Co-branded Wetzel's Pretzels, Cold Stone Creamery store opening in the Bronx

July 31, 2026

Wetzel's Pretzels and Cold Stone Creamery are expanding their footprint in the Bronx with a new co-branded store located at 1957 Turnbull Avenue, according to…

Yum! Brands posts strong Q2 as Taco Bell leads growth

by Valerie Gritton — Editor, Pizza Marketplace

July 30, 2026

If the song "Break My Stride" was tied to restaurant company, perhaps Yum Brands fits the bill. Coming off a Cyclospora outbreak linked to its Taco Bell chain…

Bankruptcy claims loom over QSR brands

July 29, 2026

Two major franchisee bankruptcies are highlighting the financial strain facing quick-service restaurant operators in 2026, according to an article in L'Express…

Texas-Born HTeaO expands with drive-thru store in El Campo

July 24, 2026

National iced tea franchise HteaO will open a new location in El Campo, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 1. The store, located at 606 N. Mechanic, is owned and…

HTeaO opens 10 locations in Texas, Oklahoma in Q2 2026

July 23, 2026

Iced tea franchise HTeaO opened 10 new locations in the second quarter of 2026, expanding its footprint primarily within Texas, according to a press release.

Layne's Chicken Fingers celebrates 50 restaurants; rapid Q2 growth

July 22, 2026

Layne's Chicken Fingers awarded two dozen new franchise deals in the first half of 2026, expanding its operating footprint to more than 50 restaurants through…

Jollibee expands US franchise growth strategy toward 330-unit target

July 20, 2026

Jollibee has added three multi-unit franchise developers to its existing four during the first half of 2026, putting the restaurant brand on a path toward 33…

KFC expands in Arizona with restaurant opening in Sun City

July 17, 2026

KFC has expanded its presence in Arizona with the opening of a restaurant in Sun City, according to a press release.

Smalls Sliders celebrates first Ohio opening

July 17, 2026

Smalls Sliders is opening its first location in Ohio. The location, in South Point, Ohio, will be led by local operators and brothers Beckett and Sam Gue and…

The Summer Reckoning: What Peak Season Reveals About QSR Labor Strategy

Summer traffic is up, but the labor pool isn't keeping pace. New data shows seasonal hiring down for a third straight year while travel spending climbs. Back…

HTeaO opens Lufkin, Texas location

July 15, 2026

HTeaO will open a location July 18 in Lufkin, Texas. The store is owned and operated by franchise owners Colby and Sarah Carthel, according to a press release

Dodo Pizza’s playbook for international success

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In this Pizza Marketplace podcast, executives from Dodo Brands discuss how the company uses its proprietary technology platform and a balance of global…

North Carolina Senator Chuck Edwards, wife, sell McDonald’s restaurants

July 13, 2026

Republican Sentator Chuck Edwards (NC-11) and his wife, Teresa, have sold their McDonald's franchise restaurants, according to a news release.

Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings opens Maryland restaurant

July 13, 2026

Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings has opened a location at Olde Forte Village, located at 970 E. Swan Creek Road, in Fort Washington, Maryland, providing a new…

A masterclass in munchies: Why Kahala Brands is betting big on twist and scoop

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Kahala Brands is pairing Cold Stone Creamery and Wetzel’s Pretzels under one roof as a strategic co-branding initiative designed to reduce franchisee overhead…

HTeaO to host grand opening celebration in Lowell, Arkansas

July 8, 2026

Iced tea franchise HTeaO will host the grand opening of its first Lowell, Arkansas, location on Saturday, July 11, according to a press release.

The World Pizza champion who 'Let go to grow'

13-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani spent 17 years honing his craft before betting on himself. In this episode of Founderology - Built to Breakthrough…

HTeaO expands Texas footprint with Katy location

July 7, 2026

Iced tea franchise HTeaO will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location in Katy, Texas, on Saturday, July 11, according to a press release.

KFC opens 60th Scotland location

July 6, 2026

KFC has opened its first restaurant in Airdrie, marking the brand's 60th location in Scotland, according to a press release.

International Dairy Queen marks return to Puerto Rico

July 1, 2026

International Dairy Queen Inc., through its subsidiary American Dairy Queen Corporation, has announced a deal to open 20 DQ Grill & Chill restaurants in…