Legacy Restaurant Franchises Deploy Nostalgia, New Concepts, and Leadership Changes to Revive Sales

Corporate Action
โดย Franchise Times·Read original
Summary · why it matters

Legacy quick-service restaurant brands including Pizza Hut, Burger King, Wendy's, Hardee's, and Jack in the Box are pursuing a range of turnaround strategies to regain market share and support franchisees. Pizza Hut franchisee Daland Corp. has remodeled 38 of its 93 locations back to the classic red roof design, a move that has generated viral attention and what its president Tim Sparks calls real momentum for the brand. Yum Brands is selling Pizza Hut in two deals—Yum China Holdings will acquire the Mainland China business while private equity firm LongRange Capital will purchase the remaining assets including domestic operations—a change that Sparks believes will bring renewed focus. Burger King has rebounded through an improved Whopper, new sandwiches, and creative advertising such as an Academy Awards spot that acknowledged past missteps, while Taco Bell continues to thrive on menu innovation and strong franchisee relations. Hardee's parent CKE Restaurants is piloting a new breakfast-and-lunch concept called Biscuits & Bird by Hardee's with its largest franchisee, Boddie-Noell Enterprises, as the brand works to reverse years of unit closures. Wendy's brought back former COO Bob Wright as CEO, a move that has lifted franchisee sentiment, and Jack in the Box is executing its 'Jack on Track' plan with a $500 million refinancing and a marketing collaboration with YouTube series 'Hot Ones' amid ongoing leadership turnover.

Impact on stocks 5

Consumer Discretionary▲ · 5 stocks
Yum China Holdings Inc
YUMC
▲ PositiveCapitalrelevance

Yum China Holdings will acquire Pizza Hut's Mainland China business, expanding its portfolio.

Jack in the Box Inc.
JACK
± MixedCapitalrelevance

Jack in the Box's 'Jack on Track' plan includes a $500 million refinancing, but ongoing leadership turnover creates uncertainty.

The Wendy’s Co
WEN
▲ PositiveCapitalrelevance

Wendy's brought back former COO Bob Wright as CEO, lifting franchisee sentiment.

Yum! Brands Inc
YUM
± MixedCapitalrelevance

Yum Brands is selling Pizza Hut in two deals, which may bring renewed focus but also represents a divestiture.

Off-coverage companies 3

CKE Restaurants HoldingsPrivate± Mixed
Demandrelevance

Hardee's parent CKE is piloting a new breakfast-and-lunch concept Biscuits & Bird by Hardee's with its largest franchisee to reverse unit closures, but outcome uncertain.

Boddie-Noell EnterprisesPrivate± Mixed
Demandrelevance

Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Hardee's largest franchisee, is piloting the new Biscuits & Bird concept with CKE, but impact unclear.

LongRange CapitalPrivate▲ Positive
Capitalrelevance

LongRange Capital is acquiring Pizza Hut's remaining assets including domestic operations, a private equity investment.

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