO’s future growth trajectory. “As HTeaO continues to grow across the country, we’re focused on building a world-class leadership team that will help us scale with excellence,” says Justin Howe, CEO and co-founder of HTeaO. “Corey’s financial background across some of the most recognized names in the industry will play a key role in strengthening our infrastructure, supporting our …

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Gong Cha Names Vice President of U.S. Non-Traditional Franchise Development

by Katie Lee

Boston — Gong cha, a premier bubble tea brand with more than 240 locations across 21 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, and nearly 2,200 stores across the globe, has appointed Michael Nedelkovich Jr. as vice president of U.S. non-traditional franchise development. A franchise executive with over 15 years in the industry, Nedelkovich’s expertise spans franchising, site selection and strategic partnerships — expanding F&B concepts into non-traditional venues, with a consistent focus on scalable growth and long term value creation. In his new role, Nedelkovich will lead Gong cha’s non-traditional …

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Smoothie King Appoints New President

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King has named Gavin Felder as its new president. The expansion of Felder’s responsibilities reflects the company’s continued growth and momentum, as well as his pivotal role in helping shape its long term strategy. In addition to taking on the president role, Felder will maintain his current responsibilities as chief financial officer. As president and CFO, Felder will take on a larger role in the day-to-day management of the business while continuing to lead the company’s financial strategy, ensuring Smoothie King is well-positioned for its next chapter …

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Taco John’s Bolsters Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s®, a leading Mexican quick-service restaurant, enhances its leadership team with an internal promotion and new hires. Taco John’s welcomes Tom Perella as vice president of technology and Damian Hanft as vice president of human resources and promotes Kristin Nuss to general counsel and corporate secretary.   Nuss was promoted to general counsel and corporate secretary in January 2025. She joined Taco John’s in May 2021 as associate general counsel and director of franchise compliance and contracts. With over 25 years of experience in the legal field, …

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From the Ground Up

by Katie Lee

— By Ed Quinlan — To create a tantalizing restaurant experience, consider professional floor cleaning. There’s a phrase commonly used to describe squeaky-clean facilities: floors so clean you could eat off them. While few restaurant owners would literally serve patrons at the floor-level, this state of cleanliness is nevertheless a noble aspiration. In fact, when it comes to creating an enticing experience for diners, one of the best things restaurant owners can do is develop a consistent schedule for professional floor cleaning. Because restaurant flooring is largely obscured by tables …

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Pokeworks Sells Out Houston and Signs 10-Unit Agreement in San Antonio

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Pokeworks, a fast-growing fast-casual poke brand has finalized a 10-unit deal in San Antonio and is selling out its available Houston territories. With a goal to open 10 stores in two years, Agustin Guzman will be developing the greater San Antonio market as well as the Rio Grande Valley. Guzman, a former Olympic swimmer and seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience across various industries, currently operates Pokeworks’ McAllen, Texas, location and is in the process of opening his second location in Mission, Texas. “I’ve experienced …

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