QSRs caught in the crisis

Economic conditions batter the industry, but operators insist quality still key.

Sonic reiterates franchisees' credit availability

October 1, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sonic Corp. has responded to continual remarks in the media concerning the company's franchisees, who were used to illustrate the problems of a…

Popeyes hopes third time is charm in Panama

October 1, 2008

Chain Leader: Popeyes is hoping food industry veteran Jey De Leon is the franchisee who can build the concept's brand in Panama. De Leon's company, Landmark…

Jack in the Box announces VP promotions

September 30, 2008

SAN DIEGO — Jack in the Box Inc. has announced the promotions of Charles Watson to senior vice president and chief development officer and Michael Bamrick to…

Whataburger buys out largest franchisee

September 29, 2008

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Family-owned Whataburger has announced the acquisition of its largest franchisee, Barrand Inc., a Red Oak, Texas-based company with 4…

Banking crisis affects GE Capital lending to new franchisees

September 28, 2008

Cattle Network: GE Capital's franchise finance arm is tightening its lending for new franchisees, the latest sign that Wall Street's turmoil is spreading to…

Sonic reassures franchisees in light of GE lending tightening

September 28, 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sonic Corp. has released a statement regarding media reports concerning GE Capital's reported pullback in financing for franchisees.   Sonic…

Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen opens in Kuwait University

September 25, 2008

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Multi-concept franchisor Villa Enterprises Management has announced it will continue strategic expansion into the Middle East with the…

NexCen opens first tri-branded store

September 23, 2008

ATLANTA — NexCen Brands' MaggieMoo's Ice Cream & Treatery, Great American Cookies and Pretzelmaker have opened the first tri-branded store.    The new…

McDonald's franchisee credit not in jeopardy

September 23, 2008

CNN Money: Bank of America has denied reports that it is no longer extending new lines of credit to McDonald's Corp. franchisees. A spokesman said the bank…

Texas Chicken opens first India store

September 18, 2008

DALLAS — Texas Chicken, the international brand of Atlanta-based Church's Chicken, has announced it has opened its first restaurant in India, at Hyderabad.

Florida Restaurant Show wraps up

Show highlights ran the gamut from the basics to the high-tech.

Rita's Water Ice opens Tennessee location

September 11, 2008

TREVOSE, Pa. — Rita's Water Ice has announced the opening of a Rita's location in the Nashville suburb of Hermitage, Tenn., by franchise partners Michael and…

Krispy Kreme Q2 net loss narrows

September 10, 2008

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. has reported its net loss has improved for the second quarter ended Aug. 3, 2008, while same-store sales…

Hardee's Saudia Arabia store is 300th for parent CKE

September 10, 2008

CARPINTERIA, Calif. — CKE Restaurants Inc. has announced the opening of a new Hardee's restaurant in Saudi Arabia, bringing its international unit count to…

Dunkin' to double U.S. stores

September 8, 2008

Reuters: Dunkin' Donuts plans to more than double its U.S. stores to 15,000 by 2020, as its rival Starbucks retrenches. Dunkin's 8,000 global stores — which…

McDonald's continues to grow in China

September 7, 2008

China Daily: McDonald's has seen steady growth in China since opening it's first store in Shenzhen in 1990. Other than the United States, China is the No. …

Bojangles' franchisee opens 40th store

September 3, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bojangles' franchisee Tands Inc. has announced the opening of its 40th Bojangles' location. The new store, located in Windsor, N.C., about 5…

Dunkin' expanding into Ohio, Tennessee

September 2, 2008

Business First of Columbus: USA Restaurant Developers LLC plans to open in October the first of 30 Dunkin' Donuts stores in the Columbus, Ohio, area. …

EVOS to expand in California

September 2, 2008

HENDERSON, Nev. — Healthy Fast Food Inc., area developer of EVOS Feel Great Fast Food, has announced its newest location. California Healthy Partners LLP, an…