Denver — Slater’s 50/50, the nationally recognized burger concept known for inventing the 50/50 burger patty made with 50% ground bacon and 50% ground beef, celebrated the grand opening of its first Denver restaurant on July 24, 2020. The new location is opening in the RiNo Arts District’s The Hub, a mixed-use building featuring office, retail and restaurant tenants, located at 3600 Blake St. “After a 30+ year career in the investment industry, I decided to do something completely different — open a restaurant,” says Charles Murray, owner of Slater’s …
restaurants
Minneapolis — Taco John’s, a popular quick-service restaurant brand based in Cheyenne, Wyo., has opened a new franchise support center in Minneapolis. This second corporate office is located at 1650 West End Blvd. Ste. #100 in St. Louis Park. With nearly half of the brand’s restaurants located within a 4-hour drive of Minneapolis, Taco John’s chose the city as its base to more easily connect with its franchisees in the upper Midwest while continuing to expand its nationwide footprint. “Bringing our franchise support center to The City of Lakes is …
West Palm Beach, Fla. — Marco’s Pizza plans to expand in Palm Beach County, Fla. Amid the pandemic, Marco’s Pizza is outperforming other QSRs, recording historic sales milestones, while supporting communities nationwide. The brand plans to add 13 Palm Beach County locations by 2025 through strategic franchise partnerships. With an open real estate market, three thriving locations under operation and a favorable competitive landscape, Palm Beach County is an obvious and attractive area for growth. Recently, Hinesh Patel, franchisee of Marco’s Pizza in Boynton Beach, experienced several weeks of record …
Atlanta — In the last 3 months, Cinnaholic, a bakery that serves innovative plant-based cinnamon roll creations, has set single day sales records across its franchise system, introduced a series of new technology-based innovations, and inked deals to add more than a handful of new locations in key U.S. markets. “When the pandemic hit, we battened down the hatches and focused on two big priorities — making it as easy as possible for our new and longtime fans to enjoy Cinnaholic and supporting our franchisees with even more revenue-driving opportunities …
Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe franchise known for both its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, has seen strong growth year-to-date in 2020 including the signing of 103 new franchise agreements, including 49 signed since March 1 — of which, 67% are with existing franchisees. In addition, the company also opened 43 new restaurants in 2020 with 35 cafes opening since March 1. Franchise agreements and cafe openings targeted growth in 25 states, propelling franchise development efforts in target markets across the country. …
Seattle — In its continued effort in prioritizing the health and well-being of partners (employees) and customers, Starbucks has announced that, beginning on July 15, it will be requiring customers to wear facial coverings while visiting all company-owned café locations in the U.S. At select locations where a local government mandate is not in place, customers that may not be wearing a facial covering will have various options to order their Starbucks, including ordering at the drive-thru, curbside pickup through the Starbucks app or placing an order for delivery through …
— By Peter Teska — With heightened expectations around hygiene, consider these best practices when you reopen. In many countries, restaurants were among the first to feel the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Bookings disappeared almost overnight, followed by long imposed periods of closure and staff inactivity. The onset of coronavirus hasn’t diminished the hard work you have put into your business, but the subsequent rapid change of circumstances and focus mean that you are in effect at ground zero. Putting effective cleaning procedures in place is crucial …
Canton, Mass. — As previously announced in its Q4 2019 earnings call in February, Dunkin’ remains on track to close 450 locations inside Speedway convenience stores by the end of 2020. According to Michelle King, senior director, global public relations for Dunkin’ Brands, the closures are specific to Speedway-owned and operated limited menu Dunkin’ locations only. “As we stated during our 2019 fourth quarter and fiscal year earnings call in February, Dunkin’ reached an agreement with Speedway earlier this year to exit the approximately 450 Speedway owned and operated limited …
Riverside, Calif. — Farmer Boys® has hired restaurant industry and finance veteran Joseph Ortiz to serve as its new vice president of finance and accounting. In this position, Ortiz is responsible for leading the finance and accounting teams through proactive coaching and mentorship, creative strategies and improved workflow. Ortiz brings with him over 14 years of finance, strategy and organizational leadership experience, much of which has been within the quick-service restaurant industry. He most recently held the position of director of finance at Bakemark and has also led successful teams …
San Francisco — Uber Technologies, Inc. and Postmates Inc. have reached a definitive agreement under which Uber will acquire Postmates for approximately $2.65 billion in an all-stock transaction. This transaction brings together Uber’s global Rides and Eats platform with Postmates’ distinctive delivery business in the U.S. Postmates is highly complementary to Uber Eats, with differentiated geographic focus areas and customer demographics, and Postmates’ strong relationships with small- and medium-sized restaurants, particularly local favorites that draw customers to the Postmates brand. Additionally, Postmates has been an early pioneer of “delivery-as-a-service,” which …