Wendy's/Arby's signs int'l dual-branded franchise agreement

June 15, 2009

ATLANTA — Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc. and Saudi Arabia-based Al Jammaz Group have signed an agreement to build 135 dual-branded Wendy's and Arby's restaurants in…

Dunkin' Brands marks 15,000th store milestone

June 14, 2009

CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin' Brands, parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, has officially opened its 15,000th store worldwide in Raleigh, N.C. To…

Great American Cookies opens first store in Mexico

June 14, 2009

NEW YORK — NexCen Brands Inc. has announced the opening of the first Great American Cookies franchised store in Mexico. The store opened in Bosco Vallarta…

Church's Chicken to be sold to Friedman Fleischer

June 14, 2009

According to reports from Reuters and Thomson Reuters Private Equity Hub, Cajun Operating Co, franchisor of Church's Chicken, has been sold to private equity…

McDonald's plans aggressive expansion, advertising blitz

June 14, 2009

BusinessWeek: Unlike a number of U.S. operators who are cutting capital expenditures, McDonald's plans to invest $2.1 billion in its restaurants in 2009…

Tim Hortons, Cold Stone extend co-branding test to Canada

June 11, 2009

OAKVILLE, Ontario — Tim Hortons Inc. and Kahala Corp, parent company of Cold Stone Creamery, have announced an extension of the companies' successful…

Burger King orders franchisee to remove controversial messaging

June 10, 2009

Last month, a blogger with the Memphis Flyer reported that several Burger King restaurants in the Memphis, Tenn., area had posted the message "Global warming…

Burger King franchisees vote down marketing initiative

June 10, 2009

Blue MauMau: Burger King franchise owners have voted down the company's latest Iron Man 2 marketing initiative, believing it was a ploy to induce them into a…

Burger King franchisees refile suit over operating hours

June 9, 2009

The Miami Herald: A Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge has agreed to rehear the case brought by Burger King franchisees over the chain's requirement for extended…

Emerald City Smoothie grows by thinking small

The Seattle-based smoothie chain has adapted its store design and franchise marketing to continue its expansion plans.

QSR franchise sales require harder work

Growth is possible in the tightened credit market, but brands and franchisees must get creative.

Auntie Anne's opens 1000th location

June 4, 2009

LANCASTER, Pa. — Auntie Anne's will reach the achievement of its 1,000th store with the official opening of its location in Fashion Fair Mall in Fresno…

Krispy Kreme Q1 comps improve

June 3, 2009

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. saw a 2.1 percent rise in company-owned same-store sales and reported profit decrease of 52.5 percent for the…

Phoenix Jack in the Box deploys self-service kiosk

June 3, 2009

PHOENIX — Jack in the Box franchise Stine Enterprises Inc. has added kiosk ordering in one of its Phoenix-area restaurants, located at Avondale Blvd. and Van…

Asian segment provides untapped QSR niche

As consumers' palates become more adventurous, the Asian restaurant segment offers a growth opportunity.

Rita's finds that change is good

The Italian ice concept is thriving after a former Wendy's franchisee brought sweeping reforms to the system.

Rita's opens first store in Lone Star State

May 28, 2009

TREVOSE, Pa. — Rita's Italian Ice has announced the company has opened its first store in Texas. The Bedford, Texas, location is the first of two Rita's to…

Popeyes sees Q1 comps improve, net income fall

May 27, 2009

ATLANTA — AFC Enterprises Inc., the franchisor and operator of Popeyes, has reported an increase in systemwide sales of 1.1 percent, compared to an increase of…

Wendy's to expand to Singapore

May 25, 2009

ATLANTA — Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc. has signed a development agreement with Kopitiam Investment Pte Ltd. to build and operate Wendy's restaurants in Singapore…

Carvel looks forward as it celebrates past

May 21, 2009

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: As Carvel Ice Cream prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary next week, the company hopes it has found the right balance…