Birdcall’s Midwest expansion strategy backed by tech, real estate

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

Fast-casual chicken chain said that proprietary technology, real estate optoins and a multichannel business model will help with its Midwest expansion.

Birdcall targets 100 Midwest locations in 5-year franchise expansion

June 26, 2026

Birdcall plans to expand into the Midwest with a goal of opening 100 franchised restaurants across six states over the next five years.

Yum sells Pizza Hut operations to private equity firm

June 16, 2026

Yum CEO Chris Turner described Pizza Hut as one of the restaurant industry's most recognizable brands and said the company believes LongRange is…

Little Greek plans up to 30 Florida restaurants under franchise agreement

June 5, 2026

Little Greek Fresh Grill has signed a deal with longtime franchise partner Foti Gianniosis to develop up to 30 locations throughout Florida over the next…

Huey Magoo’s signs 10-unit Kansas City-area development deal

May 27, 2026

Orlando, Florida-based Huey Magoo's signed a 10-unit development agreement with Wichita, Kansas-based Midwest Restaurant Group to expand its brand throughout…

Habit Burger debuts in Humboldt County with Eureka opening

May 20, 2026

Habit Burger & Grill, part of Yum! Brands' portfolio, has expanded into Humboldt County, California, with the opening of a Eureka restaurant.

Penn Station rebrands, updates menu as franchise expansion accelerates

May 20, 2026

Fast-casual sandwich chain Penn Station East Coast Subs has rebranded as Penn Station Sandwiches as part of a broader growth strategy focused on franchise…

The Power of Financial Planning, Financial Visibility leads to business sustainability

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

To achieve sustainable growth and avoid the "stuck zone," Founders must overcome the emotional avoidance of their financials by owning their P&L, hiring expert…

Love & Honey enters Florida with 20-unit development deal

May 14, 2026

Philadelphia-based fast-casual chicken chain Love & Honey is expanding into Florida through a 20-unit development agreement. The restaurants mark the…

Scooter’s brews Southeast growth with Boddie-Noell partnership

April 23, 2026

Scooter's Coffee has signed a multi-store development agreement with Boddie-Noell Enterprises to expand its Southeast presence.

Chicken Salad Chick posts record Q1 2026 growth

April 22, 2026

Chicken Salad Chick reported solid record results for the first quarter of 2026, thanks to franchise development and market expansion.

Kayla Edidin named COO of Red Door Brands

April 21, 2026

Kayla Edidin has been named chief operating officer of Red Door Brands, a franchise company that owns and operates brands including McAlister's Deli, Little…

The Melt heats up growth with franchising strategy

April 1, 2026

San Francisco-based The Melt is seeking experienced multi-unit restaurant operators to help expand its presence in California and Arizona, where it owns and…

Michael Dixon joins Zaxbys as chief financial officer

March 31, 2026

Zaxbys has appointed Michael Dixon as chief financial officer.

Clementine’s Ice Cream secures $6M for expansion

March 17, 2026

Clementine's Ice Cream landed $6 million in funding to support its national expansion strategy. Next Phase Capital, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, led…

Beyond the balance sheet: why the future of franchising is proactive, not passive

At the upcoming Restaurant Innovation and Franchising Summit, industry experts will share strategies for moving beyond passive bookkeeping to maximize…

Loop AI secures $14M Series A to scale restaurant back-office technology

February 3, 2026

Loop AI, an enterprise AI platform for restaurant and retail back offices, has raised $14 million in Series A funding, according to a press release.

Corporate Growth or Franchise Expansion: Choosing the Best Path Forward

What's the next step for your restaurant? This whitepaper helps entrepreneurs evaluate whether to continue growing through corporate-owned locations or…

Presented by Franchise Growth Partners

Osmow's brings classic Mediterranean food to Canada, US markets

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Part 7 in our Founderology Forum's Founders: Take 5 looks at Osmow's, a Mediterranean brand in Canada that is expanding to the U.S.

Own your financials: 5 metrics that drive business growth

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Gaining strong financial visibility by overcoming common hurdles and focusing on key metrics like sales, COGS, and net operating income is essential for…