Pretzel chain found in malls and shopping centers
OneRyan Global, the family investment office of tax consulting titan Brint Ryan, has acquired a controlling interest in Mr. Gatti's Pizza, capping a transition to a fully franchised system and positioning the 57-year-old pizza buffet brand for an unconventional expansion into Walmart stores and convenience locations.
March 24, 2026
The maker of Flippy just bought a workforce management platform, signaling that the future of kitchen automation isn't just robots replacing workers. It's a single integrated platform managing robots, labor, and operations together. Here's what operators need to know.
March 24, 2026
The complete story of how the largest franchise system in history collapsed. Dollar footlongs, franchisee revolts, market saturation, and the $9.6 billion Roark Capital acquisition that inherited the mess.
March 20, 2026
High-traffic corners still matter, but delivery and mobile ordering broke the link between foot traffic and revenue. Chains allocate 30% of expansion to ghost kitchens in military bases, universities, and hospitals. Drive-thru-only formats cut square footage from 2,500 to 600. Second-generation sites open 6-12 months faster than new builds.
March 19, 2026
Should you own multiple brands under one roof? We examine the portfolio strategy sweeping franchising, including co-branding economics, operational complexity, and whether diversification actually reduces risk.
March 19, 2026
An in-depth analysis of how Roark Capital, Inspire Brands, JAB Holding, and other PE firms are transforming the restaurant landscape.
March 19, 2026