Popular Articles

How Much Does a Smoothie King Franchise Cost in 2026?

Smoothie King franchise costs range from $346,000 to $1,278,000. With 1,400+ locations, the brand focuses on functional nutrition and health-conscious consumers.

How to Open a Popeyes Franchise

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has spent the last five years on a growth tear. The 2019 chicken sandwich launch wasn't just a viral moment. It fundamentally shifted the brand's position in the QSR chicken

Private Equity in QSR: The Roark Capital Playbook

Roark Capital controls Subway, Dunkin', Arby's, Jimmy John's, and Buffalo Wild Wings. That's 70,000 locations and 0 billion in sales. The QSR industry isn't run by restaurant operators anymore. It's run by private equity.

Multi-Unit Franchise Operators: The Hidden Power Players Running QSR

Flynn Restaurant Group operates 2,600 locations. Sun Holdings runs 1,300. You've never heard of them, but they control more of QSR than most brands. Here's how the mega-operators are quietly taking over the industry.

El Pollo Loco Beats Q4 Estimates, Outlines 18-20 New Openings and 65-75 Remodels for 2026

El Pollo Loco posted adjusted Q4 EPS of $0.25, beating consensus by $0.04, and unveiled an aggressive 2026 growth plan anchored by a smaller, cheaper store prototype and a push into non-traditional venues.

Franchise M&A in 2026: Why Q2 Is Shaping Up as the Busiest Deal Quarter in Years

A wave of private equity dry powder, maturing PE hold periods, and a bankruptcy auction putting 18 restaurant brands on the block has the franchise M&A market tracking toward its most active stretch in recent memory. Here is what operators and investors need to know.

Brinker International's $6.25 Billion Comeback: How Chili's Big Smasher Turned a Casual Dining Chain Into QSR's Biggest Threat

Bob Evans Gets a New Owner: 4X4 Capital's Bet on Comfort Food's Staying Power

New York PE firm 4X4 Capital acquired Bob Evans Restaurants from Golden Gate Capital in a deal announced February 5, 2026, closing the book on an unusually long 8-year hold for a private equity owner.

Freddy's Frozen Custard Changes PE Hands: What Serial Buyouts Tell Us About QSR Franchise Valuations in 2026

The $700 million sale of Freddy's Frozen Custard from Thompson Street Capital to Rhône Group is the latest in a string of PE-to-PE restaurant deals. Here's what these transactions reveal about how private equity values QSR brands in 2026.

The Real Math on Alcohol in QSR: What Taco Bell's Cantina Shortfall Reveals

Taco Bell projected 300-plus Cantinas by 2022. About 50 exist in 2026. The gap between ambition and reality reveals why alcohol's 80% gross margins don't translate to QSR profits at scale, and why the real beverage opportunity is non-alcoholic.

How Much Does a Jimmy John's Franchise Cost in 2026?

Jimmy John's franchise investment ranges from $366,200 to $728,200. Owned by Roark Capital, the brand focuses on delivery speed and operational simplicity with 2,695 locations.

Domino's Nine-Quarter Same-Store Sales Streak Reshapes the Pizza Category

Domino's posted 3.7% U.S. same-store sales growth in Q4 2025, extending a nine-quarter streak that has redrawn competitive lines across the $46 billion U.S. pizza market. As Pizza Hut sheds 250 locations and Papa John's winds down 300, the gap between the category leader and the rest of the field keeps widening.

How Much Does a Marco's Pizza Franchise Cost in 2026?

Marco's Pizza franchise costs range from $287,000 to $807,000. With 1,100+ locations and targeting 80+ new stores in 2026, the brand focuses on quality ingredients and Roma-style pizza.

How Much Does a Carl's Jr Franchise Cost in 2026?

Carl's Jr franchise requires minimum $1,300,000 investment. Owned by CKE Restaurants with 1,100+ locations, the brand emphasizes charbroiled burgers and premium positioning in Western markets.

How Much Does a Bojangles Franchise Cost in 2026?

Bojangles franchise costs range from $2,650,870 to $3,829,400. With 825 locations and $600,000 development incentives, the brand focuses on Southern chicken and made-from-scratch biscuits.

The Great Beef Squeeze: How a 75-Year Low in Cattle Supply Is Reshaping Burger Economics

The U.S. cattle herd has shrunk to its smallest size since 1951. With beef prices surging past records and no relief in sight for years, burger chains face a fundamental question about their business model.

How Much Does a Church's Texas Chicken Franchise Cost in 2026?

Church's Texas Chicken franchise investment ranges from $644,366 to $1,808,972. With 1,600 global locations across 24 countries, the brand focuses on value-positioned fried chicken.