This seems to be a change in strategy. Focus on licensing and franchising rather than opening more company-owned restaurants. My interpretation: they had better do these restaurants right, because if they are not a smashing success they will not support franchises or licensing. Probably should be profitable with two restaurants as well.. they probably see that that is their best chance of success and are laying their cards on the table. They will either be successful or the thing will fold.
Good strategy but remember hat this is what every software company wants to be able to do. Making money on licensing technology is very difficult. You have to be better than everybody else and constantly evolve to meet customer needs. lots have tried... how many software companies and OS were there when Microsoft was just a player and how many survived?