Henderson, Nev. — Potbelly Sandwich Shop is opening its first Nevada location in Henderson on Dec. 11. The shop is located in the Shoppes on the Parkway development near the intersection of St. Rose Parkway and Amigo Street, which is becoming a hot spot for new restaurants and retail stores. The Potbelly Henderson location is the first shop in a franchise development agreement that will bring 10 locations to the Las Vegas market. Local restaurant operations expert and vice president of Veritasfaythe, Gregg Kocenko, has been integral in the development …
restaurants
New York City — The Hummus & Pita Co., a New York City-based fast-casual concept, debuted its new location in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan on Dec. 5. The new restaurant is located between 2nd and 3rd avenues at 216 E. 86th St. The Hummus & Pita Co. joins other restaurants such as Sweetgreens, Shake Shack, and Chipotle in the high-traffic area. “We are thrilled to be opening our new location in such a highly coveted area and further expanding our New York footprint into a new area …
Oak Brook, Ill. — Chef Bill Kim’s Pizza & Parm Shop, a new virtual restaurant based out of the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, opened on Dec. 2. Available exclusively for takeout through DoorDash, this pop-up offers the western Chicago suburbs a chance to experience the award-winning chef’s menu of flavors, in a time where dining options continue to be limited due to restaurant dining restrictions. “Growing up on the northside of Chicago, I had a lot of Italian friends and was constantly surrounded by the cuisine… I think part …
Dallas — La Madeleine French Bakery & Café will return to Addison, Texas, in February with a new Petite Market and Bakery prototype, which combines la Madeleine’s ambiance as an unhurried French retreat with the convenience of a grab ‘n go concept. The new restaurant will also include la Madeleine’s first-ever drive-thru and a featured scratch-baking experience. “To round out the French bakery experience, team members will make bread onsite by mixing the dough, shaping and baking it,” says la Madeleine CEO Lionel Ladouceur. “There is truly nothing more delightful …
Los Angeles — California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) has successfully completed its financial restructuring process and emerged from Chapter 11. CPK completed a debt-for-equity transaction and now has a substantially reduced debt load and increased liquidity. Upon emergence, the company eliminated more than $220 million of existing funded debt from its capital structure. The company had filed for bankruptcy in July 2020 with plans to close 200 stores. CPK completed its restructuring with the full support of its creditors and previous equity holders. Looking ahead, the company is focused on expanding …
Irvine, Calif. — Juice It Up!, a leading handcrafted smoothie, açaí bowl and raw juice franchise, has experienced strong growth in same store sales (SSS) and average unit volumes (AUVs) in 2020. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, through October 2020, SSS for the year have increased by 13%, with SSS for the third quarter just ended September 2020 up 19%. Most significantly, the brand’s top 50% of franchised locations now have an AUV approaching $600,000 while the brand’s top 25% of franchised locations have seen their AUV expand …
Plano, Texas — Former restaurant and entertainment executive, Ted Beaman, along with his 20-year business partners, Sean McCullough and Greg Stevens, are shifting careers from the entertainment industry to open 10 MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, a Plano, Texas-based “better burger” concept, across the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Eight of the 10 locations will be new, whereas the other two locations — in Flower Mound and Frisco, Texas — are being acquired and remodeled. All 10 of these locations will feature the brand’s new prototype with new dining zones, digital …
Athens, Ga. — Zaxby’s Operating Company L.P. (Zaxby’s) and its subsidiaries have announced that investment funds managed by the Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division (Goldman Sachs) will acquire a significant stake in the company. The partnership will support accelerated growth for Zaxby’s as well as expansion into new sales channels with a guest-focused strategy. The deal is expected to be finalized by year end 2020. Zaxby’s, the fast-casual chain known for its chicken fingers, wings and signature sauces, operates primarily in the Southeastern United States, with more than 900 restaurants …
Atlanta — The Hummus & Pita Co., a leading Mediterranean fast-casual concept, opened its first location in the South — near Perimeter Mall in Atlanta — on Nov. 21. This is the first of three franchised locations opening in the Southeast before year’s end, and as part of a five-location deal with franchise group Premier Kings, Inc., one of the largest Burger King franchisees in the country. Additional locations in Huntsville and Montgomery, Ala., are set to open in the coming weeks. “We saw a great opportunity in The Hummus …
— Interview with Patricia Perry, Vice President, Franchise Development, Edible — Edible was ready when the pandemic hit. When the pandemic hit, Edible was ready. It already had a dedicated delivery model, made possible by a robust fleet of refrigerated trucks; it had multiple omnichannel platforms customers could use to interact with the brand; its fruit arrangements and chocolate treats offered a way to say “we’re thinking of you” to friends or relatives you could not visit in person. Also working in Edible’s favor? A talented support team and …