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Pieology Shrinks to 27 Locations as Fast-Casual Pizza Faces a Structural Crisis
12/10/2026Fast-casual pizza once looked like the future of American dining. Pizza franchise chain Pieology was at the forefront, backed by Panda Express founders and NBA star Kevin Durant, peaking at around 150 locations in 2017. Nine years later, the chain…
Crumbl Cookie Closures and Chapter 7 Filings: What the FDD Data Shows About a Brand Under Pressure
09/10/2026Multiple Crumbl Cookie franchise locations closed across the United States in early October 2025, with some franchisees filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. The wave of closures arrives as Crumbl's median average unit volume declined approximately 16% in a single…
Papa Murphy’s and Pinkberry Sign Three Co-Brand Deals Across Three States
08/10/2026Papa Murphy's and Pinkberry have signed three co-brand franchise agreements pairing take-and-bake pizza with premium frozen yogurt under a single roof, with locations opening in Oregon, New Mexico, and Utah. The deals mark a deliberate push toward multi-revenue-stream franchise units…
McDonald’s Faces Class Action Over AI Pricing Tool Deployed Across Its Franchise Network
08/10/2026A proposed class action filed in federal court targets McDonald's and its franchisees over an AI-powered pricing tool that, plaintiffs allege, amounts to algorithmic price-fixing across more than 14,000 US restaurants. The case raises a question that reaches every QSR…
Zaxby’s and Areas USA Sign Largest Non-Traditional Franchise Deal for Five Florida Turnpike Locations
07/10/2026Zaxby's has opened its first Florida Turnpike franchise restaurant and signed what it calls its largest non-traditional franchise development agreement to date. The partnership with travel concession operator Areas USA covers five service plaza locations along Florida's Turnpike, with the…
The Joint Chiropractic Reacquires Six Regional Developer Territories Across the U.S.
07/10/2026With more than 950 clinics nationwide, The Joint Chiropractic franchise brand is pulling six regional developer territories back under direct control. The October 6 announcement by The Joint Corp. (NASDAQ: JYNT) covers markets in Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, Iowa, and…
Red Robin Closes $115 Million Credit Facility as Refranchising Cycle Ends
07/10/2026Red Robin Gourmet Burgers completed a $115 million refinancing on October 2, 2026, closing a new five-year credit facility led by JPMorgan Chase that matures in October 2031. The casual-dining franchise chain says the refinancing provides greater financial flexibility to…
Wendy’s Files $146.9 Million Claim Against Meritage as Closures Accelerate
06/10/2026Wendy's International has filed a claim totaling $146.9 million against bankrupt franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group, as 10 of Meritage's restaurants have permanently closed since the September 17 Chapter 11 filing. At the heart of the dispute is a franchise termination…
Top 10 Most Profitable Franchises in the U.S. in 2026
05/10/2026The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Documents now cover a full year of 2025 results, and several brands disclose more than average sales. Some publish EBITDA, operating cash flow or store-level margins for franchised units. This guide looks at the most profitable…
El Pollo Loco Targets New York with Three Development Deals and 16 Committed Units
05/10/2026El Pollo Loco, a fire-grilled chicken franchise brand with more than 500 locations across 10 states, announced on September 29, 2026, three franchise development agreements targeting the New York market. The deals commit to 15 new restaurants over five years.…
