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There was an unusual scene near the intersection of Clark and Division last summer, where food obsessive Chicagoans were waiting up to an hour to order a gyro platter or chicken sandwich from Halal Guys. By most people&rsquo;s standards, it&rsquo;s just your average Middle Eastern takeout joint. An order usually consists of chopped up chicken and beef, smothered in a creamy tangy white sauce with a generous splash of hot red sauce. Underneath, there&rsquo;s neon orange rice&mdash;a staple of the Halal Guy experience&mdash;and a handful of lettuce that (most likely) exists to make you feel better about eating a plate of meat.

At its simplest, it&rsquo;s glorified street food&mdash;and ever since the brand announced that it would begin franchising, it&rsquo;s created nothing short of a feeding frenzy in every city their food touches.

Halal Guys was started 20 years ago when four friends from Egypt launched a cart selling hot dogs. But when they noticed that many Muslim cab drivers were looking for a place to buy halal foods in Manhattan, which adhere to the dietary practices required by Islamic Law, they saw how large the demand was, and yet, how hard it was to find halal food in the city. So, the four friends decided to revamp their menu and become the Halal Guys, serving chicken, gyros and falafel from a cart.

Their idea quickly became a hit. It wasn&rsquo;t long until lines started to form every single day at the corner of West 53rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan&mdash;the intersection where the Halal Guys cart made its claim to fame. Office workers, taxi drivers, club-goers, tourists, construction workers and police officers couldn&rsquo;t seem to get enough.

That&rsquo;s why, nearly 25 years since Halal Guys was founded, owners Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed looked into franchising their business in 2014. The owners incorporated the cart and signed a deal with Fransmart, a restaurant franchise consulting firm. This is the same firm that took Five Guys Burgers and Fries from four locations in Northern Virginia and turned it into a fast food chain with over 1,200 and over $1 billion in sales. The company devised a five-year plan for Halal Guys, which would include over 100 locations in the United States, as well as a presence in Europe and Southeast Asia.

&ldquo;McDonald&rsquo;s has already dominated the burger segment. Starbucks has already dominated the coffee segment. But nobody has taken a global leadership position in the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean space. Now, thanks to Halal Guys, this is the first time Halal food will be in the same conversation as these major chains,&rdquo; said Paul Tran, the senior director of development for FranSmart. &ldquo;Just look at the diversity of the crowds they garner every single day. Ninety-five percent of their customers are non-Muslim, and that&rsquo;s an indication that they could go anywhere&mdash;there&rsquo;s a real need, and desire, for food like this. And Halal Guys is poised to bring it to the hungry masses.&rdquo;

Not only does Tran work for a franchise development firm that has helped to thrust the brand into the national spotlight, but he&rsquo;s also the chief operating officer of Halal or Nothing, the Southern California franchise group of the Halal Guys. Together with his business partners, Tran intends to open a Halal Guys restaurant in every SoCal city. The goal is 50 stores in 10 years&mdash;and judging by the immense potential that Tran sees in the brand, it&rsquo;s an ambitious plan that&rsquo;s well within sight. &nbsp;

&ldquo;For the past 25 years, Halal Guys has created such a loyal following of customers purely with its mouthwatering food. This is a brand that never cuts corner, and they&rsquo;re committed to upholding that aspect of quality as they continue to grow. They boast a very focused menu of amazing food that&rsquo;s different&mdash;but still familiar enough so that everybody can relate to it,&rdquo; Tran added. &ldquo;We knew it was something special and needed to share it with the world.&rdquo;

The first franchise location opened up in June 2014 in New York&rsquo;s East Village. And today, there are 12 franchised locations outside of New York, including ones in Dallas, Milwaukee, San Jose, California, Chicago and the Philippines. The Halal Guys have also sold development rights for about 340 additional locations in the U.S. and 50 in Southeast Asia&mdash;just two short years after the launch of its franchise opportunity.

If the numbers alone don&rsquo;t convince you that Halal Guys is on the cusp of worldwide domination, just do a simple Google search&mdash;one result after another bears some kind of headline about the brand opening up in a new town. And after coming such a long way from its humble food cart beginnings, Tran believes that Halal Guys is well on its way to becoming a global icon and the largest American Halal street food concept in the world.

&ldquo;The Halal Guys started with a mission to be different and encourage patrons across America to try something unique,&rdquo; Tran said. &ldquo;Food is such a great medium for cultural sharing. And Halal Guys is on that cutting edge and taking some risks&mdash;it&rsquo;s exposing thousands of people to something new, and that in itself is exciting to see in franchising.&rdquo;&nbsp;

From Food Cart to Nationwide Sensation: How Halal Guys Created a Cult-Like Following Through Franchising

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Halal Guys is well on its way to becoming a global icon and the largest American Halal street food concept in the world.

