Toronto — Redberry Restaurants has appointed Scott Lewis as the vice president, operations – Redberry Burger King. Redberry’s unprecedented growth called for the creation of this new role to shepherd planning and operations for the 22 new Redberry-owned Burger King locations planned for this year, for a total 146 Burger King restaurant count for the company. A tenured QSR industry leader, Lewis has almost three decades of industry experience. As senior director of operations, he began his QSR journey at Yum!/Priszm Brands where he moved through various roles including overseeing …
restaurants
Los Angeles — The Dolly Llama, L.A.’s waffle and artisanal ice cream destination, has signed several multi-unit franchise deals totaling 25 locations planned for California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Florida and Texas. The brand, which first began franchising in 2020 to expand the concept to major U.S. media markets, has seen exponential franchise growth since the start of 2022. The Dolly Llama is exploding throughout the United States with several units under construction, including one in Dallas that is slated to open later this month, along with nine additional locations planned to …
Newport Beach, Calif. — OEB Breakfast Co., a popular North American breakfast concept, is opening its very first California restaurant. Located in Newport Beach at Westcliff Plaza, the newest restaurant joins 13 existing locations — one in Arizona and 12 in Canada. OEB master developers Walid Daoud and Antoine Daoud of Newport Breakfast Concepts LLC are planning to expand the concept to Irvine and other regions throughout California in the coming years. “Being an Orange County resident and knowing how much locals appreciate great food made with the best ingredients, …
Paris Baguette Signs 43 Franchise Agreements in Q1; Plans to Open 56 New Cafes this Year
Moonachie, N.J. — Paris Baguette, the bakery café concept with 4,000 units across the globe, saw significant growth with its U.S.-based franchisees in 2021, signing 121 new franchise agreements among new and existing franchisees. Now, wrapping up the first quarter of 2022, the brand shows no signs of slowing down, with 43 franchise agreements signed and five openings, including in new states Michigan and Oregon, in first quarter alone. “Right now, there is a void in the high-end bakery café space,” says Mark Mele, chief development officer. “If you look …
Atlanta — Jack Swaysland, chief operating officer of the international division of Papa John’s International, Inc., intends to retire. Amanda Clark was promoted to chief international and development officer and will now oversee international strategy in addition to her global development responsibilities. Liz Williams was also named chief international operations officer, reporting to Clark. She will assume Swaysland’s role and will be responsible for Papa John’s international markets and international team. Clark joined Papa John’s in 2020 as chief development officer, after 8 years at Taco Bell where she led …
Charlotte, N.C. — Bojangles, one of the nation’s leading franchises famous for its chicken, biscuits and tea, has achieved significant growth in the first quarter of 2022, signing agreements to add 46 new units to its growing pipeline. The development includes significant expansion in Texas, growth in Virginia Beach and a multi-unit development agreement to bring Bojangles to Northern New Jersey. Additionally, Bojangles executed a trio of multi-unit agreements that will bring restaurants to Northeast Ohio; Baltimore, Md.; and Washington, D.C. “Our team is proud of what we’ve been able …
Wichita, Kan.— In first quarter 2022, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has signed six new multi-unit agreements that will bring a total of 64 new Freddy’s locations to new and existing markets. Most notably, existing Freddy’s franchisees of more than a decade, M&M Custard, inked an agreement to expand the brand’s growing footprint in Chicago with a commitment to develop 13 locations. Additionally, Freddy’s opened 11 new locations nationwide in first quarter and is on track to open over 50 locations throughout 2022. “As we celebrate the 1-year anniversary of …
Los Angeles and Denver — Nextbite, a leader in virtual restaurants, has hired Dominic Calcagno, a supply chain leader experienced in national QSR foodservice supply chain management, as director of supply chain. Calcagno will lead Nextbite’s supply chain team focusing on driving operational excellence, introducing new capabilities, controlling costs and building its supply chain partnerships. Prior to Nextbite, he held leadership positions at HAVI, a supply chain services company, where he managed various aspects of the supply chain for McDonald’s North America. During this time, he led source & spend …
— Interview with Jeff Crivello — Famous Dave’s expands its first line-service model and even adds a drive-thru as it grows through ghost kitchens, virtual brands, dual concepts, and strategic acquisitions of complementary brands. Nearly 30 years after the first Famous Dave’s opened in Hayward, Wisconsin, BBQ Holdings, Inc. continues to innovate and invigorate. Testing new prototype designs — including its first drive-thru model — and acquiring complementary brands are just two of the ways in which Famous Dave’s propels its impressive growth trajectory. In mid-March, Retail & Restaurant …
Coral Gables, Fla. — Fogo de Chão has unveiled a new high-profile restaurant in Coral Gables, Fla. Located at 2801 Ponce de Leon Blvd., the new, two-story flagship features an expansive, 280-seat dining room and open-air churrasco bar. The design by Harrison also features The Butchery, a grab-and-go market that celebrates the art of churrasco, and Next Level lounge, an exclusive lounge located on the mezzanine level. “What started in the foothills of Brazil over 40 years ago has now grown to become so much more than just a steakhouse, …