STARTUPS CENTRAL

A growing number of entrepreneurs are considering Dairy Queen franchises as a way into quick-serve food. Here’s a practical guide to the upfront money, the timeline and the everyday realities of running one. If you’re planning to own a Dairy Queen, expect a sizable outlay. Typical total startup costs often fall between $1.2 million and $2.5 million, with a standard franchise fee around $45,000. Once open, owners commonly remit about 1/25 of gross sales for royalties and rough

Church’s Texas Chicken is pitching franchisees on opportunities that start with a $20,000 franchise fee and a total development cost that typically falls between $644,366 and $1,808,972, even as its store count growth has cooled. The Atlanta-based chain — founded in San Antonio in 1952 and franchising since 1969 — operates about 1,474 restaurants worldwide under parent company Cajun Global LLC, and its recent growth rate slipped by about one-fiftieth. CEO Roland Gonzalez head

As consumers grab their morning coffee and a pastry, national chains and regional players are converting those routine stops into predictable cash flow for franchise owners. U.S. consumers eat about 10 billion doughnuts each year, and franchisors are racing to capture more of that business. Major brands dominate the market with thousands of outlets and steady expansion, attracting investors who want a business model that leans on repeat visits. At the top of an industry ranki

Companies That Rely On AI For Speed Need Clear Rules Of Ownership And Built-In Review Steps To Prevent Confident But Flawed Work Companies rushing to automate drafting and analysis are learning a hard lesson: faster is not the same as better. Across small teams and midmarket shops, automated text and code generators can shave hours off routine tasks, but they also make it easier to put out polished-looking work that hasn’t been fully vetted. The most immediate remedy isn’t mo

A veteran executive credited with reviving Potbelly Sandwich Works has been tapped to guide Wendy’s through a period of strategic change, the fast‑food chain announced. The hire puts an operator known for restaurant restructuring and franchise partnerships in charge of tightening operations and refreshing the menu at one of the country’s largest burger chains. The incoming leader gained attention at Potbelly for stabilizing sales and restoring investor confidence after a rock

They began cutting grass for neighbors and now Roadkill Lawncare & Landscaping is on track to pull in about $700,000 this year. When Anthony Heathco and Colton Roush were 15 and juggling school in Grand Junction, Colorado, a neighborhood posting from Roush’s mother led to a steady client who needed heavy help around his yard. What started as after-school and weekend chores evolved into a company that reported close to $600,000 in revenue last year and expects roughly $700,000

For founders who equate warmth with leadership, there’s a dangerous habit: being so protective of employees that you let standards slide and the business suffer. I ran a small digital marketing shop before launching UKHI, and on paper we looked healthy — a steady flow of clients and some organic leads. Behind the scenes, though, projects stalled and higher-paying contracts were scarce. Hoping to ride a trend, I pushed the team toward mobile app work. When delivery lagged and