Restaurants in Southern California are offering free meals to first responders battling wildfires. Here is a look at brands taking part in the effort, including KFC, as well as the items on offer.
Doughnut makers such as Krispy Kreme and Shipley Do-Nuts are exploring new growth channels after strong performances last year. Krispy Kreme reported $1.23 billion in sales for the first nine months of 2024 and grew its delivered-fresh-daily business, and it has set a goal of reaching upwards of 15,000 points of access by next year. Shipley opened four stores in the third quarter, added about 110 units to the pipeline and introduced limited-edition products.
Christina Vaughan has been tapped to serve as chief operating officer at Slim Chickens after having previously been senior vice president of operations. Vaughan noted that she is inspired by franchisees and highlighted the potential for brands to make strides by focusing on areas such as digital ordering, inventory control and data-driven insights.
Leaders should embrace agile optimism, which is more open-minded than fragile optimism that hinges on positive outcomes, writes Nick Tasler, an organizational psychologist. "Believing that you or your team can accurately predict all the details on the road to your desired outcome without making any missteps ensures that it's only a matter of time before your fragile optimism shatters into a thousand little pieces," Tasler writes.
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen has introduced a Game Day Bundle that includes 24 wings as well as dipping sauces and three sides for $24.99. The brand also rolled out a new wing flavor, Louisiana Garlic, inspired by New Orleans cuisine.
McDonald's plans to open two small-format CosMc's locations in Texas this year while closing three larger ones, citing the effectiveness of smaller stores for the beverage-led concept. CosMc's, which debuted in 2023, has expanded to seven locations, with popular items including the Island Pick Me Up Punch and Savory Hashbrown Bites. The smaller formats include features like order-ahead lanes and food and beverage conveyors, streamlining operations and enhancing the digital ordering experience.
The IFA Annual Convention isn't just about networking; it's about learning, adapting, and building a stronger future for the franchising community. The 2025 IFA Annual Convention Special Sessions are poised to be a cornerstone of this educational experience, tackling critical trends, challenges, and opportunities.
With curated sessions designed for franchisees, franchisors, and suppliers, these sessions focus on essential strategies that elevate operational efficiency, streamline processes, and ultimately drive franchise growth.
Take a sneak peek at two highly anticipated sessions offered on Monday, February 10 in Las Vegas, NV.
Building a Stellar Franchise District Manager Program: Strategies for System-Wide Excellence I 9:00 am - 12:00 pm PT
District managers are the backbone of franchise operations, connecting high-level strategies to on-the-ground results. This 3-hour workshop equips attendees with expert education, real-world case studies, and group activities to master leadership strategies, develop operational plans, retain high-performing teams, drive consistency, and use metrics to optimize results. Led by Aicha Bascaro, a global leader in multi-unit management with over 35 years of experience at brands like Domino's Pizza, Popeyes, and Olive Garden. Earn 3 IFA Live Credits.
Supplier Synergy: Unlocking the Power of Strategic Partnerships in Franchising I 1:00 pm - 4:00 p.m. PT
This dynamic and interactive 3-hour workshop emphasizes the critical role of supplier relationships in franchise success. Participants will learn how to cultivate strategic partnerships, leverage supplier collaboration for mutual growth, and turn these relationships into a competitive advantage. Through engaging discussions, real-world case studies, and practical exercises, attendees will leave with actionable strategies, including developing supplier relationship management plans and identifying key partnership opportunities. Facilitated by industry experts William Edwards, CFE, Chris Mangum, CFE, Lynette McKee, CFE, and Mary Ann O'Connell, CFE, this session equips you to strengthen your franchise network.
Batteries Plus, the world's leading specialty battery franchise, has achieved remarkable success through strategic partnerships with industry leaders in device protection and insurance. These collaborations have led to significant growth for franchisees over the last two years, as exemplified by Angel Cartagena's store in Springfield, N.J.
Wildfires in Los Angeles have caused extensive property damage, including to restaurants, while some eateries have stepped up to provide free food to first responders and evacuees. For example, Habit Burger & Grill provided free meals to firefighters.
Restaurants and bars added 29,800 jobs in December, accounting for 12% of all jobs created, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite challenges such as chain bankruptcies and unit closures, the industry remains a strong job creator. However, job growth in leisure and hospitality slowed last year, with wages in the sector rising 3.2% year over year.
