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| Good Morning Wolf Pack, Today’s newsletter covers Craveworthy Brands pivoting hard toward India and other international markets after U.S. financing dried up, PizzaExpress signing on as the first international master franchisee for Houston TX Hot Chicken, and Woof Gang Bakery landing a second private equity backer to fuel its run at 400 units. Enjoy! Was this email forwarded to you? FROM THE WOLF DEN 1) Tough Domestic Market Pushes Craveworthy Toward International Expansion Craveworthy Brands, the 20-plus concept platform behind Genghis Grill, Big Chicken, Dirty Dough and Taffer's Tavern, is pivoting hard toward international growth after high interest rates and a shaky economy stalled its U.S. financing pipeline. "We have a bunch of franchisees that would love to go, but are sitting on the sidelines waiting for bank financing to lower a bit," CEO Gregg Majewski said. "We don't want to sit there and not get through this." The company just signed a master franchising deal with Sandeep and Runal Shah, a father-and-son operator team with two decades of restaurant experience, to bring Genghis Grill and a rebranded version of Dirty Dough (sold as Kinnamōns, to avoid confusion) into India. The country's restaurant market is projected to nearly triple, from $114.4 billion in 2025 to $282 billion by 2034. It's Craveworthy's second international push after taking Big Chicken into Canada, Honduras and the U.K. Majewski said talks are underway in the Philippines and China too, with "many more announcements" expected by year's end. The U.S. remains the company's biggest growth target long-term, but for now, it's not waiting around. 2) This Major U.K. Pizza Player Has Big Plans for Houston Hot Chicken PizzaExpress, the 470-plus-unit U.K. and Ireland pizza chain dating back to 1965, has signed on as the first international master franchisee for Houston TX Hot Chicken, with plans to open 50 locations across the U.K. and Ireland over the next three years. HHC was founded in Las Vegas in 2021 after founder Edmond Barseghian's sister developed a hot chicken recipe during the pandemic. The brand has since grown to 30 U.S. locations across eight states with backing from Savory Fund. PizzaExpress international director Ben Lawrence said the brand identified "a gap in the market for a high-energy chicken brand" in the U.K. HHC president Brian Simowitz, a former Applebee's international exec, said the company wasn't chasing an overseas deal but jumped when PizzaExpress came calling. The brands plan to open three U.K. locations in the next six months. Initial U.S. investment for an HHC unit runs between $770,950 and $1.91 million. 3) Woof Gang Bakery Attracts New Investor Amid Franchise Growth Push Pet grooming and retail concept Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming has brought on a second private equity backer, Boston-based Great Hill Partners, joining existing investor Garnett Station Partners. Financial terms weren't disclosed. CEO Ricardo Azevedo said the new capital will bolster infrastructure, digital strategy and franchisee support as the brand pushes toward 400 units. Woof Gang closed out 2025 with close to 300 units and now sits at 330 across 36 states, with another 40 to 50 openings expected before year-end, including recent debuts in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Utah. Great Hill managing director David Roberts and vice president Douglas Wigley will join Woof Gang's board. "We want to be everywhere because we believe we can do great in every single pet community in America," Azevedo said. EXTRA SAUCE 💥 Caribou CFO Applies 'Smart Growth' Approach to Franchising Caribou Coffee tapped Gene Komsky as its new CFO, replacing Scott Kennedy, who was promoted to CEO, as the brand leans into systemwide financial strategy. Premium Service Brands Acquires Residential, Commercial Flooring Company Wise Coatings Wise Coatings becomes the 10th platform brand under Premium Service Brands, giving franchisees the option to cross-sell through the company's multi-brand Nesto referral system. Nontraditional Units Help Fuel Expansion at Bad Ass Coffee Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii opened its 47th and 48th locations in June, with 16 more on the way this year as nontraditional footprints drive growth. QDOBA Plans Over 100 Franchised Restaurants Across the Southeast and Western U.S. QDOBA Mexican Eats signed two new development agreements to open 50 restaurants apiece in Atlanta and Nashville. HOTWORX Signs Multi-Unit Franchise Agreement to Enter Alaska Market The infrared fitness studio brand is heading north for the first time with a new multi-unit deal covering the Alaska market. Arthur Murray Dance Studios Marks Most Successful Development Period in Brand History Arthur Murray opened 26 new studios in the first half of 2026, its strongest six-month development stretch since the brand's founding. Marco's Pizza, Tropical Smoothie Franchisee Adds Jeff's Bagel Run to Portfolio Multi-brand operator Rise Harvest signed a deal to open seven Jeff's Bagel Run locations, adding a third concept to its growing portfolio. Little Caesars Franchisees Developing PJ's Coffee in C-Stores A Kentucky convenience store operator that already runs Little Caesars is now adding PJ's Coffee inside its c-store footprint. Franchisees Bring Wellness Experience to Sparkle Grooming Co. Deal A chiropractor and a business partner, both well established in franchising, signed on to bring the pet grooming concept into a new market. Second Generation Restauranteur Expanding Rita's Italian Ice in Dallas A franchisee who discovered Rita's at an airport is now growing the Italian ice and frozen custard brand's Dallas footprint. Just Love Coffee & Cafe Applies Consistency to Nontraditional Footprint The Tennessee-based coffee brand has stuck to traditional brick-and-mortar builds even as it expands into new markets. WOLF BITES
That’s it for this edition of The Wolf Report. Feel free to reply with any questions or feedback. Thanks and see you Thursday! — The Wolf | |||||||
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