Franchising News & Media

Riko's Pizza's unique style sets it apart as brand grows on East Coast

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Riko's Pizza's unique thin-crust pizza sets it apart from the heavy competition on the East Coast. The brand is growing and now has 12 locations.

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Speaker Spotlight: John Lucas, VP, Farmer Boys

by Bradley Cooper — Editor, Connect Media

Read more about John Lucas, VP of Farmer Boys in today's Speaker Spotlight.

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HTeaO closes out 2025 with 36 openings, focus on beverage innovation

January 12, 2026

Iced-tea chain HTeaO closed out 2025 with 35 new locations, including 14 openings in Q4 alone, according to a press release.

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3rd generation legacy leads Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken expansion in Central Indiana

December 30, 2025

Third-generation legacy Jack Omer has acquired the New Castle, Indiana, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken and has inked a development agreement for six new Lee's…

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Pizza Brands to Watch in 2026

Dominating the landscape is a shift toward “experiential” and “fusion” dining, where classic pepperoni is being challenged by global flavors like…

Presented by PizzaMarketplace.com

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Cold Stone Creamery seeks franchise opportunities in Birmingham, Alabama

December 18, 2025

Cold Stone Creamery is seeking to expand its presence in Birmingham, Alabama and its surrounding suburbs. The brand plans to open three to six stores in the…

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A&W Restaurants exploring Kansas City metro area franchising opportunities

December 17, 2025

A&W Restaurants plans to expand the brand's presence across Kansas City, Missouri, and into neighboring suburbs, according to a press release.

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HTeaO opens in San Antonio, Texas

December 15, 2025

HTeaO has opened a store in San Antonio, Texas. The shop is owned and operated by franchisees Anita Sustaita and Daniel Sustaita Sr. of SusTEAta, LLC, marking…

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Wetzel's Pretzels continues expansion with Utah Walmart location

December 12, 2025

Wetzel's Pretzels has opened in a Walmart in American Fork, Utah. It's the fifth Wetzel's bakery in the state, according to a press release.

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How a Mooyah franchisee moved into chicken with Layne's Chicken Fingers

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

After tapping out the Madison, Wisconsin area with a burger concept, Lucas Bergeson, along with his family and a partner, brought Layne's Chicken Fingers to…

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Little Caesars launches at University of Kansas

December 9, 2025

Little Caesars has debuts at the University of Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse, home of the Jayhawks basketball and volleyball teams. It includes dedicated…

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Checkers & Rally's enters Massachusetts

December 9, 2025

Checkers & Rally's is entering Massachusetts with a location in Worcester at 99 Gold Star Blvd., according to a press release.

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Topsail Steamer founder sharing tips, advice at Founderology Growth Summit

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

The Founderology Growth Summit session, “Beyond the Tank: What Appearing on Shark Tank Taught Me About Business, Branding & Bold Moves,” features Danielle…

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Wetzel's Pretzels opens inside Indiana Walmart

December 3, 2025

Wetzel's Pretzels has opened its second bakery in the Merrillville, Indiana area. Located inside a Walmart, the brand is continuing its development in the…

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Dirty Dough owner succeeds on transparency, great cookies

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Restaurant Operator Podcast host Mandy Detwiler talks to Bennet Maxwell, owner of Dirty Dough, about the cookie brand's launch and what keeps it successful.

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HTeaO to open Roanoke, Texas store

November 20, 2025

HTeaO, an iced tea franchise, will open a store in Roanoke, Texas, on Nov. 25, according to a press release.

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From café to national movement: Clean Eatz Founders on scaling wellness without losing heart

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Clean Eatz is a franchise co-founded by Don and Evonne Varady that solves the time vs. health dilemma by offering convenient, macro-balanced meals, from…

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Wetzel's Pretzels rolls into Romeoville, Illinois Walmart

November 13, 2025

Wetzel's Pretzels has opened its ninth bakery in the Chicago Metro Bakery. The store is located in the Walmart at 420 N. Weber Road, according to a press…

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Hungry Howie's differentiates itself with flavored crust, fresh dough, ingredients

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

VP of Public Relations Jennifer Jackson discusses the Hungry Howie's pizza brand's strategic marketing and operational planning, including cross-functional…

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Barry Bagels expands with major deal in Texas, uses hub-and-spoke model for growth

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Barry Bagels' history dates back to 1972. Today, the brand has locations in Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio,

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