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

Crumbl AUVs Up Again After 2023's First-Ever Decline

2 days ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

Crumbl’s average sales are up again after a slight decline in 2023—but it’s still down from 2022’s numbers. According to its franchise disclosure document released last week, Crumbl’s average unit volume among 858 locations was $1.35 million in 2024. About 45 percent of stores met or exceed the AUV. The year prior, AUV was $1.16 million, down from 2022’s $1.8 million. Crumbl's reported its first-ever AUV decline last year for 2023.
Massachusetts Attorney General Cites 3 Franchisees for Child Labor Violations

3 days ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

The state of Massachusetts reached a settlement with three franchisees for violating the state’s child labor laws. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced the state cited Cafua Management Company, a Dunkin’ franchisee; The Brewster Company, a McDonald’s franchisee; and Knight Food Service, a Subway franchisee. The citations total $226,385 in fines for the franchisees.
75-Unit Burger King Franchisee Files Chapter 11

1 week ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

A 75-unit Burger King franchisee filed for bankruptcy in Florida April 14. Consolidated Burger Holdings listed between $50 million and $100 million in assets and liabilities. Its estimated number of creditors ranges from 200 to 999. The reason for filing was not given in court documents. The Chapter 11 filing comes more than a year after Consolidated Burger Holdings sued the franchisor for breaching a remodeling contract and franchise agreements to oust the company from the system in 2023.
Crust Pizza Co. Sets Longterm Goal of 250 Units

1 week ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

While working in the restaurant industry during her college days, Kim Juda made a goal to open her own restaurant one day. But she decided the right first step was working with an established restaurant company to get the lay of the land. “I really liked the food industry.
Exit Factor Founder Buys Dallas Transworld Location, Plus More Bold Deals

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

Al and Jessica Fialkovich purchased the Transworld Business Advisors of Dallas-Fort Worth Central location in Richland Hills, Texas, on behalf of The Prospere Companies. Prospere Companies appointed former Richland Hills franchisee George Albright as a senior business broker. The acquisition increases Dallas-Fort Worth Central’s portfolio to more than 350 locations of the global brand that helps entrepreneurs buy and sell companies.
Crisp & Green Turns to Corporate Model After Founder Returns

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

About seven years after first offering franchise opportunities, Crisp & Green is shifting to a primarily corporate model, but it’s keeping select operators in business. “We have so many legacy partners and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them,” said Jonathan Grand, chief operating officer at Steele Brands, which owns Crisp & Green.
Edible Buys Roti Modern Mediterranean, Launches Hemp E-commerce Site

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

It’s been a busy year so far for Edible Arrangement’s parent company. Edible Brands, the portfolio company, added Roti Modern Mediterranean and THC line edibles.com as sister companies to the retail gift chain. Edible Arrangements founder Tariq Farid partnered with Aseem Khatri to form private equity firm BroadPeak Capital; its first acquisition was Roti, a brand that ran with a corporate-only development model. Under the Edible umbrella, Roti will sell franchises.
Bar Louie Files Bankruptcy Again to Restructure, Reduce Debt

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

For the second time in less than five years, Bar Louie filed for bankruptcy. The casual dining franchise filed in early 2020 and again last week, stating Bar Louie reached a deal with a lender to reduce debt and restructure the business. The latest Chapter 11 filing for Texas-based Bar Louie came March 26 in Delaware. In its filing, Bar Louie listed assets between $1 million and $10 million and its liabilities from $50 million to $100 million. It claimed between 5,001 and 10,000 creditors.
Bar Louie Filed for Bankruptcy Again to Restructure, Reduce Debt

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

For the second time in half a decade, Bar Louie has filed for bankruptcy. The casual dining franchise filed in early 2020 and again last week, stating Bar Louie reached a deal with a lender to reduce debt and restructure the business. Texas-based Bar Louie filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware March 26. In its filing, Bar Louie listed assets between $1 million and $10 million and its liabilities from $50 million to $100 million, according to filing documents.
Franchise Attorneys Talk Bankruptcy and Brand Stability

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Emilee Wentland

Bankruptcy gets a bad rap. It feels like an admission of defeat, guilt or failure, and many parties who could benefit from a bankruptcy filing put it off for too long because of that. “People wait too long to file bankruptcy until they’re so desperate that they have not much to save,” said Tom Spadea, founding partner at Spadea Lignana. “It’s like going to the hospital.