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)

Featured in: Favicon

franchisetimes.com Favicon

substack.com Favicon

hometownsource.com Favicon

leadertelegram.com Favicon

volumeone.org Favicon

spectatornews.com Favicon

foodservicenews.net Favicon

foodondemand.com

Articles

Pappas Restaurants to Buy On the Border Out of Bankruptcy, Plus More Bold Deals

4 days 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.
Tech Upgrades Don’t Need to Be Sexy, Franchise Execs Say

5 days ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

When making investments in new technology, Main Squeeze Juice Co. CEO Jennifer Dodd keeps one essential thing in mind: “We can’t forget we’re in the hospitality business.”No matter how much technology is involved, customers must be at the center. “I love tech. It’s amazing.
Tech Upgrades Don’t Need to Be Sexy, Franchise Execs Say

1 week ago | foodondemand.com | Emilee Wentland

When making investments in new technology, Main Squeeze Juice Co. CEO Jennifer Dodd keeps one essential thing in mind: “We can’t forget we’re in the hospitality business.”No matter how much technology is involved, customers must be at the center. “I love tech. It’s amazing.
Restaurant Operators Share Experience With Catering, 3PD and Loyalty Programs

1 week ago | foodondemand.com | Emilee Wentland

At Dog Haus, it’s not just about the dogs. Or the beer. Or the burgers. In fact, when the company utilized third-party delivery data to see what their customers are ordering, Executive Vice President of Marketing CJ Ramirez noticed something unexpected about consumer habits. “We’re known for burgers, brews and brats…I’ve learned that we sell burritos,” Ramirez said during the Off-Premises Roundtable session at the Food On Demand Conference, moderated by Managing Editor Bernadette Heier.
Smalls Sliders Names Tropical Smoothie Vet Charles Watson as CEO

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

About five months after departing from Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Charles Watson is taking the helm at Smalls Sliders. “I just couldn’t be more excited to be with this brand to get back to my roots of really being a builder and building a brand and growing it,” Watson said. It was the simplicity of the concept that drew Watson to the brand. “We only have nine SKUs in the restaurant, and that’s one of the things I love about it, the simplicity,” he said.
Saga Continues at I Heart Mac & Cheese as More Franchisees Allege Fraud

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

Former I Heart Mac & Cheese operators allege the company misrepresented financial figures in its franchise disclosure document. They say their businesses weren’t profitable and many closed their stores in less than a year. Despite half of IHMAC’s locations closing in the last year, down to 17 stores, the brand launched a new concept, Pilar Coffee Bar & Treats.
Franchisors Need to Adapt to ‘Click to Cancel’ Rule-if it Sticks Around

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

Gym memberships are notoriously hard to cancel. There’s even an episode of “Friends” about it, in which Ross hypes up Chandler to finally overcome the obstructive practices that have prevented Chandler from canceling his membership. “We were voted the best-equipped gym in New York two years running. Do you really want to give that up?” a membership salesman asks Chandler. “Yes,” he replies. “I hate it here!”This is a problem Americans face with memberships, gym or otherwise. They’re so hard to cancel.
Dirty Soda Franchises Look to Capitalize on Social Media Buzz

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

In an era where TikTok seems to dictate what everyone says, does, thinks or wears, it’s probably no surprise that it brought on the newest trend: dirty soda. No, it’s not alcoholic (but that’s kind of the point). Dirty soda comprises drinks mixed with cream, syrups and fruits, kind of like a mocktail. The drinks are popular in Utah, Idaho and other mountain states.
Reporters Visit TGI Fridays, Applebee’s and Chili’s in FT Undercover

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

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. One thing sit-down chain restaurants always get right is the number of free soda refills. The server at this TGI Fridays (A) outside of Minneapolis must have sensed my Diet Coke enthusiasm and brought a refill before the first glass was even halfway empty.
Childcare, Coworking and Fitness Combine at Startup Franchise Haven

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

That’s how Britt Riley, a mother of two, came up with the idea for Haven Collective in 2017. “I wanted to do better with both childcare and my work,” Riley said. “Fitness had taken a major back seat at that point.”Haven is a daycare provider that also provides adults with flexible workspaces and space to work out. Because of its large footprint, typically 6,000 or 7,000 square feet, the initial investment can reach $7.39 million.