Nashville, Tenn. — On February 17, 2018, Dog Haus Biergarten opened its first Tennessee location, on Broad Street in Murfreesboro. The California-based concept is renowned for its gourmet hot dogs, sausages, burgers and one-of-a-kind creations — made using all-natural vegetarian-fed pork, chicken and beef raised without antibiotics or hormones.
News
San Francisco — Jeff Kirwan, president and CEO of Gap brand, will leave Gap Inc. A search is underway for a new president of Gap brand. In the interim, Brent Hyder, currently serving as Gap Inc.’s executive vice president, global talent and sustainability, will oversee the brand.
Canton, Mass. — Dunkin’ Donuts’ franchisees opened more than 86 new non-traditional locations across the country in 2017. The brand continues to open restaurants throughout the hotel sector, including a Great Wolf Lodge location in Bloomington, Minn., and two restaurants in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino located in Las Vegas and Biloxi, Miss. Other notable non-traditional partnerships throughout 2017 include a three-unit deal with Price Chopper in Kansas and the opening of 12 rest stop and travel center restaurants.
Cincinnati — Kroger has opened its Culinary Innovation Center in downtown Cincinnati. Kroger commenced construction on the 12,000-square-feet, LEED-designed Center in March 2017. The commercial kitchen features multiple cooking stations, spaces and capabilities, including technology that allows video streaming of educational sessions to Kroger associates across the country.
Louisville, Ky. — With the recently announced departure of CEO Brian Niccol, who is leaving Taco Bell to join Chipotle, Julie Felss Masino, president of Taco Bell North America, and Liz Williams, president of Taco Bell International, will assume leadership of the Taco Bell division in their respective roles, reporting to Yum! Brands CEO Greg Creed.
New York City — Subsequent to its successful re-launch in 2017, the iconic toy retailer FAO Schwarz continues its international growth strategy, propelling the brand into new global markets, channels and categories. FAO Schwarz also recently revealed plans to build a new 20,000-square-foot flagship location in the heart of New York’s historic Rockefeller Plaza in time for the holiday 2018 season.
Denver — Chipotle Mexican Grill’s board of directors has appointed Brian Niccol as chief executive officer and a member of the board, effective March 5, 2018. Niccol most recently served as CEO of Yum! Brands’ Taco Bell division, where he was responsible for the highly successful turnaround of the business.
Marietta, Ga. — Deep Green Waste & Recycling, Inc. has added Josh Beckham as chief financial officer. Beckham is a CPA with over 16 years of experience in senior corporate financial management and has spent the last 8 years overseeing a succession of financial and analytical departments at AT&T.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe Promotes Industry Veteran to SVP of Supply Chain and Quality Assurance
by Katie Lee
Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe has promoted industry veteran Kristi Kingery to senior vice president of supply chain and quality assurance. She will oversee quality assurance, supply chain and culinary for Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s more than 635 locations nationwide.