San Francisco — Flynn Restaurant Group, the largest restaurant franchisee in the U.S., has made some recent promotions in its operations team. The new promotions will include two new vice presidents of operations as well as two new directors of operations. The largest Applebee’s franchisee in the country, Apple American Group, a subsidiary of Flynn Restaurant Group, welcomes the new positions as additional leadership to the 458 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants it currently owns and operates. First, Flynn’s market president, Tim Flatley, will step in for Mike Hebert, …
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Hoffman Estates, Ill. — Sears plans to open three new smaller format Home & Life stores in May. Located in Anchorage, Alaska; Lafayette, La.; and Overland Park, Kan. (pictured), the new Home & Life stores will offer appliances, mattresses, home services and connected home products. Store sizes will range from 10,000 square feet to 15,000 square feet. The smaller format stores were developed based on insights from Sears Appliances & Mattresses stores that opened in 2017 in Ft. Collins, Colo; Pharr, Texas; Honolulu; and Camp Hill, Pa. “The exciting new …
Los Angeles — Benihana Inc., the nation’s leading operator of Japanese-inspired teppanyaki and sushi restaurants, and AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, have partnered to bring world-class culinary and dining experiences to fans at Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP) in Carson, Calif., and Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. This is Benihana’s first-ever debut at a professional arena or sports complex and a market introduction for the brand to Kansas City, with the next closest Benihana location more than 400 miles away. As part of the agreement, …
Hartland, Wis. — Effective April 1, Batteries Plus Bulbs added Jon Sica as its new vice president of franchise development & project management and chief strategy officer. He joined the company from Whataburger and reports directly to Batteries Plus Bulbs CEO Scott Williams. In his new role, Sica is responsible for franchise development and administration. Batteries Plus Bulbs’ director of franchise development, Rod Tremelling, and director of franchise administration, Linda Grota, report directly to Sica. “We are thrilled to welcome Jon Sica into the Batteries Plus Bulbs family,” says Williams. …
Paradise, Calif. — On April 1, 2019, Dutch Bros Coffee reopened its doors in Paradise, Calif., nearly 5 months after the community was devastated by wildfires. This was California’s most destructive fire in history, with over 14,000 homes lost and approximately 25,000 people affected. “The hope is that the reopening will help customers feel a sense of normalcy and comfort again, even if it’s for 5 minutes going through the drive-thru,” says Matt Long, operator of Dutch Bros Paradise. “Our community has been through so much, and whatever we can …
Atlanta — On April 5, 2019, Whole Foods Market opened its 500th store location in Midtown Atlanta. Located at 22 14th St. NW in Related Group’s Icon Midtown residential development, the new 70,000-square-foot, multi-level flagship store features four fast-casual eateries and more than 1,500 local items from 250 suppliers, many new to Whole Foods Market. “Whole Foods Market Midtown will be a true gathering space for the community,” says Bobby Turner, president of the South Region at Whole Foods Market. “We worked hard to create a place that offers our …
Co-Branded Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express Debuts Remodeled HQ Location in Beverly Hills
by Katie Lee
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, has opened its newly remodeled location in Beverly Hills, Calif. This co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express restaurant is located steps away from FAT Brands’ headquarters and opened in late March. Fatburger, the beloved Hollywood burger chain, maintains and upholds its unique L.A. culture and trademark menu offerings crafted by founder Lovie Yancey when she launched the brand almost 70 years ago in Southern California. This remodeled location features vintage-inspired pendant lighting, the brand’s signature pop of blue, …
Milwaukee — Marcus Theatres®, a division of The Marcus Corporation, is planning to bring Movie Tavern® by Marcus to Brookfield Square in Brookfield, Wis., a suburb of Milwaukee. Given the company’s recent acquisition of Movie Tavern, the timing is right to introduce a new theatre brand into the marketplace. The concept would replace the previously announced Brookfield BistroPlex℠ and is anticipated to open in October 2019. “Movie Tavern by Marcus is an extension of the Marcus Theatres brand with its own personality and some unique attributes,” says Rolando Rodriguez, chairman, …
Fremont, Calif. — Tailored Brands, Inc. has appointed Dinesh Lathi as president and chief executive officer, and Theo Killion has been appointed chairman of the board of directors. Lathi has served as chairman of Tailored Brands since March 2017, executive chairman since August 2018, and has been a member of the Tailored Brands board since March 2016. Killion has served as lead independent director since August 2018 and joined the company’s board in June 2017. “Following a robust and thorough search process, the board is pleased to appoint Dinesh as …
Canton, Ohio — Ironrock Capital Inc. has hired Daniel Marvin as senior vice president of operations. He joins Ironrock from Mapei Corporation. In his new position, Marvin will head up the company’s operations to maximize efficiencies, quality and performance. He will also work with senior management to grow the company and expand its leadership position in the quarry tile and thin brick markets. Marvin will also oversee all technical issues, champion new product development efforts and assist with the company’s marketing and green initiatives. He will continue to serve on …