Plus News from School of Rock, Sequel Brands, McDonald’s and Other Restaurants
Founded in 2018 by Shaquille O’Neal, the Big Chicken franchise now has more than 350 locations in development around the U.S., according to BET.com. Its menus feature large portions and catchy names such as the Shaq Attack sandwich (crispy chicken, barbecue sauce, pepper jack cheese, coleslaw), Charles Barkley sandwich (fried chicken, onions, and garlic barbecue aioli) and the El Shaquito snack (chicken tender, Cholula sauce, elote and white American cheese). Franchise news continues to follow the brand’s rapid growth across the U.S.
The National Basketball Hall of Famer is still part owner of Big Chicken, but has some serious partners nowadays. In March, the multi-brand restaurant parent company Craveworthy Brands announced it was becoming a managing partner, investor and stakeholder of Big Chicken. Other co-owners, in addition to O’Neal, are JRS Hospitality and Authentic Brands Group.
O’Neal’s business holdings are widely reported – with Auntie Anne’s, Five Guys, Papa Johns and Krispy Kreme investments as well as stakes in apparel brands, car washes, fitness centers and tech products; BET.com estimated his net worth exceeds $400 million. He’s also known for charitable activism, this year donating 2,000 pairs of shoes to underprivileged kids at Camp Grace as part of his ongoing support for underserved communities, BET.com stated. In addition, he has bought homes for families, covered furniture costs for strangers, and provided electronics like gaming consoles and laptops to those without access.
School of Rock Hits a High Note With Global Growth
School of Rock has opened its 100th franchise location outside the United States, EIN Presswire reported on Aug. 11. “Reaching 100 international franchise locations is a powerful testament to the strength and scalability of our model,” said Stacey Ryan, president of School of Rock. “Our system thrives across cultures, continents and communities – united by a shared belief in the power of music to transform lives.”
The 100th international school is located in Chamisero, Chile. By the end of this year, School of Rock expects to operate 446 total schools, including 114 international locations. Since beginning global expansion more than 10 years ago, School of Rock has opened units in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ireland, Mexico, Peru, Paraguay, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, the U.S. and Uruguay. This milestone marks a highlight in international franchise news.
McDonald’s Expands Tech Investments and Delivery Options
McDonald’s has made a flurry of news headlines recently. Here are summaries from three reports:
- After a hiatus of more than 20 years, McDonald’s has resurrected McDonaldland through a multichannel marketing campaign. RestaurantDive.com reported the campaign includes a website, TV commercial, experiential activations, Fortnite takeover, Snapchat augmented-reality activations, brand collaborations and combo meal with a new shake flavor. Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Birdie, Hamburglar, Mayor McCheese and the Fry Friends are all returning.
- Deshant Kaila, McDonald’s head of Global Business Services operations, said this month that McDonald’s plans to “double down” on its artificial intelligence (AI) investments by 2027 and is betting on India to be a key hub for data governance, engineering and platform architecture, Reuters reported. The news service also noted that McDonald’s will roll out its AI verification of customer orders, currently being tested, to 40,000 locations globally by 2027.
- McDonald’s has expanded its DoorDash partnership to allow U.S. guests to order delivery via a new DoorDash-powered site, RestaurantDive.com reported Wednesday. Customers don’t need a separate DoorDash account; DoorDash drivers will fulfill orders placed through McDonald’s channels. The move may help the brand increase delivery orders by bringing consumers who don’t want to use or download a branded app, the publication speculated.
Sequel Brands Adds Fitness and Wellness Franchises
Anthony Geisler, former Xponential Fitness CEO, now has four companies in his Sequel Brands fitness/wellness portfolio: The recently acquired Beem Light Sauna and Body20 franchises join his previous acquisitions, Pilates Addiction and iFlex Stretch Studios, Franchise Times reported on Aug. 7. Geisler was pushed out at Xponential in 2024 during a federal investigation of fraud allegations. He has since said the SEC ended its probe and was not taking any actions. The Franchise Times report noted, however, that there’s still a class action filed against Xponential that claims the company defrauded investors.
Sequel Brands’ Beem Light Sauna specializes in infrared and light therapy; Body20 offers electro-muscle stimulation suits for 20-minute sessions. Geisler told Franchise Times that Sequel Brands aims “to usher in the next era of fitness, recovery and human performance.”
Restaurant Franchises Roll Out New Menus and Growth Strategies
Restaurant brands made franchise news with the following:
- In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, Krispy Kreme will debut its Harry Potter: Houses of Hogwarts x Krispy Kreme Collection on Monday, Aug. 18 per QSR Magazine. The limited-time doughnut flavors are the cream-filled Gryffindor, topped with icing and the Gryffindor crest; Slytherin, which includes green buttercreme and the Slytherin crest; custard-filled Hufflepuff, topped with icing and the Hufflepuff crest; and Ravenclaw Doughnut, with blueberry-flavored icing and a Ravenclaw crest.
- Papa Johns is launching a new customer-facing app that will offer AI-powered targeted messaging, improve consumer navigation and order tracking, and reduce clicks to purchase, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. Papa Johns is also expanding its pizza delivery tracking service, NRN said. Tracking is now available in about 60% of stores, and by the first quarter of next year, the feature should be available in all North America Papa Johns.
- The Peach Cobbler Factory franchise, which has 100-plus locations in 22 states, is going mobile, RestaurantNews.com said. With mobile units, owners can go into neighboring towns, attend festivals and fairs, serve businesses, sell on parking lots, and cater events such as weddings. The mobile program, which has a reduced franchise fee, is offered only to existing and future franchisees that have invested in brick-and-mortar locations.
- FAT Brands Inc., parent company of 18 restaurant concepts, on Aug. 9 opened its first co-branded Round Table Pizza-Fatburger restaurant Rancho Cordova, Calif., QSR Magazine reported. Jake Berchtold, chief operating officer of FAT Brands’ Fast Casual Division, says co-branded locations are part of “a strategic growth initiative we plan to continue expanding, particularly throughout California.”
