The push for premium RTD beverages is relying on real spirits and unique flavors to keep the ball rolling.

Small-town residents are longing for new food options, and Chipotle’s successful playbook is leading it and other other fast-casual restaurant chains, including Cava and Panda Express, to eye more stores in rural America.

With merger and acquisition activity still hindered by inflationary headwinds and other economic challenges, a number of franchising experts are skeptical the market will see any significant changes in the second half of 2024, even as the Federal Reserve considers reducing interest rates.

Lucrative restaurant deals are hard to come by, but there are still acquisitions to be made and growing franchises will get buyout interest. We spoke to several dealmakers for ideas on takeover targets in the sector. Here are two categories that stand out.

For Neighborly, 2023 will be remembered as a year of both historic milestones and tragedy. The largest home services franchise platform surpassed $4 billion in systemwide sales and 5,500 franchises globally last year.

Highland Arms Enterprises is on the receiving end of a Main Post Partners investment as the multi-unit Precision Garage Door Service franchisee sets itself up for continued growth.

Franchise Equity Partners (FEP), a private investment firm that develops long-term partnerships with franchisees and franchisors, has acquired Precision Garage Door Service franchises in Orlando and Ocala, Fla.

Leaving the annual Restaurant Finance & Development Conference in Las Vegas in November, it’s clear experts are cautiously optimistic about 2024’s dealmaking environment.

The report about Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s sale exploration comes the same week as a similar report about Chuck E. Cheese, signaling that restaurant M&A activity may be picking up.

Private investment firm welcomes new CFO Ari Herman, Senior Associate Grant Mueller, and Associate Alex Chang, and celebrates four promotions