Las Vegas — Fogo de Chão, the internationally renowned restaurant from Brazil known for its elevated churrasco dining experience, has signed a lease agreement for its second location in Las Vegas, at The Venetian resort, marking its first location on the Las Vegas Strip. The 14,000-square-foot space is set to open in December 2025. “Signing a lease for The Venetian Resort is an incredible milestone for Fogo de Chão. The Venetian is synonymous with elegance, world-class hospitality and immersive experiences — values that align perfectly with our vision,” says Barry …
Katie Lee
Batavia, Ill. — ALDI U.S. has promoted Jason Hart, currently ALDI U.S. chief executive officer, to join the executive board of ALDI South as group chief operating officer. Hart will help oversee the company’s global operations in Salzburg, Austria, effective Sept. 1. Atty McGrath, currently chief operating officer, will assume the ALDI U.S. chief executive role. During his decade-long leadership as ALDI U.S. CEO, Hart has led the rapid expansion and development of the ALDI brand, overseeing the store count nearly double from 1,300 in 32 states to 2,500 across …
Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico — On May 27, the Firehouse Subs® brand and Foodplay® entered into a development agreement to develop and grow Firehouse Subs in Mexico, with plans to open 100 restaurants in Monterrey and other major cities in the next 5 years. Foodplay is set to open the first Firehouse Subs restaurant this year in Monterrey, Nuevo León, followed by additional openings in the metropolitan area. “We believe Firehouse Subs has tremendous potential in Mexico’s growing sandwich market,” says Duncan Montero, LAC president of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), …
Atlanta — The Home Depot® has named Angie Brown as executive vice president (EVP) and chief information officer (CIO). As CIO, she will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s technology strategy, infrastructure, cybersecurity and software development for The Home Depot’s 2,350 retail stores and more than 790 branches, its supply chain facilities, store support centers and online systems. “Angie is an exceptional leader whose customer-first mindset consistently drives meaningful innovation across our business,” says Ted Decker, chair, president and CEO. “Her strategic vision and deep expertise have been …
— By Mohaimina Haque — Building success through partnership and innovation. The franchising landscape continues to evolve, shaped by changing consumer preferences, technological advancement and economic dynamics. At Tony Roma’s, we are meeting these changes head-on while staying true to the principles that have made our brand a global success for over 50 years. Our approach to growth is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief: our franchisees’ success drives our success. This isn’t just a saying — it’s the foundation of our business model and shapes every decision we …
San Diego — Jack in the Box Inc. and its board of directors have named Dawn Hooper as the chief financial officer for Jack in the Box, effective immediately. A Jack in the Box veteran of 25 years, Hooper previously served as interim principal financial officer for Jack in the Box from August 2020 to January 2021, from February 2023 to August 2023, and from October 2024 to present, and most recently held the role of senior vice president, controller since December 2022. She has been with the company since …
Miami — Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, the neighborhood pet grooming and treat boutique, is debuting its first location in the state of Washington. The new store, located in Seattle’s vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood, expands the brand’s coast-to-coast presence and brings its signature pet experience to the Pacific Northwest. With more than 450 stores open or in development, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming continues to expand its national footprint. The Capitol Hill location marks the brand’s entry into its 28th state and continues a coast-to-coast momentum that includes 12 new …
Columbus, Ohio — Donatos Pizza plans to open its first fully autonomous pizza restaurant in June. Donatos and its sister company Agápe Automation partnered with Appetronix to bring the robot operated restaurant to life. The new fully automated restaurant will debut before security in front of Concourse B at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport and will be operated by restaurateur HMS Host. The new autonomous kitchen will deliver a fast and delicious made-to-order pizza for travelers. “We’re not just adding tech to a restaurant; we’re jumping in with a …
Fort Worth, Texas — HTeaO, a leading iced tea franchise, has hired Corey Horsch as chief financial officer. He bring extensive experience in scaling high-growth brands and is well-positioned to support HTeaO’s future growth trajectory. “As HTeaO continues to grow across the country, we’re focused on building a world-class leadership team that will help us scale with excellence,” says Justin Howe, CEO and co-founder of HTeaO. “Corey’s financial background across some of the most recognized names in the industry will play a key role in strengthening our infrastructure, supporting our …
Eugene, Ore. — Market of Choice, Oregon’s largest independent, family-owned grocer, has opened its 12th store statewide. Located in south Hillsboro, Ore., the 35,000 square-foot store is the cornerstone of the new Reed’s Crossing Town Center development. “We are honored to bring Market of Choice to this vibrant community and provide a space for people to shop and connect,” says Rick Wright, CEO of Market of Choice. “Our neighbors will discover a bounty of natural and organic choices, featuring more than 5,000 locally crafted and raised foods, alongside everyday favorite …