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Financing
Franchisors jump on the M&A bandwagon
The Bottom Line: Crumbl is the latest franchised restaurant chain to reportedly explore a sale after big 2024 deals for Tropical Smoothie and Jersey Mike’s. But the acquisitions market remains mixed.
Financing
Shake Shack changes what it means to be Shake Shack
The Bottom Line: The fast-casual burger chain’s plan to build 1,500 locations, not 450, will fundamentally change what the brand is all about.
Financing
One big reason for 2024's closures: Too many restaurants
The Bottom Line: The industry had too many locations in 2019. The pandemic led to a lot of closures. But the industry has been aggressively opening restaurants since 2020.