Laura Michaels

Two Orangetheory Fitness franchisees who sold studios to Honors Holdings are among the petitioners seeking to force the brand's largest operator into bankruptcy. They say they're owed millions by the Atlanta-based company, a private equity-backed group with more than 140 gyms.

Honors Holdings, once the largest Orangetheory Fitness franchisee at 143 studios, “intends to formally wind down” its operations once it completes negotiations with its senior creditor.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and its private equity owner are working with two investment banks to consider a sale of the brand, Freddy’s CEO Chris Dull confirmed this week.

In her monthly "Grab Bag" column, Editor in Chief Laura Michaels asks the tough questions—What superhero power would you most like to have? What's the weirdest thing you've ever eaten?—to show a side of franchising execs you don't normally see.

Articles by Joe Halpern, Alyssa Huglen, Matthew Liedke, Laura Michaels and Emilee Wentland Research by Matt Haskin Updated

A Twin Peaks franchisee in Florida filed simultaneous bankruptcy petitions this week, but the company's co-CEO said the restaurants involved are open and operating “and it's business as usual.”

• Acquired by Olympus Partners in 2022, Excel Fitness is up to 164 Planet Fitness locations and counting as the Texas-based operator says it's already secured multiple 2025 pipeline sites.

Twin Peaks will secure its status as the first franchise to go public in 2025 when it completes its spinoff from FAT Brands in late January.

National advertising is more effective than local, then-CEO Rob Lynch told the ICR investor conference audience early last year as he detailed planned spending shifts at Papa Johns.

Nature's Table joins Bee Healthy Café under Fast Fresh Brands, a new portfolio company from DIA Equity Partners. The overall mission? “Provide real food, clean food that's actually good for you,” says the group's CEO.