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SpotOn Opens Hawaiʻi Technology Showroom for Restaurant Operators

by Katie Lee

Honolulu — SpotOn, a leading restaurant technology and financial services company, has opened its new Hawaiʻi showroom. Located at KEAWE Retail in Our Kakaʻako, SpotOn’s dedicated showroom is designed for restaurant and hospitality operators to experience restaurant technology firsthand in a live and interactive environment, marking a major commitment to the state’s restaurant and hospitality community. Inspired by modern hospitality and technology experiences, the showroom was designed as a hands-on space where restaurant and bar owners, operators and managers can explore SpotOn’s technology in real world scenarios alongside SpotOn’s local …

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TruGolf Links to Open Flagship Location in Chicagoland

by Katie Lee

Centerville, Utah — TruGolf Links will open a flagship location at the newly renovated Romeo Town Center in Romeoville, Ill., a southwest suburb of Chicago. The 5,000-square-foot facility will include TruGolf’s premium simulator bays and an upscale restaurant and full bar with plans to open this fall. As retail destinations diversify and work to create more compelling reasons to visit, adding this type of concept is a way to draw more customers on a regular basis to benefit the entire community. “We invest a lot of time and energy into …

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Guthrie’s Enters Colorado with First Restaurant Led by Third-Generation Guthrie Family Members

by Katie Lee

Colorado Springs, Colo. — Guthrie’s, the original chicken-finger restaurant, will open its newest restaurant on July 14 in Colorado Springs, Colo. — marking the brand’s first-ever location in Colorado. The restaurant is also owned and operated by Guthrie family members Joe Kelly Guthrie, Tanner Guthrie and Garrison Guthrie. “Growing up, Guthrie’s has always been part of our family’s story, and it’s incredibly special to be opening a restaurant with my brother and dad,” says Tanner Guthrie. “As we looked at where to open our first restaurant, Colorado Springs stood out …

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construction and designenergy managementfacilities managementHVAC/RIndustry Voicesproperty managementrestaurants

The Hidden Cost of Comfort

by Katie Lee

— By Julia Burman Tziolis — Resolving a restaurant’s HVAC breakdown through partnership. Operational performance and energy efficiency are closely connected in commercial real estate. Each supports the other, and both are critical to tenant satisfaction and long term business success. My firm, a net-lease real estate company named Essential Properties Realty Trust (EPRT), recently demonstrated how aligning the right expertise with strategic partnerships can resolve persistent facility issues and deliver measurable results. When one of its restaurant tenants, a Zaxbys location in Florida, struggled with longstanding HVAC problems that …

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International Dairy Queen Hires Chief Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) has hired Phil Crawford to join the company as executive vice president and chief technology officer, reporting to the president and CEO. He leads IT and retail technology for the company and its more than 7,800 DQ® restaurants worldwide. “Technology plays an increasingly critical role in empowering our business for our employees, franchisees and fans,” says Troy Bader, president and CEO at International Dairy Queen. “Phil’s proven success as a restaurant business and technology leader positions us for continued growth as we live …

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QDOBA Plans Over 100 Franchised Restaurants Across Southeast and Western U.S.

by Katie Lee

San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats has signed two new development agreements to open 50 new restaurants in Atlanta and Nashville. A recent acquisition and expanded development commitment from B Wild Investments, LLC is further accelerating franchise-led growth. “We’re thrilled to partner with proven franchise operators who share our people-first culture, exceptional standards for guest service and commitment to disciplined growth,” says Jeremy Vitaro, chief development officer, QDOBA. QDOBA and its franchise partners currently operate over 865 restaurants, with plans to double the brand’s footprint to approximately 2,000 restaurants within …

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Menu Order AI Appoints Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Needham, Mass. — Menu Order AI has appointed Krishna Kumar as fractional chief operating officer (COO), strengthening the company’s leadership team as it expands its AI-powered platform for restaurants and consumers. He brings decades of experience leading artificial intelligence, software development, enterprise technology and global product initiatives. “Krishna’s operational expertise and deep understanding of artificial intelligence make him an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” says Melissa Butler, founder and CEO of Menu Order AI. “As we continue expanding our restaurant partnerships and consumer platform, his leadership will help accelerate …

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construction and designCover Storyfacilities managementfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinekitchen equipmentrestaurantssoftware/technology

The Best Kind of Delicious

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Smoothie King unveils its next chapter with a new brand campaign and in-store transformation, celebrating over 50 years of balancing nutrients and flavor. In 1973, Smoothie King introduced a bold new F&B category to the world, literally coining the term “smoothie.” Since then, the king of smoothies has grown to more than 1,200 U.S. locations — and more than 200 new store commitments — with over 1,500 available trade areas in its development pipeline. Now underway on a new brand evolution, Smoothie King is setting …

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AEO Inc. Announces CFO Transition

by Katie Lee

Pittsburgh — After 25 years, Mike Mathias, executive vice president – chief financial officer of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., will transition to full-time non-executive strategic advisor to Jay Schottenstein, executive chairman of the board and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 3, 2026. AEO’s new CFO, Ravi Thanawala, joins the company from Papa Johns. He will succeed Mathias as executive vice president – chief financial officer, also effective Aug. 3. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Mathias will collaborate closely with Thanawala through the remainder of AEO’s 2026 fiscal year and …

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Papa Johns Chief Financial Officer Departs; Company Names Interim CFO

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Papa John’s International, Inc. has appointed Chris Collins, senior vice president of corporate finance and principal accounting officer, to the additional position of interim chief financial officer, effective immediately. Collins succeeds Ravi Thanawala, who is leaving Papa Johns to assume a chief financial officer position at another public company. Thanawala will be available to Papa Johns in an advisory capacity until July 31, 2026, to support a smooth transition. Papa Johns has commenced a search for a permanent CFO. Collins is a seasoned finance professional with more …

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