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Jersey Mike's Takes First Steps Towards Initial Public Offering

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Prince St. Pizza Partners With Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchisee for National Growth

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<a href="https://princestreetpizza.com/">Prince St. Pizza</a> has partnered with a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-daves-hot-chicken-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2723529">Dave’s Hot Chicken</a> franchisee to support its national expansion,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pizzamarketplace.com/news/prince-st-pizza-partners-with-daves-hot-chicken-franchisee-for-national-expansion/#:~:text=Prince%20St.%20Pizza%2C%20a%20New%20York%2Dbased%20pizzeria,the%20country%2C%20according%20to%20a%20press%20release.">Pizza Marketplace recently reported</a>. The New York-based brand has joined forces with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencekourie/">Lawrence Kourie</a>, founder and largest franchisee of Dave’s Hot Chicken, to grow its footprint across the country. Kourie’s experience opening and operating locations in multiple markets will help the brand as it enters new territories."Lawrence has built and operated one of the fastest-expanding restaurant concepts in the country, but what stands out is his disciplined approach to growth and brand integrity," said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrence-longo-342856/?skipRedirect=true">Lawrence Longo</a>, CEO of Prince St. Pizza. "He understands how to develop a concept without losing what made it special in the first place, which is critical as we enter this next phase."The expansion will use Kourie’s existing infrastructure and operations to introduce Prince St. Pizza into new markets. Each location will aim to reflect the same experience as the brand’s original Nolita shop."I have spent years evaluating restaurant concepts, and it is rare to find one that delivers both a strong product and a clear identity," Kourie said. "What Prince St. has built is difficult to truly replicate. The focus now is on growing the brand in a way that preserves that foundation while introducing it to new communities."Kourie is a key operator within the Dave’s Hot Chicken system,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion-2729557#stories">which Roark Capital acquired in a $1 billion deal in 2025</a>. The partnership connects Prince St. Pizza to an operator with experience scaling a brand that has attracted major private equity investment.Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pizzamarketplace.com/news/prince-st-pizza-partners-with-daves-hot-chicken-franchisee-for-national-expansion/#:~:text=Prince%20St.%20Pizza%2C%20a%20New%20York%2Dbased%20pizzeria,the%20country%2C%20according%20to%20a%20press%20release.">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Prince St. Pizza is teaming up with a leading Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisee to expand nationwide, tapping proven operator experience to drive growth.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise.org/">International Franchise Association</a> has released its annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise.org/franchising-economic-outlook/">Franchising Economic Outlook</a> report for 2026, painting the picture for a positive year of growth after notable economic turbulence in 2025.“The resilience of franchising has enabled our model to adapt, endure and thrive in the face of challenging macroeconomic headwinds,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewhaller">Matt Haller</a>, IFA president and CEO, said in a release. "After a year of recalibration, franchising is better positioned to navigate an improving economic environment than independent businesses due to tax certainty, lower interest rates and investments in AI that will propel brand growth, franchisee unit-level economics and wage growth for the franchise workforce."The report features key industry projections for the year, including:<ul><li>The addition of over 12,000 new franchised businesses</li><li>The addition of over 150,000 jobs — meaning the industry will represent nearly 8.9 million jobs</li><li>An increase in total franchise GDP from $549.9 to $558.4 billion</li><li>An increase in multi-unit ownership as current single-unit franchisees pursue scale</li></ul>In addition to the strength of the industry as a whole, the organization highlighted segment-specific trends.&nbsp;<ul><li>This year, child services and commercial and residential services are recognized as top performers, expected to achieve a 3.2% year-over-year growth rate.</li><li>A focus on experiential dining, rather than value alone, may drive full-service restaurants to outpace quick-service brands in output growth.</li><li>Preventive health care has risen to be the third-largest franchised industry, and it represents strong opportunities as consumer awareness surrounding preventive health care persists.</li></ul>In terms of growth markets, Texas continues to lead the country as the fastest-growing state for franchising, followed by Florida, Georgia, Arizona and North Carolina. Michigan, Ohio and Utah have joined the top 10 this year thanks to their relative affordability and the potential they offer for market leadership and long-term growth.The outlook for 2026 is upbeat, and the drivers behind it look different than they did a few years ago. More brands are putting AI and automation to work in day-to-day operations, which helps franchisees move faster on basics like scheduling and inventory and stay tighter on margins.The growth in multi-unit ownership points to a shift in how people are approaching franchising. More operators are treating it like a scalable investment, focused on building an asset, not just buying themselves a job.As the year ramps up, IFA’s data suggests growth in 2026 will be driven by those leveraging the scale of the franchise model, embracing a tech-forward approach to business ownership, and staying agile in an evolving business landscape.Find the full 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook report&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise.org/franchising-economic-outlook/">here</a>.

Highlighting child services and commercial and residential services as top performers, the organization predicts the industry will add over 150,000 jobs and increase its GDP by billions this year.

