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Slim Chickens Ends 2021 with 350 New Signed Agreements

by Katie Lee

Fayetteville, Ark. — Slim Chickens made brand history in 2021 by closing out the year with more signed development deals and openings than ever before. The past year, the brand celebrated a number of milestones including its 150th store opening, entered 65 new markets with development deals and had close to 40 openings. It also inked 350 signed agreements, bringing the total units in development to 750. On top of the rapid franchise growth, Slim Chickens also had a 25% positive comp store sales growth — in fact, the brand …

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Redberry Restaurants Names Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Toronto — Redberry Restaurants has promoted Christian Racine to the position of chief operation officer (COO), effective immediately. He will provide companywide leadership to the Operations, Marketing and Development teams, as well as provide his vision and guidance on Redberry’s strategic direction. “Christian is a passionate QSR veteran who is uniquely qualified to help Redberry achieve its vision to be Canada’s largest and fastest growing multi-unit QSR Franchisee,” says Ken Otto, CEO of Redberry Restaurants. “This announcement is a testament to Christian’s breadth of knowledge and commitment to excellence. We …

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Software/Payments Company SpotOn Appoints 3 New Executives

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — SpotOn, a leading software and payments provider, has added three new executives in the roles of chief financial officer, chief people officer and chief revenue officer. The appointments come on the heels of more than 100% year-over-year growth in 2021, two major acquisitions, $425 million in new funding at a valuation of $3.15 billion, and the addition of hundreds of new employees to support customer demand. The three appointments also follow a year of major new product introductions in the restaurant and retail industries. Lisa Banks joins …

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Presto Partners with Checkers & Rally’s to Roll Out Drive-Thru A.I. Voice Assistant

by Katie Lee

Redwood City, Calif. — Presto, a leader in the restaurant hospitality technology industry, has been selected by Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., the operator of Checkers & Rally’s drive-thrus, as the exclusive provider of automated voice ordering for all its corporate-owned drive-thru restaurants. The announcement marks the largest and first of its kind rollout of an A.I.-based voice assistant solution in the hospitality industry. Designed to help restaurants maximize labor efficiency, Presto’s next generation solutions help improve order accuracy, increase upsells and provide a superior guest experience. The Presto systems are …

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Bloomin’ Brands Names New President of Bonefish Grill

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. has promoted Michael Healy to president of Bonefish Grill. The 12-year-veteran of the company will be responsible for long term sustainable growth for more than 180 restaurants across the U.S. Prior to joining Bloomin’ Brands in 2009, Healy was with Circuit City. “Michael’s proven leadership to develop and implement strategic plans that facilitate growth will benefit the Bonefish brand,” says David Deno, chief executive officer of Bloomin’ Brands. “He brings with him a breadth of knowledge gained from cross-functional experience across our brands and …

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Mountain Mike’s Pizza Opens First Arizona Location

by Katie Lee

Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading California-based family-style pizza chain for more than 40 years, has opened its first Arizona location in Mesa. The new restaurant is owned and operated by Pelican Food Concepts and is located in the Mesa Riverview shopping center. “We’re proud to bring Arizona’s first Mountain Mike’s Pizza to Mesa, where our new guests can enjoy the family-friendly atmosphere and mouthwatering food that has made Mountain Mike’s a household name,” says David Childree, general manager of the new Mesa location. The expansive 3,550-square-foot …

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Anthony’s Restaurants Appoints Co-President

by Katie Lee

Kirkland, Wash. — Budd Gould, founder of Anthony’s Restaurants, a 49-year corporation of 23 restaurants in the Pacific Northwest, announces new shared leadership. Gould has named Amy Burns as co-president with Herb Gould, who has been a key leader in the company for several decades, creating a brother/sister team leading Anthony’s into the next generation. Burns joined Anthony’s full-time in 2016 after a 25-year career in HR at Microsoft. “I’m confident Amy’s and Herb’s shared skills will grow the business intelligently, seeking the right opportunities,” says Budd Gould. After opening …

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Martha Stewart Launches First-Ever Restaurant Concept

by Katie Lee

Las Vegas — This spring, global lifestyle icon Martha Stewart will open her first-ever restaurant. The Bedford by Martha Stewart, a fully-immersive restaurant concept designed to bring Martha’s famed country farmhouse in Bedford, N.Y., to life, will open at Paris Las Vegas in spring 2022. “Caesars Entertainment has been an extremely hardworking, professional and excellent partner to work with on the planning and building of the first-ever Martha Stewart restaurant,” says Stewart. “It will be in the Paris Las Vegas and will very accurately portray the important aesthetic and taste …

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Speaking to the Next Generation

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee —   KFC eyes 2022 with a new, urban-oriented evolution of its prototype design, focused on customer convenience and digital efficiency.     When Retail & Restaurant Facility Business last featured KFC on its cover, the year was 2018 and a new design called ‘American Showman’ was rolling out, marking a new era of expansion for KFC following 10 years of downsizing. At the time, the company’s U.S. development goal was to become a 5,000-unit franchise once more. Now, 3 years and a global pandemic later, …

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Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Names New Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Irving, Texas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has named franchise veteran Scott Shotter as its new chief operating officer. The Texas-based restaurant group is recognized for its Baja-style fare with nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 17 states. Most recently, Shotter served as president of Condado Tacos, and prior to that was CEO of Backyard Burgers. Notably, Shotter and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop CEO Paul Damico served together at Moe’s Southwest Grill as vice president and CEO, respectively, and led the team responsible for the explosive growth of the brand between …

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