Pizza Inn franchisee shares leadership insights, advice on growing a franchise

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Dion Firooznia transitioned from a 40-year career in corporate restaurant leadership to become an award-winning Pizza Inn franchisee, leveraging multi-unit…

How R&R Brands scaled from a single brand to a multi-brand platform

I sat down with Scott Taylor, Founder and CEO of R&R Brands, a visionary and an industry icon whose fingerprints are on some of the most important…

Your Pie debuts streamlined business model to drive Southeast growth

April 30, 2026

Your Pie, a fast-casual pizza chain, plans to expand its presence across the Southeast, specifically targeting metro Atlanta, the…

Mr Gatti's reopens Walmart locations in 2 states with upgraded dining, games

April 27, 2026

Mr Gatti's Pizza has reopened five Walmart locations across Texas and Oklahoma following the installation of revamped dining and entertainment spaces…

Marco's Pizza inks 3 unit expansion in New Mexico

April 24, 2026

Marco's Pizza has signed a three-unit area development agreement to expand its presence in New Mexico, with the first location scheduled to open this summer…

Stoner's Pizza Joint expanding into 2 states

April 24, 2026

Florida-based Stoner's Pizza Joint is expanding into Kansas and Tennessee as part of a multi-unit opening that brings the company's total footprint to more…

Mellow Mushroom's 'fast fine' format slashes labor costs by 40% but keeps nostalgia

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Mellow Mushroom is evolving its 50-year-old business model with a counter-service format that reduces labor and build-out costs for franchisees while…

Be featured: Help us build the ultimate resource for prospective franchise operators

April 15, 2026

Get your franchise brand in front of qualified leads—on us. We're embarking on a new franchise industry initiative and want your input.

Marco's Pizza inks 12-store franchise deal for Southern California

April 9, 2026

Marco's Pizza has signed a 12-unit franchise agreement with experienced franchisee Baljit Gill to expand the brand across Southern California, according to a…

Little Caesars VP of franchise development talks brand growth, solid operations

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Podcast host Mandy Detwiler talks to Bryan Ketelhut, VP of franchise and business development for Little Caesars.

Bango: From a 300-square-foot acai shop to leading a 'Better for You' movement

On this episode of the Founderology — Built to Breakthrough podcast, I talk with Ryan Thorman, Founder and CEO of Bango and a contributor to the Founderology…

Synergy in a slice: Inside the dual-concept model driving Hungry Howie’s Texas expansion

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Entrepreneur Jay Dhaliwal is leveraging a high-traffic "one-stop-shop" model in Fort Worth by operating a lean Hungry Howie’s franchise within a co-branded gas…

Prince St. Pizza partners with Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisee for national expansion

March 31, 2026

Prince St. Pizza, a New York-based pizzeria known for its Sicilian-style square pies, has formed a partnership with restaurateur Lawrence Kourie to expand the…

Fresh Brothers Pizza launches franchising

March 25, 2026

California-based Fresh Brothers Pizza has launched franchising. The brand currently has 20 locations across Southern California, according to a press release.

Cicis Pizza takes No. 1 spot on Pizza Marketplace's 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Cicis Pizza took home the top honors as Pizza Marketplace's annual event in Las Vegas; Moto Pizza won a tech award from XRobotics and Pizza Nova's Domenic…

Mr Gatti's sets record for soft opening in Portland, Texas

March 20, 2026

Mr Gatti's Pizza has opened a location in Portland Texas. According to a press release, the brand reported that the restaurant opened to record-setting…

Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream opens 1st Arizona store in Tucson area

March 19, 2026

Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream has opened its first Arizona location in the Tucson area, according to a press release.

Fueling growth from 1 cup to 100+ locations

Brandon Knudsen, co-founder and CEO of Ziggi’s Coffee, shares critical advice on how he bootstrapped Ziggi's from a single coffee shop to more than 10…

The accidental franchisor: Eddie Flores Jr. kicks off Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit with candid look at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

March 17, 2026

Eddie Flores Jr. transitioned from real estate to become the franchisor of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, building a legacy based on the "aloha spirit" and family…

Vocelli Pizza expands Alabama presence with Valleydale location

March 16, 2026

Vocelli Pizza is opening a location this month in Valleydale marking the chain's second restaurant in Alabama.