This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Presto has raised $10 million in capital during a funding round led by Metropolitan Partners Group. Remus Capital, Link Ventures and other strategic angel investors, such as the CEO of ElevenLabs, an automated voice platform, also participated, according to a Thursday press release. The funding will accelerate Presto’s expansion and production- ...

Core Insights - Raising Cane's is experiencing significant growth, ranking as one of the fastest-growing chains in Technomic's Top 500 report for 2024, with a 13.9% increase in locations compared to 2023, totaling 828 restaurants [1][2] Expansion Plans - The chain plans to open 14 new restaurants in December 2024 across various states, including its first theme park location at Universal CityWalk in California, set to open on December 11 [2] - In addition to December openings, 11 restaurants were opened in November, indicating a strong growth trajectory for the year [2][3] Sales Performance - Raising Cane's achieved sales of $5 billion in 2024, reflecting a 32% year-over-year increase, and ranked No. 18 in Technomic's report, up from No. 46 in 2018 [4] - The chain has surpassed several competitors in the chicken segment, including KFC, which saw a decline in sales by 5.2% year-over-year, dropping from No. 16 to No. 20 [5] Future Aspirations - The company aims to become a top 10 restaurant brand in the U.S. by the end of the decade, with goals of reaching $10 billion in sales, operating 1,600 restaurants, and employing 150,000 crew members [6]

Core Insights - Church's Texas Chicken has appointed Bobby Morena as Chief Development Officer to lead domestic development strategy and accelerate brand expansion in the U.S. [1][3] - Morena brings over 25 years of franchise development experience, having significantly scaled brands like Jimmy John's and improved performance at GoTo Foods [2][3]. - The company aims to reach $2 billion in system sales, focusing on organic growth with current franchisees and new development initiatives [3]. Company Overview - Church's Texas Chicken, founded in 1952, is one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant chains globally, with over 1,400 locations in 22 countries and system-wide sales exceeding $1.5 billion [6]. - The brand specializes in freshly prepared chicken, tenders, sandwiches, and home-style sides, emphasizing value for customers [6]. - Owned by High Bluff Capital Partners and FS Investments since 2021, Church's celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022 [6].