Chicago — On April 6, 2020, Potbelly Sandwich Shop launched Potbelly Pantry, which allows fans to stock up on their favorite Potbelly staples, like its famous hot peppers, fresh hand-sliced meats, cheeses, breads and even pre-portioned A Wreck® and Italian
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Los Angeles — On April 1, sweetgreen, the seasonal restaurant with the mission of connecting people to real food, launched the Sweetgreen Impact Outpost Fund. The fund was created in partnership with World Central Kitchen (WCK), the international not-for-profit organization
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Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe®, a national fast-casual concept known for its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, will donate 100,000 smoothies nationwide to local healthcare workers and first responders to help support those on the front lines
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Vancouver, B.C. — Ready, a financial technology company that offers seamless self-pay and food ordering solutions to hospitality venues across North America, launches its “virtual ordering kiosks” to businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, waiving its standard
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San Francisco — As cities around the country shut down amid COVID-19 fears, few industries are feeling the effects quite as harshly as restaurants. The long term impact on restaurants and their staff is predicted to be devastating. In a
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Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has provided an update on the next phase of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Working together, we can limit the spread of COVID-19 while offering convenient, affordable food in a low contact environment,”
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Mt. Prospect, Ill. — Diversified Foodservice Supply, LLC (DFS) is expanding its Do It Yourself (DIY) program by introducing new videos that enable foodservice operators to make DIY fixes for common kitchen repairs and to handle preventive maintenance tasks that
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Bloomfield Hills, Mich. — As of March 19, 2020, Taubman Centers, Inc. temporarily closed all but two of the company’s U.S. shopping centers in response to COVID-19. The closures will continue through March 29, or later if required by state
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Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has acquired The Habit Restaurants, Inc., following the approval by The Habit Burger Grill stockholders. The transaction marks the addition of the first fast-casual concept to Yum! Brands’ portfolio of iconic global restaurant brands.
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Austin, Texas — The first Twin Peaks restaurant in the Austin area, which originally opened in 2007, got a lift and reopened its doors with a fresh new look on March 7, 2020. Since that time, due to COVID-19 concerns,
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San Francisco — Uber Eats has announced efforts to support independent restaurant owners and operators as the hospitality industry faces unprecedented challenges amidst the COVID-19 state of emergency. “We know the coming weeks will be challenging ones for many small
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Washington, D.C. — Jersey Mike’s Subs has been rapidly expanding throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (“DMV”) region with the help of real estate partner KLNB. In total, KLNB has closed 17 deals for Jersey Mike’s across the DMV
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Philadelphia — Greek from Greece (GFG) Bakery-Café, the authentic Greek fast-casual phenomenon, has finalized a deal to open its first franchise location. Franchisee Dimitri Gouliaberis plans to open the new location this summer at a site near Drexel University in
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Hilton Head Island, S.C. — Slapfish, a fast-growing, fast-casual seafood restaurant, continues expansion in the Southeast with its first stand-alone location in Hilton Head Island, S.C. The restaurant is a conversion of a former convenience store site. Building on the
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Perris, Calif. — Farmer Boys, the Southern California-based fast casual concept known for its award-winning burgers and exceptional service, is celebrating the grand opening of its Perris, Calif., restaurant this month. This marks the company’s 100th restaurant. “Almost 40 years
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Westlake, Ohio — TravelCenters of America Inc. (TA) has appointed Peter J. Crage as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, effective immediately. Crage succeeds William E. Myers, who has resigned from the company. “Peter joins TA with experience
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Nashville, Tenn. — CraftWorks Holdings, LLC, which operates restaurants and breweries under leading names such as Logan’s Roadhouse, Old Chicago, Rock Bottom and Gordon Biersch, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This follows the company’s decision, in recent weeks, to
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Chicago — Englewood Construction, one of the country’s leading commercial construction firms, has a number of new restaurant projects underway this spring, including two new Outback Steakhouse locations in Columbus, Ga., and Hialeah, Fla.; a new Carrabba’s Italian Grill in
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Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s International Inc., a leading quick-service Mexican franchise, has appointed Brooks Speirs as vice president for franchise development. In his new role, Speirs will oversee all elements of franchise development for the legacy brand. As Taco
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Richmond, Ind. — The Golden Corral in Richmond, Ind., recently underwent a comprehensive remodel and reopened with an all-new look and feel on February 27. Located at 3625 East Main St., the restaurant now features Golden Corral’s new prototype design
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Fayetteville, Ark. — Slim Chickens, which features dine-in and drive-thru in the “better chicken” segment, plans to open more than 30 restaurants in 2020 alone. Franchise locations are slated to open in new domestic markets including Maryland, New Jersey, Florida
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Midvale, Utah — Curry Up Now, the award-winning and largest and fastest growing Indian fast-casual concept that’s known for its innovative approach to Indian cuisine, is celebrating the opening of its first Utah restaurant in Midvale on February 28, 2020.
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Miami — FRONTIER Building has completed the post-fire renovation of Kentucky Fried Chicken in Kimball, Tenn., which will restore more than 20 jobs in the community. In June 2019, the fast-casual establishment was destroyed by an overnight fire and was
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Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading Southern California-based family-style pizza chain, will open two new restaurants featuring the brand’s updated prototype and refreshed guest experience this spring in Costa Mesa and Fountain Valley, Calif. The decision to
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— Interview by Katie Lee — As A&W approaches the second year of its second century of operation, it looks to a promising future while also honoring its iconic past. With almost 1,000 locations open in the U.S.
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Dallas — MOOYAH Burgers Fries & Shakes, a “better burger” fast-casual franchise, plans continued expansion into new markets and a revamped restaurant model. In 2020, MOOYAH will be opening 14 new locations, all of which will feature the new prototype
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Panama City, Fla. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-through in the “better chicken” segment, plans to open its first location in Florida in the spring. The forthcoming restaurant, which will be in Panama City,
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