Inside the Making of Greg Flynn’s Franchising Empire

Posted on: June 20th, 2022 by Ryan McCrady

What does it take to build one of the biggest franchise companies in restaurant history? Discipline and a perpetual focus on the bigger picture, Greg Flynn says.

Flynn Doubles Down With Major Pizza Hut, Wendy’s Purchase

Posted on: June 20th, 2022 by Ryan McCrady

The firm added 937 Pizza Hut and 194 Wendy’s restaurants. It now owns and operates more than 2,300 restaurants generating more than $3.5 billion in annual sales—and Flynn gestured upward when asked this March for his updated sales forecast. “We are meaningfully outperforming in both systems,” he said, declining to name numbers. “Quite meaningfully.”

HOW FLYNN RESTAURANT GROUP STACKS UP AGAINST OTHER BIG OPERATORS

Posted on: March 24th, 2021 by Ryan McCrady

What do you get when you combine the largest franchisee in the U.S. with the second biggest?

One of the largest operators of any sort in the U.S.

The Power List: Multiconcept franchise operator Greg Flynn invests in opportunities for growth

Posted on: January 21st, 2021 by Ryan McCrady

In a crisis, great leaders take the long view and look for ways to improve the business for long-term success — from real estate acquisitions to finding more efficient ways to operate. And when you’re the largest franchise operator in the U.S., leading in a crisis means retaining a position of strength.

The Power List: Flynn Restaurant Group’s HR executive on investing in employees and operators

Posted on: January 21st, 2021 by Ryan McCrady

Betsy Mercado, senior vice president of human resources for Flynn Restaurant Group, was chosen for the NRN Power List by CEO Greg Flynn for how she supports the growing organization and works to create opportunity for women and minorities within the company.

How a Restaurateur Is Navigating the Pandemic

Posted on: December 11th, 2020 by Ryan McCrady

Sales at America’s biggest restaurant franchisee plunged 60% after COVID-19 hit, but the company survived. Why? “The strength of the team,” says owner Greg Flynn.

Hell of a Ride! Greg Flynn, with 1,245 restaurants, is Gunning for More

Posted on: August 9th, 2019 by Ryan McCrady

As founder, chairman, and CEO of Flynn Restaurant Group (FRG), Greg Flynn is the nation’s largest restaurant franchisee on a quest to be the industry’s premier operator. “It means being able to walk into a franchise convention and have people wonder, ‘How do they do it so well, at such scale?'” says Flynn.

Greg Flynn Owns 1,245 Restaurants and Makes $2 Billion A Year. Here’s How He Did It.

Posted on: June 17th, 2019 by Ryan McCrady

He bought his first Applebee’s 20 years ago, and since then has redefined what’s possible in the franchise industry. His philosophy: Be different, then go big.

Flynn tops $2B with U.S. Beef buy, nabs Deal of the Year

Posted on: April 5th, 2019 by Ryan McCrady

With the purchase of 368 Arby’s restaurants, the entire portfolio of seller U.S. Beef Corp., Flynn reaches $2.3 billion in annual sales. That makes the company the first privately held franchise company to crest the $2 billion mark.

FLYNN RESTAURANT GROUP LP ACQUIRES 368 ARBY’S RESTAURANT LOCATIONS IN THE U.S. FROM UNITED STATES BEEF CORPORATION (US BEEF)

Posted on: December 5th, 2018 by Ryan McCrady

Significant Acquisition Cements Flynn Restaurant Group’s Position as Largest Franchise Operator and
Top 20 Foodservice Company in America Generating $2.3 Billion in Sales

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December 5, 2018) – RB American Group LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Flynn Restaurant Group LP, today announced that it has acquired 368 Arby’s® restaurants throughout the U.S. from United States Beef Corporation (US Beef). Arby’s, the second largest sandwich restaurant brand in the world, is a perfect fit for Flynn Restaurant Group, whose portfolio includes household names like Applebee’s®, Panera Bread® and Taco Bell®. RB American Group will be Flynn Restaurant Group’s fourth prominent restaurant brand.

With this acquisition, Flynn Restaurant Group will own and operate a combined total of 1,245 quick-service, fast casual and casual dining restaurants, generating $2.3 billion in sales and employing approximately 50,000 people in 33 states. Flynn Restaurant Group’s subsidiaries include Apple American Group LLC, the largest Applebee’s franchisee; Pan American Group LLC, the second largest Panera Bread franchisee; and Bell American Group, the third largest Taco Bell franchisee. This significant deal will add $400 million in sales to Flynn’s current $1.9 billion, and just as Flynn was the first franchise operator to exceed $1 billion in sales in 2012, it is now the first to exceed $2 billion in sales. This acquisition also establishes FRG as one of the top 20 foodservice companies of any kind in the country.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the addition of these Arby’s locations to our portfolio of restaurants,” said Greg Flynn, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Flynn Restaurant Group. “The Davis family and their team of great operators built a fantastic business over 50 years and we’re privileged to be the ones to shepherd the US Beef restaurants into their next phase. In addition, standing in a category of its own, the Arby’s brand aligns perfectly with our preference for brands that are truly differentiated and ‘best in breed’ in their segments. Benefiting from very strong leadership, the Arby’s brand has achieved great momentum these past few years and we are truly excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

About Flynn Restaurant Group LLC
Founded by Chairman and CEO Greg Flynn in 1999, Flynn Restaurant Group LP is the largest franchise operator, and one of the top 20 largest foodservice companies of any kind, in the United States. Flynn Restaurant Group owns and operates 460 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants, 386 Arby’s restaurants, 280 Taco Bell and related Yum! Brand restaurants, and 135 Panera Bread bakery-cafes across 33 states, generating $2.3 billion in sales and employing approximately 50,000 people. More information is available at www.flynnrg.com.

About Arby’s®
Arby’s, founded in 1964, is the first nationally franchised sandwich restaurant brand, with more than 3,300 restaurants worldwide. The Arby’s brand purpose is “Inspiring Smiles Through Delicious Experiences®.” Arby’s restaurants feature Fast Crafted® service, a unique blend of quick-serve speed and value combined with the quality and made-for-you care of fast casual. Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. is the parent company of the franchisor of the Arby’s brand and is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. Visit Arbys.com for more information.