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Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. Names Executive Leadership Appointments

by Katie Lee

Englewood, Colo. — Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a full-service restaurant chain, under its North Star growth plan, has made a series of key appointments toward the completion of its executive leadership team. This includes the appointment of Kevin Mayer to chief marketing officer and Mark Simpson as interim chief people officer, effective May 1. In addition, Jason Rusk has been promoted to chief business development officer. “With these crucial leadership positions in place, we are well-positioned to deliver on our goal to establish Red Robin as a most loved …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Weis Markets to Invest Over $160 Million in New Growth in 2023

by Katie Lee

Sunbury, Pa. — Weis Markets, Inc.’s chairman, president and CEO, Jonathan H. Weis, recently updated shareholders on the company’s plans to invest more than $160 million in its growth in 2023. Included in this plan will be record investments in new stores, remodels, fuel centers, information technology upgrades and thousands of smaller store improvement projects. “In 2023, we plan to invest more than $160 million in our capital expenditure program,” says Weis. “Our budget includes 20 remodels, six fuel centers, one addition and one new store, which will open in …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Melting Pot to Open a Remodeled Restaurant Each Week Through 2023

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — The Melting Pot, the 94-unit fondue concept that provides a unique, experiential dining atmosphere, has been carefully considering its growth efforts in recent months, launching a campaign to remodel all restaurants and embracing what it has coined ‘Melting Pot Evolution.’ This year, the company will open one remodeled restaurant each week. “2021 and 2022 were both tremendous years for the brand in terms of increasing traffic — real growth,” says Bob Johnston, CEO. “In other words, we had growth that came not just through price increases, but actual …

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Newspeopleretailers

Academy Sports + Outdoors Plans Leadership Succession

by Katie Lee

Katy, Texas — As a result of a planned succession process, the following changes to the executive leadership team of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. will be effective as of June 1, 2023. Ken C. Hicks, chairman, president and CEO, will transition to executive chairman of the board. Steven (Steve) P. Lawrence, executive vice president (EVP) and chief merchandising officer (CMO), will become CEO and a member of the board; he will continue to serve as CMO until a successor is appointed. Michael P. Mullican, EVP and chief financial officer, …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Potbelly Continues Growth in Florida with 16 New Units in Development

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Potbelly Corporation, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, has finalized a 16-unit shop development agreement in two Florida markets. This agreement includes 14 shops in Broward County and two shops in Gainesville. “We are enthused to begin a partnership with Rami Boaziz and Stellar Hospitality, which we believe will be great stewards of the brand,” says Bob Wright, president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to expanding the Potbelly brand in the Florida market with a Shop Development Area Agreement (SDAA) for 16 new shops, following our previous …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Toys”R”Us® to Open in Mexico for the First Time in 2023

by Katie Lee

New York City — WHP Global, the parent company of Toys”R”Us, has partnered with leading omnichannel retailer El Puerto de Liverpool, SAB de CV to launch the toy brand in Mexico for the very first time. The partnership will bring Toys”R”Us to Mexican customers through standalone flagship stores and e-commerce. Toys”R”Us has experienced significant growth since its acquisition by WHP Global in 2021, doubling its footprint by 50% in 2022 with the national rollout in the U.S. at all Macy’s stores and recent launches in India, United Kingdom and Australia. …

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green newskitchen exhaust/grease controlNewsrestaurantsvendorswaste management/recycling

Restaurant Technologies Breaks Own Sustainability Record

by Katie Lee

Mendota Heights, Minn. — Restaurant Technologies (RT) released its sustainability numbers from 2022, helping over 36,000 customers nationwide reach their ESG goals and create a cleaner, more livable planet. In 2022, RT recycled nearly 290 million pounds of used cooking oil, which eliminated 16 million plastic oil jugs, saved 7.4 million cubic feet of landfill space, and reduced about 67 million pounds (66.6 million) of GHG CO2e emissions. In partnership with renewable energy organizations such as Chevron Renewable Energy Group, RT converts 100% of used cooking oil from its customers …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Caribou Coffee to Open More Than 300 New Franchise Locations

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Caribou Coffee®, a national premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands company, has signed several multi-unit development agreements to franchise more than 300 new locations domestically. Caribou Coffee expanded its franchise program in October 2021, marking the first time interested candidates had an opportunity to own and operate traditional franchise locations in the United States. In March 2022, Caribou Coffee announced the signing of its first multi-unit development agreement with Mike Mariola Restaurants to franchise locations in Ohio. Mariola and his team opened their first Caribou Coffee location on November …

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Newsretailers

Academy Sports + Outdoors Plans to Open 13-15 New Stores This Year

by Katie Lee

Katy, Texas — Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc., a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer, plans to continue its expansion efforts with the goal of opening 13 to 15 stores this year, and a total of 120 to 140 new stores by the end of 2027. To that end, Academy will open its first location in Peoria, Ill., this summer. The new 60,000-square-foot store will be Academy’s second location in Illinois, located at Grand Prairie Plaza. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Subway Continues Double-Digit Global Sales Growth

by Katie Lee

Miami — In first quarter 2023, Subway saw positive traffic and double-digit growth in global restaurant same-store sales, driven by its continued focus on menu innovation, modernization of restaurants and improvements to the overall guest experience, including digital. Kicking off the second quarter, in April, the brand also achieved its highest weekly average unit volume (AUV) in the U.S. since 2010. Q1 global results, compared to the same period in 2022: 12.1% increase in same-store sales. 11.4% increase in digital sales. Q1 North America results, compared to the same period …

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