Shopping mall veteran Cinnabon sweetens the deal for franchisees, landlords and customers with a hot new prototype and lucrative licensing.

Atlanta — GPS Hospitality, a rapidly growing BURGER KING® and Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen franchisee, has hired Michael Lippert as its new chief operating officer. He joins GPS Hospitality from Pilot/Flying J Travel Centers.

Atlanta — FOCUS Brands® names Rick Altizer as president of McAlister's Deli®, a leading fast-casual restaurant chain.

Tampa, Fla. — Bloomin' Brands, Inc. is expanding its international presence with plans to develop 26 Outback Steakhouse and Abbraccio restaurants in the Middle East over the next 5 years. There are currently six Abbraccio restaurants in Brazil with more scheduled to open by the end of the year. Abbraccio is the name used for Carrabba's Italian Grill outside of the U.S.

Atlanta — In November 2016, Huddle House will open its first restaurant inside a hotel. The new Huddle House will be part of the Days Inn hotel in East Stroudsburg, Pa., and will become the largest in the system with a footprint of approximately 5,000 square feet.

Dallas — Brinker International, Inc. has named Kelli Valade president of Chili's® Grill & Bar. Previously, she was COO of the brand. In her new role, Valade will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of domestic restaurant operations, marketing, franchising and PeopleWorks.

Dublin, Ohio — The Wendy's Company plans to enter Brazil this month, with plans for significant restaurant expansion over time. This growth will be driven through Wendy's Brazil, a joint venture formed in 2015 between affiliates of Infinity Services and Starboard, one of Wendy's® largest U.S. franchisees, and a subsidiary of The Wendy's Company. Wendy's Brazil plans to hold the grand opening in mid-July for two restaurants in São Paulo.

Atlanta — Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (ARG), parent company of the franchisor of the Arby’s brand, has acquired all 19 Arby’s® restaurants in the Knoxville, Tenn., area previously operated by Arby’s franchisee T.G.J. & Co., Inc.

Miami and Palm Beach, Fla. — Lime Fresh Mexican Grill, a vibrant fast-casual restaurant concept serving creative Mexican food, will expand its presence in South Florida. Two existing franchise groups will each develop three to five restaurants in their respective markets, totaling six to 10 new restaurants in South Florida over the next 5 years.

Boston — Ufood Grill has signed an agreement with NEXTEP SYSTEMS to install self-order kiosks at all new locations, effective immediately. The UFood Grill executive team recently debuted the interactive kiosk at the 2016 International Franchise Expo in New York City and received a wonderful reception from attendees.

Los Angeles — Umami Burger has partnered with Japan-based Medeiros Holdings Co., Ltd., to open 10 Umami Burger restaurants across Japan over the next 5 years. The agreement is Umami Burger’s first expansion outside the United States. The first restaurant is expected to open in Tokyo by the end of 2016 with future locations to follow in Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Hyogo, Kyoto and Fukuoko prefectures.

Costa Mesa, Calif. — El Pollo Loco, a leading fire-grilled chicken chain, has signed a franchise development deal with new franchise partner PLM Restaurants L.C., which will open six new restaurants by August 2019 in the Tucson, Ariz., area. In addition, PLM Restaurants has also completed the acquisition of two existing El Pollo Loco restaurants in the Tucson market.

Dallas — Brinker International, Inc. has named Rick Badgley as senior vice president and chief people officer, effective July 18, 2016. He most recently handled the brick-and-mortar retail strategy for TOMS.

Milford, Ohio — Penn Station East Coast Subs has debuted a new restaurant design. All future Penn Station locations will open with the new design and logo. Existing restaurants will update as their renovation schedule requires.

A busy restaurant can provide a recipe for high work comp premiums.

Make sure matting is on the menu.

Lake Forest, Calif. — Johnny Rockets has opened its first drive-thru restaurant in the country at LangTree Lake Norman in Mooresville, N.C. The brand is the first quick-casual restaurant chain to have a drive-thru and will open additional drive-thrus later this year.

Boca Raton, Fla. — B&B Franchise Group, developer and franchisor of Burger & Beer Joint restaurant concepts, has added three key management positions on the South Florida-based leadership team.

Kent, Wash. — Togo's Eateries, LLC is celebrating the first of several locations planned to open in Washington State. Togo's is now located at Kent Station in Kent, Wash. The grand opening will take place on June 18, 2016.

Austin, Texas — Mama Fu’s Asian House, an Austin, Texas-based restaurant concept specializing in fresh and innovative Asian cuisine, has appointed Mary Orlando as senior vice president of operations, effective June 8, 2016. She joins Mama Fu’s from Noodles and Company.