Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has provided an update on the next phase of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Working together, we can limit the spread of COVID-19 while offering convenient, affordable food in a low contact environment,” says David Gibbs, CEO of Yum! Brands. “But our employees — like millions of others — are worried and our franchisees are under stress. We need to support them so they can be there for our customers. As the situation changes rapidly, KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit …
restaurants
Mt. Prospect, Ill. — Diversified Foodservice Supply, LLC (DFS) is expanding its Do It Yourself (DIY) program by introducing new videos that enable foodservice operators to make DIY fixes for common kitchen repairs and to handle preventive maintenance tasks that keep kitchens up and running. It also committed to ongoing educational alerts that help operators adhere to changing sanitary protocols. In addition, the company is expanding capabilities to provide quick response and nationwide distribution of product rollouts. These new offerings supplement the existing library of DIY products and resources available …
Bloomfield Hills, Mich. — As of March 19, 2020, Taubman Centers, Inc. temporarily closed all but two of the company’s U.S. shopping centers in response to COVID-19. The closures will continue through March 29, or later if required by state or local government. “After numerous discussions with state and local officials, we will temporarily cease operations in all but two centers this evening,” says the company’s chairman, president and CEO, Robert S. Taubman. “We are clearly in unprecedented times and this is right decision for our shoppers, retailers, employees and …
Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has acquired The Habit Restaurants, Inc., following the approval by The Habit Burger Grill stockholders. The transaction marks the addition of the first fast-casual concept to Yum! Brands’ portfolio of iconic global restaurant brands. The acquisition of The Habit Burger Grill adds an award-winning fast-casual concept with a loyal fan-base to Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of units and parent of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. Founded in California in 1969, The Habit Burger Grill offers a flavor-forward variety …
Austin, Texas — The first Twin Peaks restaurant in the Austin area, which originally opened in 2007, got a lift and reopened its doors with a fresh new look on March 7, 2020. Since that time, due to COVID-19 concerns, in-house diners will have to wait a little longer to enjoy the interior renovations. The restaurant remains open for to-go orders only. Twin Peaks’ restaurant renovations include an updated interior with enhanced dining areas, a modernized furniture and décor package to include all-new contemporary finishes and completely remodeled restrooms. Out …
San Francisco — Uber Eats has announced efforts to support independent restaurant owners and operators as the hospitality industry faces unprecedented challenges amidst the COVID-19 state of emergency. “We know the coming weeks will be challenging ones for many small business owners, and we want to help restaurants focus on food, not finances,” says Janelle Sallenave, head of Uber Eats for the U.S. and Canada. “That’s why we’re working to drive increased demand to more than 100,000 independent restaurants across the U.S. and Canada through free delivery and marketing efforts.” …
Washington, D.C. — Jersey Mike’s Subs has been rapidly expanding throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (“DMV”) region with the help of real estate partner KLNB. In total, KLNB has closed 17 deals for Jersey Mike’s across the DMV over the past 18 months, for a total of nearly 27,000 square feet and a lease volume of $10.46 million. KLNB has a long-standing partnership with Jersey Mike’s and has represented the company’s real estate interests throughout the DMV for 8 years. KLNB principal Ryan Minnehan and retail specialist Michael …
Philadelphia — Greek from Greece (GFG) Bakery-Café, the authentic Greek fast-casual phenomenon, has finalized a deal to open its first franchise location. Franchisee Dimitri Gouliaberis plans to open the new location this summer at a site near Drexel University in Philadelphia. GFG Bakery-Café continues to build momentum, launching recent expansions in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and Pennsylvania that will more than quadruple the brand’s footprint in the next year. “I spent my adolescence in Greece, but my adulthood in America,” says Gouliberis. “I wanted to combine the fast-paced …
Hilton Head Island, S.C. — Slapfish, a fast-growing, fast-casual seafood restaurant, continues expansion in the Southeast with its first stand-alone location in Hilton Head Island, S.C. The restaurant is a conversion of a former convenience store site. Building on the Pooler, Ga., grand opening late last year, Hilton Head marks the second Slapfish location owned and operated by the Lomasney family franchise group. The Lomasneys converted a former convenience store into the modern restaurant space, including a walk-up ordering window to take advantage of Hilton Head’s expansive biking and walking …
Perris, Calif. — Farmer Boys, the Southern California-based fast casual concept known for its award-winning burgers and exceptional service, is celebrating the grand opening of its Perris, Calif., restaurant this month. This marks the company’s 100th restaurant. “Almost 40 years and 99 restaurant openings later, we are overjoyed to open the 100th Farmer Boys restaurant in the city where we first opened in 1981,” says Larry Rusinko, vice president and chief marketing officer for Farmer Boys. “This grand opening event marks a special homecoming for Farmer Boys and it’s the …