Wingstop Named Fastest-Growing U.S. Restaurant Brand

Jersey Mike’s Confirms IPO Plans While Franchises Expand Use of Artificial Intelligence

Wingstop grew by 382 locations in 2025, making it the fastest-growing American restaurant and bringing its total to 2,586 U.S. stores, according to QSR Magazine. Behind Wingstop was Chipotle, far behind with 294 new restaurants, the magazine reported, followed by 7 Brew at 281, Jersey Mike’s at 238 and Dunkin’ at 231.

About 98% of Wingstop’s U.S. restaurants – well over 2,500 – are franchise operations, according to its website. Wingstop also has 470 restaurants outside the United States, the magazine said. The 32-year-old brand is headquartered in Dallas.

Poll Shows Strong Support for Franchising

National polling by the International Franchise Association indicates a wide majority of Americans support franchised businesses as well as legislation such as the American Franchise Act to help them. The poll found that: 

• 75% want the government to establish laws stabilizing protections for franchise owners. The American Franchise Act, pending in Congress, would codify the joint employer standard and put an end to the regulatory flip-flopping that has occurred for decades with the changing of political parties in the White House.
• 73% of Americans support franchising as a way for brands to grow.
• 72% of Americans would rather shop at brands that expand through franchising than corporate chains.

Jersey Mike’s to Launch IPO

Jersey Mike’s has filed to make an initial public offering with paperwork stating that its same-store sales cumulatively climbed by 50% from 2020-2025. A previous confidential filing hinted strongly that the move was upcoming. CNBC reported that the sandwich brand plans to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker JMKE. 

The company stated its net 2025 income reached $55 million, with total revenue of $724 million, the CNBC report said, an increase from net revenue of $653 million in 2024. Last year, Jersey Mike’s annual system-wide sales, both company-owned and franchised locations, reached $4.3 billion, up 13% from the previous year.

Jersey Mike’s has nearly 3,300 U.S. locations, making it second only to Subway as the nation’s largest hoagie restaurant brand. Nearly all Jersey Mike’s restaurants are franchised.

Two More Franchises Embrace AI

G6 Hospitality, the parent franchisor of Motel 6 and Studio 6, has launched artificial intelligence-powered video tours to enhance guests’ booking experiences for Canadian and U.S. lodging. Vision 360, a subscription service providing video tours to franchise properties, creates an immersive tour experience of rooms, amenities and the property’s layout, G6 Hospitality said in announcing the tours. Franchisees will pay $20 per month to subscribe to Vision 360.

Sport Clips Haircuts also is using AI in marketing. More than 3,400 SOCi Genius agents now handle responses to consumer reviews – some 7,000 per month – for the salon brand’s nearly 1,800 locations. In a news release, SOCi said the AI agents’ assistance frees salon staff to focus on the guest experience and operational efficiency. SOCi agents are trained on Sport Clips’ brand guidelines, tone of voice and operational standards along with its customers’ preferences and geographic-specific contexts.

Large Hardee’s Franchisee in Bankruptcy

Superior Star LLC, which operates 59 Midwestern Hardee’s locations, on Thursday, July 9 sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid an apparent conflict about seller financing, Nation’s Restaurant News reported. Superior Star has closed 12 or more locations within the last 12 months, the NRN article said.

The company has $10 million to $50 million in both assets and liabilities, according to court documents. Among those liabilities is a $7 million seller note, in which the seller agreed to finance some or all of the purchase price. That is listed as in dispute. The seller note is with Starcorp LLC, a Nevada-based company that sold the restaurants to Superior Star in 2023. 

Giving by Huffman Family Brands

Huffman Family Brands is contributing more than $2 million to support educational entities across Maryland through the Huffman Family Foundation. A news release states that beneficiaries include Calvert Hall College High School, Notre Dame Preparatory School and Salisbury University. 

Huffman Family Brands is an umbrella franchisor known for the early childhood education franchise Celebree School, Caliday School Age Programs and Celebree Enterprise. Celebree partners with Maryland’s Pre-K Expansion Grant Program on a free, pre-kindergarten education program.

Gong cha Goes All-In on Harry Potter

Gong cha, a bubble tea franchise, is partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of the Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone film. From now through Aug. 31, Gong cha will offer Harry Potter-themed beverages, packaging and merchandise, according to RestaurantNews.com.  

At the heart of the campaign is a new limited-edition beverage, the Elder Wand. The drink features Gong cha’s lime black tea or green tea topped with elderflower-flavored foaming powder. The marketing campaign also features coasters, key chains and plus accessories with Hogwarts house motifs. Selected items will be available through promotional offers to reward customers with exclusive merchandise when purchasing qualifying beverages.

Papa Murphy’s Closures to Occur Soon

Eric Lefebvre, CEO and president of MTY Group, said his company will close 68 corporate locations within MTY’s portfolio, which includes Wetzel’s Pretzels, Cold Stone Creamery and Papa Murphy’s. The restaurants chosen for closure have lost $10 million-plus during the past 12 months, and “their performance was for the most part deteriorating,” RestaurantDive.com quoted Lefebvre as saying.

The closures will occur within the next six to nine months, RestaurantDive.com reported. Multiple brands will experience closures, but 45 to 50 will be Papa Murphy’s locations, the online publication said.