Zionsville-based Apex plans big expansion through franchising
The window company, founded in 1998, has converted its existing 15 market licensees into franchisees and plans to expand into 50 to 100 more U.S. locations during the next 18 months.
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Tim Hortons targets Indianapolis as part of expansion plan
Coffee and doughnut chain Tim Hortons, a cult favorite in its Canadian homeland, is counting on Indianapolis as it makes a bigger push into the United States.
Steak n Shake ups ante in cheap-food strategy
The burger chain in November announced that it recorded a 3 percent increase in same-store sales in the third quarter. It was the 27th quarter in a row in which same-store sales rose compared with the same period a year earlier—a stunning run of success in the topsy-turvy world of restaurants.
Local McAlister’s franchisee sells 19 restaurants
McIndy Ventures LLC, which opened its first McAlister’s in 2002 in Indianapolis, has sold its portfolio of eateries across Indiana to Tennessee-based Southern Rock Restaurants LLC.
Chipotle tweaking cooking methods in wake of outbreaks
The fast-but-fresh restaurant chain plans to change the way it handles its meats, vegetables and cheese to combat a hit to its image from incidences of foodborne illness.
Ex-Subway exec says he didn’t know of Fogle’s sex crimes
A former executive who was in charge of Subway's advertising says he wasn't aware of pitchman Jared Fogle's criminal sexual conduct with minors in 2008, contradicting the statement of a former franchisee.
New boss of Frisch’s Big Boy restaurants plans expansion
The new leader of the Frisch's Restaurants chain wants to flex Big Boy's brand muscle with franchise expansion. The changes could mean more Big Boys in Indiana.
Andy Mohr Truck Center wins $6.5M judgment against Volvo
The jury verdict followed a three-year legal battle, with each side accusing the other of broken promises. Andy Mohr alleged Volvo's failure to give it the same price discounts it extended to similar franchisees cost it more than 1,300 truck sales.
Report: Subway pitchman to admit to child-porn charges
Subway pitchman Jared Fogle is expected to plead guilty to child-pornography charges, an Indianapolis television station reported Tuesday.
Noble Roman’s making strides on take-and-bake biz
The Indianapolis-based company in the past two months has increased its supermarket presence and hired an executive to oversee grocery operations, while securing more financing to help achieve the growth.
Subway planned to rebrand Fogle as family man before raid by FBI
Before federal investigators raided the Zionsville home of Subway spokesperson Jared Fogle on Tuesday, the company was in the midst of rebranding him to revive stagnant sales.
McDonald’s localizes menus with pulled pork, bacon McMuffins
The world’s biggest restaurant chain, hoping to appeal to wider swaths of Americans, is working to offer more locally relevant fare, such as pulled-pork sandwiches in Indiana, bacon and white-cheddar Egg McMuffins in Chicago and cranberry-orange muffins in the Midwest.
Hedge funds bet on Noble Roman’s
Two hedge funds have been beefing up stakes in Indianapolis-based Noble Roman’s, a 43-year-old pizza chain with a depressed stock price and an evolving business model.
Yats opening outposts as far away as Ohio, Tennessee
Patrons of the original Yats at East 54th Street and College Avenue probably don’t realize they’re experiencing one of the hottest concepts in restaurant franchising.
Fast-fire pizza chains preparing to blitz Indy area
A pizza war is heating up in Indianapolis. Additional players in the new and trendy fast-fire sector are charging into the area.
Shareholder coup of Steak n Shake parent firm fails
A Minnesota-based investment group that for months has been waging a campaign to oust Sardar Biglari from atop Steak n Shake’s parent company weathered a resounding defeat Thursday afternoon.
Downtown’s Punch Burger expanding to Carmel
The first franchise location for Punch Burger will be at 12525 Old Meridian St. in space that formerly housed When Eddie Met Salad. It’s expected to open in July.
Advisory firm: Current Biglari board must go
Groveland Capital's push to oust Sardar Biglari from Steak n Shake's parent will come to a head Thursday. A prominent billionaire investor is poised to back the effort.
Largest Domino’s franchisee buying nearly 40 area stores
A franchisee that started with three Domino's stores in South Mississippi 34 years ago is buying 45 stores in Indiana from Bob Taylor, who owns more than 70 stores in the Hoosier state.
McDonald’s CEO, an Indy native, steps down as sales decline
McDonald's CEO Don Thompson is stepping down as the world's biggest hamburger chain fights to hold onto customers and transform its image.