Matthew Liedke

Lower Saxony

Senior Reporter at Franchise Times Magazine

Sr. Writer @FranTimes. Film Critic. Member of @MNCritics and @LambThe. MN sports fan. @GoRainyRiver and @MSUMoorhead Alum. Retro game enjoyer

Articles

As Initial Franchise Costs Rise, Franchisees Must Get Creative

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Matthew Liedke

Inflation, higher interest rates and tariffs have led to increases in the initial investment ranges provided in franchise disclosure documents. With development costs up, franchisors are getting creative and more precise on what their starting investment will be. Entrepreneurs turning to the Item 7 page in franchise disclosure documents have likely noticed initial investments trending higher in recent years.
Yum Brands Sues IRS Over $4 Billion Tax Dispute

2 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Matthew Liedke

The parent company of major quick-service restaurants KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger took legal action last week against the IRS over a $4 billion tax dispute. In March, Yum Brands received a notice from the revenue service, which claimed deficiencies by the company of $9,219 in 2013, $2.09 billion in 2014 and $25.1 million in 2015. Additionally, the IRS informed Yum Brands of $418 million in penalties and more than $1.5 billion in interest on the unpaid deficiencies.
Franchises Shift Language, but Largely Keep Diversity, Inclusion Focuses

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Matthew Liedke

After the signing of several executive orders by President Donald Trump eliminating federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, some companies in the private sector followed suit. In franchising, some brands adjusted their stance, but plenty of companies are pushing ahead with their diversity efforts. Just before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, McDonald’s announced it was adjusting its strategies related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Chicken Tender Concept CityBird Ready to Accelerate Franchise Growth

3 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Matthew Liedke

CityBird, a chicken tender concept created by a multi-brand restaurant group in Cincinnati, is preparing to step up its franchise growth. The brand’s leadership brings experience with such development, having founded the 24-unit franchise Currito. Nearly three years after establishing its franchise system and achieving modest growth in the Midwest, emerging chicken tender concept CityBird is poised for broader expansion.
REVIEW: ‘Karate Kid’ legacy lives on with solid new entry, ‘Legends’

4 weeks ago | liedkeonfilm.com | Matthew Liedke

This movie has a lot of cliches and more cheese than the pizzas prominently featured throughout, and damn if it can’t win a person over. The latest film in the franchise features a new titular Kid. This time around its Li Fong (Ben Wang), a former student of kung fu teacher Mr. Han (Jackie Chan) from the 2010 film. Li now finds himself a new resident of New York City after moving there with his mother.
REVIEW: ‘Mission Impossible’ saga mostly ends on high note

4 weeks ago | liedkeonfilm.com | Matthew Liedke

Just a few years after we said goodbye to Daniel Craig as James Bond, we close the chapter on another super spy who goes on missions for the United States. The eighth, and seemingly final “Mission: Impossible,” takes place a couple months after the conclusion of the seventh installment. The AI defense system known as The Entity is infiltrating several nations’ nuclear programs and setting the stage for potential atomic disaster.
REVIEW: Fun adventure of misfits makes ‘Thunderbolts’ enjoyable

4 weeks ago | liedkeonfilm.com | Matthew Liedke

Are we back, Marvel? It seems like that could be the case with the latest film from the comic book adaptation studio, “Thunderbolts.” The film mainly centers on Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who finds herself a bit rudderless. Outside of doing missions for the CIA, Yelena lacks any appreciation for the life she’s living, especially since the death of her sister, Natasha, the Black Widow.
REVIEW: Strong emotional core, vampiric thrills power ‘Sinners’

4 weeks ago | liedkeonfilm.com | Matthew Liedke

What if “From Dusk Till Dawn” took place in the Great Depression? That’s sort of what we have here in this new vampire thriller from writer and director Ryan Coogler. A period piece, “Sinners” is set in 1932 and takes place in the Mississippi Delta region. The movie stars Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, playing twin brothers Elijah and Elias Moore. After making money as part of Al Capone’s Chicago mafia, they’ve returned to their roots to open a Juke Joint.
Taco Bell Franchisee Thinks Inside the Bun With Bobby’s Burgers Deal

4 weeks ago | franchisetimes.com | Matthew Liedke

After initial success with a Bobby’s Burgers restaurant in Utah, multi-brand franchisee Joe Sample is doubling down on the partnership with a deal for multiple units in Arizona. The development builds on Bobby’s Burgers’ presence in the state, as it has one airport location. Joe Sample knows what it takes to build up a concept in an untapped market. As a Taco Bell franchisee, he assisted the Mexican QSR with developing stores in Montana.
Big Whiskey’s Back in Franchise Expansion Mode With Texas Deal

1 month ago | franchisetimes.com | Matthew Liedke

After hitting pause on growth around the time of the pandemic, Missouri-based Big Whiskey's is again making a push to open more units. As part of the effort, the brand signed a three-unit agreement with a Texas couple who will bring Big Whiskey's to Houston. The founders of Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar launched the concept to fill a dining gap in Springfield, Missouri.