TL;DR
Fresh Dining Concepts has rebranded as Green Shoot Brands, a multi-brand restaurant operator with a portfolio of brands including Auntie Anne's and Little Caesars Pizza. The company expects to reach over $500 million in system sales by the end of 2026.
Green Shoot Brands’ portfolio includes Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Dave's Hot Chicken, Jamba, Little Caesars Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and PopUp Bagels. The company expects to reach more than $500 million in system sales on a year-end 2026 run-rate basis and ranks among the 30 largest franchisees in the United States.
“Our new name better reflects the company we have become: a diversified, multi-brand operator partnering with iconic, category-leading brands, built on evergreen capital and focused on long term growth,” said Kevin Bush, Founder and Executive Chairman of Green Shoot Brands. “A green shoot is the first sign of growth, and that is exactly what we’re about. We are building for decades, not quarters, for our brand partners, our team members, and the communities we serve.”
Unlike traditional private equity, Green Shoot Brands is an evergreen capital holding company with an unlimited time horizon and no exit timeline. That structure lets the company invest long term in its restaurants, its people, and its brand partners. Its operating standard centers on three commitments to every guest: perfect product, amazing hospitality, and great value.
“Our new name doesn’t change how we show up in our restaurants every day,” said Mike Evans, Chief Executive Officer of Green Shoot Brands. “Our general managers and their teams deliver for every guest, every visit, and that is why our brand partners trust us to grow with them.
Our goal is to be the franchisee of choice for every brand we operate and the partner of choice for every brand we add.”
The rebrand does not affect the company’s ownership, leadership, or existing franchise relationships. Green Shoot Brands will continue to pursue growth through new development and acquisitions across its existing brands and with new brand partners.
In this story
This story was originally published in Franchising.com on October 12, 2026. Burnaze summarizes and links to the original reporting.
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