This week, all eyes are on the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. The FOMC is set to announce its decision today, and markets are overwhelmingly expecting a 25-basis-point rate cut (Polymarket currently places the probability at around 94–95% for what it's worth).

Why is this important for franchisors? A cut would further ease borrowing costs after 2 years of high-rate pressure, potentially reopening financing pipelines for franchise development and lowering the cost of expansion for operators.

This could mark the beginning of a more favorable lending environment heading into 2026.

In this week's edition, we’re covering three notable expansion moves from the past week: Papa John's big expansion plans, Franchise Equity Partners' mega 720-unit M&A deal, and Rosie's Burgers continued growth in Canada. Let's dive in!

Papa Johns operator expands portfolio with 85-unit acquisition and 52-unit development plan

Pie Investments, led by operator Chris Patel, has purchased 85 Papa Johns restaurants across the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore regions. The acquisition instantly elevates the group into one of the system’s largest franchisees.

Alongside the purchase, the operator committed to opening 52 new restaurants by 2030, creating a long-term pipeline of more than 150 total units.

This aggressive expansion reflects ongoing consolidation among major QSR brands as seasoned multi-unit operators scale through acquisition plus development.

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Franchise Equity Partners acquires 720-unit IMO Car Wash in major global deal

Franchise Equity Partners (FEP) is acquiring IMO Car Wash — the world’s largest conveyor-carwash chain — in a transaction that includes more than 720 locations across Europe and Australia.

The deal separates IMO from Driven Brands, one of the largest automotive-services franchisors in the world.

This ranks among the most significant service-sector acquisitions of the year and signals renewed private-equity interest in global franchise platforms.

The move strengthens FEP’s position in high-volume, multi-unit service categories with predictable recurring demand.

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Rosie’s Burgers accelerates Canadian expansion with new Whitby deal and 115 units contracted

Rosie’s Burgers has announced a new franchise agreement for a Whitby, Ontario location — part of a broader growth wave that now includes 115 contracted Rosie’s units across Canada.

Although this week’s announcement covers a single site, the parent company reports 646 franchised retail locations across all concepts currently in operation, construction, or development.

This demonstrates the rapid scaling strategy, driven by strong Canadian demand for emerging fast-casual concepts.