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vcTlD
22 days ago
McDonald's is facing a federal lawsuit that alleges its AI-enhanced pricing tool violates antitrust laws because it shares nonpublic data with franchisees who might be competing in the same market.
The lawsuit, which was filed Friday in Illinois, said McDonald's pricing tool uses artificial intelligence to collect data that competing franchises wouldn't normally share, like store-level sales. The Chicago-based burger giant has said it makes the tool available to U.S. franchisees to help them set prices at their individual restaurants.
The lawsuit also blames the pricing system for raising McDonald's U.S. prices.
"McDonald's has built and for years deployed its own information-sharing pricing platform, which draws on data from its millions of daily transactions to set menu prices across thousands of U.S. restaurants," the lawsuit states. "The result is algorithmic price-fixing aimed at customers who are already stretched thin."
McDonald's said Tuesday that the lawsuit is "filled with inaccuracies" and it would vigorously defend itself.

#restaurants
xfljjubvn
22 days ago
Fast food giant Wendy's faced a fresh wave of permanent store closures on Friday for the second weekend in a row as one of its biggest franchisees scrambled to restructure operations in the aftermath of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
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#fast #closures #Friday
bolt_mostly8543
23 days ago
Any semblance of sizzle has been pounded out of McDonald's (MCD) stock.
Shares of the high-calorie fast food seller dropped below $230 for the first time in more than four years on Monday.
Today's move is being driven by a relatively bearish note from Guggenheim ******* yst Gregory Francfort.
"It seems difficult to get positive on shares now without better evidence of a catalyst path over the next 12 months," Francfort said. "1Q27 comparisons do seem to get a lot easier than the Street models, which could be a catalyst, but we would like to see fundamental reasons that MCD's franchisees are buying into entry level value menu efforts or ops improvements than can drive traffic."
Francfort maintained a Neutral rating on McDonald's stock.

#guggenheim
qletzjmggcfyfp
29 days ago
By Waylon Cunningham
NEW YORK, Sept 29 (Reuters) - McDonald's is increasingly using artificial intelligence to guide menu prices across the U.S. and some global markets, a plan that aims to boost headquarters' profit but risks alienating customers and attracting antitrust scrutiny.
One pricing factor supercharged by AI: an estimate of how much each store's patrons are willing to pay.
The details of how that pricing system works, its extensive use of AI, the company's regulatory concerns and the tensions with its franchisees haven't been previously reported. For this story, Reuters reviewed screenshots of the company pricing engine taken in August and interviewed nine sources with first-hand knowledge of the burger chain's strategy.
McDonald's pricing ‌engine uses machine-learning algorithms to continually ****** yze data from millions of daily transactions across McDonald's nearly 14,000 restaurants and generate what the company calls "the optimal price" at each location for each menu item, from Big Macs to discounted coffee for seniors.

#pricing #company #engine #cunningham
09orbit
1 month ago
On September 9, 2026, Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) reported its first quarterly results as a public company, with total revenue up 10% year over year to $208 million and same-store sales accelerating to 2.3% growth from 1.7% in the prior quarter. It was primarily driven by transaction growth even as the restaurant industry faced weak traffic trends. Net income fell to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. It showed non-routine expenses, advertising fund timing, and higher interest costs following the company's July initial public offering, partially offset by a $14 million gain on the sale of corporate-owned stores.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) is gaining customers while its brand remains a major competitive advantage. The firm added 83 stores in the second quarter. It grew its customer base and increased systemwide sales 10% to $1.21 billion. Jersey Mike's also earned the No. 1 ranking among U.S. quick-service restaurant brands in the 2026 American Customer Satisfaction Index, surpassing Chick-fil-A after 11 consecutive years at the top. It gives the newly public company a strong foundation for continued customer and franchisee growth.
The business has substantial whitespace for long-term unit growth. Jersey Mike's ended the quarter with 3,378 locations and maintains a domestic development pipeline of more than 1,600 stores, with more than 90% of that pipeline coming from existing franchisees. Management estimates that the U.S. market could eventually support roughly 7,500 locations and sees potential to reach approximately 15,000 stores globally. It gives the business a long runway for franchise-led revenue and royalty growth.
Digital engagement and transaction growth give Jersey Mike's more avenues to increase sales. Digital sales represented 43% of systemwide sales in the second quarter, up from 41% a year earlier. Same-store sales increased 2.3% mainly because customers placed more transactions. Jersey Mike's also had more than 12.5 million active MyMike's loyalty members in 2025. It provides the company with a large customer database that it can use to increase frequency and personalize marketing as it expands.
Jersey Mike's Subs Inc. (NYSE:JMKE) still faces a significant profitability challenge despite its revenue growth. Second-quarter revenue jumped 10% to $208 million. However, net income fell 37% to $37 million from $59 million a year earlier. Management attributed part of the decline to advertising-fund timing and higher interest expense. It shows that revenue growth has not yet translated into comparable bottom-line growth for shareholders.

