restaurants

Paradise, Calif. — On April 1, 2019, Dutch Bros Coffee reopened its doors in Paradise, Calif., nearly 5 months after the community was devastated by wildfires. This was California’s most destructive fire in history, with over 14,000 homes lost and approximately 25,000 people affected. “The hope is that the reopening will help customers feel a sense of normalcy and comfort again, even if it’s for 5 minutes going through the drive-thru,” says Matt Long, operator of Dutch Bros Paradise. “Our community has been through so much, and whatever we can …

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Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, has opened its newly remodeled location in Beverly Hills, Calif. This co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express restaurant is located steps away from FAT Brands’ headquarters and opened in late March. Fatburger, the beloved Hollywood burger chain, maintains and upholds its unique L.A. culture and trademark menu offerings crafted by founder Lovie Yancey when she launched the brand almost 70 years ago in Southern California. This remodeled location features vintage-inspired pendant lighting, the brand’s signature pop of blue, …

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Milwaukee — Marcus Theatres®, a division of The Marcus Corporation, is planning to bring Movie Tavern® by Marcus to Brookfield Square in Brookfield, Wis., a suburb of Milwaukee. Given the company’s recent acquisition of Movie Tavern, the timing is right to introduce a new theatre brand into the marketplace. The concept would replace the previously announced Brookfield BistroPlex℠ and is anticipated to open in October 2019. “Movie Tavern by Marcus is an extension of the Marcus Theatres brand with its own personality and some unique attributes,” says Rolando Rodriguez, chairman, …

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New York City — Shake Shack has appointed a new chief development officer, chief global licensing officer, chief information officer and chief marketing officer, as well as the addition of its ninth board member. All four positions represent new roles at the company, filled with a balanced team of internal and external talent. With sizeable growth ahead, Shake Shack’s team of senior leaders will be instrumental in its strategic growth. Andrew McCaughan, formerly vice president of development at Shake Shack, has been promoted to chief development officer. He will be …

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Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has expanded into the non-traditional sector for the first time with the opening of five new locations in spaces across the Midwest. The brand recently opened restaurants in Old Capitol Town Center in Iowa City, Iowa; Wichita State University’s student center in Wichita, Kan.; and Oklahoma State University’s football and basketball stadiums in Stillwater, Okla. The company also signed an agreement to bring Freddy’s to the Missouri State University student center in Springfield, Mo., before the end of the …

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Chicago — Pork & Mindy’s, along with chef and owner Jeff Mauro, plan to open two new standalone restaurants in the Chicago area, including one in Mauro’s hometown of Elmwood Park. The Chicago-based BBQ concept also plans to open 28 locations inside Mariano’s grocery stores. Pork & Mindy’s is scheduled to open along ‘Restaurant Row’ in Elmwood Park this summer, as well as in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood later this year. The Elmwood Park location will feature a rooftop patio and regularly scheduled live music. Mauro (pictured here) and …

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Chicago and New York and Tel Aviv — McDonald’s Corporation has reached an agreement to acquire Dynamic Yield Ltd., a leader in personalization and decision logic technology. With this acquisition of Dynamic Yield, based in New York and Tel Aviv, McDonald’s builds on its significant technology investments for growth. McDonald’s will utilize this decision technology to provide an even more personalized customer experience by varying outdoor digital drive-thru menu displays to show food based on time of day, weather, current restaurant traffic and trending menu items. The decision technology can also …

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Franklin, Tenn. — CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® restaurants, has named Darla Morse as its new chief information officer. She joins CKE from Inspire Brands. In her most recent position, as chief information officer of Inspire Brands, Morse led initiatives to enhance the restaurant experience and drive operational efficiencies for the multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 8,300 Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Rusty Taco and Sonic Drive-In locations worldwide. She was previously CIO of Arby’s, served as CIO of SeaWorld and spent …

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Boca Raton, Fla. — I Heart Mac & Cheese, a fast-casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls, grilled cheese sandwiches and specialty salads, has signed an agreement with franchise group G5 Services, LLC, to open a new location in Augusta, Ga. Slated to start construction later this year, the Augusta location will be owned and operated by Kimberly and Brian Grotz, opening in winter 2019. G5 Services, LLC is led by husband-and-wife duo and first-time entrepreneurs, Kimberly and Brian Grotz. “We are so thrilled to have Kim …

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— By Del Williams — Streamlining reporting, monitoring and operations requires a flexible POS system and quick, supportive vendor response. In the quick-service restaurant (QSR) arena, both established and emerging franchises understand the importance of choosing the right POS system to keep operations functioning smoothly. Although there are many options on the market, most POS systems offer similar technological advantages: the commonalities include hardware such as POS terminals with touchscreen interfaces and credit card swiping mechanisms as well as the software that ties to all to back office operations. Today, …

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