Wendy’s Takeover Possible; Kevin Hart Partners with Burn Boot Camp
- McDonald’s same-store U.S. sales jumped 6.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
- Wendy’s former board chairman might be spearheading a takeover – or a sell-off of stock in the QSR brand.
- Celebrity Kevin Hart is an equity partner franchisee in Burn Boot Camp.
- Gregorys Coffee has begun a franchise program.
- Keller Williams signs a master franchisee in Egypt.
McDonald’s focus on value is working, CEO Chris Kempczinski said during a recent earnings call. Wall Street Journal and New York Times reports said the fast-food giant posted a 5.7% bump in global same-store sales during the last quarter of 2025. Same-store U.S. sales increased 6.8% during that period. And the brand’s fourth-quarter revenue increased 10% to $7.01 billion, with profits rising 7% to $2.16 billion.
The value push began with a $5 meal deal during 2024, and corporate has since worked with U.S. franchisees to reduce combo-meal prices. McDonald’s said in 2025 that it would subsidize franchises that lost money on the discounts, The Journal stated.
During the same earnings call, Kempczinski said McDonald’s is analyzing the effect of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs on consumer choices. “Adoption is going to continue to grow,” he said of the drugs. USA Today quoted him as saying GLP-1 drugs “are factoring into some of what we’re out there experimenting with and testing” and could influence future menus.
Is a Wendy’s Takeover Coming?
In more news from burger world: Trian Fund Management and its founder, Nelson Peltz – who own more than 16% of Wendy’s stock – label the brand as undervalued in a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. RestaurantDive.com speculated that Peltz might either buy more stock, so he and Trian can take full control of Wendy’s, or might dispose of some or all of the brand’s stock. Peltz served as Wendy’s chairman for 17 years until 2024.
Wendy’s stock price has tumbled from about $20 per share in 2021 to about $8 now, according to RestaurantDive.com, and same-store sales declined 11% last year. Wendy’s board of directors said it will study Trian Fund’s filing and suggestions for increasing shareholder values. Wendy’s leadership is currently working on a turnaround plan called Project Fresh.
Kevin Hart Joins Burn Boot Camp Team
Entertainer Kevin Hart (above) has joined Burn Boot Camp as an equity partner franchisee and takes on a newly created title with the fitness franchisor: executive partner of brand and growth. The collaboration “represents a shared commitment to building something lasting, rooted in family, discipline and the belief that strong leadership has the power to transform lives and communities,” per a Burn Boot Camp news release.
Burn Boot Camp, established in 2012, is known for its trainer-led workouts and for fostering fitness communities among members. The news release said the franchise has more than 600 open and awarded territories.
Gregorys Coffee Begins Franchising
Gregorys Coffee, part of the Craveworthy Brands portfolio of restaurants, has launched a franchise program, according to a Craveworthy news release dated Feb. 13. Gregorys already has more than 50 U.S. restaurants specializing in small-batch coffees and evolving menus.
New York City-based Gregorys was founded in 2006. Craveworthy Brands became its managing partner in August 2025.
Keller Williams Expands into Egypt
The Keller Williams Realty franchise has awarded a master franchise in Egypt. The franchise partnership is composed of RED, co-founded by Khalid Bahig and Mohamed Banany, and ANCHOR Development & Management, founded by Ahmed Ghoneim, Keller Williams said in a Feb. 5 news release.
During the first quarter of this year, RED will open Keller Williams’ first franchise office in Egypt, part of the real estate franchise’s second master franchise in Africa. The brand also has a presence in South Africa. Austin, Texas-based Keller Williams was established in 1983.
Capriotti’s Launches 2026 Growth Initiative
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop celebrates its 50th birthday this year with an incentive that saves new franchisees as much as $50,000 through discounted franchise fees and royalties. Single- and multi-unit owners can benefit from the limited-time initiative, according to a Capriotti’s news release.
Last year the Las Vegas-based sandwich-shop franchise inked agreements for 30 new locations and opened 16 restaurants nationally. Twenty Capriotti’s restaurants are due to open this year. It currently has more than 150 U.S. locations.
Good Deeds by 2 QSR Brands
Two quick-service restaurant brands have raised millions of dollars for the greater good. Here’s an overview:
- Over roughly the past year, generous Domino’s customers ponied up more than $19 million to help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They contributed by rounding up their order totals and via donations, the pizzeria brand announced in a Feb. 11 news release. In a separate effort, Domino’s corporate team and franchisees raised more than $511,000 through St. Jude Walk events across the country.
- Chick-fil-A is giving $6 million in grants through its True Inspiration Awards Program, the chicken sandwich franchise said in a Feb. 10 news release. The awards assist 56 global nonprofit organizations that make a major positive impact within their communities.