#million #customer
to51PS4DF
1 month ago
Financially challenged fast-food franchisees have been lining up to file for bankruptcy protection in 2026 to reorganize their businesses and restructure debt.
Hardee's Phoenix-based restaurant franchisee Superior Star LLC , filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 9, facing an alleged seller financing dispute, according to court papers. A burger chain rival, Checkers Drive-In franchisee C.S. Holdings of Tampa LLC, which operates two locations in Tampa, Fla., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business on July 14.
Another Hardee's franchisee, ARC Burger LLC, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation on April 20, 2026, after franchisor Hardee's Restaurants LLC sued the restaurant operator for alleged breach of contract, seeking to recover over $6.5 million in unpaid franchise fees and other obligations, according to Law.com.
And now, major Wendy's restaurant franchisee Meritage Hospitality Group Inc., which operates over 350 locations in 15 states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize its business and restructure its debt, almost 11 months after defaulting on its franchise agreements for failing to remit payments.
Meritage Hospitality and 14 affiliates filed their petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan on Sept. 17, 2026, listing $10 million to $50 million in **** ets and debts.

#chapter
whirl401
2 months ago
This story was originally published on QSR. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily QSR AM Jolt.
For many years, franchising rewarded momentum. A compelling concept, solid unit growth, and a polished sales presentation were often enough to attract development interest.
Not anymore.
As inflation, higher labor costs, tighter lending standards, and shifting regulations reshaped the operating environment over the past year, prospective franchisees have become far more selective about where they invest. Excitement still matters, but it no longer closes the deal on its own.
"The past year has really acted as a stress test, and not everyone passed," says Liane Caruso, owner of ****** oCMO and cofounder of Franchise ****** embly. "The brands that held up were the ones with lean, simple operations and realistic unit economics built for normal conditions."

#jolt #liane #franchise #assembly
lXW50R7p6
2 months ago
Our **** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
Achieved seven consecutive quarters of positive cash from operations, signaling a successful transition from business stabilization to a foundation for sustainable growth.
Performance was driven largely by Supercuts, which delivered 3% same-store sales growth for the full year, marking its fifth consecutive year of growth.
Management attributed the 7.3% decline in fourth-quarter total revenue to lower non-margin franchise rental income as franchisees transitioned to independent leases.
The decline in franchise salon count was mitigated by the fact that closures were predominantly lower-volume locations with an average unit volume of $136,000, significantly below the top-quartile average.

#year #NVIDIA
qnkgsnwscyvxyz
2 months ago
The breakfast dining sector has faced financial challenges in 2026, leading dining chains to close locations or, in some cases, file for bankruptcy protection.
Franchisees of iconic chain Denny's, such as DBJ US Corp. in Miami Beach, Fla., have been among the restaurant operators who have filed for bankruptcy.
And smaller chains, such as Sarabeth's in New York City and Breakfast Republic in San Diego have closed several of their locations to cut costs to stay in business.
And now the owner of breakfast and brunch dining chain **** ermilk Eatery has filed for Chapter 11 protection to reorganize its business, facing a lawsuit.
Asani Restaurant Group LLC filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida on Aug. 31, listing over $75,000 in **** ets and over $407,000 in debts.

