franchising

Financing

The Sports Bra wins growth investment from Serena Williams' husband

With women's sports on fire, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian's 776 Foundation is providing an assist to franchise and expand this Portland, Oregon-based sports bar dedicated to supporting female athletes.

Financing

Greg Flynn expands his Applebee’s empire

Flynn, already the world’s largest franchisee of the casual-dining chain, is acquiring 26 restaurants from an existing franchisee and is making plans to open 25 new locations by 2031.

Franchisee Alshaya Group plans to open four Chipotle units in the Middle East this year.

The $220 million all-stock deal would get Fridays’ owner TriArtisan out of its decade-long investment and give the struggling chain a like-minded partner in franchisee Hostmore, experts say.

Fat Brands just announced a 40-year deal that will place its flagship burger brand into 40 Round Table Pizza locations. Here’s why the company is so big on the idea.

The Bottom Line: With word that the chain’s unit volumes took a nosedive last year, its future, and that of its operators, depends on what the brand does next.

Average unit volume for the cookie chain declined 37% last year even as location count grew 41%. Per-store profits were cut by 58%.

Following a Senate vote to scuttle the new franchising standard, opponents are hoping to avert a presidential veto.

The Bottom Line: As thriving fast-food sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s ponders a potential $8 billion sale, it’s worth comparing the brand to a long-vanquished rival: Quiznos. The difference is unit economics.

The Bajco Group will open 50 restaurants in the Midwest, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Florida, as the pizza chain works to increase domestic development.

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