Franchise Times

The Houston-based restaurant group WE Foods Enterprises Hospitality Group inked a deal with Huddle House to open 20 units in Texas. It’s the group’s first franchise venture and is the largest-ever agreement for Huddle House. The all-day breakfast casual dining chain has about 270 locations in 21 states. Owned by Ascent Hospitality Management, it’s ranked?No. 234?on the Franchise Times Top 400 with $219 million in sales in 2023, a dip of 0.5 percent from 2022. “Our initial deal with Huddle House is for 20 units. Our goal is to eventually take over the Texas market and do 100 locations throughout the state with a five-to-10-year plan,” said Justin Criswell, financial executive and chief information officer of WE Foods. https://lnkd.in/g9QxQNW3

The saying, “I grew up with the brand,” is thrown about often and sometimes rather indiscriminately in franchising. With a lifetime’s worth of roles at Pita Pit, Meghan Haugen can rightfully make that assertion. Since starting as a food preparer at the age of 16, the 36-year-old restaurant veteran has taken on a variety of roles for Pita Pit, including franchisee training and assisting in construction and franchise development. https://lnkd.in/g8Yy2HHf

After a five-year halt, One River School of Art + Design is resuming its franchise growth efforts. For more than a decade, One River School of Art + Design has taught art education and a variety of art mediums to thousands of students. Advocating for younger artists is nothing new for founder Matt Ross, who served as an investor and founding CEO for music education program School of Rock. Matt Ross left School of Rock in 2010 and founded New Jersey-based One River School of Art + Design in 2012 with the goal to “transform art education” in America. https://lnkd.in/gTWKBNAh

Some big, if not altogether surprising, #franchise M&A news. Jersey Mike's Subs stores did an average of $1.3 million in annual sales last year, up from $923,710 in 2020. That AUV beats Jimmy John’s, at $977,885, and Firehouse Subs, at $962,955.

A great article highlighting takeaways from RFDC! Thank you Amelia Lucas for the wonderful coverage. https://lnkd.in/g2A87qGq

Greg Flynn founder and CEO of Flynn Group, says building a restaurant portfolio that's reflective of consumer preferences has been key to his company's success. Flynn Group wrote the latest chapter last year when it ventured for the first time outside the U.S., entering Australia with?the acquisition of Pizza Hut Australia. Today, Flynn Group generates more than $4.6 billion in sales and employs more than 75,000 people. Ranked No. 1 on the Franchise Times Restaurant 200, it has stores in 44 states as well as Australia and New Zealand. https://lnkd.in/gFpwcHeJ

Thank you to all our #RFDC2024 attendees, speakers and exhibitors for coming out to Fontainebleau Las Vegas to network, learn industry trends and invest in new opportunities. We hope to see you next year!

In 2014, newly formed investment firm Garnett Station Partners purchased a struggling 23-unit Burger King operation. By 2019, Garnett Station Partners had built its Cambridge Franchise Holdings portfolio to 166 Burger King locations and 55 popeyes units, which it sold to Carrols Corporation Restaurant Group, then the largest Burger King franchisee. It’s one of several successful ventures for the firm, led by Matthew Perelman and Alex Sloane. https://lnkd.in/gP_a6TYt

“We are, in many ways, having played the role of technology companies and thinking that way,”?Potbelly Sandwich Works?CFO Steve Cirulis said. Steve Cirulis spoke alongside Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar CFO Robert L. and?Habit Burger & Grill?CFO Tiffany Furman during a panel at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference in Las Vegas November 12. While all three have embraced technology within their work, it has not come without strategic decision making. https://lnkd.in/gZbJyPU3

This afternoon, Laura Michaels moderated a discussion with Mark Patricof and Malcolm Jenkins, former NFL player and 2-time Super Bowl champion, as the two shared insights on converting athlete endorsements into ownership opportunities. #RFDC