Dan Harmon Takes the Helm at Pizzana
Veteran restaurant leader Dan Harmon is now CEO of Pizzana and is driving the brand’s national expansion, franchising plans, and operational innovation.
Jun 29, 2026
Veteran restaurant leader Dan Harmon is now CEO of Pizzana and is driving the brand’s national expansion, franchising plans, and operational innovation.
Jun 29, 2026
Major Popeyes franchisee Sailormen's sale of 97 restaurants out of bankruptcy signals shifting industry dynamics. Learn how resilience and adaptability are essential for today's restaurant owners.
Jun 29, 2026
Southpaw's strategic acquisition of 43 Taco Bell stores in Ohio pushes their restaurant count to 180, highlighting their people-first approach and strong growth in the quick-service space.
Jun 29, 2026
Southpaw adds 43 Ohio Taco Bell restaurants to its impressive portfolio, highlighting franchise growth and strengthening the Midwest QSR landscape.
Jun 26, 2026
Darden Restaurants surpassed $13 billion in sales, fueled by robust performance at LongHorn Steakhouse and innovative menu changes at Olive Garden. Explore the strategies driving this industry giant’s continued dominance.
Jun 26, 2026
Discover how Cicis Pizza's rewards program skyrocketed to over one million members in under a year, driving customer engagement and retention. See the lessons for restaurant loyalty programs.
Jun 26, 2026
The fallout of Pizza Hut's mandated AI delivery system rollout has ignited a $100 million lawsuit from a leading franchisee, highlighting crucial franchisor-franchisee lessons for all restaurant owners.
Jun 26, 2026
Expanding to multiple locations requires clear systems, strong managers, smart financing, market research, and performance tracking to protect restaurant profits.
Jun 26, 2026
World Cup knockout games help restaurants boost sales with food and drink specials, group bundles, takeout offers, and timely promotions.
Jun 26, 2026
LongHorn Steakhouse surpassed $1 billion in quarterly sales for the first time, driven by strong value perception and menu innovation. Restaurant leaders can draw key lessons for thriving when consumer price sensitivity is high.
Jun 25, 2026
Explore the exponential growth and challenges faced by Small Sliders, a rising star in the QSR franchise industry, founded by Brandon Landry in 2019.
Photo by Annie Spratt
Small Sliders, a relative newcomer in the restaurant franchise market, has been on a rapid growth trajectory since its inception in 2019. The brand's unit count surged from a single outlet in 2021 to six stores by the end of 2022 and further expanded to 11 stores by the close of 2023. This exponential growth mirrors the success stories of other QSR chains like Dave's Hot Chicken, which capitalized on post-pandemic consumer trends to expand swiftly.
Brandon Landry, the visionary founder of Small Sliders and former CEO of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, played a pivotal role in shaping the brand's early success. With Landry at the helm, Small Sliders benefited from his experience and expertise in scaling restaurant concepts while prioritizing quality and culture. Landry's strategic vision and commitment to franchisee and team member success have been integral in driving Small Sliders towards its growth milestones.
Photo by Annie Spratt
Despite its rapid growth, Small Sliders faces challenges typical in the competitive restaurant franchise landscape. The brand's limited operational history makes it challenging to assess its unit economics accurately. In a market saturated with burger offerings, Small Sliders must distinguish itself through innovative strategies to attract and retain customers amidst headwinds such as high interest rates, tariffs on ingredients, and construction costs.