Franchising News & Media

Kona Poke opening express location in Orlando

December 17, 2020

Central Florida-based Kona Poke is opening its first Orlando Kona Poke Express food trailer Saturday at Quantum Leap Winery, 1312 Wilfred Dr.

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Fatburger continues Singapore, California expansion

December 17, 2020

FAT Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo's Express and seven other restaurant concepts, has opened its fifth co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo's…

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NYC soup shop adds cloud-based tech

December 17, 2020

Hale & Hearty Soups, a New York City-based fast casual chain, has tapped Appetize Technologies Inc. to upgrade its point-of-sale operations at all 2…

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Modern Market gets 'Honest' about pizza

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Operating out of a Modern Market in Broomfield, Colorado, the delivery-only concept comes from the chefs behind Modern Market, a 26-unit healthy fast casual…

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Freddy's opens 400th location

December 16, 2020

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has opened its milestone 400th location. Located at the Bluhawk Shopping Center in Overland Park, Kansas, the…

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GFG opening 5 locations in 6 months

December 16, 2020

Greek From Greece is opening five locations in the next six months, according to a company press release. With 44 corporate stores open or in development in…

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Dave's Hot Chicken inks 26-unit deal for Texas

December 15, 2020

Dave's Hot Chicken, a Los Angeles-based street food turned fast casual brand, has inked a franchise agreement to open 26 locations throughout Houston and…

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Hoots CEO on decision to franchise now: 'Why not?'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Sal Melilli, CEO and creator of Hoots,

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Fatburger, Buffalo’s Express make Louisiana debut

December 14, 2020

The state of Louisiana welcomed its first Fatburger and Buffalo's Express co-branded unit earlier this month in Alexandria, according to a company press…

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Curry Up Now expanding Texas footprint

December 14, 2020

Curry Up Now has finalized a multi-unit franchise deal in Texas with KCP Concepts to open locations in Dallas, followed by the Richardson and Lakewood…

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Charleys will meet you at the mall

December 11, 2020

Charleys Philly Steaks is opening its newest location at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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Starbird completes biggest funding round, plans openings

December 9, 2020

Starbird Chicken has completed its largest equity fundraising round of $4 million which will help it further expand in Northern California and into the Los…

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Smoothie King aims to expand Chicago footprint

December 9, 2020

Smoothie King is looking to expand its initial footprint in Chicago after a successful development year, according to a press release. Chicago, it seems, is a…

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Dickey's planting flag in Japan

December 9, 2020

Dickey's is debuting early next year in Japan thanks to an area development agreement with Sunsheng (Jason) Lin, owner of Seikou Co. LTD. The family-owned…

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Hooters launches franchising program for fast casual spin-off

December 9, 2020

Hoots, a fast casual brand launched four years ago by Hooters, has rolled out a franchise plan for the up-and-coming seven-unit brand. Plans call for up to 1…

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Five Guys rolls out curbside tech

December 9, 2020

Five Guys has launched a curbside and an in-store pick-up solution at its 1,600 locations. Partnering with Radius Networks, a location-based technology…

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Muscle Maker Grill opens first ghost kitchen via Reef partnership

December 9, 2020

Muscle Maker Inc., the parent company of Muscle Maker Grill, Healthy Joe's, Meal Plan AF and MMG Burger Bar, has opened its first partnership location with…

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I Heart Mac & Cheese opening 16 units in 2021

December 8, 2020

Florida-based I Heart Mac & Cheese has signed deals to open 16 units next year in Baytown, Texas; San Jose, California; Gulf Breeze, Doral, Homestead…

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Potbelly opens 2nd Boston airport location

December 8, 2020

Potbelly Sandwich Shop has opened its second Boston Logan International Airport location in Terminal C. It includes ordering ahead via its app, so travelers…

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Island Fin Poke signs 20-unit deal

December 8, 2020

Thanks to a partnership with Matthew McNulty, a managing partner of Pelagic Hospitality Group, Island Fin Poke is building 20 restaurants in West Florida over…

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