I sat down with Don Tarinelli, Chief Development Officer at Franchise FastLane, to take a clear-eyed look at how franchise development works in 2026. The conversation did what the best interviews do; it opened up better questions. Why are more founders gravitating to franchise sales organizations now? What truly signals…

When Magnolia Bakery first opened its doors in 1996 on a quiet street corner in New York’s West Village, nobody could have guessed it would become a globally recognized brand synonymous with mouthwatering cupcakes and legendary banana pudding. Now, nearly three decades later, Magnolia Bakery’s CEO & Chief Baking Officer…

Some businesses are built from spreadsheets and market research. Others start with a craving after a long workout, a stare of wonder at a dessert topping bar, and the kind of loyalty that sneaks up on you before you ever realize it has arrived. For Neil Hershman, the story of…

Franchising a business is not a single event. It is a series of decisions, each one made at a different stage of growth, each one carrying its own set of risks. For brands navigating that journey without a roadmap, the margin for error compounds quickly. For those who work alongside…

“As we enter 2026, the economics of franchise growth have reached an inflection point where time saved has become the single most critical factor in predicting long-term success,” said Sam Phelps. In a late-January launch from Fort Worth, his team at Franchise Now introduced DreamStart; an AI-guided funding and onboarding…

Finding the right location for a restaurant franchise has never been simple, but it has rarely been as consequential as it is today. Rents are elevated. Construction costs have climbed. Permitting timelines stretch in ways that eat into a franchisee’s runway before a single bowl is served. In that environment,…