1851

If you’re a sub-200-unit restaurant franchise, your days as an independent franchisor may be numbered, at least according to Focus Brands’ new CEO, Jim Holthouser.In <a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_focus/new-boss-at-focus-brands-plots-m-a-push/article_646c275c-1496-11eb-beec-9740abe568bd.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=focus-brands-ceo-predicts-large-scale-consolidation-of-foodservice-brands-2714174" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">an interview with Franchise Times published this week</a>, Holthouser detailed the umbrella company’s plans to double its unit count over the next decade. To accomplish that feat, Focus Brands is ramping up its acquisitions.<blockquote>“We need a great burger brand. We need a chicken brand. Yes, we have Moe’s, but that’s about burritos; tacos are incredibly popular with consumers,” he said, referring to Moe’s Southwest Grill and then ticking off other wish-list buys. “Pizza has done incredibly well. A coffee brand. For the health-conscious, there are interesting Mediterranean and salad brands.”</blockquote>Holthouser contends that mass consolidation is not just the most lucrative path forward for Focus Brands, but the direction that the entire industry is heading regardless. The former Hilton executive pointed to consolidation among hotel brands over the past 20 years as a sign of what’s to come for restaurant brands.<blockquote>“I see this industry as ripe for very rapid consolidation,” he said. “Where the foodservice industry is today, it’s almost like looking in a rearview mirror of what the hotel industry was 20 years ago. It’s eerily similar.”&nbsp;Two decades ago, the hotel business was fragmented and today there are four or five major players, he said, also noting “a rush to digital and rapidly going toward third parties,” similar to foodservice, accelerated by the pandemic.</blockquote>If Holthouser’s prediction — one his team is actively working to bring to fruition —&nbsp;proves correct, the restaurant industry won’t be better off for it. Variety is not only important for consumers, it’s critical to franchise entrepreneurs, who rely on a diverse field of brands to find a model that aligns with their goals and lifestyles. If in ten years the restaurant industry is dominated by a handful of mega-corporations, it will be much harder for prospective franchisees to find an opportunity tailored closely to their interests.<a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_focus/new-boss-at-focus-brands-plots-m-a-push/article_646c275c-1496-11eb-beec-9740abe568bd.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=focus-brands-ceo-predicts-large-scale-consolidation-of-foodservice-brands-2714174" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Read the full interview at franchisetimes.com</a>.

Focus Brands’ CEO Predicts Large-Scale Consolidation of Foodservice Brands

1851 Franchise

Jim Holthouser told Franchise Times that the current field of restaurant brands looks a lot like what the hotel industry looked like 20 years ago.

focus-brands-ceo-predicts-large-scale-consolidation-of-foodservice-brands

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Why TruBlue is the Ideal Franchise for Multi-Unit Owners: Scalable Growth With a Purpose

why-trublue-is-the-ideal-franchise-for-multi-unit-owners-scalable-growth-with-a-purpose

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Koji Kanematsu Turned a 2,000-Year-Old Japanese Staple Into One of the Most Scalable Restaurant Franchise Models

koji-kanematsu-turned-a-2000-year-old-japanese-staple-into-one-of-the-most-scalable-restaurant-franchise-models

Lindora

Celebrating the Nurse Behind the Mission: How Melinda Endricks Is Powering Lindora’s Growth and Impact Nationwide

celebrating-the-nurse-behind-the-mission-how-melinda-endricks-is-powering-lindoras-growth-and-impact-nationwide

Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

sola-salons-targets-chicago-for-strategic-franchise-growth

Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

How Melting Pot Franchisees Drive Year-Round Success Through Strategic Promotions and Local Marketing

melting-pot-franchise-year-round-success

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

Health Care Professional in the Non-Profit Space Brings TruBlue to North Pittsburgh

health-care-professional-in-the-non-profit-space-brings-trublue-to-north-pittsburgh

Focus Brands’ CEO Predicts Large-Scale Consolidation of Foodservice Brands

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS