franchising

Financing

McDonald's franchisees question hand-breaded chicken

 By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 28, 2026

The Bottom Line: The fast-food chain is expanding tests of hand-breaded chicken in the U.S. But operators want the company to use smaller birds, similar to Popeyes and KFC.

Financing

Can discounts fix what ails Crumbl?

 By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 26, 2026

The cookie chain introduced a new value menu last week, including 99-cent thin cookies and discounted Dirty Sodas. But some franchisees say it could hurt already struggling profitability.

Financing

In the restaurant race, steady growth usually wins

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 26, 2026

The Bottom Line: This week’s edition of the weekly restaurant finance newsletter looks at the risks of overly fast growth, and why it’s better for brands to keep a steady pace.

Food

Yoshinoya wants to win back younger consumers with ramen

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 21, 2026

The quick-service chain has long been known for its Teriyaki Chicken and Gyudon Beef bowls. Now ramen joins the lineup as one part of a brand refresh to reach a new generation.

Emerging Brands

This Canadian chain wants to teach America to love shawarma

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 20, 2026

Buzzworthy Brands: Tahini's features the traditional Mediterranean roasted meats, but with a twist. Shawarma Ramen?

Financing

With sales struggling and stores closing, Crumbl prepares a value offer

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 19, 2026

The treat chain is preparing a $1.99 Dirty Soda and thin cookie promotion as its sales struggles continue. The company has blamed industry “headwinds” for its sales challenges.

Financing

How a trusted Subway co-op CEO allegedly hid a $200M kickback plot in plain sight

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 07, 2026

Janet Risi founded the Independent Purchasing Cooperative a quarter-century ago to keep food costs low. Instead, according to federal charges and a lawsuit, it became the source of a massive bribery scheme.

Emerging Brands

How Go Greek is positioning for brand longevity

By Lisa Jennings on Oct. 06, 2026

Froyo is hot, but dessert trends come and go. This franchise brand hopes to become a way of life.

Financing

The cookie boom, like others before it, proves temporary

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 05, 2026

The Bottom Line: Chip City’s shutdown and Crumbl’s struggles show, again, that fast-growth treat trends are some of the riskiest investments in the restaurant business.

Financing

California fines The Kickin' Crab for selling unregistered franchises

By Jonathan Maze on Oct. 01, 2026

The state fined the Cajun seafood concept $120,000 for selling franchises without providing proper disclosure documents or registering the offering.

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