Flynn Group Expands Portfolio Through Acquisition of Applebee’s Restaurants

Signs Agreement with Applebee’s to Open 25 New Restaurants

Applebee’s, one of the world’s largest casual dining brands, recently signed an agreement with the world’s largest restaurant franchise operator, Flynn Group, with the goal to open 25 new Applebee’s restaurants in the U.S. over the next seven years. This expansion goal is part of Applebee’s development strategy to return the brand to net new unit openings.

Tony Moralejo, President of Applebee’s, said, "After 44 years as the neighborhood dining destination in America, this agreement reinforces...

Papa Johns Deepens Strategic Partnership With the Bajco Group to Expand Presence in North America 

Papa John’s International, Inc. (“Papa Johns” or “Company”) today announced plans to open 50 new restaurants by 2028 in partnership with franchisee Nadeem Bajwa and his company, The Bajco Group, which has grown over the past 20 years to become one of Papa Johns largest domestic franchisees.

Furthering Bajwa’s goal to own 500 Papa Johns restaurants, the new agreement will expand the Papa Johns footprint in The Bajco Group’s existing markets across the Midwest and in Arizona, Pennsylvania...

Marco's Franchising Announces Mexico Expansion with 50-Unit Master Franchise Agreement

Marco's Franchising, one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brand franchises, announces a 50-unit master franchise agreement marking its debut in Mexico City as international development takes center stage in 2024.

Behind the development is Grupo Pizza Amantes SA de CV, a Mexican company run by four business partners. With the three principals having more than 20 years of experience in the restaurant, hospitality, and retail industry, Grupo Pizza Amantes has been appointed as the master franchisee for Mexico City...

Krystal Breaks Ground in North Carolina With New Design

Krystal Restaurants LLC, the original quick-service restaurant chain in the South, announces a strategic expansion into North Carolina, marking a pivotal step in the brand’s plans to expand across the United States. The new builds will boast a sleek and contemporary design and cater to consumers’ on-the-go dining desires. The location is projected to open in Fall 2024.

“We are proud to bring our standout business model and our innovative restaurant design to the state of North Carolina,” said Josh Kern, CEO of... 

America's Low-Price Leader ALDI Expands Footprint Nationwide with 800 New Stores by the End of 2028

ALDI, one of the fastest-growing grocers in the U.S., today announced plans to add 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 through a combination of new openings and store conversions. This five-year expansion plan will bring even more communities great products at the lowest possible prices during a time when consumers are more focused than ever on saving money. As a key part of its plans, ALDI also announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Southeastern Grocers and its...

Nathan’s Famous Continues International Expansion in 2024

Nathan’s Famous, Inc., the American tradition serving New York favorites for more than 100 years, announces their continued international expansion in 2024. The brand, which recently opened virtual kitchens in Belgium and France, multiple full-service franchised restaurants in Mexico City, and two franchised restaurants and a food truck in Egypt in 2023, currently operates in 19 countries globally. Through master franchise relationships in Brazil, United Kingdom, Egypt, and Ukraine, the brand plans to open brick and mortar franchised locations and sub-franchised locations in Brazil by the end of 2024...

Hooters® Paves Way for U.S. Development with Second Generation Real Estate Opportunity

Hooters®, the original American wing joint, outlines flexible store model options to provide franchise owners with location-specific customizability. The iconic restaurant brand showcases how store model flexibility will play a key role in adapting to various market-dependent real estate options as leadership hones in on U.S. franchise development.

One of the keys to Hooters' growth strategy is the opportunity that lies in second generation real estate. Its kitchen design and position of 'heart of the house' equipment, are only one of the main ingredients...

McAlister’s Deli Announces 10-Unit Agreement Marking Brand’s Debut in Minnesota

Focus Brands®, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, and Schlotzsky’s®, today announces the debut of 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-wife team, Steve and Dani Wegman. The duo owns multiple food concepts around the greater Mankato area including 507, Weggy’s, Krusty’s Donut Shop...

Marco's Pizza® Opens Milestone 1200th Store with Largest Franchisee

Marco's Pizza, one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, announces the opening of its 1200th store at 3831 Ruckriegel Parkway in Louisville, KY. Behind the milestone opening is Marco's largest franchisee, Hoogland Restaurant Group, led by President McLain Hoogland. The Hoogland team boasts a 117-unit Marco's Pizza portfolio, with plans to grow their unit count by 20 this year.

McLain Hoogland is the fourth generation of his family to lead Highland Ventures, which includes the Hoogland Restaurant Group. Coming from a long line of family business leaders...