#chains #locations #business
b103qaofaaypuivg
2 months ago
This story was originally published on FSR. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily FS Insider.
Catering is a big opportunity for Denny's.
CEO Chris Bode notes that two of the company's largest competitors generate roughly $150 million in combined annual catering sales. Denny's earned $1.5 million last year.
"It's a huge channel that we've opened up for our franchisees because we see it as an opportunity for incremental revenue pretty quickly," Bode says.
To capture these dollars, the breakfast giant recently launched a revamped national platform via ezCater. Currently, over 400 restaurants are live on the platform. Denny's anticipates reaching about 1,000 by the end of September. The goal right now is to reach $50,000 in catering sales per unit by the end of 2026, and $100,000 per unit in year two.

#Opportunity #sales
KP346UDQy7
2 months ago
Several former Jersey Mike's executives and franchisees are reuniting at Dog Haus, betting the lessons they learned helping build the submarine sandwich giant can turn the fast-casual restaurant chain into a national powerhouse.
Dog Haus recently named former Jersey Mike's chief innovation officer James Field as chief marketing officer. He joins President and Chief Development Officer Chris Rigassio and Chief Operating Officer Garen Khodaverdian, both former Jersey Mike's franchisees.
The reunion follows Blackstone's January 2025 acquisition of a majority stake in Jersey Mike's in a deal valued at roughly $8 billion, according to SEC filings.
Field told FOX Business that the group could have pursued separate opportunities following the sale, but saw a chance to stay together and help scale Dog Haus, which currently operates roughly 60 locations.
Popular Beer Brand To Cut 220 Jobs As Production Shifts

#chief #officer #james
ov3z2nbbm5apr6w
2 months ago
Aoris Investment Management, a specialist international equity manager, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for "Aoris International Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund invests in high-quality, wealth-generating businesses managed by prudent and capable teams, targeting an annual return of 8–12% after fees over a 5–7-year market cycle. During the June quarter, international equity markets, as represented by the MSCI AC World Accumulation Index ex Australia, returned 13.8% in AUD terms. In local currencies, the return 15.1%. The Portfolio's Class A (Unhedged) returned 5.7% after fees, underperforming its benchmark by 8.1%, while the Class C (Hedged) gained 6.7%, 8.4% less than its benchmark. The June quarter continued to reflect an unusual year, marked by significant share price increases among AI infrastructure companies, particularly semiconductor producers and data center suppliers. Economic sectors like banks and commodity producers saw gains, but the firm chose not to invest due to their cyclicality and low growth prospects. Conversely, concerns about enterprise software and data companies, challenged by AI, negatively impacted performance. The letter outlined potential incremental opportunities for portfolio companies through AI. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Aoris Investment Management highlighted InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG). InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) is a leading hospitality company owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels globally. On August 21, 2026, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) closed at $159.91 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $23.55 billion. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) posted a one‑month return of 0.25%, while its shares gained 32.18% over the past 52 weeks.
Aoris Investment Management stated the following regarding InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) is a brand owner and franchisor of global hotel chains, including Holiday Inn, InterContinental and Crowne Plaza. Hotel owners pay IHG a franchise fee in exchange for access to its brands, loyalty program, and IT systems to help manage their properties, reservations and pricing. IHG franchisees earn better economics than independent hotels, which is why an increasing share of new and existing hotels are choosing to partner with IHG.
IHG's technology systems are a core advantage over smaller chains and independent hotels. AI can widen this gap through improvements in its search functions, booking process, customer service, pricing, marketing, and operational efficiency. For example, IHG is developing AI-powered conversational search to help guests book properties and receive more detailed information about its franchisees' rooms and services.…" (Click here to read the full text)

