Riverside, Calif. — Farmer Boys®, a farm fresh fast-casual concept, has added restaurant industry veteran Dave Wetzel as its new senior vice president of operations. In this role, Wetzel is responsible for overseeing both company and franchise restaurant operations. He will play a key role in defining the strategic direction for the brand and overseeing field execution. “Farmer Boys is already known for its exceptional customer service, so I’m looking forward to joining the team to help enhance everyday operations at both the restaurant and corporate level,” says Wetzel. “Our …
restaurants
Bethesda, Md. — Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of the RLJ Companies and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), has announced a joint venture with the Boston-based restaurant group Legal Sea Foods to open smaller-scale versions of the famed restaurant within airports across the country. “I am very excited about the RLJ Companies joining with Legal Sea Foods and its CEO and president, Roger S. Berkowitz, to expand the Legal Sea Foods dining experience to millions more airport travelers,” Johnson says. “Berkowitz’s family founded Legal Sea Foods, whose roots …
Minnetonka, Minn. — Famous Dave’s opened the first of its smaller footprint prototype restaurants in Uptown Minneapolis on December 20, 2019. The new restaurant is approximately 3,000 square feet — compared to the average 6,500 to 7,000 square feet — and features a bar-centric environment and compact dining area. Famous Dave’s parent holding company, BBQ Holdings, Inc. which recently opened its Clark Crew BBQ restaurant concept with its partner Clark Championship Products LLC, is looking to open five to 10 of these smaller footprint restaurants by the end of 2020. …
Kansas City, Mo. — Full-service commercial real estate firm Block & Company, Inc. Realtors has completed the first phase of its Kmart redevelopment project in Merriam, Kan., with the opening of a new Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. The more than 4,000-square-foot building is now one of Freddy’s largest locations in the United States. Block & Company handled the construction management of the project on behalf of the property ownership group. Construction details of the new Freddy’s included an almost complete tear-down of the existing building. Various structural elements and …
Los Angeles — Following closely on the heels of a successful entry into San Diego, Patxi’s Pizza, a full-service restaurant chain, has continued its expansion in Southern California with a new location in Los Angeles. The outpost is now open downtown at L.A. Live in place of Lawry’s Carvery. It will serve as the brand’s flagship location. The flagship Los Angeles restaurant features indoor and outdoor patio seating for more than 160 guests and an Express Window for late-night takeout. “Of course, we’re thrilled to be opening the first Los …
Carlsbad, Calif. — The Crack Shack, a San Diego-based casual restaurant chain that offers organic, locally-sourced chicken and egg dishes, recently opened its first location beyond California, taking its place amongst the fierce competition on the Las Vegas strip. With the intention to dazzle Las Vegas-style, The Crack Shack invested in audio/video solutions controlled by Xantech’s Video over IP Platform and ELAN. “Being located at the Park MGM, Las Vegas’s newest hotel and casino, The Crack Shack’s owners knew they needed to go big to attract attention and fit the city’s over-the-top …
New York City — Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, a long-time New York City staple and famed pizza concept known nationwide for its authentic New York pizzas, will open later in December at 1410 Broadway on 39th Street, just a few blocks from Times Square. The new outpost will mark the first Midtown Manhattan restaurant for Artichoke Basille’s Pizza and the 12th location in New York City and its boroughs. “After nearly 12 years since we’ve been founded, we’re excited to finally bring Artichoke Basille’s Pizza to Midtown Manhattan, and just in …
Tampa, Fla. — BTI Partners, a real estate development firm, has closed on the sale of a 1.6-acre site slated to become a waterfront restaurant in Tampa Bay’s Westshore Marina District. The deal adds a boat-up restaurant to the District’s roster of specialty retail tenants to serve the Tampa Bay area. The parcel was sold to D&G WMD, LLC. The restaurant, named Paloma, will be located at the grand entrance of Westshore Marina District and will become a landmark for boaters and residents of Tampa/St. Pete as a destination waterfront …
Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe®, a leading national fast-casual cafe concept, has signed two multi-unit franchise agreements to develop 38 new cafes across the state of Colorado, including a 27-unit deal and an 11-unit deal. As part of these agreements, Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants will be developed in key markets throughout the state over the next 5 years. Tropical Smoothie Cafe has identified Colorado as a target state for development, with five locations currently open. Two additional cafes are under construction and slated to open in early 2020 in Highlands …
Kansas City, Mo. — Service Management Group (SMG), a global customer, patient and employee experience management partner to more than 500 brands, has launched a new customer experience management program with American fast-food restaurant chain P. Terry’s Burger Stand. By combining platform technology and best-in-class professional services, SMG is uniquely positioned to help P. Terry’s uncover and activate customer insights. Founded in 2005, P. Terry’s is a classic, Texas-based burger joint with a focus on small-town hospitality. “With SMG’s leadership in the restaurant industry and a track record of providing …