Franchise TimesLee's Operator Turns 15 Years Into a Six-Unit Deal
After 15 years running one Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken store near Charlotte, Harris Mullis signs a six-unit deal anchoring the brand's Southeast push.
A single development group commits to 40 Fatburger restaurants across Florida, a scale bet that reshapes the brand's Southeast footprint.

Whole Factor Inc. has committed to building 40 Fatburger restaurants across Florida, one of the largest single development agreements the burger brand has signed in the state. The deal hands one operator responsibility for a regional buildout rather than spreading risk across many small franchisees.
Florida combines population growth, tourist traffic, and a steady supply of retail real estate, which makes it a logical target for quick-service scale. A 40-unit commitment lets the operator negotiate better site deals, spread marketing costs across locations, and build a local management bench that single-unit owners cannot afford.
Agreements this size shift the burden onto the operator's development schedule. The group must open units on a fixed timeline or risk losing territory rights, which means it needs capital lined up, contractors secured, and hiring pipelines ready before the first store opens. Execution risk rises with every unit added to the calendar.
Large area-development deals reward operators who already run tight systems and punish those still learning the brand. For franchisors, concentrating 40 units under one group raises the stakes on partner selection, since a single underperforming developer can stall an entire market. The trend favors experienced operators with proven unit economics.
Franchise TimesAfter 15 years running one Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken store near Charlotte, Harris Mullis signs a six-unit deal anchoring the brand's Southeast push.
franchising.comA multi-unit operator commits to seven Barberitos restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, extending the Southeastern brand deeper into Florida.
Naf Naf Middle Eastern GrillA 20-unit Tropical Smoothie operator signed for four Naf Naf restaurants in Columbus, the brand's latest bet on proven multi-unit franchisees.
Revscale Media (illustration)The Nasdaq-listed dental group agreed to acquire a 12-location Fayetteville practice network in a deal worth up to $46 million.
Revscale Media (illustration)Franchise Equity Partners' Velocity Auto Care reached 50 Valvoline Instant Oil Change centers, with 18 more underway through 2027.
Athletech NewsThe Club Pilates parent cut its outlook and stayed quiet on a possible sale as legal costs and same-store sales declines mount.