TGI Fridays is restarting unit growth at home while setting up additional development abroad. As part of a new strategic effort, the casual dining concept signed a deal for five locations across New York State, its first domestic agreement in more than a decade. Behind the deal is Vinod Chand, who brings 35 years of hospitality experience—including as a Burger King and KFC operator—and will open the restaurants through his company Bliss Bites. Along with the new stores, Chand also acquired an existing New York location under the deal.
On the other side of the globe, Fridays is returning to Pakistan with a deal for 15 locations across the country. Meerab Hospitality, part of Meerab Properties, will lead the development, adding to its portfolio of restaurants and hotels. The move in Pakistan is part of a larger effort by Fridays, founded in 1965, to grow its presence in South Asia and the Middle East. The brand has nearly 400 locations in almost 40 countries.
The agreements come as TGI Fridays works to reestablish itself. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024 following a turbulent decade for the brand. Ray Blanchette, who under his Sugarloaf TGIF Management took control of TGI Fridays in 2025 and returned as the brand’s CEO, announced a turnaround plan earlier this year.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is making a major development push in the Northeast with a deal for 40 locations across New York and Connecticut. John Rigos and Andy Stern plan to open the stores through their investment and operating company Aurify Kingstar. The group has a portfolio with more than 300 restaurants across numerous brands including Five Guys and Wingstop. Launched in 1997, Tropical Smoothie has nearly 1,800 locations in 44 states.
Mike's Red Tacos shows no signs of slowing down with its multi-unit deal signings.
Mike’s Red Tacos is continuing to add multi-unit developments to its pipeline with another signing. The California-based brand inked a 36-unit agreement with Kal Gullapalli, a franchisee who owns more than 80 locations across Dave’s Hot Chicken, Marco’s Pizza and PopUp Bagels. Mike’s Red Tacos has been busy with signings since it began franchising earlier this year and recently received a boost from NBA star Lebron Jamse becoming an investor.
Gold’s Gym is growing in Southern California through a 15-unit agreement. Roknipour Investment Group, led by CEO Matt Roknipour, has a background in property development and management. Under the new deal, the group will open gyms across the Los Angeles market and Orange County area. Established in 1965, Gold’s Gym has more than 500 locations globally. In 2020, the concept was acquired by RSG Group, and more recently it brought on a new CEO.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is expanding both domestically and internationally. In the U.S., the concept is building its presence in a pair of Southeast states with franchisee ELJ Investments. The organization, with experience operating Pizza Hut and Firehouse Subs, acquired six Freddy’s restaurants and will open another four in Georgia and South Carolina.
Overseas, Freddy’s signed a five-unit agreement to open stores in the Philippines, marking the company’s first agreement in Southeast Asia. OMG Holdings is leading the development, with the first restaurant expected to open in 2027. Founded in 2002, Freddy’s has more than 580 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Swig is steadily spreading to new markets, with franchisees buying in on dirty soda.
Swig, a dirty soda franchise, is set for growth in two western states. In the Southwest, sibling business partners Heather Berry and Brock Stokes will open 14 locations in New Mexico. The duo brings nearly a decade of franchise experience, including with Crumbl.
In the Northwest, meanwhile, entrepreneurs Sean Collins, Jared Collins and Ramey Mills are opening 11 locations across the state of Washington through their company Summit Management Group. Founded in 2010, Swig has nearly 170 shops in 17 states.
Retail brand Batteries Plus is increasing its unit count in Florida with a four-unit deal. Clint and Jolene Coates will open the locations in Central Florida, with the former drawing on experience with the U.S. Geological Survey agency and the latter bringing a background as a business owner of independent dance studios. Founded in 1988, Batteries Plus has more than 700 stores.
Fast-casual concept Barrio Burrito Bar is entering the state of Nevada with an agreement for 32 locations over the next two decades. The deal is with local entrepreneur Yamini Patel, who has the master franchise rights for the entire state. Barrio is the American affiliate of Canada-based BarBurrito. Founded in 2005, the concept has 400 Canadian locations and nearly 30 in the U.S. across both business divisions.
Minnesota-based Dunn Brothers Coffee is growing in the Midwest with a deal for three locations in Illinois and Iowa. Kevin and Michelle Ramirez will open shops in Davenport and Clinton, Iowa, as well as East Moline, Illinois. The couple bring more than two decades of experience in franchising as owners of several Jersey Mike’s units and previously Arby’s. Founded in 1987, Dunn Brothers has nearly 50 units in six states. Gala Capital Partners bought Dunn Brothers in 2022 and has been working to restart franchise growth.
Home improvement brand 76 Fence is expanding its Texas footprint with a deal for two territories in the Houston market with entrepreneurs Cameron and Abigail Sarage. Cameron Sarage brings experience in customer service and operations, while Abigail Sarage has a background in kinesiology and clinical research. The deal for Houston comes months after it inked a large deal for Dallas, building on its system of 137 territories in 14 states.
International News
Subway said that nearly 70 percent of its restaurants in North America have undergone remodels.
Subway is extending its reach in Central Europe as the sandwich giant signed a new master franchise agreement with Emerging Bites Holdings to open 300 restaurants across Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Czech Republic over the next 10 years. As part of the deal, Emerging Bites will take also over the support of the region's existing franchisees. Subway franchisees run 35 stores in Austria, five each in Slovakia and Slovenia, and four each in Hungary and the Czech Republic. Farshad Abbaszadeh, the founder and CEO of Emerging Bites, started kebab chain German Doner Kebab and grew it into a franchise system before fully exiting the brand in 2025. Based in Vienna, Emerging Bites is also developing its own restaurant concepts.
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is entering Canada with a five-unit agreement for the Edmonton market. Edmonton Ice District will develop the restaurants, with the first set to open in 2027. Launched in 1952, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has more than 240 units in the United States and Japan.
Harlem Shake is taking its burger and milkshake concept to India. The brand, which has just two locations in New York, signed a master franchise agreement with consulting and advisory firm Franchise India to develop 75 units across multiple Indian markets. Franchise India, led by chairman Gaurav Marya, plans to establish regional master franchises and area developers in the subcontinent.
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