Franchise News from Ben & Jerry’s, Pet Supplies Plus, Batteries Plus and Shipley’s
Convenience stores that serve meals are attracting more customers, according to data from Convenience Store Products. So RaceTrac, a gas station-convenience store brand, just may have made a shrewd move by acquiring fast-food chain Potbelly for $566 million this month.
Potbelly currently has 445 company- and franchisee-owned sandwich-soup-salad restaurants. With its RaceTrac merger, the company hopes to expand to 2,000 locations, a news release disclosed. Atlanta-based RaceTrac, also the parent of RaceWay brand, operates more than 800 convenience stores in 14 states.
Citing market research firm Circana, NBC News noted that traffic at food-forward convenience stores increased 9% in the three months ending in July. At those stores, “the morning meal has been their strong suit,” David Portalatin of Circana told CNBC. Will RaceTrac add breakfast foods to the Potbelly menu? The news release didn’t say, but it seems possible.
Jerry Greenfield Leaves Ben & Jerry’s After 47 Years
Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s, said the brand has been muzzled about voicing opinions relating to social issues. So he’s parting ways with the ice cream brand after 47 years.
Co-founder Ben Cohen posted on social media that a condition of Ben & Jerry’s 2000 merger with Unilever was that the brand could maintain its social mission and values, according to the Associated Press. Cohen’s post accused Unilever of no longer living up to that agreement.
Greenfield said the loss of independence was coming “at a time when our country’s current administration is attacking civil rights, voting rights, the rights of immigrants, women and the LGBTQ community,” AP reported. “Standing up for the values of justice, equity and our shared humanity has never been more important, and yet Ben & Jerry’s has been silenced, sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power. It’s easy to stand up and speak out when there’s nothing at risk. The real test of values is when times are challenging and you have something to lose,” Greenfield added.
Pet Supplies Plus Nears 20,000 Pet Adoptions in 2025
Wag N’ Wash and its parent, Pet Supplies Plus, are nearing their goal of helping 20,000 pets find homes in 2025. Their total was 19,303 on Sept. 16, the franchise brands stated in a news release. Both franchises help animals by holding adoption events at their facilities.
“Each adoption is another life changed for the better – not just for the pet, but for the family they’re joining,” said Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash. “We encourage everyone to consider adoption and experience the joy a furry friend can bring into your life.”
The news release went on to say that about 2.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters or rescues during the first six months of 2025, and 366,000 did not survive for reasons such as euthanasia and illnesses. Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash share a mission of increasing compassion for animals.
Shipley Do-Nuts Launches Cold Brew Donut for Coffee Day
From Sept. 26 through Oct. 10, Shipley Do-Nuts will offer the Cold Brew Donut. The limited-time item pays homage to National Coffee Day on Sept. 29.
The pastry-with-a-punch combines the taste of cold brew coffee with Shipley’s buttermilk cake doughnut. The Cold Brew Donut contains 56 milligrams of caffeine, equivalent to roughly two-thirds of the zip delivered by an 8-ounce cup of java. The Cold Brew Donut is priced at $1.99 for one or $5 for three.
Batteries Plus Teams with Dallas Cowboys on Recycling
Batteries Plus has become the Official Battery Recycling Partner of the Dallas Cowboys. The goal of the franchise’s multi-year partnership is to make battery recycling easier and safer, Batteries Plus announced Monday.
Fans who recycle batteries at participating Batteries Plus locations in Texas, Oklahoma and surrounding areas can win Cowboys-related items such as game tickets and team merchandise, plus a grand prize package of four tickets to a home game, pregame sideline passes, round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations and a tour of Cowboys headquarters in Frisco, Texas.
Subway Revives Fresh Fit Menu with Protein-Packed Options
While other restaurants are rolling out value meal deals, Subway is pitching protein. Restaurant Business reports that the sandwich chain, after a six-year-hiatus, is reviving its Fresh Fit Menu, with a calorie-conscious emphasis on less fat and increased protein. Subway’s strategy differs from most restaurant brands, which are leaning into value meals to boost growth — a tactic that’s working, according to Circana’s assessment. Some notable brands already on the value bandwagon are Jack in the Box, Wendy’s and IHOP, according to Restaurant Business. McDonald’s kicked off the value-meal scramble with discount-priced meals, and Denny’s recently joined the fray with combos starting at $5.
