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Pappas Family of Restaurants Acquires On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Pappas Restaurants, Inc., one of the nation’s largest family-owned and operated restaurant groups, is officially welcoming its newest acquisition, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, into its portfolio of dining concepts. The acquisition closed in May 2025. Under Pappas ownership over the past year, On The Border has undergone a sweeping menu overhaul rooted in the same culinary standards that have defined the Pappas name across Texas for decades. The team has enhanced food quality, strengthened operations and elevated the overall guest experience. “On The Border has …

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Shake Shack Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

New York City — Shake Shack Inc. has appointed Michelle Hook as its chief financial officer, effective May 11, 2026. She brings more than two decades of financial and operational leadership experience in the restaurant industry, with a proven track record of scaling growth companies and building high-performing teams. “We are thrilled to welcome Michelle to the Shake Shack team,” says Rob Lynch, chief executive officer of Shake Shack. “She brings deep restaurant industry expertise and significant public company experience to the role.” Hook joins Shake Shack from Portillo’s, where …

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Ratting Out the Problem

by Katie Lee

— By Ken Huening — How to mitigate the risks rodents pose to the foodservice and restaurant industries. Rodents have been a problem for the food industry since the first food cart operator started hawking meat pies in the Middle Ages. But the problem has exploded in scope in recent years. According to a recent study published in the journal Science, 69% of cities studied, including Washington, D.C., San Francisco, New York City, Oakland, Buffalo, Chicago, Boston, Kansas City and Cincinnati, had significant increases in rat populations in the period …

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16 Handles Plans California Debut with 8 New Units in Multiple Markets

by Katie Lee

New York City — 16 Handles, the upscale frozen yogurt and dessert franchise, is bringing its concept to the West Coast, announcing its first-ever expansion into California with eight units planned across some of the state’s most high-demand markets. Initial locations are already in development across the Los Angeles metro area, the San Fernando Valley, the San Francisco Bay area and North San Diego. “We’ve always seen California as a natural second home for 16 Handles, but we wanted to enter the market the right way, with strong operators and …

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Rosa Mexicano Names Chief Executive Officer

by Katie Lee

New York City — Rosa Mexicano, a pioneering brand in elevated Mexican dining, has appointed Richard Zoob as chief executive officer. Zoob’s appointment marks a full-circle return to Rosa Mexicano, where he previously served as both a consultant and board advisor. Having worked closely with the brand over the years, he brings a nuanced understanding of its legacy, its operational opportunities and its untapped potential in today’s evolving dining landscape. “Rosa Mexicano is an iconic brand with a powerful legacy and tremendous opportunity ahead,” says Zoob. “I’ve had a long …

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Sweetgreen Names New Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Sweetgreen, Inc. has appointed Ryan Slemons as its new chief development officer, effective May 4, 2026. He now leads all aspects of real estate, design, construction, facilities and portfolio management, and he reports directly to Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO. Slemons brings nearly two decades of experience in real estate, franchising and store development across various industries. Most recently, he served as chief development officer of Unleashed Brands, a portfolio of franchise brands including Urban Air Adventure Park, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning Centers and more. “Ryan …

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Huey Magoo’s Introduces Freestanding Condensed Drive-Thru Prototype

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Huey Magoo’s, a fast-casual chicken tenders chain, is introducing a freestanding drive-thru prototype designed to lower build costs and increase site flexibility for franchisees. The design allows development on sites that were previously not viable, supporting growth in more markets while reducing upfront investment. The prototype extends the brand’s cost-conscious design approach into a stand-alone drive-thru format, building on momentum from 2025, when Huey Magoo’s introduced a condensed 1,500-square-foot inline model to reduce buildout costs and expand access to high-traffic retail centers. That format created a more …

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Freddy’s Strengthens Development Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Wichita, Kan. — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is strengthening its development team. Rafik Farouk has joined as vice president of business development, and Jackie Lobdell has been named vice president of franchise sales. As Freddy’s approaches 600 restaurants, the addition of these experienced leaders reinforces the team driving the brand’s expansion. Together, Farouk and Lobdell bring more than four decades of restaurant industry experience, adding significant depth to Freddy’s development bench. “Freddy’s is entering an exciting phase of growth, and Rafik and Jackie are two important additions to our …

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Casey’s Expands Partnership with SoundHound AI Across More Than 2,600 Stores

by Katie Lee

Santa Clara, Calif. — SoundHound AI, Inc., a global leader in voice and conversational AI, has renewed and expanded its long-standing partnership with Casey’s, the third-largest convenience retailer in the United States. The expanded deal highlights the strength of the collaboration, as SoundHound’s AI-powered ordering agents have already supported Casey’s in handling more than 21 million guest interactions, successfully processing millions of food orders. Casey’s has deployed the technology across more than 2,600 locations, helping ensure guests can place orders quickly and easily. Casey’s is focused on delivering convenient, high-quality …

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goop kitchen Expands to New York, Marking First Launch Outside California

by Katie Lee

New York City — goop kitchen, the upscale, chef-crafted restaurant concept founded by Gwyneth Paltrow, made its highly anticipated New York City debut on April 20, marking the brand’s first expansion outside of California and a major new phase of growth. Built as a dark kitchen model, goop kitchen operates without traditional dining rooms, offering thoughtfully crafted meals designed specifically for delivery and takeout. The New York launch represents a significant milestone for the brand, bringing its delivery-focused model to one of the most sophisticated and competitive food markets in …

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