restaurants

Clean Juice Enters 5 New States with New Franchise Partners

by Katie Lee December 28, 2021

Charlotte, N.C. — Clean Juice, a USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise and quick-service restaurant, has added five new franchise partners in five new states: Connecticut, West Virginia, Kentucky, Montana and Washington. Clean Juice expects fourth quarter 2021 to be the brand’s best Q4 yet as it doubles down on expansion plans heading into 2022. “We are proud and honored to welcome these new families into our Clean Juice family,” says Landon Eckles, CEO, Clean Juice. “Next to our more than 3 million guests, our franchise partners are the driving force …

December 28, 2021

franchise development News restaurants

Ziggi’s Coffee Inks Milestone 150th Franchise Agreement

by Katie Lee December 22, 2021

Mead, Colo. — Ziggi’s Coffee, the rapidly-growing Colorado-based franchise known for its fast and friendly drive-thru coffee service, has just signed its 150th franchise deal. New franchise owners Ron and Denise Cazares have joined the Ziggi’s Coffee franchise family with a multi-unit agreement. Their first Ziggi’s will open in Parker, Colo. Ziggi’s launched its national franchise program in 2016 and has since experienced great success. The company celebrated its 100th franchise signing in April and has already signed an additional 50 agreements. With 44 open locations nationwide and over 100 …

December 22, 2021

News people restaurants

Darden Restaurants Announces Upcoming CEO Transition

by Katie Lee December 20, 2021

Orlando, Fla. — Darden Restaurants, Inc. has announced that Eugene (Gene) I. Lee, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, will retire as CEO effective May 29, 2022. Lee will continue to serve on Darden’s board of directors as executive chairman until the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. At that time, Lee is expected to stand for re-election to the board and continue to serve as chairman in a non-executive capacity. The board has unanimously elected Ricardo (Rick) Cardenas, Darden’s current president and chief operating officer, as chief executive officer, as …

December 20, 2021

News people restaurants

Good Times Restaurants’ VP of Operations to Retire

by Katie Lee December 17, 2021

Golden, Colo. — Good Times Restaurants Inc., operator of Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar and Good Times Burgers & Frozen Custard, has announced the retirement of Scott LeFever, vice president of operations, effective March 31, 2022. The company has identified a candidate who is expected to join the brand in early 2022 and to succeed LeFever upon his retirement. “On behalf of the entire Good Times team, I would like to thank Scott for his numerous contributions to the company,” says Ryan Zink, president and chief executive officer. “Since his beginnings …

December 17, 2021

News restaurants retailers

Casey’s Closes Acquisition of 40 Pilot Stores

by Katie Lee December 16, 2021

Ankeny, Iowa — Casey’s General Stores, Inc., a leading convenience store chain in the United States, has closed the previously announced acquisition of 40 stores from Pilot Corporation. The acquisition gives Casey’s immediate scale in the Knoxville, Tenn., market and is part of the implementation of its 3-year strategic plan that was shared in January 2020 when the company set a 3-year goal of adding 345 stores to its chain. “We are pleased to complete this transaction and expand our footprint in Tennessee and Kentucky,” says Darren Rebelez, president and …

December 16, 2021

franchise development News restaurants

Ziggi’s Coffee Opens New Headquarters

by Katie Lee December 16, 2021

Mead, Colo. — Colorado-based Ziggi’s Coffee® has opened its new headquarters in Mead, Colo. In addition to housing the corporate team and an on-site training facility, this location features a café and a drive-thru. Situated on the corner of Third and Welker (241 Welker Ave.), this new location is owned by the company’s founders, Brandon and Camrin Knudsen. “We are excited to grow our footprint in the community that has witnessed and supported our growth over the last 17 years. Northern Colorado has been our home base since we started …

December 16, 2021

franchise development News restaurants

A&W Restaurants Marks 10 Years Under Franchisee Ownership

by Katie Lee December 14, 2021

Lexington, Ky. — Ten years ago, the future of America’s oldest chain restaurant franchise was in question. A&W, owned by YUM! Brands, was struggling. But then a group of franchise owners formed a partnership and bought the company, which was 92 years old at the time, on Dec. 19, 2011. A&W is still the only major restaurant brand 100% owned by its franchisees. Since the acquisition: Same-store sales have increased every year, reversing 7 years of declines; sales this year are up 10.2%, following last year’s 9.2% growth. Average unit …

December 14, 2021

construction and design News restaurants

Bar Louie Unveils Brand’s First-Ever Redesign in Denver

by Katie Lee December 14, 2021

Denver — Denver is now home to Bar Louie’s first-ever new prototype. Located in The Shops at Northfield, Bar Louie closed for several weeks during renovations and officially reopened on Dec. 10. From the menu and flatware to the interior and exterior design, everything about the look is new. The enhanced gastrobar design features new colors, lighting, booths, tables, chairs and barstools. Also included are renovated bathrooms, a takeout and delivery station and upgraded high-efficiency kitchen equipment. In addition, Bar Louie enlisted the famous Denver muralist, Randy Segura, to paint …

December 14, 2021

construction and design Industry Voices restaurants retailers

Intentional Design

by Katie Lee December 10, 2021

— By Greg Houck — How emerging mixed-use trends can translate to long term success. Mixed-use projects have a retail problem. Too often, incorporating retail spaces into a mixed-use project is straightforward and static: a single complimentary demand driver, such as a high-rise multifamily with convenient ground-floor grocer. With this approach, the residential component may subsidize a portion of revenues for the tenant, but most often it isn’t sufficient enough and local demand has not been fully understood. Over the past several years there has been many exciting innovations …

December 10, 2021

News restaurants vendors

REEF Acquires Foodtech Startup 2ndKitchen

by Katie Lee December 9, 2021

Chicago and Miami — REEF Technology Inc., the largest operator of delivery kitchens, logistics and proximity hubs in North America, has acquired 2ndKitchen, a leader in virtual kitchens for hotels, offices, buildings, venues and other hospitality companies. REEF and 2ndKitchen’s existing businesses will be combined under the REEF brand, and will operate under REEF’s Hospitality division. Together, REEF and 2ndKitchen will expand their customer base and enable any business to be able to turn on foodservice without physical infrastructure and the associated expenses. The transaction strengthens REEF’s position in the …

December 9, 2021

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