Wingstop’s Expansion Runs Hot as Comps Cool
Wingstop adds 382 U.S. units to 3,056 total as comps dip; 2026 outlook hinges on loyalty, Smart Kitchen, and category tailwinds.
Jul 20, 2026
Wingstop adds 382 U.S. units to 3,056 total as comps dip; 2026 outlook hinges on loyalty, Smart Kitchen, and category tailwinds.
Jul 20, 2026
Topgolf Media Networks turns 100+ venues into an ad platform with 42M visits and 28,000 screens, tapping retail media tactics for measurable brand activations.
Jul 20, 2026
Domino’s leverages rising order volumes to boost revenue and market share despite industry challenges in Q2 2026, offering key lessons for restaurant owners.
Jul 20, 2026
Discover how Fresh off the Boat in Santa Ana has built a thriving, health-focused Mexican-Mediterranean fusion restaurant. Explore operational insights, business strategies, and the customer experience that set this unique concept apart.
Jul 20, 2026
If your restaurant is busy but profits feel thin, food cost is usually the first place to look. Not because it is always the problem, but because it is the most controllable variable in your P&L.
Jul 20, 2026
Burger King launches its “Your Way Champion” managerial role, focusing on guest experience, order customization, and staff engagement. Restaurant operators can glean insights for elevating hospitality in their own venues.
Jul 20, 2026
Thomas Keller Restaurant Group will pay $2M to settle an EEOC harassment and retaliation case tied to Bouchon Las Vegas, closing a long-running action from 2018.
Jul 19, 2026
Fresh Kitchen names Bill Knopf and Matt Livingston to lead operations and development as the clean-label bowl brand targets growth beyond 100 locations.
Jul 18, 2026
Hardee’s franchisee Superior Star filed Chapter 11 after a 2023 deal revealed unpaid taxes, costly repairs, and lease burdens; plans to reject leases and refocus.
Jul 18, 2026
Cinnabon posted a net gain of 308 U.S. units in 2025 and launched Seattle’s Best Coffee in 2026 to boost beverage mix, margins, and franchise-driven expansion.
Jul 18, 2026
Explore the consequences of bankruptcy for franchise businesses with insights from the recent Twin Peaks bankruptcy filing and Panera Brands CEO change.

The recent bankruptcy filing by DMD Ventures, a Florida-based franchisee of Twin Peaks, highlights the challenges that franchise businesses can face. The $12 million litigation claim faced by the Twin Peaks franchisee serves as a cautionary tale for others in the industry. By filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, DMD Ventures and its affiliated businesses, DMD Florida Development 2, LLC, and DMD Florida Restaurant Groups C and D LLC, are navigating through a complex restructuring process.
The Twin Peaks bankruptcy case underscores the importance of financial management and operational resilience in the franchising sector. Franchisees must carefully manage their finances, monitor performance closely, and adapt to changing market conditions to avoid similar pitfalls. This event serves as a reminder of the risks involved in operating a franchise business and the need for proactive risk management strategies.

In parallel, the sudden departure of José Alberto Dueñas as the CEO of Panera Brands has sparked discussions about leadership stability in franchise corporations. The appointment of Paul Carbone as the interim CEO signals a period of transition for the St. Louis-based parent company overseeing Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, and Einstein Brands. This change underscores the significance of strong leadership in navigating challenges within franchise organizations.