#NYSE
xfljjubvn
2 months ago
Wendy's chief executive Bob Wright outlined a five-point turnaround strategy on Monday, saying the burger chain sacrificed ingredient quality for cost savings and became too dependent on discounts — factors he said contributed to Wendy's losing its long-held position as the country's second-largest burger chain by U.S. sales.
Wright told The Wall Street Journal that Burger King seized that position by overhauling its Whopper sandwich and modernizing its restaurant fleet. "We have made some decisions around quality that were rooted in efficiency and cost savings," Wright said. "We have let our value equation erode."
Wright, 58, took the helm as permanent president and CEO in May. His turnaround plan covers five areas: food quality and value, operations, store upgrades, marketing, and digital sales. Wright said a comprehensive menu overhaul is needed, working from individual ingredients through finished items and across every major category, including hamburgers, chicken, salads, and the Frosty-anchored dessert lineup.
As part of the leadership overhaul, Wright said Tariq Hassan, a former McDonald's executive, has joined Wendy's in the newly created role of chief marketing and customer growth officer. The current head of U.S. marketing is set to leave the company within weeks. Wright noted that the chain's marketing spending amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and said both the creative messaging and the way that money is placed across media channels require a rethink.
On the question of store count, Wright acknowledged that net unit losses have accumulated over the last year, with more closures anticipated, and framed those shutdowns as a deliberate mechanism for helping individual franchisees bring greater financial health to their restaurant holdings.

#quality #chief #executive
AwVFbVWaAnt
2 months ago
Aoris Investment Management, a specialist international equity manager, released its Q2 2026 investor letter for "Aoris International Fund". A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund invests in high-quality, wealth-generating businesses managed by prudent and capable teams, targeting an annual return of 8–12% after fees over a 5–7-year market cycle. During the June quarter, international equity markets, as represented by the MSCI AC World Accumulation Index ex Australia, returned 13.8% in AUD terms. In local currencies, the return 15.1%. The Portfolio's Class A (Unhedged) returned 5.7% after fees, underperforming its benchmark by 8.1%, while the Class C (Hedged) gained 6.7%, 8.4% less than its benchmark. The June quarter continued to reflect an unusual year, marked by significant share price increases among AI infrastructure companies, particularly semiconductor producers and data center suppliers. Economic sectors like banks and commodity producers saw gains, but the firm chose not to invest due to their cyclicality and low growth prospects. Conversely, concerns about enterprise software and data companies, challenged by AI, negatively impacted performance. The letter outlined potential incremental opportunities for portfolio companies through AI. Additionally, reviewing the Fund's top five holdings could help identify its best picks for 2026.
In its Q2 2026 investor letter, Aoris Investment Management highlighted InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG). InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) is a leading hospitality company owns, manages, franchises, and leases hotels globally. On August 21, 2026, InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) closed at $159.91 per share, reflecting a market capitalization of $23.55 billion. InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) posted a one‑month return of 0.25%, while its shares gained 32.18% over the past 52 weeks.
Aoris Investment Management stated the following regarding InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) in its Q2 2026 investor letter:
"InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (NYSE:IHG) is a brand owner and franchisor of global hotel chains, including Holiday Inn, InterContinental and Crowne Plaza. Hotel owners pay IHG a franchise fee in exchange for access to its brands, loyalty program, and IT systems to help manage their properties, reservations and pricing. IHG franchisees earn better economics than independent hotels, which is why an increasing share of new and existing hotels are choosing to partner with IHG.
IHG's technology systems are a core advantage over smaller chains and independent hotels. AI can widen this gap through improvements in its search functions, booking process, customer service, pricing, marketing, and operational efficiency. For example, IHG is developing AI-powered conversational search to help guests book properties and receive more detailed information about its franchisees' rooms and services.…" (Click here to read the full text)

