Emilee Wentland

Minnesota

Managing Editor at Franchise Times Magazine

Trying my best! Diet Coke fanatic. Managing Editor at @frantimes. Formerly @abcnewspapers, @leadertelegram, @volumeone, @spectatornews. (I endorse nothing)

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Articles

Franchises Prepare for Unpredictable Future as Tariffs Spawn Cost Increases

1 week ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

Oxford English Dictionary might as well announce “tariffs” as its 2025 word of the year half a year early. It’s all anyone can talk about, and rightfully so, as increased levies will impact pretty much every aspect of consumers’ lives. Tariffs are taxes on goods that cross national borders, typically on imports. This increases the cost of imported goods and could, at least in theory, incentivize consumers to shop locally.
How an Early Risk Paid Off for This Hungry Howie’s, Penn Station Franchisee

1 week ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

As a former pizza delivery driver out of college, Hungry Howie’s franchisee Eric Fairbanks said he relates more to his restaurant staff than he does to other restaurant operators. “I know a lot of other business owners, and I have a hard time relating to them, because they are just different. They’re people that had money and bought businesses and they do really well,” Fairbanks said. “I’d never even ran shifts when I bought my first store; I was just a delivery driver.
Pushing U.S. Expansion, Japanese Restaurant Franchise Tonchin Emphasizes Quality

1 week ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

Michelin-recommended restaurants don’t often, if ever, expand via franchising. Keeping that top-tier quality in food, craftmanship and service can be a challenge with different owners and in different markets. But Japanese concept Tonchin is ready to take the plunge. U.S. President Anan Sugeno brought the concept to the United States in 2017 and has since opened locations on both coasts. “Tonchin’s key words we always follow: design and quality. We’re taking care,” Sugeno said.
Reporters Visit Retail Franchises Unity Rd., Edible and Batteries Plus in FT Undercover

1 week ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland |Joe Halpern |Laura Michaels

Ever wonder how consumers feel about your franchise? Franchise Times editorial staffers check out three brands in a different genre each month, and report back in FT Undercover. Visiting the Unity Rd. (A) in Boulder, Colorado, a lack of cannabis knowledge resulted in some apprehension. It’s legal in Minnesota but no one can sell full-strength marijuana yet, and weed shops aren’t commonplace. After checking IDs, a knowledgeable clerk let us into the store.
Inside the Growing Demand for Youth Activity and Education Franchises

1 week ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

Children require variety and creativity to keep them engaged in school curriculum. That's where activity-based education franchises such as Snapology, The Little Gym and Code Ninjas come in. Even in adulthood, there’s a special feeling of satisfaction when you build something. When Snapology brings in new franchisees for training, they start off by creating something similar to what a child in a class would do.
EEOC Sues Subway Franchisee For Not Preventing Sexual Harassment

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued a Subway franchisee in Utah for not preventing or stopping the sexual harassment of a teenager in one of its stores. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued a 20-unit Subway franchisee after a director allegedly sexually harassed a teenage employee. Franchise Management owns Subway stores in Utah.
Applebee's, IHOP Sales Decline in Q1

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

Sales are down at Dine Brands Global, the parent company of IHOP, Applebee’s and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop. In the first quarter this year, which ended March 31, sales across the three brands totaled $1.97 billion, down about $80 million year over year, according to Dine's Q1 earnings call. Sales at Applebee’s were more than $1 billion in the first quarter, down 2.2 percent, or about $45 million, compared to last year at this time.
Increasing Price is Essential, But How Much Are Consumers Willing to Pay?

2 weeks ago | foodondemand.com | Emilee Wentland

Restaurant operators can be scared to raise prices. Sure, it can make up for labor costs and inflation, but how will it impact consumer trends in the long term? To keep customers loyal to a brand, operators might go longer than they should without increasing menu prices. But Alonso Castaneda, chief concept officer of Savory Restaurant Fund, said that could come back to bite you.
Planet Fitness Same-Store Sales Up 6 Percent in Q1

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

The budget-minded gym franchise’s CEO Colleen Keating said the brand doesn’t expect any material impacts from tariffs as of May 8. Planet Fitness sales are up again. The brand saw a 6 percent increase year over year in same-store sales in the first quarter ending March 31. Systemwide, the public company ended March with 20.6 million members, an increase of 900,000 or about 4.6 percent, according to the franchise’s Q1 earnings call.
Pappas Restaurants to Buy On the Border Out of Bankruptcy, Plus More Bold Deals

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland |Joe Halpern

Pappas Restaurants will buy On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina out of bankruptcy. The Texas-based restaurant group operates Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and other concepts. On the Border filed for bankruptcy in March, citing about $25 million in debt, after closing nearly 80 restaurants earlier this year. As of March 4, On the Border owes CrossFirst Bank $11.7 million.