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 …
restaurants
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 …
Westlake, Ohio — TravelCenters of America Inc. (TA) has appointed Peter J. Crage as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, effective immediately. Crage succeeds William E. Myers, who has resigned from the company. “Peter joins TA with experience directing large and complex financial organizations in the hospitality, entertainment and foodservice industries,” says Jonathan M. Pertchik, managing director and CEO of TA. “He has a strong record leading transformational change, achieving operational excellence and driving profitability in dynamic environments. In addition, Peter brings a ‘can-do,’ high-energy attitude, which is …
Nashville, Tenn. — CraftWorks Holdings, LLC, which operates restaurants and breweries under leading names such as Logan’s Roadhouse, Old Chicago, Rock Bottom and Gordon Biersch, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This follows the company’s decision, in recent weeks, to close 37 underperforming locations. CraftWorks has 261 locations in 39 states and the District of Columbia; its 77 franchise locations continue to operate as usual. The company has partnered with affiliates of Fortress Credit Co LLC, senior lenders to the company, to provide at least $138 million. The transaction is …
Chicago — Englewood Construction, one of the country’s leading commercial construction firms, has a number of new restaurant projects underway this spring, including two new Outback Steakhouse locations in Columbus, Ga., and Hialeah, Fla.; a new Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Lutz, Fla.; a ground-up Chick-fil-A in Novi, Mich.; and the interior remodel of a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in Seattle. “In recent years our Restaurant Group has continued to be a strong and steady part of our business as we partner with long term clients on not only ground-up new-construction opportunities, …
Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s International Inc., a leading quick-service Mexican franchise, has appointed Brooks Speirs as vice president for franchise development. In his new role, Speirs will oversee all elements of franchise development for the legacy brand. As Taco John’s prioritizes growth this year, Speirs has developed a plan to expand the brand through franchising with qualified franchisees and development groups. In 2019, Taco John’s unveiled an updated brand and restaurant design. This year, the brand is introducing several new menu items. In addition, Taco John’s is rolling out …
Richmond, Ind. — The Golden Corral in Richmond, Ind., recently underwent a comprehensive remodel and reopened with an all-new look and feel on February 27. Located at 3625 East Main St., the restaurant now features Golden Corral’s new prototype design package: the Gateway Model. Highlights of the remodel project include an updated exterior coupled with a major interior redesign featuring a stacked stone fireplace, contemporary décor, more comfortable and varied seating options, new carpeting, new lighting and a new buffet layout. Also, instead of paying upon arrival, guests will now …
Fayetteville, Ark. — Slim Chickens, which features dine-in and drive-thru in the “better chicken” segment, plans to open more than 30 restaurants in 2020 alone. Franchise locations are slated to open in new domestic markets including Maryland, New Jersey, Florida and Washington, to name a few. Internationally, franchise restaurants will open across the United Kingdom in markets like Reading, Southampton and Kent. Slim Chickens works well in traditional and non-traditional environments alike. In fact, the brand has openings planned for several non-traditional venues this year, including restaurants at three universities, …
Midvale, Utah — Curry Up Now, the award-winning and largest and fastest growing Indian fast-casual concept that’s known for its innovative approach to Indian cuisine, is celebrating the opening of its first Utah restaurant in Midvale on February 28, 2020. This opening marks the first Curry Up Now outpost in the region and continues the brand’s nationwide expansion. With the Midvale outpost, Curry Up Now operates 11 restaurants across the country and has more than 40 additional franchised units in varying stages of development across the United States, including another …