acquisitions

Subway’s late cofounder donates his half of the chain to his foundation

By Jonathan Maze on Feb. 01, 2023

Dr. Peter Buck, who cofounded the chain with Fred DeLuca, left his 50% ownership in the company to the charity he and his wife started more than 20 years ago.

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Emerging Brands

Gregg Majewski on Craveworthy’s strategy for building emerging brands

By Lisa Jennings on Feb. 01, 2023

Synergies with Mongolian Concepts are designed to make the economic model work for both new and existing franchisees.

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Financing

Red Lobster, private equity, and the problem of asset sales

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 31, 2023

The Bottom Line: Eight years after Darden sold the seafood chain, it is closing locations, talking about a “turnaround” and seeking rent concessions.

Financing

Bad Daddy’s parent buys 5 units from partners for $4.4M

By Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 30, 2023

Good Times Restaurants now owns all of the 41-unit burger bar’s traditional locations.

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Financing

Companies face a tough lending market as their debt comes due

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 26, 2023

The Bottom Line: Rising interest rates and a weak M&A market could prove troublesome for companies looking for an out from their debt troubles.

Financing

Checkers, citing inflation, looks to refinance its debt

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 24, 2023

The operator of drive-thru restaurants has reportedly hired advisers to help it restructure its debt, which comes due next year.

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Financing

Subway wades into a difficult M&A market

By Jonathan Maze on Jan. 12, 2023

The Bottom Line: Sale processes like the one the sandwich giant is apparently planning do not come very often. That doesn’t mean a sale is a slam dunk. And $10 billion may be tough to get.

Financing

10 takeaways from the ICR Conference

By Jonathan Maze and Joe Guszkowski on Jan. 11, 2023

More acquisitions, slowing food costs, omnichannel business models and evolving loyalty programs all featured prominently in operators’ presentations during the three-day event in Orlando.

Financing