FT’s Picks of the Week highlight notable C-suite moves, brand milestones, tech tidbits and other franchise news, sourced by the Franchise Times editorial team.
Omer Gajial is the new CEO of GoToFoods. He succeeds Jim Holthouser, who is retiring after nearly six years of leading the multi-brand parent of Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's and Carvel through a name change and an ongoing initiative to unify under shared systems and technologies.
Related: Auntie Anne’s, Jamba Parent Announces Rebrand to GoTo Foods
Omer Gajila is the new CEO of GoToFoods.
Gajial has more than two decades of consumer-retail experience, most recently as chief merchandising and digital officer for grocery chain Albertsons, which has more than 2,000 locations. He held leadership roles at Amazon, where he managed category development and marketplace operations for North America, and PepsiCo, where he directed global strategy and marketing for major markets including the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and North America.
Atlanta-based GoTo Foods, formerly Focus Brands, has more than 7,100 locations in 50 states and in 70 countries under the Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe’s Southwest Grill, McAlister’s Deli and Schlotzsky’s brands, as well as Seattle’s Best Coffee on military bases and in international markets.
Noteworthy
Grasons Estate Sales named Brandon Ciaccio, formerly the vice president of operations for fellow Evive Brands company The Brothers That Just Do Gutters, as brand president. He held other roles at the company, including director of operations, franchise operations manager and onboarding success supervisor. There are more than 60 Grasons franchise locations, according to the Huntington Beach, California-based company’s website.
Chick-fil-A is shifting from licensed locations at college campuses, hospitals and theme parks to an owner-operator franchise model. The shift does not impact airport locations, according to an announcement on its website. The company noted that franchisee-led restaurants will allow customers to use Chick-fil-A’s its app and loyalty program at the non-traditional locations. Operators will leverage catering and third-party delivery opportunities, while customers can redeem branded gift cards and other amenities which are “currently not available at licensed locations.”
Chick-fil-A is No. 6 on the Franchise Times Top 400 ranking of the largest franchises with $23.5 billion in global sales and more 3,100 locations.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux is launching a catering program for the first time in the brand’s 22-year history. Part of the catering offerings include a box lunch, with options that include sliders, pasta, wraps and salads. Walk-On’s has about 80 locations in more than 12 states.
Milestones
Phillip and Michelle Sundham opened the 800ths location of infrared fitness studio Hotworx, in Salem, New Hampshire. Founded in Marrero, Louisiana, Hotworx provides members with an immersive, virtual exercise experience that combines the benefits of infrared heat with either 30-minute isometric workouts or 15-minute high-intensity interval training sessions.
Just for Fun
Rapper 2 Chainz, center, along with his son, Halo, right, and cousin Omar Epps are helping Zaxbys get the word out about its "12 Days of Saucemas" promotional campaign this month.
Chicken chain Zaxbys is rolling out a “12 Days of Saucemas” promotional campaign that features rapper and Georgia native 2 Chainz, his son Halo and his cousin Omar Epps, who plays Zaxbys “Sauce Boss.” The culturally driven campaign celebrates 12 days of festive Zax Rewards deals. For each day of the 12 Days of Saucemas, Zaxbys will drop a video on the brand’s social channels featuring 2 Chainz rocking a custom chain corresponding to that day’s Saucemas deals, promos and exclusive member offers.
Zaxbys is No. 39 on the Top 400 with $2.6 billion in gross sales in 2024 and more than 1,000 domestic locations.
Wendy’s has struggled in 2025 with lagging same-store sales. The legacy burger brand is now turning to the 6-7 meme, made popular on social media by Gen Z and Gen Alpha, to generate additional store traffic and boost the company's app. The 6-7 reference, that features two consecutive numbers, a hand motion to go with it and numerous memes, is being employed by Wendy's to help promote its iconic Frosty.
On Black Friday, Wendy's offered small Frostys for 67 cents in-store and online. From November 29 through December 7, the restaurant chain is offering discounted Frostys for those using the app or ordering online.
Wendy's latest 6-7 promotion follows a collaboration it did with Netflix in August with menu items geared towards the “Wednesday” television series. The Frosty was one of the first five menu items when Wendy’s first opened in 1969. Wendy’s is No. 11 on the Top 400 with $14.5 billion in gross sales in 2024.
Pizza Guys began its second season of partnership with Sacramento Kings basketball star Malik Monk, who is helping the company roll out of its limited-time offer menu items and interactive packaging. The lineup, which is available throughout the NBA season, includes a large Malik Monk Special Pizza, three “Hoop Boxes” that turn into a mini basketball hoop and matching mini basketball available separately for fans who want the full at-home experience. Monk, who is averaging a career-high 17.2 points this season, is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury.