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Asbury Automotive Group, Inc. Names New COO

by Katie Lee

Duluth, Ga. — The board of directors of Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the U.S., has promoted its senior vice president of operations, Daniel E. Clara, to chief operating officer. Clara has more than 23 years of extensive automotive retail experience. Prior to his 5 years as senior vice president of operations, he held positions as regional vice president, market director, general manager, other store-level department leadership roles and store-level frontline retail positions at Asbury. “Dan has done a great job …

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Church’s Texas Chicken Promotes COO to CEO

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Church’s Texas Chicken® has named Roland Gonzalez as its new chief executive officer. Gonzalez will lead the legendary brand’s next phase of global growth and evolution, having played a key role in its transformation over the last 2 years as chief operations officer. He succeeds Joe Guith, who was named to the post in 2022. Prior to joining Church’s Texas Chicken®, Gonzalez held senior leadership roles at major quick-service restaurant brands, including Burger King, Tim Hortons and Popeyes, where he implemented successful global growth strategies and delivered high-impact …

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The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Appoints President and Head of Americas

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®, global specialty coffee and tea house, has appointed Tara Hinkle as the new president and head of Americas. She joins the company from Taco Bell and Starbucks. “We are thrilled to welcome Tara Hinkle as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s new president and head of Americas,” says Jose Pepot Miñana Jr., CEO for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. “With her leadership in franchise growth and strategy, Tara is set to drive our expansion across the Americas. Her expertise and …

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Yum! Brands Moves Brand Headquarters in the U.S. to Texas and California

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands plans to designate two brand headquarters in the U.S., located in Plano, Texas, and Irvine, Calif. This decision will involve relocating KFC U.S. corporate office employees currently in Louisville, Ky., to the KFC and Pizza Hut Global headquarters in Plano, Texas. Yum! Brands and the KFC Foundation will maintain corporate offices in Louisville. KFC will continue its brand presence in Louisville, Ky., with the ambition of building a first-of-its-kind flagship restaurant. Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill will remain headquartered in Irvine, Calif. “These …

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First Dual-Branded Applebee’s® | IHOP® Restaurant in the U.S. Now Open

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dine Brands Global, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP® and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® restaurants, has opened its first dual-brand Applebee’s | IHOP restaurant in the U.S. in partnership with franchisee Ramzi Hakim Group. The new restaurant opened on Feb. 18, 2025, in Seguin, Texas, just outside of San Antonio. “For decades, Applebee’s and IHOP have been places where friends gather, families celebrate and careers begin. Now, with our dual-branded restaurant, we are combining the strengths of both brands to create a unique …

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Bloomin’ Brands Promotes VP of Operations to President of Carrabba’s Italian Grill

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — Kelia Bazile has been promoted to president of Carrabba’s Italian Grill where she will be responsible for leading the operations and development for more than 190 Carrabba’s locations. Carrabba’s offers authentic Italian cuisine and is one of four brands in the Bloomin’ Brands portfolio. “Kelia has a proven track record of creating and maintaining high executional standards that drive sales and a warm guest experience,” says Mike Spanos, CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. “She builds strong teams with a hospitality-first mindset and is a true servant leader.” …

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Rita’s Italian Ice Celebrates 39 New Openings and New Hires

by Katie Lee

Philadelphia — In 2024, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard opened 39 new locations, including 10 international shops, for a total of 575 operating units. The company continued its rapid growth in existing markets while expanding its reach in the Midwest, Michigan, Ohio and Texas, among other states. The company has also made two key recent hires. “We are committed to driving growth and expansion across key markets, enhancing our product offerings through innovative design and development, and leveraging cutting-edge technology to further elevate the customer experience,” says CEO Linda …

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Cold Stone Creamery to Expand in Nashville with 10 New Locations

by Katie Lee

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Cold Stone Creamery®, one of the nation’s premier ice cream creameries, plans to expand the brand’s presence in Nashville, Tenn. The brand plans to open 10 locations in Nashville over the next 5 years. “Cold Stone Creamery is a staple in communities across the nation,” says Jay Goldstein, vice president of development at Cold Stone Creamery. “Our brand has a positive track record for growth in Tennessee with communities who love what we provide and want to experience more of our brand. Nashville is the perfect market …

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe Evolves its Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe® evolves its leadership team as it continues to drive operational excellence and expansion. The company has appointed Jonathan Biggs as chief operating officer (COO) and has promoted Chris Sasser to chief financial officer (CFO) and Karen Wickliffe to general counsel (GC). Biggs joins Tropical Smoothie Cafe from Baskin-Robbins, where he served as brand head, overseeing operations across the United States. With over a decade of experience in field and global operations, he has a proven track record of driving restaurant profitability through technology and operational …

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Taim Mediterranean Kitchen Debuts First Location in Chicago

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Craveworthy Brands, a multi-brand restaurant platform company, has debuted its first-ever location of taim Mediterranean Kitchen in Chicago and the Midwest region, located at Craveworthy Kitchen in Hayden Hall on the second floor of 333 South Wabash Ave.  Taim’s menu includes freshly made hummus, falafel, shawarma and customizable bowls and pitas, catering to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free preferences. Founded in 2005 in New York City’s West Village, taim is celebrated for its market-fresh produce, authentic herbs and spices and time-honored cooking techniques. Taim currenrly has 13 locations across …

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