All articles tagged with #franchise
A 68-year-old operator of a breakfast cafe franchise has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing reflects ongoing financial pressures in the casual dining sector, where rising costs and operational challenges continue to strain independent operators and smaller chains.
A 68-year-old operator of a breakfast cafe franchise has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing marks the latest instance of financial distress in the casual dining sector, following recent reorganizations by other food service operators. While specific details regarding the franchisee's identity, location, or debt levels are not provided in the available source, the move aligns with broader industry trends of rising costs and operational challenges.
Meritage Hospitality Group, which operates 314 Wendy's locations across 15 US states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 17, 2026. The company cites record beef prices, declining same-store sales, and reduced brand marketing support as primary drivers for the filing. Meritage plans to keep all restaurants open and pay approximately 8,850 employees during the court-supervised restructuring process. A key point of contention is a franchise termination notice issued by Wendy's on September 16, which Meritage disputes, asserting its franchise rights remain intact during the bankruptcy proceedings. The filing lists $651 million in liabilities against $725.9 million in assets, with Wendy's claiming $146.9 million in unpaid royalties and fees.
Sony’s Resident Evil reboot dominates the weekend with a franchise-record $60M domestic debut from 3,684 screens (about $16,287 per screen), bringing its worldwide total to $108.3M; critics and audiences respond strongly (Rotten Tomatoes 95%, audience 91%, PostTrak 4.5/5, CinemaScore B+). Overseas, the launch adds $48.3M. Practical Magic 2 opened far behind at $12.2M, while next week’s slate includes Forgotten Island and Heart of the Beast, though Resident Evil looks primed to stay on top.
Meritage Hospitality Group, a major Wendy’s franchisee with 314 restaurants across 15 states, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to shore up its balance sheet, saying higher beef costs and discounts have crushed store-level profits, while promising to keep outlets open during restructuring. The move follows six straight quarters of declining Wendy’s same-store sales and a heavy stock decline; Wendy’s franchise unit Quality Is Our Recipe LLC is listed as the top unsecured creditor with about $24.9 million in deferred franchise fees, and Meritage estimates assets and liabilities of $10 million to $50 million as it reorganizes.
MTY Group announced it will close 45–50 Papa Murphy’s locations over the next six to nine months after a performance review found the take-and-bake chain underperforming, a move meant to reduce losses and refocus resources on stronger brands. The closures come as MTY manages a large portfolio and Papa Murphy’s US presence has fallen from 1,168 stores in 2023 to 1,014 in 2025, with further shutter plans possible.
Minions & Monsters is tracking to a $64.5 million five-day opening over the July 4 weekend (about $39.5 million across the three-day frame), topping the box office but well below Despicable Me 4’s $120 million five-day start and Minions: The Rise of Gru’s $122 million. Toy Story 3 remains No. 2 with around $32 million, and overseas for Minions & Monsters is projected around $87 million. The film is the latest spin-off in the Despicable Me franchise, opening to strong audiences (A cinemascore and roughly 90% on Rotten Tomatoes) with critics praising its satirical humor and dense visual gags.
Toy Story 5 is forecast to open domestic around $140M and global about $275M, likely setting a franchise-opening record. The 4,425-theater release starts previews Thursday in the U.S. and Canada, with roughly $25M in presales and an 87% international footprint including China. The film skewing female aims to sustain strong hold over Father’s Day weekend, with Japan and Germany opening later; it’s positioned against other summer titles and counterprogramming as Pixar continues its franchise comeback with Jessie-centered storytelling.
Paramount’s Scary Movie opened to a franchise-best $55 million, topping the weekend as Masters of the Universe debuted to $29.3 million; Backrooms followed in third with $25.9 million, Obsession in fourth with $25.6 million, and The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act in fifth with $19.4 million, signaling a horror-heavy start to summer and underscoring the franchise/nostalgia pull at the box office.
A CGI teaser for the upcoming PS5 RPG Dawnwalker hints that the franchise is planned to expand far beyond the first game, with future installments spanning centuries, continents, and cultures; the initial title is set for September release, while developers promise a broader arc for the Dawnwalker saga.
CBS is developing an untitled Edgewater Medical Drama to expand the Fire Country/Sheriff Country universe, centered on a medical team in Edgewater, California; it's in an ultra-early stage and may weave into Sheriff Country’s Season 2, with executive producers Matt Lopez, Max Thieriot, Joan Rater, Tony Phelan, and Jerry Bruckheimer Television’s Jerry Bruckheimer and KristieAnne Reed attached, though no writer or formal pitch has been set.
Scream 7 opened with a franchise-record $64.1 million domestic debut and has grossed about $97.2 million globally on a $45 million budget, aided by Neve Campbell’s return; despite mixed reviews (34% Rotten Tomatoes, B- CinemaScore), the film beats Scream VI’s previous opening and signals solid profitability amid a competitive weekend and Paramount/Spyglass’s broader strategic context.
Paramount’s Scream 7 opened to $64.1M over 3 days across 3,540 screens, a February franchise-record that helped the weekend’s total climb to about $110.9M and lift year-over-year gains to 50.9%; international launch added $33.1M for a global start of $97.2M. The film drew a 54% male, 46% female audience with 62% over 25, and IMAX accounted for about $5.5M domestically. Avatar: Fire and Ash led domestically with $401.2M, while next weekend brings Pixar’s Hopper and The Bride!.
The New England Patriots were ranked 26th among 32 NFL teams in the NFLPA's 2026 report card, with bottom-five marks in travel, weight room, training room and practice facilities, but improved from last year and are set to open a new facility in 2026, while Mike Vrabel earns praise for culture and organization.
Box-office previews expect Scream 7 to deliver the year’s top opening, aiming for about $40–45 million domestic and around $60 million globally; it will be the franchise’s first IMAX release, stars Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox, and follows Scream VI’s record domestic ($108.4M) and global ($166.6M) performance. The film’s cast and crew changes include Melissa Barrera being fired and Jenna Ortega leaving, with director Christopher Landon also exiting amid backlash; reported budget is about $45 million.