Tim Hortons is Turning 60 and Expanding Across the US

Tim Hortons is proudly celebrating the 60th anniversary of opening its very first restaurant in Canada, the 50th anniversary of establishing Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, and 40 years of serving freshly brewed original blend coffee and always delicious food to communities in the U.S.

The first Tim Hortons restaurant opened on May 17, 1964, in Canada, in Hamilton, Ontario, and the first U.S. restaurant opened in Tonawanda, New York, in 1984. Today, there are over 630 Tim Hortons restaurants across the U.S. and more than 5,700 in...

Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Unveils New Restaurant Prototype at Annual “Family Reunion” Conference

Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken, a celebrated name in delicious, home-style fried chicken for more than 55 years, recently hosted its “Family Reunion” Brand Conference in Louisville, KY, bringing together employees and franchisees to recognize their top performers. A highlight of the event was having the daughter and granddaughter of the brand’s founder and namesake, Lee Cummings, on-hand to kick off the conference.

“Our annual Brand Conference is an opportunity to honor our amazing team members and spotlight their achievements,” said Ryan Weaver...

Potbelly Announces 40-Shop Agreement with Royal Restaurant Group

Potbelly Corporation (NASDAQ: PBPB), the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, today announced the completion of a 40-unit agreement with Royal Restaurant Group, a national franchise group that successfully operates restaurant locations for global brands.

The agreement will involve the future development of 36 Potbelly shops in markets across both Ohio and Florida. As part of the deal, Potbelly will also refranchise four locations in the greater Columbus, Ohio region.

“We’re delighted to have Royal Restaurant Group join the Potbelly system and further our growth in several key areas of the...

New Plans to Expand Wendy's Franchise in Central Asia Set Out by Kusto Group

New plans for expansion of the Wendy's franchise in Central Asia have been set out today by industrial holding company Kusto Group.

Under the new plans, Kusto aims to open and operate 55 outlets across Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan by 2030, and will also introduce a Next Generation restaurant layout and innovative AI-based drive-thru in Kazakhstan by Q2 2024, setting the stage for a new era of fast-food dining in the region.

The news was...

Freddy's Hits Milestone with 500th Location Opening in Burleson, Texas

Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® announced today the opening of its 500th restaurant, located at 608 SW Wilshire Blvd in Burleson, Texas. This significant milestone underscores Freddy's accelerated growth since its inception in 2002 and emphasizes how strongly the concept has resonated in each of the markets it serves.

"As we celebrate this milestone, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. Reaching 500 locations was made possible first and foremost through the commitment of our passionate franchise partners, which we believe...

District Taco Announces 10-Unit Development Deal Throughout New York and New Jersey

District Taco announced the signing of a ten-unit development agreement with D3 Tacos LLC to bring new District Taco locations to Hudson County, NJ and Richmond and Kings Counties, NY.

"Because of our industry experience, we could easily see that District Taco is a scalable business model poised for growth and success - and we're excited to be a part of that," said Daniel Yu, of D3 Tacos LLC. "In addition, I don't think customers in the New York-New Jersey area have experienced anything like the...

Fogo de Chão Continues to Grow Strong Global Development Pipeline Through 2024

Fogo de Chão, the internationally-renowned restaurant from Brazil that allows guests to make culinary discoveries at every turn, announced its growth areas through 2024 outlining a significant number of domestic and international leases and development agreements signed with more in the works for later this year. In addition to the 12 signed leases announced earlier this year, the 10 new agreements support the brand’s successful 15% annual growth rate, which has now been met for a third consecutive year...

Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken Brings Premium Chicken Fare To Owings Mills

Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken signed a lease with David S. Brown Enterprises to open at Boulevard Corporate Center in Owings Mills, Maryland. The L.A. based hot chicken franchise intends to open 25 locations in Maryland with an aggressive goal to open 200 restaurants across the U.S. by 2027. Maryland will be the fifth state to showcase the hot chicken brand.

Crimson Coward first launched in 2019 and has been a popular destination for customers who want quality hot chicken flavor. The brand delivers premium, all-natural...

Dog Haus Continues to Innovate with Hyperlocology Partnership

Dog Haus is excited to announce that it has tapped Hyperlocology as its lead advertising partner.

The acclaimed brand entered 2023 seeking out the best digital advertising partner for franchise brands with the goal of maximizing every advertisement dollar, while using as many data sources as possible for targeting new and existing customer bases. That search led to Hyperlocology partnership, whose “brand directed, locally perfected” motto seamlessly relates with Dog Haus, and a deal was struck in February to begin working together.

“Now more than ever, meeting your customers where they are...