GoTo Foods

Snacking has become an increasingly important part of how consumers engage with restaurant brands beyond traditional meal times. Franchise Times looks at how GoTo Foods is building snacks around real guest routines rather than short‑term trends. The coverage connects repeatable between‑meal and on‑the‑go occasions to unit‑level performance, showing how menu strategies align with how consumers actually engage with restaurant brands. Within that broader approach, Auntie Anne's, Jamba, McAlister's Deli and Schlotzsky's are highlighted for how portability and simplicity show up in brand‑specific ways, supporting repeat demand and growth. “Customers are living differently. They’re eating differently. Routines have been much different. That offers us a unique opportunity to position our products in different spaces on the marketplace, but also attracting and listening to the voice of our guest is driving a lot of those opportunities. They’re telling us they want it, we’re providing it to them, and then we’re shaping it in a way that drives routine and frequency,”said Michael Freeman, EVP, Brands. Thank you to Alyssa Huglen for the thoughtful coverage. Read the full feature here https://lnkd.in/ea5ZNgxv

Across our portfolio, new store openings reinforced what continues to set us apart: powerful brands, committed franchise partners and an unwavering focus on great guest experiences. Each opening reflects disciplined growth and shared confidence in where we’re headed. We’re scaling with intention and building lasting impact, one location at a time.

We’re excited to welcome Biplav Misra as Chief Digital Officer and Tatiana Lambert as Chief Development Officer. These appointments reflect two distinct leadership priorities at GoTo Foods: digital leadership focused on scaling off‑premise, catering and owned and third‑party channels to drive frequency, check average, and unit‑level economics, and development leadership focused on expanding in the right markets with the right partners and concepts to deliver sustainable growth across the portfolio. Biplav will lead enterprise digital strategy to enhance how guests engage with our brands and unlock new opportunities for growth. Tatiana will guide development with a focus on strategic expansion and long term system strength. Together, their leadership supports the ongoing focus on enhancing guest experience, strengthening franchisee returns and driving disciplined, profitable unit-level growth. Read the QSR article to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eKgrVCeR

Last month, GoTo Foods opened new locations across California, Texas, Iowa, Florida, New York and Montana, bringing our brands closer to more communities nationwide. Each opening reflects the strength of our franchise system. For our customers, it means greater access to the brands they love. For our franchisees, it represents continued opportunity through a model built to grow. Here’s to expanding our reach together.

Smart reinvestment. Stronger performance. Built for what’s next. At GoTo Foods, evolution isn’t just a strategy. It’s how we unlock stronger unit economics, better experiences and long-term brand growth. As Michael Freeman shared with QSR, “Every single thing we’re doing is measurable. We’re not asking franchisees to do anything that we haven’t done.” That discipline is on display at Auntie Anne's and Jamba, where targeted investments across operations, technology and format are driving real performance gains. - A reinvestment strategy grounded in unit-level economics, with streamlined operations, optimized equipment and flexible formats designed to lower costs and improve throughput - Frictionless, guest-first experiences enabled by kiosks, apps, modernized designs and faster pickup, making convenience a built-in part of the journey Explore franchising opportunities across the GoTo Foods portfolio here: https://lnkd.in/eCnQD5aS Read the full story in QSR: https://lnkd.in/esM7_R6u

Iconic brands, expanding access: at GoTo Foods, we’re opening new doors for some of the most recognizable names in quick service and bringing them closer to the communities that love them.   Business Insider highlights how brands Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon are moving beyond their mall roots and becoming true destination restaurants in neighborhoods across the country.   “We want to create the right combination for Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon, for example, where we can confidently offer more intentionality and give customers access that they previously would only find if they're at an airport or a mall,” said Omer Gajial, CEO of GoTo Foods.   Through flexible formats, modern restaurant design, technology and strong franchise partnerships, we’re expanding where these brands show up and how guests experience them. Read more in Business Insider: https://lnkd.in/exkFpWNx

A legacy brand with startup momentum. That’s the growth story unfolding at McAlister's Deli. As Chief Brand Officer Danielle Porto Parra shares in QSR magazine, the brand signed 58 new franchise agreements in 2025, bringing its development pipeline to 265 restaurants through 2032. What’s fueling the momentum? A brand guests love, an operating model that works and franchise partners continuing to invest in growth. From strong catering demand to flexible prototypes and a differentiated fast-casual experience, McAlister’s is building markets with the kind of confidence that attracts sophisticated multi-unit operators. Interested in bringing McAlister’s to your market? Learn more about franchise development opportunities with GoTo Foods: https://lnkd.in/eCnQD5aS Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/e4ThC5vH

At Schlotzsky's, the next chapter is about clarity for guests and for franchisees. With the official return of a familiar name, Schlotzsky’s Deli, the brand is leaning into what has always set it apart: abundant, craveable sandwiches rooted in deli heritage. Alongside the name evolution comes a new restaurant prototype designed to modernize the guest experience while creating a more efficient operating model for franchisees. The prototype reflects how guests interact with restaurants today by incorporating streamlined ordering, dedicated digital pickup and a more flexible footprint built for growth. As Donna Spangler-Varner, Chief Brand Officer for Schlotzsky’s Deli, shared with Nation's Restaurant News, the research revealed that many guests did not understand what Schlotzsky’s stood for. Spangler-Varner explained, “We needed to figure out who our consumer was, and so all of that led to a new positioning of the brand, getting back to the roots.” The work underway is about more than a name. It’s about sharpening the brand’s identity while building a platform that supports long-term growth across the system. The result is a brand positioned for growth: a clearer identity for guests, modernized restaurants for operators and a stronger foundation for franchise expansion. Read more about the evolution of Schlotzsky's Deli here: https://lnkd.in/esfweAd7

Three months into his tenure, Omer Gajial is clear about the priority: stronger returns for franchisees. In his conversation with Franchise Times, he outlines what that means in practice: smarter cost structures, technology that reduces friction, loyalty growth that drives frequency and disciplined focus on scaling our seven brands. The fundamentals are showing up in the numbers. GoTo Foods added more 4M+ loyalty members last year. Loyalty guests visit two to four times more often than nonmembers. More than 60% of first-time guests are engaging digitally. But the headline is not growth for growth’s sake. It is profitable growth. As Omer shared, “Our approach is in sync when it comes to building a plan that delights the customers and also empowers and improves unit-level economics for our franchisees.” That is the work. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/ezH5V9Em Interested in franchise opportunities with GoTo Foods? Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eCnQD5aS

This week, more than 1,300 attendees from across our seven brands gathered in Atlanta for the 2026 GoTo Foods Franchisee Conference. What emerged was not just momentum. It was clarity. As CEO Omer Gajial shared in his opening keynote, our path forward is about improving our chemistry with our guests while also improving the physics of our business. “We ALL want to delight our guests, grow traffic, improve unit-level economics and win in the marketplace.” Chemistry is what our brands stand for: unforgettable guest experiences, menu innovation, digital connection and meaningful hospitality. Physics is what powers profitable growth: smarter prototypes, disciplined investment, technology that reduces friction and a relentless focus on unit-level economics. Over three days, we aligned around three commitments: • Improving unit level economics together • Elevating the guest experience together • Scaling with technology together This is franchisee advantage. This is customer advantage. As Omer closed, the theme is simple. “We can only win together. Let’s grow together.” A new era for GoTo Foods is underway, grounded in partnership, fueled by data and built to deliver stronger returns and stronger guest relationships. To our franchisees, team members and partners, thank you for your passion and your partnership. The possibilities ahead are real and we are just getting started.