Smalls Sliders signs 3-unit Northwest Indiana expansion deal

November 6, 2026

Smalls Sliders inked a three-unit development agreement with Keystone Management Group to expand its presence in Northwest Indiana. The agreement marks…

Jimmy John’s to open 20th Canadian restaurant in Guelph, Ontario

November 5, 2026

Jimmy John's will open its 30th Canadian location next week at 30 Clair Road West in Guelph, Ontario.

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill sets sail for Atlantic Canada

November 3, 2026

West Palm Beach, Florida-based The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is heading north, signing a master license agreement to develop the brand across Canada's…

HB Protein Smoothies signs five-unit Nevada and Utah development deal

November 3, 2026

Justin and Tarrah Long have signed a five-unit development agreement with Scottsdale, Arizona-based HB Protein Smoothies to open restaurants in the Las Vegas…

Rock N Roll Sushi to open in Lake Charles, Louisiana

October 30, 2026

Rock N Roll Sushi will open Nov. 2 at 4740 Nelson Road in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Mobile, Alabama-based chain's 81st location nationwide will be its third…

How Dillas Quesadillas revamped operations to speed service

by Amy Sorter — Writer and Editor, Connect Media

A stalled drive-thru prompted Dillas Quesadillas to overhaul operations, simplify its menu and adopt kitchen-prep technology. The changes cut service times by…

Paris Baguette opens 30th Texas café in Missouri City

October 30, 2026

Paris Baguette will open its 30th Texas cafe on Oct. 31 at 6266 Highway 6 in Missouri City, Texas. The location, in the Kroger-anchored Colony Lakes Shopping…

Chicken Salad Chick spreads into 5 new states, tops 350 restaurants

October 29, 2026

Chicken Salad Chick has passed 350 restaurants in 27 states and awarded more than 100 franchise units so far in 2026, putting the brand on pace for a record…

How Shake Shack is scaling hospitality through technology, AI

Hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler chat with Justin Mennen, chief information and technology officer, to talk about Project Catalyst and how Shake Shack is…

Presented by Netchex

How TAP is redefining fast casual: Scaling Brazilian flavor, AI strategy, wellness culture

In this episode of the Fast Casual Nation Front Runners series, host Paul Barron sits down with Pedro and Cleo Uchôa, the visionaries behind TAP.

BLENDED to open second franchise location in Georgia

October 27, 2026

BLENDED Smoothie & Juice Bar will open its third store and second franchise location Oct. 31 at 3538 Highway 92 in Douglasville, Georgia. Katrina Bryant…

Forget franchise brokers: Tahini’s recruits operators through YouTube

by Cherryh Cansler — Publisher, FastCasual.com

Most brands use social media to fill seats. Tahini’s is using it to fill its franchise pipeline. CMO Aly Hamam shares how the 76-unit chain ties videos to…

Shipley Donuts expands national footprint in Q3

October 26, 2026

Shipley Donuts grew its national footprint in the third quarter, signing franchise agreements for new locations in the Midwest, Southeast and Texas while…

Mike’s Red Tacos heads to Tampa, Orlando with 36-unit development deal

October 23, 2026

Mike's Red Tacos has signed a 36-unit development agreement with Built Different Brands to expand into the Tampa and Orlando areas and Florida's East Coast.

Swig signs 14-unit deal for Southwest expansion

October 23, 2026

Dirty soda brand Swig has signed a 14-unit franchise agreement with multi-unit franchisees Heather Berry and Brock Stokes, marking its expansion into the…

Urban Bird expands Texas footprint, signs franchise deals in Q3

October 22, 2026

Urban Bird Hot Chicken expanded its Texas footprint and signed franchise development agreements during the third quarter while introducing new programs to…

The Big Dilla: How Maggie Gordon, co-founder of Dilla’s Quesadillas, built a new brand category

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

On this episode of “Built to Breakthrough,” I talk with Maggie Gordon, co-Founder of Dillas Quesadillas. Since opening in Plano, Texas, in 2013, Maggie and her…

Harlem Shake signs 75-unit franchise agreement in India

October 21, 2026

New York City-based Harlem Shake signed a master franchise agreement with Franchise India and FranIndia to develop 75 units across multiple markets in India.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe signs 40-unit Northeast development deal

October 20, 2026

Atlanta-based Tropical Smoothie Cafe has signed a 40-unit franchise development agreement with Aurify Kingstar to expand the brand's presence. .

OHG Brands opens co-branded Fatburger/Buffalo's Express location in Texas

October 19, 2026

OHG Brands (formerly FAT Brands) opened a co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's Express restaurant Oct. 12 at 3777 El Indio Highway in Eagle Pass, Texas. The De…