Franchising News & Media

Fuddruckers expanding into South America with new franchise partner Grupo Char's

March 4, 2015

Fuddruckers, a Texas-based heritage brand headquartered in Houston, has finalized a new development agreement that will extend the fast casual restaurant…

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Arby's, Uncle Maddio's, Sonic CEOs among speakers at Franchise Finance & Growth Conference

March 4, 2015

Franchise Times announced its lineup for the Franchise Finance & Growth Conference April 20-22, 2015 in Las Vegas.

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Pie Five Pizza Co. to open store in Omaha

March 3, 2015

Pie Five Pizza Co. will debut its first area restaurant at 1303 South 72nd Street in Omaha on Friday, March 6.

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Fast Casual chain units increase, QSR units remain stable, according to The NPD Group

March 3, 2015

The U.S. restaurant count decreased by about 1 percent from a year ago to 630,964 units, according to a count of U.S. commercial restaurant locations compiled…

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Are grocery and c-stores a threat or opportunity for fast casual restaurants?

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

While new offerings may put some grocery stores and c-stores in direct competition with fast casual brands, new partnerships also present new opportunities for…

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Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill added 41 new units to pipeline in 2014

February 26, 2015

Costa Vida will be opening new locations in Denver, Vancouver/Portland, Atlanta, Tampa/Sarasota and Northern California this year. Costa Vida will have…

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Smoothie Factory reports 60% growth in 2014

February 26, 2015

Smoothie Factory Juice Bar announced it added 20 new locations in 2014, for a total of 52 locations under its new parent company, BRIX Holdings LLC.

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On the move: Which brands signed deals and opened new units this week?

February 25, 2015

Winter weather hasn't put the freeze on growth for several fast casual concepts. Capriotti's, Jersey Mike's Subs, Manny's Neighborhood Grilles and…

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Einstein Bros. set to shutter 39 locations

February 23, 2015

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group has announced it plans to shutter 39 underperforming stores in 11 states on Feb. 24.

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Potatopia is pushing potatoes to the center of the plate

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

With a goal of more than doubling Potatopia's unit count in 2015, Alan Dikker has his sights set on elevating the lowly spud.

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Fiesta Restaurant Group posts positive Q4 and FY 2014 results

February 20, 2015

Pollo Tropical's comps rose 6.6 percent in 2014, while Taco Cabana posted a 3.3 percent increase.

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Bennigan's CEO buys brand

February 20, 2015

Bennigan's CEO Paul Mangiamele and his wife Gwen have formed a new company, Legendary Restaurant Brands LLC, which owns the Bennigan's restaurant chain, as…

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Justin Timberlake's 'Southern Hospitality' inks 5-unit fast casual licensing deal

February 19, 2015

Bourbon Brothers Holding Corporation has announced a formal agreement to license the Southern Hospitality (SH) brand for new fast casual units in the Denver…

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On the Move: Dickey's, Juice It Up! and others strengthen footprints

February 18, 2015

The theme this week for new fast casual locations: strengthening footprints.

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Chronic Tacos inks deals for dozens of new units

February 18, 2015

The California-based chain is aiming to open 100 locations by 2018.

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Wayback Burgers franchisor teaming up with Uncle Willie's BBQ

February 17, 2015

Jake's Franchising LLC hopes to take Uncle Willie's BBQ nationwide starting in April.

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Shake Shack set to enter Japan in 2016

February 17, 2015

Shake Shack will partner with SAZABY LEAGUE Ltd., which plans to open ten units in Japan through 2020.

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Stutz ready to gear up growth for McAlister's

by Brenda Rick Smith — Editor, Networld Media Group

McAlister's Deli plans to add 30 new locations in 2015, and Carin Stutz, its new president, would like to step up the pace even more.

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Uncle Maddio's expands in South Carolina

February 16, 2015

Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint opened its first Charleston, South Carolina-area restaurant in Mount Pleasant.

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Pie Five elects new 'President of Pizza'

February 16, 2015

Pie Five, a fast casual pizza brand, swore in its new President of Pizza to office, Hunter Todd of Franklin, Tennessee, according to a company release.

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