Fresh Dining Concepts, a multi-brand franchisee of iconic, category-leading food and beverage brands, today announced that it has rebranded as Green Shoot Brands (GSB). The new name reflects the company’s growth from 40 Auntie Anne’s locations in 2019 to 388 locations across eight brands in 21 states and Washington, D.C. Green Shoot Brands’ portfolio includes Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jamba, Little Caesars Pizza, Nothing Bundt Cakes, and PopUp Bagels. The company expects to reach more than $500 million in system sales on a year-end 2026 run-rate basis and ranks among the 30 largest franchisees in the United States.
“Our new name better reflects the company we have become: a diversified, multi-brand operator partnering with iconic, category-leading brands, built on evergreen capital and focused on longterm growth,” said Kevin Bush, Founder and Executive Chairman of Green Shoot Brands. “A green shoot is the first sign of growth, and that is exactly what we’re about. We are building for decades, not quarters, for our brand partners, our team members, and the communities we serve.”
Unlike traditional private equity, Green Shoot Brands is an evergreen capital holding company with an unlimited time horizon and no exit timeline. That structure lets the company invest longterm in its restaurants, its people, and its brand partners. Its operating standard centers on three commitments to every guest: perfect product, amazing hospitality, and great value.
“Our new name doesn’t change how we show up in our restaurants every day,” said Mike Evans, Chief Executive Officer of Green Shoot Brands. “Our general managers and their teams deliver for every guest, every visit, and that is why our brand partners trust us to grow with them. Our goal is to be the franchisee of choice for every brand we operate and the partner of choice for every brand we add.
