restaurants

WOWorks Restaurant Brands Finalizes 12 Franchise Agreements and Openings in 10 States in 2021

by Katie Lee December 3, 2021

St. Petersburg, Fla. — The WOWorks family of restaurant brands — Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek — experienced growth of its co-branded restaurant concepts in 2021 with six locations opening and six additional franchise agreements signed across 10 states by the end of the year. “We are seeing an accelerated growth in co-branded WOWorks restaurants because our healthy-halo brands meet growing menu and flavor demands, and have the flexibility in size and operation to open alongside current restaurants and inside many non-traditional spaces,” says Eric …

December 3, 2021

franchise development News restaurants

Blaze Pizza to Develop 9 New Restaurants Across South Florida

by Katie Lee December 1, 2021

Los Angeles — Blaze Pizza, a leading fast-casual franchise pizza concept, has signed a new franchise development agreement that will significantly expand the brand’s South Florida footprint, bringing nine new units to the greater Miami market. Spearheading this development are seasoned multi-unit operators Asif Ghaffar and Tahir Mahmood of BLD Restaurant Group, who are expanding their existing portfolio. Blaze Pizza currently has 25 locations throughout the Sunshine State and a strong development pipeline that will further propel its expansion statewide over the next several years. Local franchisees Ghaffar and Mahmood …

December 1, 2021

franchise development News restaurants

L.A.-based The Dolly Llama to Open First Locations in Nevada

by Katie Lee December 1, 2021

Los Angeles — The Dolly Llama, the waffle and artisanal ice cream destination with three locations currently open in L.A. and three more in development, has signed a 4-unit franchise deal that includes the brand’s entry into Nevada. One Nevada unit is planned for Reno, and another in Lake Tahoe; The Dolly Llama also plans two units in Sacramento. The brand aims to open all four locations in early 2022, along with the existing units currently in development in Bethlehem, Pa., Jacksonville, Fla., and Dallas. “This year has been a …

December 1, 2021

News people restaurants

Krystal Adds VP, Real Estate & Construction

by Katie Lee November 29, 2021

Atlanta — As part of its strategic plan to accelerate new restaurant openings and new consumer markets for Krystal Restaurants, the brand has named a dedicated vice president of real estate & construction. Dan James assumed the role on November 15, 2021 and has immediately taken charge of real estate acquisitions, lease negotiations, buildouts and other matters related to corporate and franchise physical restaurant space. “Making Krystal one of the most attractive franchise opportunities in the industry is key to our expansion strategy,” says CEO Thomas Stager. “Dan brings keen …

November 29, 2021

construction and design Industry Voices remodels restaurants

Vintage Design

by Katie Lee November 29, 2021

— By Todd S. Kentzel, R.A. — New speakeasy beats pandemic-era odds to become a summer of ‘21 restaurant success story. Architetra p.c. , an architectural firm based in Paoli, Pennsylvania, has announced a collaboration, more than 2 years in the making has come to fruition with the grand opening of Nucky’s Kitchen & Speakeasy in Ventnor, New Jersey, on May 25, 2021. Amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, a proven team of collaborators led by Joseph Lombardi, co-owner of Architetra, forged forward to create a unique dining …

November 29, 2021

News restaurants

Kitchen United Opens Third New York City Location

by Katie Lee November 25, 2021

Pasadena, Calif. — Kitchen United, the ghost kitchen industry leader with a proprietary tech platform and multi-concept ordering, has opened its newest location at 307 W. 38th St. in Manhattan. The opening marks the company’s third New York City and East Coast location, and it follows the recent news that the company has acquired software and ghost kitchen developer, Zuul. The acquisition saw Zuul’s existing locations in the Soho and Hudson Yards neighborhoods rebranded as a Kitchen United MIX kitchen center last month. The newest ghost kitchen center for the …

November 25, 2021

News people restaurants

Slim Chickens Adds New Senior Vice President of Operations

by Katie Lee November 23, 2021

Fayetteville, Ark. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise, has strengthened its executive team with the appointment of restaurant industry leader Christina Vaughan to senior vice president of operations. Vaughan will work closely with the chief operating officer of Slim Chickens, Sam Rothschild, handling various aspects of the brand including franchise, corporate and training operations. Additionally, in this role, she will be overseeing the cross-functional leadership team and working directing with the partnership group. With more than two decades of experience in the restaurant industry, Vaughan is well suited to …

November 23, 2021

construction and design News restaurants retailers

Starbucks Pickup and Amazon Go Collaborate to Launch New Store Concept in New York City

by Katie Lee November 22, 2021

New York City — The new Starbucks Pickup with Amazon Go, located at 59th Street between Park & Lexington avenues, opened on November 18, 2021. The store is a combination of a Starbucks Pickup and Amazon Go, utilizing the order ahead feature in the Starbucks app and Amazon Go’s Just Walk Out technology to create an easy checkout experience, alongside a modernized lounge that features individual workspaces and expanded tables with power outlets and USB ports. The new store offers the full Starbucks menu and a curated assortment of food …

November 22, 2021

franchise development News restaurants

FAT Brands to Acquire Arizona-Based Native Grill & Wings for $20 Million

by Katie Lee November 22, 2021

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has agreed to acquire Native Grill & Wings, an Arizona-based restaurant chain, for $20 million from Wingtime, LLC, a subsidiary of Cybeck Capital Partners, LLC. Marking FAT Brands’ third chicken wing concept, the acquisition of Native Grill & Wings will be funded with cash from the issuance of new notes from the company’s securitization facilities and is expected to close in mid-December 2021. With the acquisition of Native Grill & Wings, FAT Brands will have more than 2,300 franchised and corporate-owned …

November 22, 2021

energy management green building/LEED Industry Voices lighting restaurants

Warm Welcome

by Katie Lee November 18, 2021

— By Jeff Hungarter — Videri Chocolate Factory: an LED lighting solution showcases a sweet spot. When Roxanne Lundy began working at Videri Chocolate Factory in Raleigh, North Carolina, she was fresh out of college and the company was but 1 month old. Lundy has been a catalyst behind Videri’s growth from a small, 2-day-a-week operation into a handcrafted bean-to-bar emporium par excellence — far beyond her imagination. Lundy has advanced from chocolate wrapper to retail manager to, today, general manager. She’s a designer by inclination and training, and …

November 18, 2021

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