American Freight

Going from owning one restaurant to multiple units is a big change for any operator.

Many factors and decisions go into scouting and selecting the best location for a new restaurant.

Over the final month of 2025, Franchise Update contacted several multi-unit restaurant franchisees to get their thoughts about the year ahead.

Franchise Group emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, restructuring its business and creating a new, streamlined company.

Franchise Group filed for bankruptcy with nearly $2 billion in debt on January 19, 2023.

The Vitamin Shoppe owner Franchise Group Inc. (FRG) has initiated Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S.

American Freight, a value furniture franchise, operates over 360 locations across the U.S., with a business model focused on selling furniture to consumers through direct-to-consumer warehouse-style stores.

American Freight opened five new stores in the third quarter of 2023, expanding its national presence and identifying over 600 territories available for future expansion through franchising.

American Freight awarded a new territory in Durham, North Carolina to a veteran who formerly franchised Jimmy John’s locations

American Freight Furniture, Mattress and Appliance is recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the Top New and Emerging Franchises for 2023, ranking No. 23.

Franchise Group Inc., parent company of The Vitamin Shoppe, is set to go private through a $2.6 billion management buyout.

The new territories are located across Florida and Pennsylvania and represent three new franchise owners.

American Freight awarded a new location in York, Pennsylvania to Doctor of Pharmacy Godfrey Ukwuoma, MBA, adding to the company's growing footprint of over 360 stores across the U.S.

Franchise Group, which owns and operates several brands, including The Vitamin Shoppe, has received an unsolicited non-binding acquisition proposal for all outstanding shares of common stock at $30 per share in cash.

American Freight Furniture, Mattress and Appliance awards 23 new franchise agreements, a 28% increase from the previous year, and opens three new franchise locations.

American Freight awards a new location in Homestead, Florida, to franchise partners Erik Sanchez and Yureisy Lugo.

American Freight is recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, ranked No. 492 for its outstanding performance since launching its franchise model in 2021.

American Freight awards 13 new territories to three franchise owners, expanding its footprint to over 360 stores across Michigan and Texas.

American Freight hires Terry McGee as Vice President of Franchise Development to grow its emerging franchise program.

American Freight awarded the largest deal of its franchise program to James (Jimmy) Day, adding seven locations across Texas to the company's growing footprint of over 360 locations.

American Freight awarded 10 new franchises across Georgia, Missouri, and Texas in the second quarter, expanding its footprint to over 360 stores.

American Freight hires Matthew Phillips as Franchise Development Manager to grow its emerging franchise program.

American Freight was recognized as one of the Top New and Emerging Franchises in 2022 by Entrepreneur magazine.

American Freight has signed a multi-unit franchise deal with Troy Caron to develop new locations in Missouri, adding to its growing footprint of over 360 locations across the U.S.