#inves
slowlyblinkbol
2 months ago
Shares of H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT) jumped 11.3% to $46.61 on August 17 after second-quarter results combined continued growth, a higher outlook, and an aggressive capital-return program. Hotel turnover, which measures room and non-room transaction value across the network, increased 13.2% to RMB30.5 billion, while revenue rose 10.8% to RMB7.1 billion. The company raised its 2026 revenue-growth forecast to 4%-8% from 2%-6% and authorized up to $2.5 billion of dividends and repurchases over three years. For H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT), the question is whether those returns will come from stronger cash generation or eventually compete with hotel openings and upgrades.
As of June 30, H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT) operated 13,539 hotels with 1.34 million rooms and had 3,089 unopened hotels in its pipeline. Its China business opened 498 hotels and closed 176 during the quarter. Only one opening was leased and owned, underscoring how expansion is shifting toward managed and franchised properties. Across the group, 93% of rooms operated under those ****** et-light models.
H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT) ended June with RMB14.2 billion, or $2.1 billion, of cash and equivalents against RMB4.2 billion of debt. Including RMB142 million of restricted cash, net cash totaled RMB10.2 billion. Second-quarter operating cash inflow was RMB3.4 billion. The board also declared an approximately $275 million ordinary dividend, equal to $0.87 per American Depositary Share. The larger plan sets an aggregate three-year ceiling, while leaving the timing and mix of dividends and repurchases to the board.
H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT) is still expanding, not retreating. Management maintained its 2026 target of 2,200-2,300 gross hotel openings, and nearly every China opening during the quarter used a manachised or franchised structure. Franchisees supply much of the property capital, while H World supplies brands, technology, reservations and operating support.
That structure is already improving the earnings mix. Franchised revenue increased 25.2% to RMB3.6 billion, while H World Group Limited (NASDAQ:HTHT) lifted non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA 20.0% to RMB2.7 billion. Operating margin widened to 31.1% from 27.8%. If that momentum continues, shareholder returns can be funded without sacrificing network growth.

#World #cash #quarter #hotel
juhamewezevejduzos87
2 months ago
This story was originally published on QSR. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily QSR AM Jolt.
Slim Chickens is putting additional investments behind the operators driving its next stage of growth. In August 2026, the better-chicken brand launched a new Development Fund Program that provides qualifying new and existing franchisees with cash investment payments of up to $200,000 per restaurant as they add locations and expand their presence in key markets.
The program is built to help franchisees put more Slim Chickens restaurants on the map. By investing alongside operators developing exclusively in-line and drive-thru endcap restaurants, Slim Chickens is helping franchisees add ***** ets to their portfolios, build greater market density and capture more opportunity within the communities they serve.
Under the Development Fund Program:
First Qualifying Restaurant: New and existing franchisees who open their first qualifying drive-thru endcap or in-line restaurant on or before Dec. 15, 2027, are eligible for a $150,000 Cash Investment Payment within 30 days after opening. Those who open their first qualifying restaurant between Dec. 16, 2027, and Dec. 31, 2028, are eligible for a $125,000 Cash Investment Payment within 30 days after opening.

#chickens #franchisees #first
266prism_packet
2 months ago
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.
Shares of Wendy's Co. jumped Wednesday after the Financial Times reported that activist investor Nelson Peltz is laying groundwork for a bid to take the fast-food chain private.
According to the report, Peltz's Trian Fund Management is **** embling a consortium that could include BlueFive Capital and Flynn Group, one of Wendy's largest franchisees.
A formal bid could land within weeks, though the timeline may shift or an offer may never materialize.
Don't Miss:

#wednesday
yownodizupaykumuho2
3 months ago
Wendy's (WEN) nearly two years of struggles competing with the likes of behemoths McDonald's (MCD) and Yum! Brands' (YUM) Taco Bell, plus upstarts such as Shake Shack, are creating one big problem.
Franchisees are closing their locations and heading for the hills.
Buried inside Wendy's brutal second quarter earnings call last week was a mention that 289 locations closed in the US during the first half of the year.
There are about 5,700 Wendy's in the US.
It doesn't sound like US closures will be abating.

