Durham, N.C. — Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken, the nation’s fastest growing biscuits and fried chicken chain with over 100 units in development across the country, has signed an area development agreement for the state of Virginia. BDVA Holdings, LLC has committed to opening at least 25 Rise locations throughout Virginia over the next 9 years. “We’re confident in the economics of Rise to drive sales through delivery and pickup during and after this crisis,” says BDVA’s Nash Osborn. “Tom Ferguson, founder and CEO of Rise, has created a …
restaurants
Bal Harbour, Fla. — With carefully considered planning, following CDC guidelines and in alignment with state and local officials, Bal Harbour Shops opened on May 18 with increased safety precautions to protect customers, retailers and employees. In keeping with Miami-Dade County and Bal Harbour Village ordinances, retail stores and indoor restaurant seating occupancy will be limited to 50% and salons will limit occupancy to 25%. “For over 55 years, Bal Harbour Shops has maintained an emotional connection with our customer and our community by enhancing the shopping experience. Making our …
Austin, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released plans for the second phase of the state’s plan to reopen the economy at a press conference on May 18, notably giving bars the option to begin reopening on May 22. Under the terms of the plan, Texas bars, wine tasting rooms and craft breweries may initially reopen at 25% occupancy with regard to indoor seating only. Restaurants may increase their occupancy levels to 50%. The order stipulates that these businesses must adhere to proper social distancing guidelines and minimum standard health …
Cleveland — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-through in the “better chicken” segment, will open its first location in Cleveland in the first quarter of 2021. The forthcoming restaurant comes out of the brand’s recent six-unit franchise agreement in the Cleveland market. This will mark the brand’s first location in the Cleveland market and second location in Ohio. An experienced restaurant operator, David Giesen is bringing Slim Chickens to the area. He is a multi-unit owner of several fast food and fast-casual restaurants across Ohio …
Los Angeles — sweetgreen, the seasonal restaurant with the mission of connecting people to real food, has hired Starbucks veteran Chris Carr as its new chief operations officer. “Chris’ values and leadership skills will make for an exceptional addition to the sweetgreen team,” says Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO of sweetgreen. “With his experience in delivering sustainable growth in retail and supply chain, we’re looking forward to Chris furthering his impact on the future of real food and amplifying our growth ahead.” Carr most recently served as Starbucks’ executive vice …
Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading family-style pizza chain for over 40 years, is opening its fifth Oakland, Calif., location. The new Mountain Mike’s Pizza is located near the Oakland Coliseum and Oracle Arena. With the dining room currently closed due to shelter-in-place, Mountain Mike’s is offering its full menu of pizzas, wings, garlic sticks and local beers and wines via contactless delivery and carryout. “Although we’re not able to open our dining rooms just yet, we are proud to begin serving Mountain Mike’s signature pizzas to …
Fremont, Calif. — In observance of Governor Newsom’s new directive, Pacific Commons, a regional lifestyle center in Fremont, Calif., is now offering retail-to-go services with curbside pickup options available to shoppers. While the center itself is open, individual retailers will each determine when they will begin offering sales and curbside services, and their hours will vary. Shoppers taking advantage of retail-to-go services are asked to make their purchases from each retailer or restaurant online or over the phone; payment must be made electronically. When shoppers arrive at Pacific Commons, they …
Seattle — Seattle-based Starbucks has started reopening its company-operated stores across the United States. Operating under modified operations and hours, including heightened safety protocols, the company has approximately 85% of stores open now and expects to have more than 90% of stores open by early June. The company is using its experience in China, where more than 98% of its stores are open and operating under revised protocols, as the foundation for its reopening in the United States amid the continued concerns of the global COVID-19 pandemic. “We have adapted …
Lehi, Utah — On May 7, 2020, R&R BBQ appointed industry veteran Neil Harfert as president to lead the fast-growing restaurant chain in its next chapter of growth. Founders Rod and Roger Livingston, who are brothers, will be retiring to pursue other interests. “Neil is a proven and respected leader who has delivered strong operating results through a long career in the food and beverage industry, with powerhouse brands like Qdoba, Modern Market Eatery and MOD Pizza,” says Greg Warnock, a member of the R&R BBQ board of directors and …
East Rutherford, N.J. — German Doner Kebab (GDK), a fast-casual restaurant chain, plans to open 350 restaurants in the United States over the next 7 years. The first location will be within American Dream in East Rutherford, N.J. The Glasgow, Scotland-based company specializes in doner kebab, which is a slow-cooked meat often served on a flatbread. GDK operates more than 70 locations in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Dubai, Abu-Dhabi, Oman and Bahrain. GDK also plans to open locations in Ireland and Saudi Arabia. New York City-based JAACRES is representing GDK …