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Chipotle Accelerates Expansion Into Canada

by Katie Lee

Newport Beach, Calif. — Chipotle Mexican Grill will continue its expansion into Canada with a new location in Surrey, British Columbia, that is scheduled to open on March 30. The restaurant will be Chipotle’s first new Canadian location since its Markham, Ontario, restaurant opened in October 2018. Chipotle also plans to unveil its first Canadian Chipotlane at a new restaurant opening in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, this summer. Chipotlane, the brand’s drive-thru digital order pickup lane, increases access and convenience by providing a speedy and seamless guest experience in under …

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Industry Voicesrestaurants

What the American Rescue Plan Means for Restaurants

by Katie Lee

— By Michael Krueger —   On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law The American Rescue Plan Act. The Act has $1.9 trillion in relief funds, including $28.6 billion set aside for the restaurant industry in the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The Fund lists the qualifications, priorities, method of calculating the amount the restaurant could receive, and the permitted use of funds. Qualifications The Fund is only for restaurants. The definition of “restaurants” means a restaurant, food stand, food truck, food cart, caterer, saloon, inn, tavern, bar, lounge, brewpub, …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Launches New Taqueria Concept

by Katie Lee

Irving, Texas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, a Texas-based Baja-style restaurant group, has launched a new concept, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Taqueria. The Taqueria encompasses everything fans have come to love about the brand with the same recipes, but will offer a slightly reduced menu in a smaller, to-go focused footprint. Fuzzy’s Taqueria will open its first location in Minneapolis, a new market for the brand which has nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 16 states (17, when Minnesota opens). Plans for the new footprint began prior to the pandemic, as …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

James Beard Award-Winning Chef Plans New Restaurant Concept in Houston

by Katie Lee

Houston — Acclaimed Houston-based Underbelly Hospitality is growing its hometown footprint moments from where the city was first born and just steps from Buffalo Bayou Park. The restaurant group, led by James Beard Award-Winning Chef/Owner Chris Shepherd, has signed a lease for a 5,000-square-foot standalone space with rooftop terrace at Regent Square, an urban infill development reimagining the Allen Parkway corridor. Focusing on live fire cooking, the global concept will serve as an anchor for GID Development Group’s much-anticipated Regent Square Phase 2 addition. Scheduled to debut in late 2021, …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

New Ramen Restaurant, Clever Ramen, to Open this Spring

by Katie Lee

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Born and Raised Hospitality, the restaurant group behind popular Phoenix restaurants Clever Koi, Across The Pond and Fellow Osteria, and architecture firm Aline Architecture Concepts have teamed up to design a new fast-casual ramen restaurant, Clever Ramen, opening this spring in Scottsdale, Ariz. Clever Ramen was created with the idea of using raw materials that encapsulate warmth and life to the space. The fast-casual restaurant will feature a menu of customized ramen noodle bowls, steamed bao buns and seasoned fries. The restaurant features a curved plywood ceiling …

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facilities managementkitchen equipmentNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Restaurant Tech Disruptor 86 Repairs Raises $2 Million to Optimize R&M

by Katie Lee

Chicago — 86 Repairs, an innovative platform that streamlines and optimizes equipment repair and maintenance for restaurants, has closed a $2 million round of seed funding from multiple investors. The investment will be used to accelerate the company’s aggressive growth and product development, which offers collective intelligence and robust data insights previously untapped in the foodservice equipment and supply industry. “86 Repairs harnesses the power of technology to create a real and innovative solution for the restaurant industry. We’re impressed with 86’s ability to tackle R&M and other back-of-house pain …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Halal Guys to Double its Midwest Presence

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — The Halal Guys recently signed a franchise deal to open its first locations in Ohio, more than doubling its presence in the Midwest and building on successful locations in Illinois. Franchisee group Smart Choice Food LLC will open seven locations in the greater Columbus area, with plans to open the first locations this year. Smart Choice Food LLC is eager to bring the quintessential New York City street cart food experience to Ohio diners. “The economy in Columbus was on the upswing prior to COVID-19, but it …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop Inks First Multi-Unit Franchising Deal

by Katie Lee

New York City — Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, a fast-growing dumpling automat concept, has signed its first franchising deal to bring five locations to Connecticut. The brand is poised to disrupt the quick-service restaurant industry with its innovative automat technology and contactless format. Even before the first location opens its doors in New York, potential franchisees are eager to sign on to the concept. The franchisee’s first location will be in New Haven, where Yale is located, as the concept is perfect for college cities and residents will be able to …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Antioch Pizza Shop Plans Strategic Franchise Expansion Plan

by Katie Lee

Antioch, Ill. — Antioch Pizza Shop has announced a strategic franchising initiative that will accelerate its expansion plans in target markets. With seven locations open and three more in development in Illinois and Wisconsin, Antioch Pizza Shop has set its sights on targeted franchise growth, zeroing in on key markets throughout the Midwest and Southeast. “We’ve seen how our dedication to the communities we serve has bred success, and we think it’s time for people from all over the Midwest and Southeast to experience what makes Antioch Pizza Shop special,” …

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Industry Voicesrestaurantsvendors

Outdoor Dining is Here to Stay

by Katie Lee

— By Leslie Chapus — Outdoor dining became a staple during the pandemic — and guests have grown to love and expect it, no matter the weather. The good news is, investment in all-weather outdoor dining pays for itself.   After a full year of pandemic living, customer demand for safe dining environments has taken full root in the American psyche. As restaurants evolve to these changing demands, industry experts from Food & Wine Magazine to worldwide management consultants McKinsey & Company are advising restaurant owners to embrace outdoor dining …

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