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Starbucks Names Next Chief Executive Officer

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Starbucks has selected Laxman Narasimhan as its next chief executive officer and a member of the Starbucks board of directors. Narasimhan will join Starbucks as incoming CEO on October 1, 2022 after relocating from London to the Seattle area and will work closely with Howard Schultz, interim CEO, before assuming the CEO role and joining the board on April 1, 2023. Narasimhan brings nearly 30 years of experience leading and advising global consumer-facing brands. Known for his considerable operational expertise, he has a proven track record in developing …

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Mo’ Bettahs Promotes President to CEO

by Katie Lee

Salt Lake City — Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Restaurant has promoted its president, Robert Ertmann, to chief executive officer. He has served as president of the brand since 2021. Mo’ Bettahs will look to his guidance and leadership as the brand continues its nationwide expansion, including its entrance into three new markets over the next few months. “Savory has watched Rob carefully over the past year, and we have concluded that there is no one better suited for the growth and scale of our beloved Mo’ Bettahs brand,” says Andrew …

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Panera Tests New AI Ordering Technology for Drive-Thru Lanes

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — On Aug. 29, 2022, Panera Bread began testing AI technology in drive-thru lanes with an aim to improve and enhance the guest experience. With support from OpenCity, select Panera bakery-cafes in the greater Rochester, N.Y., area have implemented OpenCity’s proprietary voice AI ordering technology, called “Tori,” for drive-thru orders, with the goal of maximizing efficiency and increasing speed of orders. Guests at Panera Bread cafes in Greece, N.Y., and Webster, N.Y., are the first Panera locations to experience this drive-thru innovation. Tori is installed at these select …

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REGO Restaurant Group Partners with BCubed Manufacturing

by Katie Lee

Denver — As part of its brands’ continued transformations, REGO Restaurant Group — parent company of fast-casual sandwich chain Quiznos and regional Mexican chain Taco Del Mar, among other brands — has inked a strategic partnership and development deal with BCubed Manufacturing LLC, a Michigan-based manufacturing company that makes high-quality, fully outfitted freestanding drive-thru restaurants. With approximately 650-square-foot layouts designed for flexibility and efficiency, BCubed restaurants include both drive-thru and walk-up windows. Designed to fit on parcels of land that are too small for traditional restaurant development, BCubed restaurants contribute …

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Pokemoto Opens First Mississippi Location

by Katie Lee

Burleson, Texas — Pokemoto, Muscle Maker, Inc.’s expanding Hawaiian poke bowl restaurant concept, has opende its first Mississippi franchise location in Oxford, Miss. The opening marks the first of three previously inked franchise deals in the Mississippi market. Being near “Ole Miss” provides exposure to Pokemoto’s core targeted audience: Millennials and Gen Zs. The location features Pokemoto’s brand new interior graphic design package, signage and menu items. “We are very excited to be opening our first Pokemoto location in Mississippi, especially in Oxford — the home of the University of …

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WaBa Grill Signs 20-Unit Development Deal for Northern California

by Katie Lee

Anaheim Hills, Calif. — WaBa Grill, one of the nation’s leading healthy rice bowl chains, has signed a 20-unit Northern California development deal during its second quarter. Following an impressive first quarter, second quarter same store sales (SSS) rose to $43.7 million — up 2.2% from the previous year. Second quarter total system sales (TSS) reached $45.1 million — an increase of 4.3% compared to the same prior-year period. WaBa Grill is tracking toward a third-consecutive year of record growth. “The record-breaking success WaBa Grill experienced last year was phenomenal, …

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French-Mediterranean Restaurant, LouLou, Opens in Santa Monica

by Katie Lee

Santa Monica, Calif. — Husband-and-wife duo Erik and Florence Chol recently opened an upscale French-Mediterranean concept, LouLou, within the outdoor Santa Monica Place shopping center in the beachside town of Santa Monica, Calif. The new restaurant and lounge, which captivates all five senses, offers an intimate atmosphere featuring eye-catching greenery, candlelit trees and earthy joinery design components where guests can enjoy a European-like dining experience — being directly transported to the Riviera. LouLou guests truly experience the joie de vivre through indulging in dishes prepared with organic and local ingredients, …

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Mongolian Concepts Adds New VP of Technology to Executive Team

by Katie Lee

Irving, Texas — Mongolian Concepts, the management group behind three fresh bowl brands — Genghis Grill, Flat Top Grill and BD’s Mongolian Grill — has hired Jason Levinson as vice president of technology. He will leverage the latest in technology to enhance the brand’s digital strategy and drive growth across all three brands. “Jason brings a multi-faceted approach to technology and digital innovation and his experience and expertise will help expand our brand’s potential,” says Gregg Majewski, CEO of Mongolian Concepts. “His knowledge in the restaurant industry gives him the …

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Juice It Up! Reinvigorates Franchise Growth

by Katie Lee

Newport Beach, Calif. — Juice It Up! has reinvigorated franchise growth in 2022, ending the first half of the year with 84 locations in various markets, having opened five new locations since the beginning of 2022. The brand remains committed to doubling its unit count to approximately 200 locations in the next 4 years and currently has more than 30 new locations in the pipeline for development. Juice It Up! recently signed four new franchise agreements, including a multi-unit deal in Bakersfield, Calif., that accounts for a total of six …

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IBEX Names Business Development Manager

by Katie Lee

Glenview, Ill. — IBEX, an ITW Food Equipment Group brand, has recently named Lisa Tyler as business development manager. She has more than 20 years of foodservice experience. In this new role, Tyler will be responsible for strategy, implementation and management of all business development activities for IBEX. She will develop new relationships with prospective customers and seek out existing customers who could benefit from using the first of its kind rapid-cook oven. She will develop product mix, programs and services to increase sales volumes. “As IBEX becomes more well-known, …

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