TGI Fridays® Expands Global Presence in Asia a Very Significant Development Agreement

The U.S.-based company has partnered with Master Franchisor, Universal Success Enterprises, to bring an authentic Fridays® experience to over 75 new locations in South and Southeast Asia

TGI Fridays announced today the development of 75 new restaurants throughout South and Southeast Asia over the next 10 years in partnership with Master Franchisor Universal Success Enterprises. The deal, which is expected to drive over $500MM in revenue for the U.S.-based company over 10 years, is the most significant development agreement to date for the...

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Further Expands Chicagoland Footprint 

Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® announced today the brand's plans to accelerate its growth in Northeast Illinois with the signing of a multi-unit development agreement to bring six new Freddy's restaurants to the region. Leading the new development in Chicagoland is veteran franchisee, Asif Poonja of JAM Equities. The announcement builds on the development success Freddy's had in Chicagoland earlier this year, adding 13 new locations to its pipeline for the market in Q1.

"The development success we've been able to achieve in Chicagoland is a testament..."

Checkers® & Rally's® Kicks off First Half of 2022 with Strong Development Growth and Recognition

Checkers & Rally's, an iconic and innovative drive-thru restaurant chain known for bold and flavorful food at an exceptional value and its people-first attitude, today announced its strong momentum in the first half of 2022, with 32 signed franchise & multi-unit development agreements representing a total of 53 new restaurant locations, to date this year. The company has also been announced as the recipient of three industry accolades from The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA), Franchise Update Media and Franchise Business Review...

AI Tech Company Nala Robotics Signs Expansion Deal with Slice Factory Pizza Chain

Nala Robotics, an AI technology company revolutionizing the culinary industry, today announced it will supply Chicago-based Slice Factory with its autonomous chef, Pizzaiolaä, a multi-cuisine, voice-controlled pizza maker that also cooks pasta, burgers, wings, as well as prepares salads.

Under the terms of the agreement, Nala Robotics will custom design and install Pizzaiola at Slice Factory's newest locations to help fuel national expansion efforts. The pizza chain, which operates 12 locations in Chicago and surrounding the suburbs, has laid out an aggressive expansion plan...

Lunchbox Acquires Novadine to Transform the Entire Guest Experience for Enterprise Restaurants

Lunchbox, the modern ordering system built to grow online revenue for restaurants today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NovaDine, an enterprise digital ordering provider for multi-unit restaurant chains. As Lunchbox accelerates geographic growth across the country, this is the first of many steps in the company's plans to invest in new technologies for restaurants.

Together, Lunchbox and NovaDine will offer an alternative to the currently available enterprise solutions and enable restaurant operators to manage all digital guest experiences from a single...

GOOD Meat Partners with Industry Leader to Build the First Large-Scale Cultivated Meat Facility

GOOD Meat, the cultivated meat division of Eat Just, Inc., a company that applies cutting-edge science and technology on a mission to create healthier, more sustainable foods, announced today that it signed an exclusive multi-year agreement with ABEC, Inc. to design, manufacture, install and commission the largest known bioreactors for avian and mammalian cell culture. With a long history of bioprocess equipment innovation, ABEC has the most experience and largest capacity in the biotech industry.

Ten 250,000-liter bioreactors will form the foundation...

Wing Zone Partners with Miso Robotics

Today, Wing Zone – one of the nation's leading fast-casual brands serving made-to-order flavor-packed chicken wings – announced a partnership with Miso Robotics – the company transforming the restaurant industry with robotics and intelligent automation – to make Flippy 2 a part of the chain's standard build for all future restaurant locations. Wing Zone is the first fast-casual brand in the world to spec food robotics into its operations at this level.

"With over 100 new shops in our current development pipeline, our technology roadmap relies heavily on strategic partnerships with companies like..."

GOOD Meat & ADM Partner to Accelerate Cultivated Meat Production

Eat Just, Inc., a company that applies cutting-edge science and technology on a mission to create healthier, more sustainable foods, announced today that its GOOD Meat division has entered into a joint development agreement with ADM, an international leader in nutrition that powers many of the world’s top food, beverage, health and wellness brands. This is ADM's first strategic partnership of its kind in the cultivated meat sector, which analysts predict could become a $25 billion global industry by 2030.

GOOD Meat created the world’s first real, high-quality...

