Former WNBA Player Exercises Skills With Wendy’s
March 31, 2026
Playing professional basketball gave Rasheeda Clark the accountability, discipline and preparation for her second career in business.
Hall of Fame Award Video: Greg Flynn
March 26, 2026
The IFA Hall of Fame Award is the association’s most prestigious and oldest award presented to an IFA member who has contributed significantly to the advancement of franchising and the franchising community....
Hall of Fame Award: Greg Flynn
February 22, 2026
The IFA Hall of Fame Award is the association’s most prestigious and oldest award presented to an IFA member who has contributed significantly to the advancement of franchising and the franchising community....
Why Greg Flynn’s massive franchise group is betting big on 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee
December 3, 2025
The founder of the largest franchisee in the world shares more on his growth philosophy and why the time was right for an emerging chain to join his portfolio.
Flynn Group’s First Wendy’s in Australia Opens With ‘Absolute Raging Success’
November 3, 2025
Wendy's made its debut in Australia in January, with Flynn Group opening a restaurant on Queensland's Cavill Avenue. Flynn Group Chief Transformation Officer Lauren Leahy, left, and Chief Operating Officer Ron Bellamy,...
World’s largest franchisee to take on 7 Brew
November 3, 2025
The Flynn Group is adding the drive-thru coffee chain to its franchise portfolio. And the mega franchisee is launching a new Growth division to focus on younger, innovative brands.
Flynn Group’s Jess Reicher and Rasheeda Clark Prove Leadership Doesn’t Have to Look One Way
April 10, 2025
Jess Reicher and Rasheeda Clark carved their paths to leading the Arby’s and Wendy’s brands for Flynn Group. Their journeys offer a blueprint for women aiming to break barriers in the male-dominated...
Flynn Group Surpasses 1,000 Pizza Hut U.S. Restaurants
March 25, 2025
Flynn Group LP (“Flynn”), the world’s largest franchise operator, announced the acquisition of 45 Pizza Hut restaurants across Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. With this acquisition, Flynn Group’s Pizza Hut portfolio now encompasses...
Flynn Group CEO Talks Post-Election Outlook for Restaurant Industry
November 18, 2024
Like a lot of other restaurant operators, Greg Flynn is cautiously optimistic that another four years under a Trump administration could be a boon for an industry that has struggled under tighter...
Flynn Group Acquires 13 Panera Restaurants
October 11, 2024
Flynn Group LP, the franchising company, has acquired 13 Panera Bread cafés from Blue Ridge Bread Inc., bringing its total Panera location count to 145 and adding Virginia to the nine states...
World’s Largest Franchisee Flynn Group Acquires 83 Wendy’s Restaurants
August 19, 2024
Flynn Group—the world’s largest franchisee entity—announced Thursday that it acquired 83 Wendy’s stores. The company now owns 277 Wendy’s restaurants, making it one of the biggest operators in the burger chain’s system....
Nation’s Restaurant News: Flynn Group Acquires New Zealand Wendy’s
May 28, 2024
Flynn Group LP has acquired Wendco (NZ) Ltd., the sole franchisee of the Wendy’s brand in New Zealand, the company announced Monday.
QSR: How Flynn Group Ascended to the Pinnacle of Restaurant Franchising
March 11, 2024
Already the world’s largest franchisee entity, Flynn Group is looking for so much more, whether that’s domestic, international, or breaking into new categories.
QSR: The Genius of Greg Flynn Inside the Mind and Aspirations of the World’s Largest Franchise Group
March 1, 2024
Already the World's largest franchise entity, Flynn Group is looking for so much more, whether that's domestic, international, or breaking into new categories.
Flynn Restaurant Group Acquires Planet Fitness Franchise, Rebrands to ‘Flynn Group’
November 1, 2023
Flynn Restaurant Group LP (“Flynn”), the largest franchise operator in the world, announced it has acquired a highly-successful Planet Fitness franchise from Alder Partners, LLC, which operates 37 locations in two major...
Flynn Restaurant Group LP acquires dozens of Planet Fitness franchises and rebrands itself
November 1, 2023
Multibillion-dollar San Francisco-based food franchise empire Flynn Restaurant Group LP is expanding into its first new category since 1999 with a major acquisition. In a deal closed Wednesday morning, the world's largest...
Flynn Restaurant Group on Wendy’s Expansion Deal in Australia
August 9, 2023
Greg Flynn, founder and chief executive officer of Flynn Restaurant Group, discusses his business strategy and outlook for Wendy's as his company signed a new master franchise agreement to develop 200 Wendy's...
The Wendy’s Company and Flynn Restaurant Group Announce New Master Franchise Agreement for Australia
August 9, 2023
World's largest franchise operator will lead efforts to hyperscale Wendy's® and grow the brand across the country.
Pizza Hut Australia Purchased by US Group That Owns Taco Bell, Wendy’s Locations
June 7, 2023
Franchise operator Flynn Restaurant Group is acquiring Pizza Hut Australia, marking the US company’s first international acquisition.
How America’s Largest Restaurant Franchisee Decides When to Raise Prices
May 22, 2023
Flynn Restaurant Group, owner of eateries including Applebee’s, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, is at the vanguard of menu strategy.
Flynn Restaurant Group Gives Back Over $9.5M
February 3, 2023
Flynn Restaurant Group, the world’s largest franchise operator, today announced it contributed more than $9.5 million in charitable and food donations across its brands – Applebee's, Panera Bread, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut,...
