Franchising News & Media

Smalls Sliders expands in Ohio with Boston location, multi-unit development deal

October 15, 2026

Smalls Sliders is expanding its Ohio footprint with plans to open a location in New Boston, the company announced in a press release. The location will open…

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Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery open co-branded location

October 12, 2026

Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery, both owned by OHG Brands, have opened a new co-branded location in Clarksville, Tennessee, continuing the…

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Beyond the remodel: Subway's Blueprint signals a new era of restaurant design

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

As brands rethink their restaurant designs and layouts, smaller footprints and increased access to digital ordering reflect a push for greater convenience and…

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Bloomin’ leadership lessons with Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Outback Steakhouse co-Founder Tim Gannon shares how with only $37, a ripped-up $1 million check and two great partners, a legendary brand was built and the…

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FCES keynote: To go far, go together

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Chicken Salad Chick’s story shows that scaling successfully isn’t necessarily about moving faster or constantly reinventing the brand. It’s about knowing what…

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Auntie Anne’s, Activate Games team up for interactive Las Vegas experience

October 5, 2026

Auntie Anne's is taking its pretzels to the game room through an interactive partnership with Activate Games, tied to the active-gaming brand's first Nevada…

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Verifran launches platform to streamline franchisee qualification

October 2, 2026

Verifran has launched a franchise intelligence platform designed to help franchisors evaluate prospective franchisees earlier in the development process, the…

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Inside Meritage Hospitality’s bankruptcy: Beef costs, closures and a battle with Wendy’s

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Meritage Hospitality Group’s Chapter 11 filing reveals mounting pressures behind one of Wendy’s largest franchise operators, from declining sales and soaring…

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Taco Bell Foundation awards record $32M to 700 youth nonprofits

September 25, 2026

The Taco Bell Foundation is awarding a record $32 million in community grants to 700 nonprofits nationwide, marking its largest investment in the program to…

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Pretzelmaker expands in New York with Poughkeepsie opening

September 24, 2026

FAT Brands-owned Pretzelmaker has opened a new location at the Poughkeepsie Galleria in Poughkeepsie, New York, marking another step in the brand's East Coast…

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Wienerschnitzel enters West Virginia through GoMart partnership

September 22, 2026

Wienerschnitzel is expanding its nontraditional footprint through a new franchise agreement with travel plaza and convenience store operator GoMart, the…

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What is driving Kona Ice’s success?

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Tony Lamb is the Founder and visionary behind Kona Ice, the tropical shaved-ice brand that turned an ice cream truck nightmare into experiences that customers…

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Rally’s opens first ghost kitchen in San Francisco

September 18, 2026

Checkers & Rally's has opened its first ghost kitchen in San Francisco at Mid-Market Eats, expanding the burger brand's use of nontraditional restaurant…

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El Pollo Loco opens second Albuquerque restaurant

September 17, 2026

El Pollo Loco has opened its second Albuquerque, N.M., restaurant, the company announced in a press release.

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TCBY, Mrs. Fields franchisee plans 15 new Southeast locations

September 16, 2026

Famous Brands International is expanding the footprint of TCBY and Mrs. Fields across the Southeast through an expanded development agreement with longtime…

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Del Taco enters Indiana with first restaurant

September 16, 2026

Del Taco has entered Indiana with the opening of its first restaurant in the state, marking another step in the Mexican quick-service chain's franchise…

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Taco Bell Cantina opens inside Allegiant Stadium

September 11, 2026

Diversified Restaurant Group has announced in a new release the opening of a Taco Bell Cantina inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, marking the first Taco…

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Why QSRs are betting on the Sun Belt

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

Restaurant growth continues to concentrate across the Sun Belt, where population growth, development and shifting consumer demographics are creating new…

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Wetzel’s Pretzels, sweetFrog franchisee to open co-branded Texas location

September 8, 2026

Wetzel's Pretzels and sweetFrog franchisees Dave and Diana Stone are opening a new co-branded location in Flower Mound, Texas, the chains' parent company…

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How Steele Smiley sold a fitness empire to bet on healthy fast food

by Kathleen Wood — Founder, K. Wood Partners

Steele Smiley spent 15 years building a fitness empire with more than 900 U.S. franchisees and locations in more than 35 countries, sold it, and founded CRISP…

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