Other Franchise News: Freddy’s Sale, Franchises’ Good Deeds, Denny’s Value Meals, More
The International Franchise Association has released a list of VIPs scheduled for its 2025 IFA Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. Headlining the Sept. 15-17 event will be Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer; U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler; Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, a Republican; Michigan Rep. Hillary Scholten, a Democrat; and IFA President and CEO Matt Haller. Also on the agenda are CNN commentator Scott Jennings; Codie Sanchez, founder and CEO of Contrarian Thinking; Mary Kennedy Thompson, Business Network International CEO and IFA chair; and Jen Daulby, CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. Other speakers are being added, according to the IFA.
Leaders of the IFA encourage association members to attend this annual event. The summit aims to influence policies that affect franchises, inform franchisees about regulations and compliance requirements that affect their businesses, provide opportunities to interact with national decision-makers, and network with heavy hitters in franchising. The summit will be held at the Hilton Washington, D.C., National Mall The Wharf. For further information about the summit, including registration, visit the IFA website.
Rhône Buys Freddy’s for $700M, Plans Global Expansion
The global private equity firm Rhône has acquired Freddy’s from Thompson Street Capital Partners. Restaurant Business reported that Rhône was spending about $700 million for the fast-casual restaurant franchise known for its burgers, shoestring fries and frozen custard. Freddy’s, which has more than 550 locations in the United States and Canada, exceeded $1 billion in system-wide sales in the past year, according to a news release on Businesswire.
“Rhône looks forward to bringing its experience with global consumer brands to its most recent investment in Freddy’s as the company expands its footprint and further improves its guest experience,” Rhône Managing Director Lucas Flynn said in the news release. Flynn added that Rhône planned to expand the strong-performing brand internationally. Citing figures from Technomic, Nation’s Restaurant News said Freddy’s sales rose almost 7% year-over-year in 2024 and that during the last five years, the chain’s sales climbed by 13%, besting most of its competitors.
Current Freddy’s executives will stay on, including President and CEO Chris Dull.
Good Deeds by Crunch Fitness and Chick-fil-A
Hats off to two franchise brands for paying it forward: Crunch Fitness and Chick-fil-A. Here’s what they’re up to:
- Crunch Fitness will host its annual 9/11 Stair Climb honoring first responders to the 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. Participants in Thursday’s event will climb 110 flights of stairs or take 2,071 steps to represent the 110 floors of the World Trade Center. In a lead-up to the climb, Crunch team members will visit local fire stations, giving firefighters refreshments and tokens of appreciation.
- September is national Hunger Action Month, and Chick-fil-A has been doing its part. The family-owned brand has announced that its efforts since 2020 have provided the equivalent of more than 200 million meals to feed people experiencing food insecurity. Owners, employees and corporate headquarters have worked with 1,500-plus community partners to donate surplus food, contributed $25,000 to local food banks when each new restaurant opens, and invested $4 million in additional U.S. hunger relief initiatives.
Denny’s Launches $5 Value Meals Through October 28
Move over, McDonald’s. Denny’s also has rolled out a 5 Slams Starting at $5 value meal deal. The low-price combos, $5 to $10 apiece depending on location, will be available through Oct. 28, RestaurantDive.com reported.
The special pricing is for the Grand Slam Burrito with bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns and cheese in a flour tortilla with a side of salsa; BLT&E Slamwich with bacon, a cooked-to-order egg, tomato and lettuce on toasted sourdough plus hash browns or fries; a two-egg breakfast with hash browns and white toast; and two existing offerings, the Everyday Value Slam and Super Slam.
Restaurant News
In other franchise news about restaurants:
- Bobby’s Burgers Expands in Canada With 65 New Locations: Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay has signed a multi-year agreement with The Falcon Capital Group to open 65 locations across Canada. In a QSR Magazine report, renowned chef Bobby Flay praised Falcon Capital Group for its “proven expertise in brand development and retail franchising.”
- Smoothie King Launches Food Menu: After extensive testing, 52-year-old Smoothie King has debuted a food menu. Restaurant Business said the foods range from Loaded Toasts (featuring fruits, spreads and honey as well as avocado) and Protein Boxes (eggs, cheeses, fruits, flax crackers). In addition, Egg Clouds and chicken tenders on skewers are already on menus at Dallas-Fort Worth locations and will reach all 1,200 Smoothie Kings by early 2026.
- Little Caesars NFL Campaign Scores With Stars and Fans: In its fourth year as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, Little Caesars plans to score big with related marketing, according to RestaurantDive.com. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley and Pepsi combine with the pizzeria brand in one push; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown will put in appearances, too. Little Caesars also is reviving its Pizza! Pizza! Pregame Challenges that reward participating consumers.