Wingstop Signs Agreement for Development Rights for South Korea

Wingstop – the rapidly-growing and technology-forward fast casual wing restaurant – today announced an agreement for the development rights for South Korea, contributing to its robust international expansion pipeline. The agreement outlines an initial commitment of 60 restaurants over a ten-year period, with the potential for 200-250 total restaurants in the country, the first expected to open in early 2023.

Korea is a key growth market outlined in Wingstop's strategic roadmap to becoming a Top 10 Global Restaurant Brand. This expansion follows the brand's proven strategy that has been...

Perdue AgriBusiness Announces Collaboration with ZeaKal

Illustrating a shared commitment to improve the value and sustainability of food production, Perdue AgriBusiness and ZeaKal announced a multi-year development agreement to raise more sustainable poultry through improved soy genetics and feed quality.

ZeaKal’s PhotoSeed® trait technology increases photosynthetic capacity, converting more carbon dioxide and sunlight into energy for the plant. In soybeans, this has consistently resulted in improved oil and protein content while improving the sustainability index of the crop. As the main protein source in poultry feed, U.S. farmers and food companies have been eager to secure access to...

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Announce Multi-Unit Agreement Signings for 64 New Restaurants

Growing Demand in Chicago Sparks Deal with Veteran Franchise Group to Bring 13 New Restaurants to Area

Leading fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers announced today its significant Q1 franchise development success, signing six new multi-unit agreements that will bring a total of 64 new Freddy's locations to new and existing markets, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois and California. Most notably, existing Freddy's franchisees of more than a decade, M&M Custard, inked an agreement to expand the brand's growing footprint...

California Pizza Kitchen Signs Two New International Development Agreements

After a strong first quarter, California Pizza Kitchen, the creator of California-style pizza, announced the signing of two new international franchise agreements and plans to open seven international restaurants and two airport locations by year-end. These milestones follow the brand's development momentum in 2021 that included the launch of its domestic franchise program. Unveiled in December, California Pizza Kitchen's domestic franchise initiative marks the first-time that qualified candidates in the United States have an opportunity to own and operate restaurants in key markets nationwide.

Recently signed international...

Marco's Pizza® Inks 46-Store Phoenix Agreement

Marco's Pizza, one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, announces a 46-store development agreement that will bring new stores to the Phoenix metro market over the next six years. This development news contributes to the brand's overall growth goal of 1,500 units by 2023, as Marco's sets sights on becoming the No. 4 brand in pizza.

Behind this development agreement is 11-year Marco's area representative and franchisee Robert Pina, who joined the brand in 2011 in Houston, Texas. He currently oversees development in Houston and San Antonio with his...

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Announces 50-Store Deal with Plans to Expand Throughout the Southeast

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop announces a 50-store agreement with Richard Maddox, which will include expansion into the south with new markets in Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee, and growth within Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, existing markets for the brand. Additionally, all 50 locations included in the agreement will be constructed to accommodate a drive-thru, a first for the brand.

The Texas-based restaurant group is recognized for its Baja-style fare with nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 17 states...

Five Guys Enterprises Renews Its Food Safety Partnership with ComplianceMate

Five Guys, an international restaurant chain founded in 1986, has renewed its agreement with CM Systems LLC and its ComplianceMate food safety software through 2025. Unlike other QSR concepts, Five Guys does not use frozen meat in its burgers. All food is cooked fresh, and the storage of ingredients within Five Guys' refrigerators is very closely monitored for quality and food safety.

Jim Gibson, Vice President of Food Safety and Quality Assurance for Five Guys, says, "ComplianceMate continues to prove itself to be the best solution for all of our..."

Wienerschnitzel Franchise Inks 20-Unit Development Deal to Enter Arkansas

Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog franchise, is proud to announce the signing of an exclusive development agreement with Tejas Dogs, LLC, to build 20 new Wienerschnitzel restaurants throughout Arkansas over the next 12 years. The Tejas Dogs agreement follows a separate 20-unit announcement by the brand in 2020 to develop throughout Louisiana and paves the way for Wienerschnitzel to further expand its iconic quick-service footprint throughout Southern and Midwestern states. There are already plans to begin building three stores in northwest Arkansas to jumpstart the development schedule...

Cargill to Acquire Croda’s Bio-based Industrial Business, Expanding Natured-Derived Solutions

Cargill has reached an agreement with Croda to acquire the majority of its performance technologies and industrial chemicals business for EUR 915,000,000 (1.03bln USD) on a cash-free, debt-free basis. The investment would dramatically expand Cargill’s bioindustrial footprint to better serve industrial manufacturers searching for “greener” ingredient solutions.

