Bradenton, Fla. — Award-winning breakfast, brunch and lunch concept First Watch has hired Greg Barber as its new chief transformation officer. In this newly created role, Barber is responsible for leading strategy development and will partner with First Watch’s key functional leaders on the development and implementation of critical corporate initiatives. Prior to joining First Watch, Barber spent 9 years working for PepsiCo, Inc. in Purchase, N.Y., where he led strategy development for PepsiCo’s North American beverage division before ultimately leading the Fortune 50 company’s global business development in the …
restaurants
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield to Redevelop Former Sears Store into Dining, Entertainment District
by Katie Lee
Los Angeles — Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield plans to redevelop the long-vacated former Sears department store in the Canoga Park neighborhood of Los Angeles into a new dining and entertainment district. The empty store is located in the Westfield Topanga & The Village shopping center. Slated to open in late 2021, the new district will feature a chef-driven food hall, sit-down restaurants, lounges, cocktail bars, interior and exterior boutiques, and entertainment and recreational activities, as well as landscaped indoor and outdoor public spaces and plazas. The renovation will also create a grand entrance …
San Diego — Jack in the Box Inc. has promoted three of its executives: Adrienne Ingoldt to senior vice president, chief brand and experience officer; Jennifer Kennedy to senior vice president, chief product and innovation officer; and Sarah Super to senior vice president, general counsel and chief risk officer. Previously vice president, marketing communications, Ingoldt has been promoted to senior vice president, chief brand and experience officer. She has been with Jack in the Box for over 4 years, where she has led the marketing communications team in overseeing both …
Canton, Mass. — Dunkin’, the on-the-go beverage led brand, opened its first airport mobile cart location, called DNKN Go Cart, in the Destin-Fort Walton, Fla., airport on December 23, 2019. Located in concourse B on the second level, the full-service Dunkin’ cart has been adjusted for indoor use by removing the outdoor wheels and installing a kitchen and water hookup. Just getting there was a challenge, too. The high-tech, sustainable, mobile food cart had to be transported to the second floor of the airport utilizing some extraordinary tactics that involved …
Cheyenne, Wyo. — Dog Haus, the craft-casual concept known for its gourmet hot dogs, sausages, burgers and one-of-a-kind creations, will open its first Wyoming location in Cheyenne in early 2020. With this new location, Dog Haus is also introducing its all-new prototype and its first built-to-suit restaurant. The 3,314-square-foot custom designed restaurant will feature multiple high-definition big screen televisions, custom playlists, a 905-square-foot dog-friendly patio, plus a full bar with 24 beers on tap, emphasizing local craft favorites, and will serve the brand’s signature Haus Cocktails, handcrafted by Phil Wills, …
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 …
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 …