IFA Releases 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook Report, Predicting Over 12,000 New Franchised Businesses This Year

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Private equity firm&nbsp;<a href="https://skylineinv.com/">Skyline Investors</a> has acquired rent-to-own franchisor&nbsp;<a href="https://buddysfranchising.com/">Buddy’s Home Furnishings</a> in a deal that signals continued investor confidence in franchise-based retail models, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/features/mergers-and-acquisitions/rent-to-own-franchisor-buddys-home-furnishings-purchased-by-private-equity-firm">report from Retail TouchPoints</a>. The transaction, announced Feb. 4, brings new ownership to a system of more than 220 locations across 18 states and Guam, positioning Buddy’s for its next phase of growth within the franchising sector.Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition reflects a broader trend of private equity firms targeting established franchise brands with recurring revenue and strong unit-level performance. For Buddy’s, which specializes in furniture, electronics and appliances, the partnership is intended to strengthen its operational platform and expand long-term opportunities for franchisees.“This is an exciting new chapter for Buddy’s,” CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bennett-cfe-a9309538/">Michael Bennett</a> said in a statement. “Skyline brings a collaborative mindset that our franchisees and customers will feel immediately. We’re not just changing ownership; we’re gaining committed partners who understand our business, value our franchise network and are ready to invest in our collective success.”Skyline structured the investment alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-jaeger-bb48b43/">Jeffrey Jaeger</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-alter-7aa99311/">Scott Alter</a>, co-founders and principals of affordable housing developer&nbsp;<a href="https://standard-communities.com/">Standard Communities</a>. Their involvement adds financial and strategic expertise aimed at supporting capital formation, balance sheet management and disciplined expansion.For franchise operators, the deal offers potential benefits in the form of increased corporate resources, enhanced systems and renewed investment in technology and infrastructure. Private equity-backed franchisors often prioritize scalability, data-driven decision-making and operational consistency, all of which can influence franchisee performance and long-term brand stability.Skyline brings prior experience in the rent-to-own space, including investments in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gomajik.com/">Majik Rent-to-Own</a>, which may help accelerate Buddy’s development efforts and refine its franchise support model. Company leaders say the firm’s approach is centered on partnership rather than short-term returns.“Buddy’s represents exactly the type of platform opportunity we’re built to support,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevintom/">Kevin Tom</a>, founder and managing partner at Skyline Investors, said in a statement. “With Buddy’s proven brand and strong franchise network, there’s a clear runway for growth.”As private equity continues to expand its footprint in franchising, deals like this highlight the sector’s appeal to institutional investors. For Buddy’s franchisees, the acquisition marks a transition that could shape everything from marketing strategies to multi-unit development in the years ahead, reinforcing the brand’s position in the competitive rent-to-own marketplace.Read the original article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/features/mergers-and-acquisitions/rent-to-own-franchisor-buddys-home-furnishings-purchased-by-private-equity-firm">here</a>.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Buddy's Home Furnishings Acquisition - Skyline Investors - 1851 Franchise

Skyline Investors’ acquisition highlights how rent-to-own operators with dense unit networks and steady demand are drawing long-term capital and operational playbooks.

Buddy’s Home Furnishings Deal Signals More Private Equity Interest in Franchise Retail

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<a href="https://www.jerseymikes.com/franchise">Jersey Mike’s</a> is preparing for a potential initial public offering after confidentially filing an S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jersey-mikes-announces-confidential-submission-of-draft-registration-statement-for-proposed-initial-public-offering-302746694.html">according to a recent press release</a>.&nbsp;The brand’s rapid expansion is a key driver behind this decision. Jersey Mike’s has grown from 2,387 locations at the start of 2023 to more than 3,200 stores in early 2026, positioning itself as a serious challenger to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-subway-reviews-reveal-about-the-brands-franchise-experience-2729934">Subway</a> in the sub sandwich category. This growth has been further accelerated by&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/blackstone-acquires-majority-stake-in-jersey-mikes-signaling-ambitious-growth-plans-2727945">Blackstone's acquisition of a majority stake in 2024</a>.A major differentiator for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-jersey-mikes-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2720908">Jersey Mike’s is its strong unit-level performance</a>. The brand reports an average unit volume of about $1.4 million for mature stores, significantly higher than&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchise-deep-dive-subway-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2722471">Subway’s estimated $500,000 AUV</a>.&nbsp;While IPO activity was relatively quiet in 2025, the successful public debut of&nbsp;<a href="https://ir.br.coffee/news-releases/news-release-details/black-rock-coffee-bar-announces-closing-initial-public-offering">Black Rock Coffee Bar</a> has raised optimism that more brands could follow. At the same time, several restaurant companies, such as&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/dennys-franchise-outlook-triartisan-acquisition-2731234">Denny’s</a>, have moved in the opposite direction, going private or exploring alternatives to avoid public-market pressures.Read the full press release&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jersey-mikes-announces-confidential-submission-of-draft-registration-statement-for-proposed-initial-public-offering-302746694.html">here</a>.&nbsp;Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

With more than 3,200 locations and backing from Blackstone, Jersey Mike’s positions itself as a top contender for investor interest amid shifting restaurant market dynamics.

How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

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From Food Cart to Nationwide Sensation: How Halal Guys Created a Cult-Like Following Through Franchising

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