The $600K gamble: Why Jae Kim nearly walked away from the Sharks

Jae Kim, founder of Chi'Lantro, joins Fast Casual Nation to share how he built a Korean-Tex Mex fusion brand from a single Austin food truck in 2010 into a…

Fatburger debuts in France

March 25, 2026

FAT Brands Inc. has opened its first Fatburger franchise in Paris, launching a planned 30-unit expansion across France. The restaurant is on Avenue du Général…

Cicis Pizza takes No. 1 spot on Pizza Marketplace's 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group

Cicis Pizza took home the top honors as Pizza Marketplace's annual event in Las Vegas; Moto Pizza won a tech award from XRobotics and Pizza Nova's Domenic…

Cheba Hut to open 7th Las Vegas location

March 23, 2026

Cheba Hut, headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, announced it will open its seventh Las Vegas location March 29 at 6485 N. Durango Drive in Centennial Hills.

Walk-On’s partners with Cole Swindell, plans Nashville location

March 20, 2026

Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux has expanded its franchise efforts by teaming up with Jamie Daniel of Daniel Hospitality Group, according to a company press release.

Fueling growth from 1 cup to 100+ locations

Brandon Knudsen, co-founder and CEO of Ziggi’s Coffee, shares critical advice on how he bootstrapped Ziggi's from a single coffee shop to more than 10…

Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Names Shawna Snyder Chief Operating Officer to Drive Strategic National Growth

Industry veteran brings decades of multi-unit growth experience as Big Dave’s builds the operational backbone to support national expansion following recent…

The accidental franchisor: Eddie Flores Jr. kicks off Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit with candid look at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

March 17, 2026

Eddie Flores Jr. transitioned from real estate to become the franchisor of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, building a legacy based on the "aloha spirit" and family…

Bambu opens inside Colorado Walmart Supercenter

March 17, 2026

Just over a month after announcing a partnership with Walmart stores, Vietnamese dessert chain Bambu has opened a inside a Walmart Supercenter in Westminster…

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…

Port of Subs franchisee opens 1st of 14 additional units

March 16, 2026

Franchisees Shane and Kirstin Shaw opened their first Port of Subs restaurant on Feb. 3 at 1316 S. Sossaman Road. in Mesa, Arizona. The Shaws plan to develop…

McAlister’s Deli continues expansion, operators to open 265 restaurants by 2032

March 13, 2026

McAlister's Deli, headquartered in Atlanta, is expanding its presence in 2026, striking multi-unit franchise development agreements in Alabama, Florida…

Everytable launches national franchise program

March 12, 2026

Los Angeles-based Everytable, a mission-driven food company with 35 units, has launched a core franchise program seeking single- and multi-unit operators to…

Jeff's Bagel Run awards 24 franchise units across 5 markets

March 10, 2026

Jeff's Bagel Run has awarded 24 franchise units across Atlanta, Chicago, Greenville, Raleigh and Orlando, according to a press release.

Gong cha takes control of 170 US franchises

March 9, 2026

Global bubble tea brand Gong cha has acquired the rights to 170 U.S. locations from a master franchisee, a move the company says will bring its regional…

Speaker Spotlight: Jay Jhun, senior director, loyalty and digital, Church's Texas Chicken

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Jay Jhun, senior director, loyalty and digital, at Church's Texas Chicken, shares insight on his career, achievements and industry trends ahead of his…

Tips, advice for selecting the right franchise location

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

The oldest, and most known, saying when it comes to real estate is location, location, location. It holds true when it comes to restaurant franchising success.

A tale of 2 Mike’s: Jersey Mike’s franchisee adds Mike’s Red Tacos to portfolio

March 5, 2026

When it comes to franchising, Mike seems to know Mike. Michael McGuire, a Minnesota operator who runs dozens of Jersey Mike's Subs locations, has signed on to…

JRI Hospitality acquires HCI, adds 43 Freddy’s locations

March 2, 2026

JRI Hospitality has acquired the restaurant operations of Manhattan, Kansas-based HCI Hospitality, a move that adds 43 Freddy's Frozen Custard &…

Speaker Spotlight: Chris Noffze, director of direct franchising and operations, Gong cha

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

In today's Speaker Spotlight, we are highlighting Chris Noffze, director of direct franchising and operations at Gong cha Americas, who will be sharing…