Business News
McDonald’s CEO Predicts These 3 Food Trends Will Blow Up In 2026
Chris Kempczinski nailed his 2025 predictions. Now he's forecasting what will shape the food industry this year.
Franchises
Franchise 500
‘We’re Faster Than Amazon’: How Ace Hardware Is Beating Big Tech While Selling Local
At #4 on our Franchise 500, the 102-year-old company is using a hyperlocal strategy with franchisees to drive digital growth.
Franchise 500
This 72 Year-Old Education Brand Is Staying On Top By Doing One Crucial Thing In-Person
Kumon invests heavily in learnings across regions. That landed it at #5 on our Franchise 500.
Franchise 500
With Zero Orders Placed, AI Says to Drop 50 Wings In the Fryer. It’s Cut Customer Wait Times In Half.
Wingstop's Smart Kitchen, which uses machine learning to predict exactly when to start preparing food, has helped the brand land at #6 on the Franchise 500.
Franchise 500
The UPS Store Gets 5x the Packages It Did In 2019. Here’s How They’re Handling the Growth.
Peer to peer learning among franchisees has helped The UPS Store land at #7 on the Franchise 500.
Franchise 500
How Hampton by Hilton Expanded to 46 Countries, Even As Hotel Prices Rose 20%
At #8 on our Franchise 500, their brand's strategy is simple: "It's about the feeling you get when you walk through the door."
Franchise 500
This CEO Ate 10 Chicken Sandwiches In a Day and Got ‘So Sick.’ But It Led to 30% Sales Growth.
After 18 months of culinary invention, their sales jumped, landing them at #9 on the Franchise 500.
Franchise 500
McDonald’s Sales Jump 2.4% After They Revived This Old School Strategy
How the Golden Arches landed back in the Franchise 500 Top 10.
Franchise 500
From Celebrity Investors to AI That Cuts Labor Costs by 90% — How 5 Brands Made Massive Leaps
What drove explosive franchise growth in 2025? Here are the five different growth strategies that helped these franchises rocket up in the Franchise 500 rankings.
By Kim Kavin
Franchise 500
‘Computers Can’t Tie Balloons’: 8 Innovative New Franchises
These franchises identified market gaps, and are turning unique ideas into scalable business models for our current moment.
By Jason Feifer
Franchise 500
A Day In the Life of a Franchisee Who Took His Store from $700K to $1.8 Million
Raul Larez now owns two Batteries Plus locations, but still has plenty of time for family. We asked him to keep a diary of one average day.
By Raul Larez
Franchise 500
Raise Prices or Cut Staff… How About Neither? Try The Strategy That Worked For These 5 Brands
When costs climb and consumers tighten budgets, most franchises raise prices or cut staff. But the smartest brands are reengineering value.
By Matt Haller
Franchise 500
I Took a Tiny Hometown Restaurant and Built It Into 235 Locations For Very Little Money. You Can Too.
Eddie Flores Jr. couldn't get a loan, so he built L&L Hawaiian Barbecue without much cash for traditional marketing. Here is his "impact marketing without spending money" strategy.
Business News
Protein Is the New Secret Weapon Fast-Food Chains Are Using to Win You Over
From Dunkin' to Blaze Pizza, protein power is suddenly a core selling point.
Business News
Americans Are Ditching Pizza for Mexican Food — Here’s Why
Major chains are closing locations as the once-dominant pies fall to sixth place in restaurant sales.
Building a Business
He Started Making His Favorite Game Day Snack at Home. Now, His Brand Is Growing Fast.
Matt Ensero and Justin Egan started a business serving a beloved gameday snack, earned national recognition and found the right partner to scale.
Buying a Franchise
How Shaq Built a Restaurant Empire That Pays More Than the NBA Ever Did
The NBA legend has amassed a $400 million empire, much of it coming from his strategic investments in restaurant franchises.
Buying a Franchise
Why Young Entrepreneurs Are Flocking to Franchising — and What It Means for Your Brand
Younger entrepreneurs are reshaping the franchising landscape, bringing technology fluency, a desire for purpose-driven work and a fresh approach to business ownership.
By Tim Conn
Business News
This Niche Japanese Food Franchise Is Opening 20 New Locations After Record Sales Year
Onigilly Japanese Kitchen is hoping to go mainstream with its traditional onigiri rice balls.
Buying a Franchise
Why This Business Model Is Opening the Door to Entrepreneurship for People With Almost No Capital
Micro-franchising helps people with limited resources become business owners by offering low-cost and proven franchise models.
Business News
California Pizza Kitchen Just Sold for $300 Million—And the New Owners Are Ready to Deliver
An investor group led by Consortium Brand Partners is acquiring the iconic pizza chain.
Business News
Restaurant Franchisees Predict 2026 Will Be the ‘Year of Stability’ After a Turbulent 2025
After missing growth targets in 2025 due to economic uncertainty, restaurant franchise operators says they're optimistic about the future.
Buying a Franchise
Aspiring Franchise Owners Ask Me This — But They Should Be Asking Themselves 5 Questions
Before investing in a franchise, ask yourself these five questions to see if you're truly ready to succeed.
By David Busker
Business News
McDonald’s CEO Warns That His Career Advice May ‘Hurt Your Feelings’
The executive shared some straightforward career guidance with his more than 50,000 Instagram followers.
By Sherin Shibu
Building a Business
Why a Super Bowl Champ Chose This Emerging Franchise Company to Create Impact Far Beyond Restaurants
Ndamukong Suh and Gregg Majewski discuss their first meeting, their belief in people and the mission behind Craveworthy.
Building a Business
He Started a Side Hustle in His Kitchen — Then Took a ‘Scary and Crazy’ Leap to Grow It to $15 Million Revenue
Jeff Perera's wife asked him to learn to make one of her favorite foods.
By Sherin Shibu
Business News
KFC Wants Fans to Decide the Fate of Potato Wedges
Will the cult -favorite be a permanent menu item?