News

kitchen equipmentNewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Checkmate Raises $10 Million to Scale Restaurant Voice AI and Kiosk Solutions

by Katie Lee

New York City — Checkmate, a leader in AI-powered ordering solutions for enterprise restaurants, has secured $10 million in Series B funding led by Tiger Global. The round will enable Checkmate to accelerate the adoption of its voice AI and kiosk technologies across the industry. Checkmate has already developed expertise in integrating digital orders into restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems. This foundation serves as a critical advantage in entering these new business segments. Checkmate offers best-in-class phone ordering and drive-thru AI solutions to some of the country’s largest brands, all seamlessly …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Cousins Maine Lobster Opens 75th Unit

by Katie Lee

South Portland, Me. — Cousins Maine Lobster opened its 75th unit in early November, located in Jacksonville, Fla. The brand, which launched in April 2012 by real-life cousins Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, now has 4 restaurants and 71 food trucks with reach across more than 30 states. In addition to celebrating 75 units, the brand is also welcoming new franchisees to the system, business partners Mandy Ottesen and Damon Cole. From their initial training in Maine to the opening of their first truck, they’ve been able to launch their …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailers

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. Announces CEO Transition

by Katie Lee

Emeryville, Calif. — Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has announced that Eric Lindberg, current chairman of the board, has been appointed interim president and CEO, effective immediately. Lindberg replaces RJ Sheedy, who has stepped down from his position and resigned from the board. The board has engaged a leading global executive search firm to begin the process of identifying a permanent CEO. With more than three decades of leadership experience at the company, Lindberg is a Grocery Outlet veteran with a deep knowledge of its operations and strategy. He previously served …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Names New CEO

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe has named Max Wetzel as its new chief executive officer. He succeeds Charles Watson, who is stepping down after more than 16 years with Tropical Smoothie Cafe, including the past 6 years as CEO. “I am so proud of what our support center team members and franchisees have accomplished during my time at Tropical Smoothie Cafe,” says Watson. “I am confident Tropical Smoothie Cafe is well positioned to build on our many achievements to date and to advance its rapid growth, and I remain invested …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designexterior services/landscapingNewsrestaurantsretailers

RH Opens 60,000-Square-Foot RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills

by Katie Lee

Corte Madera, Calif. — RH has opened RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills, an immersive retail experience in Raleigh, N.C., integrating luxury home furnishings collections from RH Interiors, Contemporary, Modern and Outdoor with rare art, antiques and artifacts from across the globe. RH Raleigh also features a dramatic, glass-encased rooftop restaurant. “We believe great architecture amplifies and renders our product and brand more valuable,” says Gary Friedman, RH chairman & chief executive officer. “We either find great historical architecture and re-adapt it, or we build it. RH Raleigh is …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

Red Lobster Appoints Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Red Lobster® has appointed Larry Konecny as chief operating officer (COO). In this role, Konecny will lead the operational strategy for Red Lobster’s 545 restaurants across the United States and Canada. Reporting directly to CEO Damola Adamolekun, he will drive initiatives to deliver elevated food quality, customer service and operational efficiency, while fostering a culture rooted in teamwork and excellence. “Larry brings an exceptional combination of operational expertise, a passion for developing high-performing teams, and a genuine understanding of what it takes to build strong restaurant brands,” …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailers

Canada-based T&T Supermarket to Open First U.S. Store

by Katie Lee

Bellevue, Wash. — T&T Supermarket, Canada’s largest Asian grocery chain, plans to open its flagship U.S. store at The Marketplace at Factoria, located in Bellevue, Wash. The store will open on Dec. 5, 2024. Spanning 76,000 square feet, this will be the largest Asian supermarket in the state of Washington, offering an assortment of authentic Asian products, fresh produce, live seafood, an in-store kitchen and bakery, and Asian beauty products. Since its founding in 1993, T&T has established itself as the go-to destination for Asian food lovers across Canada. With …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurantsretailers

Mr Gatti’s Pizza Opening in 12 Walmart Stores Across Texas and Oklahoma

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — Mr Gatti’s Pizza will begin opening its first 12 locations inside Walmart stores across Texas and Oklahoma this week, with all slated to open before Thanksgiving. Another 23 locations are already under construction and are scheduled to open in early 2025. This expansion is part of a larger plan to launch 92 Walmart in-store locations across four states over the next 18 months. The first location opened on Nov. 4, in Mexia, Texas, kicking off a series of grand openings at Walmart stores. The opening of …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsretailers

True Religion Expands Retail Store Footprint

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — True Religion, the iconic global lifestyle, apparel and accessories brand, has expanded its retail stores with four new locations in Dallas, New York City, San Antonio and Chicago. One is already open, while the other three will open this month. These new stores bring the brand’s total number of physical retail locations to 51 in the United States. “Our retail expansion strategy has always been built around our consumers,” says Michael Buckley, chief executive officer, True Religion. “While we are very selective about where to open new …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

California-based Starbird Signs First Franchise Development Deal

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Starbird, one of the nation’s first super-premium fast food concepts, has signed its inaugural franchise development agreement with Whiplash Holdings to bring seven new locations to the greater Denver market. The first Starbird location is expected to open in Denver by mid-2025, with all seven locations set to roll out over the next few years. This partnership marks Starbird’s initial expansion beyond California. “Expanding beyond California for the first time is a landmark moment for Starbird and a testament to the demand for a new kind of …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts