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Investment salesKentuckyNewsRestaurants

Yum Brands Agrees to Sell Pizza Hut in Two Separate Transactions Totaling $2.7 Billion

by Abby Cox

Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands Inc., the Louisville-based operator of the Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC franchises, has entered into an agreement to sell the Pizza Hut chain across two separate transactions with a combined value of $2.7 billion. LongRange Capital, a private equity firm based in Stamford, Conn., has agreed to purchase Pizza Hut outside of mainland China for approximately $1.5 billion. The company is financing its acquisition using funds from UBS Investment Bank. Yum China Holdings Inc., which is based in Shanghai and was spun off from …

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DevelopmentKentuckyNewsRestaurants

PJ’s Coffee Signs Seven-Unit C-Store Agreement in Kentucky

by Abby Cox

Lexington, Ky. — PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans has signed a seven-unit license agreement with Steve Estepp, founder of Estepp Energy and Coffee Dudes LLC, to expand the New Orleans coffee brand throughout convenience stores in Central Kentucky. The company operates more than 13 convenience stores across Kentucky and is expanding its portfolio with complementary brands including Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Little Caesars and now PJ’s Coffee. Alongside the company’s operating partner, Brendon Farrar, the group plans to introduce PJ’s Coffee to its stores through a combination of full cafés …

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CaliforniaDevelopmentNewsRestaurants

Wetzel’s Pretzels, Cold Stone Creamery to Open More Than 17 Co-Branded Locations in 2026

by Abby Cox

Pasadena, Calif. — Fast food bakery chain Wetzel’s Pretzels and ice cream parlor chain Cold Stone Creamery are expanding their national footprint through co-branded locations. The brands currently have three co-branded locations under development for May, with plans to open an additional eight units by the end of 2026. This pipeline is on top of several new co-branded locations that opened earlier this year. Recent or upcoming openings include: • Clifton Park, New York • Columbus, Ohio • Alamo Ranch, Texas • Bennington, Nebraska • Bronx, New York • Lewisville, Texas …

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huey-magoos
DevelopmentNewsRestaurants

Huey Magoo’s Introduces Freestanding Condensed Drive-Thru Prototype

by Abby Cox

Orlando, Fla. — Fast-casual chicken tenders chain Huey Magoo’s is introducing a freestanding drive-thru prototype designed to lower build costs and increase site flexibility for franchisees. The design allows development on sites that were previously not viable, supporting growth in more markets while reducing upfront investment. The prototype extends the brand’s “cost-conscious” design approach into a standalone drive-thru format, building on momentum from 2025 when Huey Magoo’s introduced a condensed 1,500-square-foot inline model. Designed in-house by Melissa McCammack, director of architecture and design, the ground-up drive-thru model totals approximately 1,850 …

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DevelopmentIndianaNewsRestaurants

Broken Yolk Café Signs Two-Unit Development Agreement in Lafayette, Indiana

by Abby Cox

Lafayette, Ind. — Broken Yolk Café, an American restaurant chain specializing in breakfast, brunch and lunch, has signed a franchise agreement to develop two new restaurants in Lafayette, about 60 miles south of Indianapolis. Marc Clapper, who maintains two Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers locations, will own and operate the restaurants. The first Broken Yolk Café location is expected to debut in the Midwest this fall. In addition to development agreements in Indiana, the San Diego-based brand has also opened multiple restaurants in Idaho, Nevada, Arizona and Texas, totaling 42 …

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ConnecticutDevelopmentIllinoisMinnesotaNew YorkNewsNorth CarolinaOhioRestaurantsUtah

Dave’s Hot Chicken Opens Record Eight Restaurants in a Single Day

by Abby Cox

Pasadena, Calif. — Dave’s Hot Chicken opened eight new restaurants on April 16, expanding its footprint to more than 400 locations worldwide. The fast-casual concept, which originated in Los Angeles, is bringing its Nashville-style hot chicken to multiple markets, including Fairlawn, Ohio; Oneonta, New York; Edina, Minnesota; Gastonia, North Carolina; Arlington Heights, Illinois; Miami; Saratoga, Utah; and Waterford, Connecticut. Founded in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken has sold the rights to more than 1,020 franchise locations in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Canada, and will open 70-plus locations this year.

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CaliforniaDevelopmentNewsRestaurants

Gong cha Signs Three-Unit Franchise Agreement in Southern California

by Abby Cox

Boston — International bubble tea brand Gong cha has signed a franchise agreement to develop three new units in Southern California. Franchise operators Gagan and Aman Batta will own and operate the restaurants. The agreement includes locations in Fontana, Eastvale and Jurupa Valley, with the first location expected to open in the third quarter of 2026. Founded in Taiwan in 2006, Gong cha has more than 2,200 locations and is active in over 33 markets.

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CaliforniaDevelopmentNewsRestaurants

Marcos’s Pizza Signs 12-Unit Franchise Agreement in Southern California

by Abby Cox

Toledo, Ohio — Toledo, Ohio-based Marco’s Pizza has signed a franchise agreement to develop 12 new restaurants in Southern California. The restaurants will be owned and operated by Baljit Gill. Today, there are three Marco’s Pizza locations open in Upland, Fontana and Hesperia, with two additional stores under development in Yucaipa and Highland, which are scheduled to debut in early April. The remaining units are currently in the site selection process. Marco’s Pizza operates more than 1,200 stores across 35 states with locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Mexico. 

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DevelopmentNewsRestaurantsTexas

Huey Magoo’s Signs 15-Unit Franchise Agreement in Texas

by Abby Cox

Texas — Fast-casual chicken tender chain Huey Magoo’s has signed a franchise agreement to develop 15 new restaurants in Texas. The restaurants will be owned and operated by Muhammad Ali Akbar and Jason Gilbert of SMR Capital. Huey Magoo’s newest locations will span multiple counties in Texas including Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery. In 2025, the brand introduced a condensed 1,500-square-foot prototype that reduces buildout costs and speeds development, and also launched its Magoo’s Rewards loyalty program. Huey Magoo’s is currently on track to reach 100 locations in 2026, …

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smokey-mo's
DevelopmentNewsRestaurantsTexas

Smokey Mo’s BBQ Signs Four-Unit Development Agreement in Austin, Texas

by Abby Cox

Austin, Texas — Smokey Mo’s BBQ has signed a franchise agreement to develop four new restaurants in Austin. Father-son entrepreneur duo Cody and Stephen Cox will own and operate the locations. Along with its expansion plans, Smokey Mo’s has recently introduced a refreshed restaurant design, optimized kitchen flow and digital ordering capabilities. Founded in 2000, Smokey Mo’s currently has 23 active restaurants across Texas.

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