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Fresh Brothers Names Former CKE COO as its New CEO

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Los Angeles-based Fresh Brothers has named former CKE Restaurants, Inc. executive Ron Coolbaugh as its new CEO. With extensive experience in global growth, Coolbaugh will oversee Fresh Brothers as it continues to expand with plans to move into new markets beyond Southern California. Coolbaugh started with CKE, the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, as a high school student in the mid-1980s. For the next three decades he continued to rise through key roles in management and led much of the company’s international footprint, culminating in …

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Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express Plan 10-Store Development Deal in Puerto Rico

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo’s Express and 15 other restaurant concepts, has inked a new development deal to open 10 new franchised locations in Puerto Rico. Franchisee Conceptos Restaurants LLC is leading the deal to bring Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express to the island with the restaurants set to open over the next 5 years. “2022 has been a strong year of growth for Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express with new development deals in Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, and now, Puerto Rico, and we …

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Denny’s Joins “Pathways” Program to Support Black Franchise Ownership

by Katie Lee

Spartanburg, S.C. — Denny’s has announced its commitment to the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership program created by the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA). Denny’s and MFHA have enjoyed a successful 25-year alliance and, as a new Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership partner, Denny’s will help MFHA reach its goal of creating 100 Black-owned franchises by 2023. The Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership program aims to make systemic change and drive greater wealth in the Black community by empowering African American entrepreneurs to operate high-performing franchise businesses. Research from …

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Zaxby’s Names New Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer

by Katie Lee

Athens, Ga. — Zaxby’s, a premium quick-service restaurant brand founded in Athens, Ga., has named Patrick Schwing as chief marketing & strategy officer. He joins Zaxby’s from Inspire Brands, where he has served as Arby’s chief marketing officer and president of the Franchise Association for more than 2 years. In his new role, Schwing will oversee marketing communications, loyalty, e-commerce, R&D and media including digital and social to help the organization architect its future growth plans. “As Zaxby’s focuses on brand and culinary differentiation, we are excited to add Patrick …

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Famous Toastery Hires New VP of Franchise Development

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Eric Gustafsson has been named the new vice president of franchise development for Famous Toastery. He will play an instrumental role in supporting incoming franchise owners as the brand moves closer to achieving its goal of reaching 50 units — doubling its current footprint — by 2024. Gustafsson brings many years of experience in the restaurant and franchising industries. Most recently, Gustafsson worked as director of business development for REEF, a global ghost kitchen technology company with 400 operations throughout the world. Prior to that, Gustafsson worked …

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Starbucks Board of Directors Affirms CEO Transition Details

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Starbucks Corporation’s board of directors has provided an update to affirm the search details for the company’s next chief executive officer. The board has agreed with founder Howard Schultz that he will remain as interim CEO through the first fiscal quarter of 2023. This timeline provides the company the ideal runway for a seamless transition and continuity of leadership through the 2022 holiday season, as the business transformation continues. Since returning as interim CEO on April 4, Schultz has engaged deeply with employees of all levels of the …

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Fransmart Expands Leadership Team to Prepare for Investment in New Brands

by Katie Lee

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Fransmart plans for a multibillion-dollar portfolio of category-leading franchise brands by the end of 2030. To reach this goal, Fransmart will continue to identify and invest in concepts ripe for national and international expansion, while accelerating growth of its legacy brands. Additionally, the company is expanding its best-in-class leadership team to support each of its brands with operational expertise and highly-effective sales and marketing strategies. “To succeed in the world of franchising requires continual improvements to the brand’s business model, growth strategy, systems and processes,” says Dan …

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Panera Opens First “Panera To Go” Digital-Only Restaurant for Off-Premise Dining

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — Panera Bread has opened the first “Panera To Go,” a new Panera Bread restaurant format offering digitally-enabled convenience for Rapid Pick-Up® and Delivery orders. The Chicago-based restaurant is the first of three Panera To Go test locations scheduled to open this year. Two additional Panera To Go cafes will open in California and Washington D.C. this year; the company will also evaluate adding in kiosk and catering orders to the new format in the future. Panera To Go is a digital-only bakery-cafe, with a reduced front of …

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Taco Bell Opens New Drive-Thru Prototype in Brooklyn Park, MN

by Katie Lee

Brooklyn Park, Minn. — Taco Bell has opened its new and innovative drive-thru prototype in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park. Coined Taco Bell Defy, the two-story restaurant features four drive-thru lanes. A proprietary vertical lift transports food items straight from the kitchen to guests. The drive-thru experience at Taco Bell Defy is designed to be 2 minutes or less. The restaurant was built in partnership with longtime franchisee Border Foods. Minneapolis-based Vertical Works Inc. handled the design of the concept. The project was first announced last year.     …

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86 Repairs Releases Annual Report of Restaurant R&M Data

by Katie Lee

Chicago — On June 7, 86 Repairs, the repair and maintenance (R&M) management platform built for the restaurant industry, released The State of Repairs. The annual report offers restaurant operators invaluable insight into repairs and maintenance data. Today’s restaurant operator is pressed for time and resources from all directions, juggling the customer experience, high employee turnover and navigating changes in the supply chain. Repairs might only become a priority once a critical repair need has forced them to stop service. And routine maintenance can fall through the cracks because of …

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