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The latest restaurant franchise news includes multi-unit expansion across Texas and Virginia for Layne’s Chicken Fingers, systemwide award recognitions and new opening records for Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, and top sales honors alongside a debut Delaware market expansion for The Brass Tap.
The Peach Cobbler Factory is bringing signature desserts into Northwest Stadium, Nick the Greek introduces authentic street food to East Texas, Urban Bird Hot Chicken caps Q3 with multi-unit deals and enhanced operational training, and Cheba Hut opens another toasted sub shop in the Phoenix metro area.
Juice It Up! expands its Southern California footprint with fresh juice and smoothie options in Temecula, a former crew member steps up as franchise owner at Robeks in Prescott Valley, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf earns a spot on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400 list.
Layne’s Chicken Fingers Launches in Midland with Grand Opening and Free Layne’s for a Year
Layne’s Chicken Fingers is expanding its West Texas presence with a new location in Midland brought by franchisee Eli Cohen. The menu features signature hand-breaded chicken tenders, grilled tenders, and iconic house-made dipping sauces like secret sauce, spicy brown mustard, and jalapeño ranch. Guests can also enjoy crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, milkshakes, and hearty chicken tender sandwiches.
Layne’s Chicken Fingers Brings the Crunch to Henrico with Grand Opening and Free Layne’s for a Year
Layne’s Chicken Fingers expanded its presence in Virginia by opening a new restaurant in Henrico under franchise operator Khurram Burney. This location marks the brand’s second spot in the Richmond area as it continues growing across the state. Guests can enjoy signature hand-breaded crispy chicken tenders, Texas toast sandwiches, crinkle-cut fries, and a selection of house dipping sauces.
Owensboro, KY Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Earns Highest Sales Volume Award at 2026 FSC Franchise Conference
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchisees Barry and Stacy Bratcher earned the Highest Sales Volume Award at the 2026 FSC Franchise Conference for their Owensboro location. The honor recognizes their sports pub for generating the highest total sales volume across the entire chain in 2025. The couple has maintained their spot as top sales performers for several consecutive years while focusing heavily on local team leadership and community involvement.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Chipley, Florida, Earns Highest Opening Week Sales Award at 2026 FSC Franchise Conference
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchisees Scott O’Brien, Salina Stevens, and Brandon Cornelius earned the Highest Opening Week Sales Award at the 2026 FSC Franchise Conference. The honor recognizes their Chipley sports pub for setting a new systemwide sales record during its launch. Their remarkable milestone highlights the team’s strong regional connection and dedication to the local Florida Panhandle community.
The Brass Tap Marina Franchisee Karl Waller Earns Highest Sales Volume Award at 2026 FSC Franchise Conference
The Brass Tap franchisee Karl Waller earned the Highest Sales Volume Award at the 2026 FSC Franchise Conference. Following up on his previous Franchisee of the Year win, the California operator reached top systemwide sales by tailoring menu and event offerings to local preferences. By building strong community connections and relying on a skilled management team, his upscale neighborhood tavern has become a major local gathering spot.
The Brass Tap Signs Franchise Agreement to Open First Delaware Location in Middletown
The Brass Tap is bringing its upscale beer bar experience to Delaware for the first time with a new location planned in Middletown. Franchisee Ashil Patel secured a site in the Bayberry Town Center to introduce the brand’s extensive craft beer selection and tavern menu to the area. Guests can look forward to enjoying dozens of rotating beers on tap alongside gourmet pub fare in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
The Peach Cobbler Factory Expands to Northwest Stadium, Home of the NFL’s Washington Commanders
The Peach Cobbler Factory is expanding its reach into Northwest Stadium as part of a growing partnership with sports venues and entertainment centers. Franchisees Kevin Wayne, Eboni Wayne, and Eboni Wilson are spearheading this new stadium location to serve sports fans. Visitors can enjoy a sweet selection of the brand’s signature warm cobblers, gourmet cookies, and specialty banana puddings.
Nick the Greek Introduces Authentic Greek Street Food to Tyler, Texas
Nick the Greek is bringing its popular Mediterranean street food to East Texas with a new restaurant in Tyler. Franchisees Ricky and Lindsey Holt are operating this spot, which marks the brand’s fifth location in the state. Guests can dive into traditional favorites like savory gyros, souvlaki skewers, fresh salads, and classic house-made baklava.
Urban Bird Hot Chicken Closes Out Q3 With New Restaurant Openings, Multi-Unit Franchise Agreements and Expanded Growth Infrastructure
Urban Bird Hot Chicken wrapped up the third quarter by securing new multi-unit franchise agreements across Texas and Kansas. The brand also invested heavily in operational infrastructure, including the launch of a new training program designed to support restaurant performance. These developments are helping the company maintain strong consistency as it expands its footprint across new markets.
Cheba Hut Rolls Another Joint Into the Valley With South Scottsdale Opening
Cheba Hut is expanding its presence in the Phoenix area with a brand-new toasted sub shop in South Scottsdale. Franchise owners Justin and Michelle Lemos brought this latest location to life, marking their fifth spot in the region over the last couple of years. Guests can expect the brand’s signature layout, featuring custom murals and unique art pieces that reflect the local neighborhood vibe.
Juice It Up! Expands Riverside County Presence With New Temecula Location
Juice It Up! expanded its presence in Southern California by opening a new location in Temecula under local owners Fatemeh Toori and Peyman Zamanian. Guests can drop by to enjoy the brand’s signature handcrafted smoothies, customizable açai bowls, and fresh-squeezed raw juices. This new spot provides a refreshing stop for healthy options throughout the week and weekend.
From First Job to First Store: Prescott Valley Robeks Welcomes New Owner
Kari Kasun McCauslin transitioned from a teenage crew member to the owner of the Prescott Valley Robeks location after working her way up through the company over the past seven years. She decided to purchase the juice and smoothie shop to provide similar career-building opportunities for future staff members. Customers can continue visiting the familiar neighborhood spot for fresh smoothies, juices, and acai bowls.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Recognized Among the Largest Franchise Brands on 2026 Franchise Times Top 400 List
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf secured a spot on the 2026 Franchise Times Top 400 list, ranking among the largest franchise systems based on global systemwide sales. This recognition highlights the brand’s continued strength in the competitive coffee and tea sector. The annual ranking evaluates major franchise systems through a detailed research process focused on financial performance.