Dave Shula Returns as President of Shula's Restaurant Group
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
Dave Shula rejoins Shula's Restaurant Group as president, leading growth into Palm Beach Gardens and a 2027 Thomasville, Georgia expansion.
Sep 23, 2026
McDonald's commits $8.5 billion through 2036 to modernize restaurants, boost cash flow by $100,000 per store, and grow chicken and beverage sales.
Sep 23, 2026
WKS Restaurant Group promotes Jay Spongberg to president and COO after he helped grow the company from 65 to 382 restaurants over 16 years.
Sep 23, 2026
Smokey Mo's BBQ names Von Dawson, a Dine Brands veteran, as VP of Franchise Development to lead its Texas expansion strategy.
Sep 23, 2026
Meritage Hospitality's Chapter 11 filing pulls 5% of Wendy's U.S. stores into bankruptcy, exposing cracks in franchising's bigger-is-safer bet.
Sep 21, 2026
Jack in the Box names Rachel Ruggeri to its board as Michael Murphy retires, amid a CEO transition and deal with investor GreenWood.
Sep 21, 2026
Restaurant inventory tracking helps owners monitor stock, control food costs, reduce waste, improve purchasing, and make informed operational decisions.
Sep 21, 2026
Improve restaurant Google Maps rankings by optimizing your business profile, selecting accurate categories, gathering reviews, adding photos, and strengthening local relevance signals.
Sep 21, 2026
Restaurant owners can significantly reduce restaurant costs by leveraging technology across inventory, labor, procurement, forecasting, and administrative operations for better profit margins.
Sep 18, 2026
Understand how to forecast restaurant revenue and expenses with methods for sales projection, cost scaling, fixed-cost planning, and risk buffering.
Sep 18, 2026
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Explore the complexities of franchise challenges, bankruptcy, Chapter 11, and the role of franchisors in supporting struggling franchisees.
Photo by Jan Baborák
The recent years have witnessed a surge in franchisee bankruptcies, impacting major chains like Burger King, Popeyes, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s. These bankruptcies are a result of various factors such as soaring ingredient and labor costs, declining foot traffic, and a prevalent sense of economic uncertainty among consumers. The move away from city centers and the reduction in office workers in downtown districts have added to the challenges faced by franchise operators.
Photo by Jan Baborák
Bankruptcy in the franchise industry mainly falls into two categories – Chapter 7 and Chapter 11. While Chapter 7 entails liquidation, Chapter 11 focuses on reorganization. The stigma associated with bankruptcy often stems from Chapter 7, but the majority of corporate bankruptcies belong to Chapter 11. It serves as a tool to restructure debt and pave the way for a sustainable business model.
Photo by Jan Baborák
Embracing Chapter 11 bankruptcy can be a pivotal move for struggling franchisees. It allows for necessary restructurings like lease renegotiations, closing unprofitable locations, or debt restructuring. Recognizing the need for Chapter 11 is essential to prevent further financial deterioration and steer the business towards stability.
Photo by Jan Baborák
Franchisors play a crucial role in supporting franchisees during challenging times. By closely monitoring the financial health of their network and offering financial assistance or adjusting royalties, franchisors can mitigate distress among operators. Encouraging proactive conversations with landlords and facilitating relocation processes can also aid struggling franchisees in adapting to changing market landscapes.
Franchise systems facing financial distress can explore alternative strategies to support struggling operators. Prioritizing the well-being of franchisees over immediate costly renovations can prevent additional debt burdens. Utilizing comprehensive reporting systems to detect early signs of financial struggles enables franchisors to intervene proactively and avert potential bankruptcies.
Photo by Jan Baborák