#bell
3_plbyxg_simply_fly
3 months ago
After announcing plans to close hundreds of underperforming locations in the first half of 2026, a fast-food burger chain has revealed major changes across its business, including the possibility of additional restaurant closures, as it works to reverse ongoing declines in traffic and sales.
The company has also acknowledged that its focus on cost and efficiency has, in some cases, weakened the brand's differentiation, a challenge it now faces as competition in the restaurant industry grows.
The chain is also facing challenges with customer satisfaction. Wendy's scored 77 out of 100 in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), placing it below several major fast-food rivals in the 2026 rankings.
Wendy's (WEN) is taking action after reporting its sixth consecutive quarter of declines, launching a major turnaround plan and updating its capital allocation strategy to provide the flexibility needed to support that effort.
"Today we are clearly not performing at our potential," said Wendy's President and CEO Bob Wright in the company's second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings release. "I returned to Wendy's because I believe we can fix our issues and I am excited to work with our team and our franchisees to drive a strong turnaround."

#chain #declines
srd65PXCnS8
3 months ago
Dine Brands reported second-quarter revenue of $240.9 million, up from $230.8 million a year earlier, as a sales increase at IHOP offset continued weakness at Applebee's.
Net income fell to $4.3 million, or 35 cents per diluted share, from $13.8 million, or 89 cents per diluted share, in the same period of 2025. Excluding certain one-time items, the company's adjusted earnings came to $1.16 per diluted share, short of the $1.20 per share that **** ysts had expected, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Domestic same-restaurant sales rose 1.5% at IHOP and fell 1.8% at Applebee's compared with the year-earlier quarter. **** ysts had projected a 0.5% increase at IHOP and a 2.2% decline at Applebee's, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The revenue gain was driven by higher company-owned restaurant sales, which the company attributed to an increase in the number of restaurants acquired from franchisees and the timing of those acquisitions. Adjusted EBITDA declined to $54.2 million from $56.2 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Chief Executive John Peyton said consumers continue to prioritize affordability and value. He noted in a statement that IHOP posted its third consecutive quarter of outperformance on both sales and traffic relative to the broader industry.

#quarter #increase #street
segxjzsdoncuuuuk
3 months ago
This story was originally published on QSR. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily QSR AM Jolt.
HTeaO, the nation's leading iced tea franchise, announced the appointment of Brian Wise as Chief Executive Officer. Wise, who most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, joins HTeaO as the Company enters its next phase of national expansion. His appointment follows an additional growth investment completed in April 2026 by Crux Capital and Trive Capital, the two Dallas-based private equity firms that first partnered with HTeaO in January 2023 and now hold a majority interest in the Company. HTeaO Co-Founder Justin Howe will transition to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Howe will remain engaged in the Company's long-term strategy, brand vision and product innovation, working closely with Wise and the executive leadership team.
The CEO appointment and additional financial support come amid sustained momentum for HTeaO. The Company has grown to more than 180 locations across 11 states and was named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. Alongside its rapid expansion, HTeaO is making significant investments in the people, technology and infrastructure required to support a system many times its current size. Recent investments include several senior leadership additions, expanded supply chain capabilities, and enhanced franchisee support systems.
"Building HTeaO into the category leader it is today has been one of the greatest privileges of my life," said Justin Howe, Executive Chairman of HTeaO. "Brian is an exceptional leader who understands what makes this brand special, and I have complete confidence in where he'll lead HTeaO next."
Wise brings nearly two decades of experience inside one of the country's most successful fast-casual franchise systems. He joins HTeaO after more than seven years on the corporate leadership team of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, where he most recently served as Chief Operating Officer following roles as Senior Vice President of Operations and Director of Franchise Management. During his tenure on the leadership team, Freddy's expanded to nearly 600 restaurants across 37 states and into Canada while strengthening the training, technology and operational systems that supported that growth. Before joining the corporate team, Wise spent 15 years as a Partner of one of Freddy's largest franchisee groups, giving him firsthand experience as an operator and a deep understanding of what franchisees need to succeed.

