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Jack in the Box Inc. to Sell Del Taco Holdings Inc. for $115 Million

by Katie Lee

San Diego — Jack in the Box Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Del Taco Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the company which operates and franchises more than 550 Del Taco restaurants, to Yadav Enterprises Inc. for $115 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is expected to close by January 2026. The company expects to use the net cash proceeds after taxes and transaction costs to retire debt within its securitization structure. In line with the company’s “Jack on Track” plan announced …

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green newskitchen exhaust/grease controlNewsrestaurantsvendorswaste management/recycling

Beyond Oil USA and Eazy Grease Partner to Redefine Sustainable Frying Oil Management

by Katie Lee

Miami — Beyond Oil USA, a food-tech innovator with patented oil purification technology, has formed a strategic partnership with Eazy Grease, a leading used cooking oil recycling company that is currently contracted with more than 6,700 customers. This collaboration delivers an end-to-end solution that transforms restaurant frying oil management from extended use to responsible recycling. The partnership combines Beyond Oil’s FDA-approved filter powder, which extends frying oil life from 2-3 days to 35-45 days, with Eazy Grease’s multi-state collection and recycling services. Together, they’re establishing a new sustainability standard, enabling …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Panera Bread Names New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — Panera Bread, a leader and pioneer in the fast-casual restaurant industry, has appointed Earl Ellis as chief financial officer, effective immediately. Ellis will report to CEO Paul Carbone and join the executive leadership team. “Earl is a proven finance leader who blends disciplined financial stewardship with an owner’s mindset,” says Carbone. “He has scaled complex, multi-brand organizations, led successful transformations and developed high-performing teams. His experience will help accelerate our plan to strengthen the core business, elevate the guest experience and drive long term, profitable growth. Panera …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurantsretailers

RaceTrac Completes Acquisition of Potbelly Corporation

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — RaceTrac, Inc., a family-owned, high-growth leader in the convenience store industry, confirms it has completed the acquisition of Potbelly Corporation, previously announced in September. As part of the transaction, RaceTrac acquires Potbelly’s iconic neighborhood sandwich shop brand, which includes more than 445 company and franchise-owned shops across the United States, and Potbelly’s franchise development platform with a long term goal of reaching 2,000 shops. “Potbelly has spent more than 40 years creating the neighborhood sandwich shop experience customers love, and we are excited to welcome this beloved brand …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Topgolf Breaks Ground on First Venue in Wisconsin

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Construction is underway on a two-level Topgolf venue in Monona, Wis., located 8 miles east of Madison. The highly anticipated venue will be Topgolf’s first venue in the state of Wisconsin and is set to open in the fall of 2026. Topgolf Wisconsin will have 72 outdoor climate-controlled hitting bays spanning two levels. Each bay will have lounge-type furniture or high-top tables. The venue will be equipped with Toptracer technology, which traces each golf ball’s flight path, distance and other metrics. Topgolf offers a full-service restaurant and bar helmed …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Firehouse Subs® Opens Milestone 1,400th Restaurant

by Katie Lee

Jacksonville, Fla. — Firehouse Subs has officially opened its 1,400th restaurant, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s continued expansion across the U.S. and internationally. The new Clearwater, Fla., restaurant reflects the brand’s growth trajectory as franchisees continue to expand within the Firehouse Subs family. The Clearwater restaurant is owned and operated by Colin Means, a Tampa, Fla.-area franchisee whose journey reflects the opportunities Firehouse Subs provides. Means began his career with the brand at 21 years old as a team member. Over the next several years, he worked his …

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Newspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Whataburger Welcomes New Chief Digital and Technology Transformation Officer

by Katie Lee

San Antonio — Whataburger has appointed Rohit Kapoor as executive vice president, chief digital and technology transformation officer. He brings more than three decades of global leadership experience across the restaurant and retail industries, where he has consistently led large-scale digital transformations that elevate both customer and team member experiences while enabling sustainable growth. Before joining Whataburger, Kapoor served as executive vice president and chief information officer at Claire’s, where he modernized the company’s end-to-end technology landscape, strengthening its digital foundations and enhancing omnichannel engagement. He previously held senior leadership …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Vicious Biscuit to Open First Georgia Location in Early 2026

by Katie Lee

Savannah, Ga. — Vicious Biscuit, an award-winning fast-casual breakfast concept and Southern-grown originator of bold biscuit creations, will debut its first Georgia location in early 2026 in Savannah. Franchise partners Kelly and Tim Paslawski are leading the charge. The Savannah natives are no strangers to the city’s thriving food scene, having successfully operated four Chicken Salad Chick restaurants across Savannah, Pooler, Statesboro and Bluffton, Ga., for the past decade. Their newest venture with Vicious Biscuit is positioned between Savannah’s bustling hospital corridor and vibrant midtown business district. “Savannah has been …

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construction and designfranchise developmentIndustry Voicesremodelsrestaurants

Reimagining Real Estate

by Katie Lee

— By Lawrence Brown — How Rita’s® is turning former banks and dry cleaners into thriving dessert shops. The retail real estate market is at one of its most challenging points in recent memory. Vacancy rates are low, rents are high and construction costs continue to climb. For restaurants and retailers, those dynamics have turned traditional site development into a steep uphill climb. But for Rita’s® Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, this environment has been a catalyst for creativity and growth. At Rita’s, we’ve embraced adaptive reuse and flexible prototypes …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Expands with 28 New Ghost Kitchens Nationwide

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, the world’s largest barbecue concept, is opening 28 new ghost kitchens across the United States in September 2025. This expansion signals a pivotal moment for the brand, strengthening its footprint in new and existing markets while showcasing its commitment to creativity, growth and adaptability in a rapidly evolving restaurant industry. Ghost kitchens are delivery-only facilities designed to meet the growing demand for convenience and digital ordering. By leaning into this model, Dickey’s is not only scaling faster but also serving barbecue lovers in communities where …

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