Flynn Group

Flynn Group LP is a major operator of franchise restaurants and Health clubs. They operate approximately 2,600 franchise locations around the world, primarily Applebee’s, Pizza Hut, Arby's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, Panera Bread and Planet Fitness.

History

The Group was founded in 1999 by Greg Flynn.[1]

In 2021 the Group acquired 937 Pizza Hut franchises during the bankruptcy of NPC International.[2]

The Group began buying Wendy's franchises in 2021. As of 2024 it operated approximately 5% of Wendy's in the United States with a total of around 300 stores. It is also the master franchisee for Wendy's in New Zealand and Australia.[3] The New Zealand franchisee Wendco (NZ) Ltd. was acquired in 2023 from the Lendich family.[4]

In 2024 they claimed to be the largest operator of franchises in the world.[5]

In 2024 the Group reportedly explored the sale of a majority stake in the company.[1] However the company quickly denied that they had with Greg Flynn clarifying that they were instead undergoing an equity recapitalization.[6]

Operations

The Group is headquartered in San Francisco.[7] As of 2024 the Group operated around 2,600 franchise locations around the world, primarily of Applebee’s, Arby's, Pizza Hut, Wendy's, Panera Bread, Taco Bell, and Planet Fitness.[6]

The company engages in a complex menu strategy overseen by a team of economists and data scientists.[8]

Investors

Company managers, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, and private equity group Main Post Partners each own roughly a third of the company.[1]

Sources

  1. ^ a b c Summerville, Abigail. "Exclusive: Flynn Group, world's largest franchisee, explores $5 bln-plus sale -sources". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  2. ^ Michaels, Laura. "Pizza Hut Australia, Planet Fitness Mark Next Stage for Flynn Group". franchisetimes.com. Franchise Times. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  3. ^ Canham-Clyne, Aneurin. "Flynn Group buys 32 more Wendy's". restaurantdive.com. Restaurant Dive. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  4. ^ Ruggless, Ron. "Flynn Group acquires New Zealand Wendy's". nrn.com/. Nation's Restaurant News. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  5. ^ Cunningham, Waylon. "Flynn Group buys 83 more Wendy's franchises in US". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  6. ^ a b Halpern, Joe. "Greg Flynn: 'I'm Not Selling and We're Not Going Anywhere'". franchisetimes.com. Franchise Times. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  7. ^ Jennings, Lisa. "Flynn Group acquires 83 more Wendy's units". restaurantbusinessonline.com. Restaurant Business. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  8. ^ Haddon, Heather. "How America's Largest Restaurant Franchisee Decides When to Raise Prices". wsj.com/. Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 31 December 2024.