#chief #howe
ssrpznirqqx
3 months ago
This story was originally published on QSR. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily QSR AM Jolt.
Jeff's Bagel Run, the fast-growing bagel brand known for making its bagels from scratch in every shop throughout the day, has awarded a 10-unit franchise agreement covering Eastern and South Central Pennsylvania.
The agreement marks Jeff's Bagel Run's entry into Pennsylvania and establishes a development corridor extending from the Harrisburg area east through Reading and the Lehigh Valley to suburban Philadelphia. Site selection is now underway, with the franchise group actively evaluating real estate opportunities and leadership resources across the territory.
"Pennsylvania knows its bagels, so we know we'll have to earn our place here," said Jeff Perera, co-founder of Jeff's Bagel Run. "Plenty of bagel brands are growing. We may be the only one doing it the hard way—starting with flour and mixing, boiling and baking every bagel in every shop throughout the day. There are certainly easier ways to scale, but we haven't found one that makes a better bagel. Now we're looking for multiple sites and neighborhoods to bring that experience to Pennsylvania."
The expansion will be led by experienced multi-unit franchisees Jay and Amy DeLuca, along with operating partners Eric Clark and Nadia Hankin who reside in Harrisburg. The group brings extensive experience in site selection, new-store development, building strong teams, marketing and community involvement.

#bagel #pennsylvania #site
rfhqhqlmjwh
3 months ago
McDonald's (NYSE:MCD) is among the top dividend stocks in President Trump's portfolio, according to his disclosures earlier this year. MCD has about 50 years of consecutive dividend increases under its belt. The company is scheduled to announce earnings on August 4. The stock is down about 10% so far this year. Is this an opportunity to buy?
McDonald's real business isn't food. About 95% of its restaurants are run by franchisees, not the company. McDonald's keeps the land and the buildings, and it collects rent and royalties on top of the franchise fee. Franchised locations run at roughly an 83% operating margin. Company-run restaurants sit closer to 12%, before corporate costs even get factored in. Franchisees eat the labor bills, the food cost swings, the day-to-day headaches. McDonald's just cashes the check.
Revenue was up 9.4% year over year. Comparable sales grew 3.8% globally and 3.9% in the US, and a chunk of that came from the McValue menu plus a Netflix crossover with K-Pop Demon Hunters that apparently got younger customers walking in.
Systemwide sales (this counts every franchised store, not just company-owned ones) were up 11% on a reported basis.
The Dividend Case, In Plain Numbers

#company #Dividend #Food #sales
Pdo2s9AKJuBxuOuD
4 months ago
This story was originally published on QSR. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily QSR AM Jolt.
Papa Murphy's is headed for more closures.
Parent company MTY Food Group told investors during the company's Q2 earnings call that it expects to shutter 68 underperforming corporately owned restaurants over the next nine months. Of those, between 45 and 50 stores will be Papa Murphy's locations.
Most of the shutdowns will occur in the third quarter, with the first scheduled to begin this week. The 68 closures represent about 1 percent of MTY's systemwide restaurant base.
The move comes after MTY attempted to revive a collection of stores it took back from Papa Murphy's franchisees about two years ago.
GreatAmerica
11 months ago
Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock – anytime.
President Donald Trump told McDonald's Corp. (NYSE:MCD) franchisees and suppliers on Monday that they were "lucky" he won the 2024 presidential race, claiming the U.S. economy would have been pushed towards bankruptcy under former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Speaking at the McDonald's Impact Summit in Washington, Trump argued that welfare rolls and government jobs would have surged while "real jobs were going down" if he had lost, The Hill reported.
He warned that without his tariffs and investment agenda, "you would have ha

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