Greg Flynn expands his hotel holdings with an 89-inn deal
November 22, 2022
The big Applebee's and Panera franchisee is acquiring control of the properties through a joint venture.
Inside the Making of Greg Flynn’s Franchising Empire
June 20, 2022
What does it take to build one of the biggest franchise companies in restaurant history? Discipline and a perpetual focus on the bigger picture, Greg Flynn says.
Flynn Doubles Down With Major Pizza Hut, Wendy’s Purchase
June 20, 2022
The firm added 937 Pizza Hut and 194 Wendy’s restaurants. It now owns and operates more than 2,300 restaurants generating more than $3.5 billion in annual sales—and Flynn gestured upward when asked...
HOW FLYNN RESTAURANT GROUP STACKS UP AGAINST OTHER BIG OPERATORS
March 24, 2021
What do you get when you combine the largest franchisee in the U.S. with the second biggest? One of the largest operators of any sort in the U.S.
The Power List: Multiconcept franchise operator Greg Flynn invests in opportunities for growth
January 21, 2021
In a crisis, great leaders take the long view and look for ways to improve the business for long-term success — from real estate acquisitions to finding more efficient ways to operate....
The Power List: Flynn Restaurant Group’s HR executive on investing in employees and operators
January 21, 2021
Betsy Mercado, senior vice president of human resources for Flynn Restaurant Group, was chosen for the NRN Power List by CEO Greg Flynn for how she supports the growing organization and works...
How a Restaurateur Is Navigating the Pandemic
December 11, 2020
Sales at America’s biggest restaurant franchisee plunged 60% after COVID-19 hit, but the company survived. Why? “The strength of the team,” says owner Greg Flynn.
Stanford Podcast: How one man starting out with a handful of franchises goes on to transform an entire industry
January 30, 2020
Stanford Alum Greg Flynn on leading a restaurant franchise group valued in the billions.
Hell of a Ride! Greg Flynn, with 1,245 restaurants, is Gunning for More
August 9, 2019
As founder, chairman, and CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group (FRG), Greg Flynn is the nation's largest restaurant franchisee on a quest to be the industry's premier operator. "It means being able to...
Greg Flynn Owns 1,245 Restaurants and Makes $2 Billion A Year. Here’s How He Did It.
June 17, 2019
He bought his first Applebee's 20 years ago, and since then has redefined what's possible in the franchise industry. His philosophy: Be different, then go big.
Flynn tops $2B with U.S. Beef buy, nabs Deal of the Year
April 4, 2019
With the purchase of 368 Arby’s restaurants, the entire portfolio of seller U.S. Beef Corp., Flynn reaches $2.3 billion in annual sales. That makes the company the first privately held franchise company...
After traveling all over the world, Greg Flynn came home and started a business empire
November 20, 2017
One of Greg Flynn's business interests includes restaurant holdings in 30 states.
Flynn Restaurant Group acquires 34 Panera Bread Bakery-Cafe locations
July 13, 2017
Pan American Group LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Flynn Restaurant Group LP, has acquired 34 Panera Bread Bakery-Cafe locations in Kansas and Missouri from Wichita-based Original Bread Inc.
The Power List 2017: Greg Flynn
January 30, 2017
Over a 17-year career, Greg Flynn built the nation’s largest franchisee empire: Flynn Restaurant Group LP, a business that spans the country with three different brands — Applebee’s, Panera Bread and Taco...
Greg Flynn Wins 2016 Operator of the Year Award
October 24, 2016
Flynn is the first franchisee to win the award in its history. Greg Flynn, who used his real estate investment savvy to build the largest restaurant franchisee in the country over a...
Forbes Profiles Greg Flynn, Founder and CEO
August 24, 2016
The story of Greg Flynn, Founder and CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group, was featured in Forbes' article, "The Super Sizer: How Greg Flynn Became America's Largest Restaurant Franchisee with $1.9B Revenues."
Greg Flynn 2016 Restaurant Leader of the Year Acceptance Speech
May 19, 2016
Watch Greg Flynn, founder, chairman and CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group, accept the award for 2016 Restaurant Leader of the Year.
Greg Flynn Named 2016 Restaurant Leader of the Year
April 27, 2016
Greg Flynn, Founder and CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group, was named the 2016 Restaurant Leader of the Year by the editors of Restaurant Business. This is only the second year the award...
$1 billion S.F. franchise juggernaut gobbles up 47 Panera Bread spots, with plans to build more
November 5, 2015
The Bay Area's Flynn Restaurant Group, the largest restaurant franchise group in the country, is moving beyond its Taco Bell and Applebee's holdings and into the fast-casual sector with Panera Bread.
The Power List 2015: The Big Time – Greg Flynn
February 6, 2015
NRN presents The Power List 2015, its second annual list of the most powerful people in foodservice. This years list focuses on leaders who hold the power to change the industry landscape...
Flynn Restaurant Group Gets $300M Investment Budget
September 25, 2014
The Flynn Restaurant Group L.P., the world's biggest franchisee gets a $300 million investment budget from the pension fund of Canadian Teachers. The group is the operator of the famous food chains...
Flynn Adds To His Taco Bell Collection
August 1, 2013
Bell American Group didn't need long to become one of Taco Bell's largest operators. The subsidiary of Flynn Restaurant Group has acquired the 62-unit Gateway Bells out of St. Louis from Don...