Maryville, Tenn. — Ruby Tuesday Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with plans to permanently close 185 restaurants that were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company’s 236 open locations will remain operational throughout the reorganization process. The Maryville, Tenn.-based chain is the latest restaurant group to fall victim to the economic pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. California Pizza Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 protection in July citing similar struggles. “This announcement does not mean ‘Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday’ — this is ‘Hello, to a stronger Ruby Tuesday’,” …
restaurants
Columbus, Ohio — True Food Kitchen has opened its first Ohio restaurant at Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio. The restaurant brand was founded in 2008 by Sam Fox and Dr. Andrew Weil, creator of the anti-inflammatory diet, which involves selecting foods that help fight chronic inflammation. True Food Kitchen serves a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. As a result of COVID-19, the restaurant is currently offering family to-go meals and carryout cocktails. The dining room includes 27 tables that are spaced 6 feet apart. The restaurant also …
Greensboro, N.C. — Jeff Linville has been named vice president of operations at Biscuitville Fresh Southern®. For more than 20 years, Linville has served in various C-suite and senior management roles within franchised, private equity firms as well as other quick-service restaurants. “Jeff is a veteran of restaurant operations and senior management, having worked with some of the industry’s leading brands,” says Kathie Niven, president of Biscuitville. “He will take the lead role in the continuing evolution of Biscuitville operations. Jeff is an outstanding operator, and his people-first leadership style …
Hudson, Wis. — Refrigerated Solutions Group (RSG), an industry leader in refrigerated equipment and service, has added to its commercial sales team. Chris Carney and Howard McCann were recently named regional sales managers for the portfolio of brands. Both Carney and McCann will report directly to Bob Stevens, director of dealer sales for RSG. “Chris and Howard’s expertise in regional sales gives me great confidence that both will be strong assets as the regional sales managers for the Master-Bilt and Nor-Lake brands,” says Stevens. “Both have vast foodservice equipment experience …
Perris, Calif. — Farmer Boys, a Southern California-based fast-casual concept, will celebrate its 100th restaurant opening the weekend of October 23-24 in Perris, Calif. — the same city where it all began nearly 40 years ago. “We are thrilled to open the 100th Farmer Boys restaurant in the city where we first opened nearly 40 years ago,” says Larry Rusinko, vice president and chief marketing officer for Farmer Boys. Since opening in 1981 in Perris, Farmer Boys has prided itself on establishing a loyal customer base throughout its nearly 40 …
Miami — CAO Bakery & Café, a South Florida staple known for blending traditional Cuban baking with the inviting atmosphere of American-mainstay cafés, plans to expand its pastelito portfolio through franchise opportunities. This will allow Cuban American Original (CAO) to reach new markets beyond its nine Miami-Dade and three Broward locations. As the retail bakery market in the Miami metro area grew a robust 13% between 2017 to 2018, nationwide, the bakery-café industry is projected to grow at a 2.3% annual rate over the next 3 years. CAO plans to …
San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats, the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has hired franchising industry veteran Peter Ortiz as vice president of franchise development. In his new role, Ortiz will be directing the 730-unit brand’s strategic franchise expansion across key markets in the U.S. and Canada. He joined the brand in mid-August from Potbelly. In recent years, QDOBA set the stage for continued growth by hiring over 100 corporate employees at its new San Diego headquarters, establishing a more distinctive brand identity and expanding its menu …
Greensboro, N.C. — Biscuitville founder Maurice Neuborne Jennings passed away on September 19, having spent his last days surrounded by his family. He was 86. Jennings founded Biscuitville in 1966 first as Pizzaville, which became a community favorite pizza restaurant. In the mornings, biscuits along with a legendary jelly bar were offered at Pizzaville. Demand for biscuits was so immense that Jennings opened the first stand-alone Biscuitville in 1975, serving only biscuits. Today, there are 64 Biscuitville restaurants in North Carolina and Virginia. Jennings’ son, Burney Jennings, is the chief …
“Challenges in Restaurant Facilities Management: How are Restaurant Facilities Maintenance Teams Responding to COVID-19?”
by Katie Lee
The “Challenges in Restaurant Facilities Management: How are Restaurant Facilities Maintenance Teams Responding to COVID-19?” webinar, hosted by Retail & Restaurant Facility Business, delves into importance issues of cleanliness, technology, layout and protocols. In a new reality where restaurant operations have suddenly become a visible part of the customer experience and level of satisfaction, restaurant leaders and service providers weigh in on what the restaurant industry needs to take on the challenges of COVID-19 and keep staff and customers safe. See a list of some topics covered below: Evolving cleaning …
Arlington, Va. — Bob & Edith’s Diner, an iconic Washington, D.C., eatery beloved by celebrities and locals alike, recently opened its fifth corporate location in Arlington, Va., despite COVID-19-related delays. The new location welcomed more customers than anticipated in its first week (both on- and off-premise), highlighting the concept’s popularity and cult-like following in D.C. and surrounding areas. The new location has special significance to owner Greg Bolton. “My dad worked at this very location 65 years ago, before he opened the first Bob & Edith’s Diner,” he says. “I …