Chicago — McDonald’s and its franchisees plan to invest approximately $186 million to modernize 240 restaurants located across Florida. The initiative is part of the fast food giant’s aim to invest $6 billion to modernize most of its U.S. restaurants by 2020.
News
Camp Hill, Pa., and Boise, Idaho — Rite Aid Corp. has called off its previously announced merger with Boise, Idaho-based grocery chain Albertsons Cos. The integrated company would have operated about 4,900 locations, 4,350 pharmacy counters and 320 clinics across 38 states and Washington, D.C.
Atlanta — McAlister’s Deli® is rolling out a new prototype restaurant in Atlanta this September that will be accompanied by a deeper, more community-centric brand positioning that guests can experience across the system, starting with a new kids and family program.
Batavia, Ill. — With more than 1,800 stores across the country, ALDI is in the midst of an accelerated growth plan, investing more than $5 billion to remodel and expand its store count to 2,500 by the end of 2022. Currently, the company is more than halfway through its remodel investment.
Cincinnati — Cincinnati-based Buffalo Wings & Rings has hired industry veteran Joe Dominiak as the brand’s new chief operations officer. Most recently executive vice president and managing partner at Skyline Chili, Dominiak brings a proven track record and expertise for growing the national footprints of restaurant companies to the role as Buffalo Wings & Rings continues its mission to strategically expand across the country.
Los Angeles — The Pie Hole, a fast growing gourmet pie and coffee shop, has solidified a multi-unit franchise agreement to bring its signature specialty pies to Saudi Arabia. The deal gives exclusive rights to the territory to local franchisee Abdulrhman Alrajhi, who will begin with a 10-unit development plan. Alrajhi has sights set on opening the first location of The Pie Hole in Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh, but is looking for additional sites in territories throughout the entire country.
Hollywood, Fla. — Hard Rock International (HRI) is starting to eliminate plastic straws at properties worldwide, effective September 1, 2018, in addition to existing green initiatives already in place at Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino locations globally.