Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has successfully completed the acquisition of Elevation Burger for $10 million, which was funded through a combination of sellers’ notes and cash. With the acquisition, FAT Brands now franchises more than 400 restaurants around the world with annual system-wide sales exceeding $400 million. Elevation Burger was originally conceived in 2002 by Hans Hess as a healthier burger offering. Delivering authentic, sustainably prepared food, Elevation Burger offers grass-fed, free-range options that are better for consumers and for the environment. Elevation Burger franchises …
restaurants
Frederick, Md. — Roy Rogers® Restaurants has successfully rolled out a new store design at its Westminster, Md., restaurant. The restaurant remained open throughout the renovations. Roy Rogers will next undertake updates at its test kitchen store in Frederick, Md., after which it will remodel one additional restaurant and open two new ones with the design before rolling it out systemwide. The new format features new lighting illuminating an exterior boasting a bolder logo presence, natural stone towers and new pylon and building signage. Inside, upgraded furniture, fixtures and equipment …
Greensboro, N.C. — Craig Hanson has been named vice president of operations at Biscuitville Fresh Southern®. Hanson comes to Biscuitville with more than 15 years of experience with medium- and large-sized quick-service and fast-casual brands. His experience expands to brands that include MOD Pizza, Dunkin Brands, YUM Brands, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s to name a few. What has made him so successful in helping to steer the operational aspect of these brands is his belief that success ultimately comes from its people and culture. “Craig is a veteran of …
Winston-Salem, N.C. — In early 2020, Krispy Kreme plans to open a first-of-its-kind flagship in Manhattan’s Times Square. The shop will serve more guests annually than any other Krispy Kreme location in the world. Within the shop’s 4,500-square-foot retail space, Krispy Kreme will bring its iconic doughnut theater experience to life on the world stage. From the mixing of raw ingredients to the iconic glaze waterfall, Krispy Kreme Times Square Flagship will showcase the end-to-end doughnut making process, creating a wondrously delightful customer experience. The shop will also feature the …
Seattle — LevelTen Energy has closed a three-project renewable energy portfolio purchased by Starbucks, comprising wind and solar farms in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas. The power purchase agreement portfolio will provide clean power to the electricity grids that serve more than 3,000 U.S. Starbucks stores and communities by 2021, when all three projects are online. The portfolio was purchased from developers ALLETE Clean Energy, Apex Clean Energy, BayWa r.e. and Cypress Creek Renewables. Custom-built for Starbucks using LevelTen Energy’s technology-enabled procurement platform, the portfolio aggregates three strategically-located power purchase …
Irvine, Calif. — KTGY Architecture + Planning recently received a “special award of excellence” from the judges of the 2019 Gold Nugget Awards for its rebuilding and restoration of Anaheim White House Restaurant in Anaheim, Calif. The builder was Placa Construction Inc. Following a devastating fire, the KTGY team worked with historic restoration consultants and property owner to rebuild and restore the 1909 Colonial-style mansion and side house. A second architectural team rebuilt the kitchen and interior dining room. Careful consideration had to be made during the process as the …
Ankeny, Iowa — The board of directors of Casey’s General Stores, Inc. has appointed Darren Rebelez, president of IHOP®, as Casey’s next president and chief executive officer (CEO), effective June 24, 2019. Rebelez will also join Casey’s board of directors. He will succeed Casey’s president and CEO, Terry Handley, who will retire from the company and board, after a 38-year career with Casey’s. Rebelez joins Casey’s with over 25 years of business leadership experience focused on operations, marketing and merchandising for large corporations in each of the convenience store, fuel …
Ocala, Fla. — Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Celebrity’s Soul Food has selected Southlake, Texas-based N3 Real Estate and affiliates as its exclusive national developer and master broker for the United States. N3 will be responsible for all aspects of Celebrity’s real estate selection and development process across the country. With 200 units planned within the next 24 months, founders Dr. Fredrick Jacobs (a.k.a. Dr. J, The Counselor) and Taja Jacobs, along with their franchisee partners, will bring soul food cuisine to the nation in a classy and elegant atmosphere that treats …
Houston — Russo’s New York Pizzeria, the nation’s only chef-driven New York-style, Italian restaurant and pizzeria franchise concept, announces its latest franchise opportunity: an authentic Italian microbrewery. Conceptualized by Chef Anthony Russo, Russo’s New York Italia Pizza Kitchen & Brewery will open its first location in 2019. The innovative Pizza Kitchen & Brewery will feature Russo’s infamous Italian menu with pizza and pasta-focused dishes, as well as unique craft beers, brewed in-house. The brewery will range from 3,500 to 5,000 square feet; the new design features a full view pizza …
— By Jennifer Morris — Fast-casual concepts breathing new life into historic buildings. In the competitive restaurant industry, it’s often a challenge for concepts to break away from the pack. The dining experience and brand identity aren’t solely limited to the cuisine and culinary approach, but rather also developed through the site, decor and ambiance. Looking to differentiate themselves, many fast-casual concepts are taking the approach of choosing older, historical buildings to invest in, as opposed to commercial space that is new, modern or sleek. In the process, …