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Chicken Salad Chick to Relocate Headquarters to Atlanta

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only Southern-inspired, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, plans to move its headquarters from Auburn, Ala., where it was founded in 2008, to Atlanta. The relocation is slated to take place during first quarter 2021. The company’s new office will be located in the Vinings section of Atlanta at the Overlook II building — across the street from its Vinings restaurant — housing the leadership team of approximately 40 current and new employees. Chicken Salad Chick expects 17 Auburn, Ala.-based corporate employees to transition …

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HMSHost and Starbucks Expand Partnership

by Katie Lee

Bethesda, Md. — Global restaurateur HMSHost has formed a new, multi-year partnership with Starbucks focused on transforming the coffee experience for travelers. This agreement will enable the two companies to leverage new technologies, upgrade store locations and roll out new food and beverage offerings in airports and travel plazas across North America. The deal provides the opportunity for HMSHost to maintain and build upon the existing base of nearly 400 stores. “HMSHost introduced the modern-day coffee experience to airports and travel plazas, dramatically changing the travel venue food and beverage …

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Fast-Casual Salad Brand, CRISP & GREEN, To Enter Florida with 10 Locations

by Katie Lee

Wayzata, Minn. — CRISP & GREEN, an innovative, wellness-driven fast-casual brand that blends nutritious foods, community and fitness, plans to expand into the Florida market with 10 stores set to open in Tampa and Orlando (with more being announced soon). Started by CEO and Founder Steele Smiley (at left), CRISP & GREEN — the first grab ‘n go salad shop and part-time fitness house — first opened in Wayzata, Minn., in 2016 and has since grown to become one of America’s fastest growing fast-casual franchises. It is known to have …

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La Madeleine Unveils New Prototype with First Drive-Thru

by Katie Lee

Dallas — La Madeleine French Bakery & Café will make its highly anticipated return to Addison, Texas, on Feb. 8 with a new look. The remodeled restaurant features the brand’s all-new prototype, including la Madeleine’s first-ever drive-thru and a featured scratch-bread baking experience. In addition to a bright and airy interior, the 4,180-square-foot location will feature cozy indoor seating and a charming, covered patio that offers outdoor dining options. “We couldn’t be more excited to open and introduce guests to an enhanced la Madeleine experience, including our first drive-thru!” says …

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Westfield Valley Fair Joins Kitchen United to Unlock New Off-Premise Restaurant Experience

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. —A first-of-its-kind partnership between Westfield Valley Fair, the largest retail destination in Northern California, and Kitchen United, a ghost kitchen industry leader, will bring Kitchen United’s to-go operations and MIX multi-concept ordering technology platform to the shopping center format. Kitchen United is known for its concept that houses multiple restaurant brands under one roof for delivery and takeout orders. “MIX unlocks incremental off-premise demand for the restaurants at this Westfield location that are faced with indoor dining limitations amid the pandemic,” says Atul Sood, chief business officer of …

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Chicken Salad Chick Opened 37 New Locations in 2020; Increased Systemwide Sales +17%

by Katie Lee

Auburn, Ala. — Chicken Salad Chick, a Southern-inspired, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, opened 37 new restaurants in key target markets throughout 2020 — including seven in Texas, five in Georgia, three in Louisiana, two in Arkansas, as well as its first location in Indiana — resulting in a 22% increase in unit count year-over-year. The fast-growing brand also signed nine franchise agreements to develop 23 new restaurants over the next several years in states such as North Carolina, Virginia and Louisiana. In addition to this growth, Chicken Salad Chick …

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MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes Opens its First Location in New York City

by Katie Lee

New York City — MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, a fast-casual, “better burger” chain, opened its first restaurant in New York City on Feb. 1. The city’s first MOOYAH also marks the first MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes restaurant for Nick and Art Depole. The twin brothers grew up in Los Angeles and were big fans of the brand. “We always loved MOOYAH’s food, and once we were introduced to their business model and leadership team, we were blown away by the opportunity,” says Nick Depole. Located near New York’s …

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe Opened 99 New Locations in 2020

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe franchise, experienced another record-breaking year in 2020. Tropical Smoothie Cafe delivered its ninth consecutive year of positive same-store sales, with 2020 same-store sales coming in at +7.5%. The brand opened 99 new cafes, including its 900th location in Fort Benning, Ga. Further, the brand signed 254 new franchise agreements — 70% of which came from existing franchisees — and is on track to reach more than 1,000 operating restaurants in 2021. “Our success is directly related to the passion and …

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Slim Chickens to Open More Than 50 Locations in 2021

by Katie Lee

Fayetteville, Ark. — Slim Chickens plans to open more than 50 restaurants this year in various states including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. As the fast-casual brand expands around the globe, Slim Chickens, which features dine-in and drive-thru footprints in the “better chicken” segment, is set for an explosive 2021. Internationally, franchise restaurants will continue to open across the United Kingdom as well. Slim Chickens closed out 2020 having signed over 150 multi-unit agreements with 16 groups that will bring the brand into new markets …

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QDOBA Mexican Eats Opens 400th Franchise Location

by Katie Lee

San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats® (QDOBA), the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has opened its 400th franchise location (pictured). The landmark opening underscores the brand’s dynamic development strategy to expand to 2,000 units. QDOBA’s growth will be fueled by blending a mix of current franchisees expanding their portfolios, new franchisee acquisition and corporate development. QDOBA’s 400th franchise restaurant had its grand opening on Jan. 19 in Brighton, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. The modernized QDOBA features several of the brand’s recent innovations, including a new drive-thru …

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