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in Summer 2022. Cargill will comply with applicable information and consultation requirements with our employee representative bodies.

“The bioindustrial space is a priority for Cargill, as we..."

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop and Wing Zone Announces 2021 Growth, New Investors

As 2021 comes to a close, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop (Capriotti's) and Wing Zone announced another extremely successful quarter which brought the signing of 12 area developer agreements equating to a total of 53 new shops between the two brands. With the addition of these new signings, Capriotti's closes out the year with a total of 96 new shops, and Wing Zone signed agreements for 91 new shops in 2021.

The Q4 area developer agreements will expand both brands into new territories – bringing award-winning food to new fans across...

Popeyes® Signs Landmark Deal to Enter France in 2022

Today, the Popeyes® brand and leading French restaurant group, napaqaro, are excited to announce an exclusive Master Franchise and Development Agreement to develop and grow the Popeyes brand in France and Monaco, with plans to open hundreds of restaurants across multiple formats over the coming years.

French guests can soon look forward to enjoying Popeyes world-famous products, such as the brand's signature Chicken Sandwich, which was one of the most successful product launches in Quick Service Restaurant history when it was released in the USA in August 2019...

Aramark Announces Strategic Collaboration With Starr Restaurant Organization

Aramark, a global leader in food and facilities management, announced today it has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Philadelphia-based Starr Restaurant Organization (Starr Restaurants). Led by entrepreneur and James Beard Award-winning restaurateur, Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurants is one of the largest multi-concept and independent restaurant groups in the United States. Together, Aramark and Starr Restaurants will drive culinary innovation and excellence through a strategic collaboration designed to provide best-in-class hospitality experiences for Aramark clients, while enabling new growth for both companies...

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Accelerates Growth With New Multi-Unit Deals

Leading fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers announced today it has signed four new multi-unit agreements with new and existing operators to bring more than a dozen new restaurants to New Jersey, Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and South Dakota. Year-to-date, Freddy's has executed a total of 13 multi-unit agreements adding nearly 70 new restaurants to the brand's overall development pipeline. This surge in franchise development is a reflection of the brand's aggressive growth strategy and will continue to accelerate expansion over the...

Joint Statement from McDonald's and IBM

IBM, a leader in AI for business and AI-powered customer care, entered into an agreement with McDonald’s, the world’s largest restaurant company, to further accelerate the development and deployment of its Automated Order Taking (AOT) technology. Under the agreement, IBM will acquire McD Tech Labs, which was created to advance employee and customer facing innovations following McDonald’s 2019 acquisition of Apprente. As part of McDonald’s strategic growth plan, "Accelerating the Arches," the company is committed to innovation across Digital, Delivery and Drive Thru. This agreement will accelerate McDonald’s efforts to...

Jack in the Box Signs Seven Development Agreements in Q4 of Fiscal Year 2021 to Open 47 Stores

Jack in the Box Inc., one of the nation’s leading QSR chains, announced today it has awarded seven development agreements in Q4 of fiscal year 2021 to open 47 new restaurants. In total, Jack in the Box has awarded 23 development agreements in fiscal year 2021 to build 111 stores over the course of the next several years. The agreements will help the brand grow in existing markets including Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, as well as new ones such as...

Nathan's Famous Announces Agreement with Branded Virtual Kitchens

Nathan's Famous, Inc., the American tradition serving New York favorites for more than 100 years, announces a new agreement with Branded Virtual Kitchens Canada, Ltd (BVK). The agreement will offer operators with existing kitchens the opportunity to add the Nathan’s Famous menu as a virtual concept without any investment from the restaurant.

"We are thrilled with the response we have seen for Nathan's Famous in Canada since expanding there in 2019,” states James Walker, Senior Vice President, Restaurants. "We are excited to move forward with the collaboration with Branded Virtual Kitchens..."

Papa John’s Announces Domestic Development Deal With Multi-Brand Franchisee Operator Sun Holdings

Papa John’s International, Inc. today announced it has signed its largest domestic franchisee development agreement in the company’s history with top U.S. franchisee operator Sun Holdings, Inc. Under the terms of the deal, Sun Holdings will oversee the opening of 100 new stores in high-growth markets across Texas by 2029. The partnership is another sign of Papa John’s accelerating development momentum, as both current and prospective franchisees show strong interest in opening new locations around the world.

Founded by Guillermo Perales and based in Dallas...