Wichita, Kan. — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, a leading national fast-casual restaurant concept known for its cooked-to-order Steakburgers and freshly churned frozen custard treats, has signed a multi-unit franchise agreement to develop 50 new restaurants over the next several years across the Southeast. As part of this agreement, Freddy’s will grow its footprint throughout the Florida West Coast and Panhandle, with locations currently under development and slated to open next year in Pensacola and Tampa. These new restaurants will be owned by experienced multi-unit operators RSolution Holdings, who signed …
restaurants
Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe franchise, has opened its 900th cafe, which is located on the Fort Benning military base in Georgia. This milestone opening comes on the heels of a momentous year for the brand, which has signed 214 new franchise agreements, opened 87 new cafes across the U.S. and achieved double digit same-store sales for the past 5 months, bringing same-store sales to +6.3% year to date. “It’s inspiring to be part of the growth that Tropical Smoothie Cafe has accomplished this year …
Atlanta — While 2020 has disrupted many businesses, especially among foodservice, The Flying Biscuit Café has entered a new stage of growth, signing numerous development deals throughout the southern U.S., including Columbia, S.C.; Chapel Hill, N.C., East Cobb County, Ga., Castleberry Hill, Ga; and Athens, Ga. “The pandemic brought a lot of uncertainty to the restaurant industry, but we adapted quickly, increasing delivery services, offering touchless payments and providing additional curbside pickup options,” says Brent Fuller, vice president of operation at the Flying Biscuit Café. “As a brand, we’re proud …
Nashville, Tenn. — Captain D’s has launched a new restaurant prototype called Express, featuring a significantly smaller footprint than its traditional models. Over the past several years, Captain D’s has developed a robust lineup of restaurant prototypes — ranging from a 22-seater to a 62-seater — all intentionally designed to adapt to the increasingly competitive real estate market, as well as provide franchisees with flexibility and substantial cost savings. The first Captain D’s Express is slated to open in the Atlanta metro area in second quarter 2021. Captain D’s Express …
New York City — Fransmart, the industry-leading franchise development company, will officially represent Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, the soon-to-open, 24/7 quick-service restaurant serving creative, flavor-packed dumplings with hands-free technology, in its global franchising endeavors. The restaurant’s flagship location is opening in Manhattan’s East Village this December. Fransmart was drawn to Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s unique concept, which reimagines dumplings in 32 unique varieties along with the latest in restaurant tech innovation. “This is all about disruption,” says Stratis Morfogen, co-founder of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop. “Disrupting the QSR industry, disrupting traditional kitchen operations, …
Newport Beach, Calif. — Chipotle Mexican Grill plans to launch a digital restaurant concept dubbed Chipotle Digital Kitchen. Customers will be required to order in advance via the Chipotle app, website or third-party delivery service; there will not be a dining area or line to order food. The Newport Beach-based restaurant chain says the footprint is designed for urban areas but will open its first location near West Point Academy in Highland Falls, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 14. The announcement of the restaurant opening comes on the heels of the …
Auburn, Ala. — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only Southern-inspired, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, has named Marianna Magee as director of marketing and Jon Musser as director of supply chain. These additions to the brand’s rapidly growing corporate team come on the heels of the promotions of longstanding leaders Jim Thompson, Terry McKee, Tom Carr, Mary Lou Atkins and Carrie Evans in August. Chicken Salad Chick, which now has more than 175 locations in 17 states, has opened 34 new locations year-to-date, with four more projected to open before …
New York City — The Halal Guys, the fast-casual American halal restaurant famous for pioneering halal fare, is celebrating its 30th anniversary since opening its first cart in Manhattan in 1990. Thirty years ago, The Halal Guys’ three founding partners — Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed — emigrated from Egypt to New York City to pursue their dreams of becoming successful entrepreneurs. Starting at the corner of 53rd and 6th Avenue in New York City, fast forward to 2020 and The Halal Guys is the original and largest …
San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats®, the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, continues to grow its non-traditional footprint across universities, airports and other venues. Since August, the brand has opened eight locations on college campuses across the country — including University of Cincinnati, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Purdue University, University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, ASU Polytechnic, North Carolina A&T University, Kentucky State University and Northern Illinois University. An additional two non-traditional locations are slated to open by the end of the year. This year’s non-traditional openings add to a collection …
Darien, Conn. — On November 6, Playa Bowls, the Jersey Shore’s original acai bowl shop, is opening its milestone 100th location in the United States & Puerto Rico. The 100th store, located in Darien, Conn., is Playa Bowls’ third store in the state. Over the past 6 years, Playa Bowls has grown organically with a mix of franchised and company locations, employing 2,500+ team members in 16 states and territories. In 2019 alone, Playa Bowls sold more than 6 million bowls, and was on track to sell up to 10 million in …