Laura Michaels

Updated In its lawsuit, Apple Texas Restaurants and Apple Houston Restaurants, which are owned by SSCP Management, allege Applebee's “secretly

In her monthly "Grab Bag" column, Editor in Chief Laura Michaels asks the tough questions—What superhero power would you most like to have?

This story is part of the 14th annual Franchise Times Dealmakers project. Check out more winners as we recognize the top players driving M&A in franchising.

by | May 7, 2026 | News Having a loyalty program is no longer a differentiator, noted Olga Lopategui with Restaurant Loyalty Specialists, which helps optimize loyalty for restaurants.

Membership revenue is at the core of a successful fitness franchise, which means member acquisition and retention are likewise fundamental elements—neither of which happen unless operators deliver on the member experience.

With the additions of Chris Rigassio and Garen Khodaverdian, and the launch of an area director program that includes opportunities for equity participation, Dog Haus has its sights set on

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.

Notable acquisition activity is taking place in some of the largest fitness franchise systems, and leaders in the space are expecting an uptick.

Since 2021, private equity firms have acquired more than a dozen franchise broker, lead generation and marketing companies as these investors seek exposure to a business model they view as durable and capable of generating strong returns.

Updated This story is part of “Post-Close: An Inside Look at Franchise M&A Outcomes,”