restaurants

WaBa Grill Continues California Expansion with 13-Store Deal

by Katie Lee March 30, 2022

Anaheim Hills, Calif. — WaBa Grill, one of the nation’s leading healthy rice bowl chains, is continuing to grow the brand’s California presence after inking a 13-store development deal. The deal was signed by franchisees Harsimran “Sim” Nagra and Jerry Bajwa with the Bajwa Group of Companies, which currently owns and operates 19 other WaBa Grill locations throughout Southern California. The Bajwa Group now has exclusive territory rights to develop WaBa Grill locations north of Bakersfield through Fresno, introducing WaBa Grill to many new markets including Visalia, Tulare and more. …

March 30, 2022

construction and design News remodels restaurants

Restaurant Suntory to Reopen at Royal Hawaiian Center Following Extensive Renovation

by Katie Lee March 29, 2022

Waikīkī, Oahu, Hawaii — Royal Hawaiian Center is celebrating the reopening of Restaurant Suntory on March 27 following an extensive renovation that began in fall 2021. The enhanced restaurant presents a captivating new design, inspired by the Japanese art of minimalism as well as Honolulu’s magnificent scenery, complemented by a refreshed menu to elevate the authentic Japanese dining experience guests have enjoyed for 42 years. Most notable of the transformation is the Sushi Tokiwa, the new sushi counter that provides a luxury omakase-style indulgence. The transformation is aimed at creating …

March 29, 2022

kitchen equipment News people restaurants vendors

Vulcan Promotes Meghan Hurst to VP of Sales and Marketing

by Katie Lee March 28, 2022

Baltimore — Vulcan, a leading provider of commercial cooking equipment, has promoted Meghan Hurst to vice president of sales and marketing for Vulcan. Hurst has been with Vulcan for almost 8 years, having most recently served as marketing director. “Meghan’s analytical nature combined with her creative expertise and strong understanding of the foodservice industry and its customers made our choice easy when deciding to promote her to this important position,” says Chris Stern, vice president and general manager, North America Cooking. “We focus on promoting strong performers within our company …

March 28, 2022

facilities management Industry Voices kitchen equipment restaurants vendors

Flipping the Script

by Katie Lee March 25, 2022

— By Danny Koontz — Advantages of having worked on both sides of the same coin: on the facilities management side and the vendor side. Ever wondered when ordering something, buying something or taking a sales call, why did the person on the other side choose that particular job? Maybe they didn’t choose it; maybe circumstances did — or maybe they enjoy that job as their passion. After almost 4 decades in the restaurant facilities management side of the business, I now find myself on the vendor side, …

March 25, 2022

energy management HVAC/R Industry Voices restaurants vendors

Clean Power

by Katie Lee March 25, 2022

— By David Sansenbach — Protecting power quality is key to restaurant and retail revenue. One of the most critical elements of running a successful restaurant or retail location is being fully operational whenever you are open to diners or shoppers. In order to do that, electrical equipment like a POS system, a WiFi modem, kitchen printers, security cameras, computing platforms and automation tools need to reliably operate exactly as expected. Given that this equipment is likely quite expensive to purchase (and to fix) and its timely and accurate …

March 25, 2022

franchise development News restaurants

Mountain Mike’s Pizza Opens 250th Restaurant

by Katie Lee March 25, 2022

Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading California-based family-style pizza chain for more than 40 years, has opened first Woodland, Calif., location — marking the brand’s 250th location nationwide. The new 3,900-square-foot restaurant, the brand’s third in Yolo County, is owned by franchisees Gurjit Mann and Sumeet Benipal. Mann also owns and operates nine other Mountain Mike’s Pizza locations throughout Northern California. “I have been a proud Mountain Mike’s franchisee for more than 20 years, and I am excited to work with my business partner and Woodland resident …

March 25, 2022

construction and design News restaurants

Sweetgreen Launches “sweetlane” Restaurant Concept

by Katie Lee March 24, 2022

Los Angeles — sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand serving healthy food at scale, will be opening its first “sweetlane” concept in Schaumburg, Ill., within the next year. The new pilot restaurant will feature sweetgreen’s best-in-class in-store experience with the addition of its first “sweetlane,” a drive-thru lane to increase convenience for digital customers. To utilize sweetgreen’s “sweetlane,” customers at the Schaumburg location will place orders in advance exclusively through sweetgreen’s digital platform. Sweetgreen is already a digital leader with almost 50% of total revenue in 2021 coming through orders placed …

March 24, 2022

franchise development News people restaurants

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Names New SVP of Franchise Sales

by Katie Lee March 23, 2022

Irving, Texas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has hired franchise veteran Nick Booras as senior vice president of franchise sales. The Texas-based restaurant group has nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 17 states. Most recently, Booras served as senior director of franchise development at FOCUS Brands, LLC. In his previous position, Booras was responsible for selling all seven of the FOCUS brands in the Southwest region. Prior to that his role was dedicated to one brand in the FOCUS portfolio, McAlister’s Deli, where he sold over 250 units as director …

March 23, 2022

franchise development News restaurants Uncategorized

Mutts Canine Cantina Expands to Arizona with 6 Locations Planned Near Phoenix

by Katie Lee March 21, 2022

Gilbert, Ariz. — MUTTS Canine Cantina®, a fast-growing pet ‘eater’tainment brand from Texas, finalized the lease for a new franchise location in Gilbert, Ariz., marking its first location in the state. Slated to open in early 2023, the unique concept of an off-leash dog park with an outdoor bar and grill will reside within Gilbert’s SanTan Village, an open-air shopping center located 30 miles southeast of Phoenix. Ricardo Martinez of CF Group Investments and Ilse Calderon (pictured) executed the lease early this year. The two franchisees from Mexico currently boast …

March 21, 2022

franchise development News people restaurants

QDOBA Adds 3 Seasoned Executives to Development Team

by Katie Lee March 18, 2022

San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats® (QDOBA), the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has added three industry leaders to its development team. Joining the leading concept is Lori Osley as vice president of franchise development, Kyle Brown as director of design and architecture, and Anthony Friel as project manager. The group of trade veterans will spearhead continued growth efforts by offering extended support to new and existing franchisees. Osley is joining QDOBA with substantial development experience through her work with Sonic Drive-In’s as the senior director of …

March 18, 2022

Newer Posts

Older Posts