Jackson, Miss. — Newk’s Eatery plans an 18-restaurant expansion across Texas and Oklahoma over the next few years. Openings are slated for 10 Dallas area locations, as well as eight Oklahoma locations throughout Oklahoma City, Norman, Moore and Stillwater. “We’re thrilled to continue expansion throughout Texas and Oklahoma with this exciting new development agreement,” says Chris Cheek, chief development officer at Newk’s Eatery. “The response to our Dallas locations has been wonderful and we’re looking forward to further growing our footprint with Matthew Biggers and Cuyler Esposito.” Full Belly Holdings, …
restaurants
Atlanta — Curry Up Now, a fast growing Indian fast-casual concept in the United States, will open its first franchise location on July 30, 2019 in Decatur, Ga. The new greater Atlanta area storefront is the brand’s first East Coast location and is part of a multi-unit franchise deal with experienced local franchise group Curry Up Now Atlanta. As part of this deal, four additional franchise locations are expected to open in greater Atlanta by the end of 2021, including in Madison Yards and The Interlock. “Curry Up Now has …
Romano’s Macaroni Grill Reduces Food Costs with CrunchTime! Restaurant Operations Platform
by Katie Lee
Boston — CrunchTime! Information Systems, Inc., the restaurant industry’s leading back-of-house operations platform provider, has partnered with Romano’s Macaroni Grill to implement CrunchTime’s Restaurant Management Platform across all locations, and in doing so reduced its food cost variance to below 2%. In 3 months, Macaroni Grill deployed the CrunchTime Platform with full integration to the restaurant’s POS system, vendors and accounting, trained all of its managers and staff, and quickly began to streamline the brand’s operations. Macaroni Grill began a business transformation several years ago. To ensure the brand’s continued …
— By Katie Lee — Coming off its second highest expansion year to date, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers now eyes non-traditional venues such as colleges, stadiums and, eventually, airports. When fast-casual brand Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers first opened in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002, its co-founders never intended to open a second. Scott Redler, along with brothers Bill and Randy Simon, simply missed frozen custard — a treat they remembered from their childhoods. The Simon brothers named the restaurant after their father, Freddy, who had always wanted …
Louisville, Ky. — Papa John’s International, Inc. has appointed restaurant industry veteran Jim Norberg as its chief restaurant operations officer. He will oversee the operations of Papa John’s corporate and franchise restaurants in North America. Norberg, a QSR industry veteran, spent more than 30 years of his career at McDonald’s. His most recent role was executive vice president and chief operating officer, where he managed operations for 14,000 U.S. restaurants. During his time at McDonald’s, Norberg’s leadership was instrumental in unifying company and franchise operations around the brand’s messaging and …
Atlanta — Cinnaholic, the gourmet cinnamon roll bakery acclaimed for serving innovative plant-based cinnamon roll creations, has opened 10 franchise locations since January in new markets including New Jersey, Houston, Phoenix and Ottawa, Ontario, bringing its total location count to 38 units. The brand hopes to reach 50 locations by year end, and 75 by the end of 2020. “Our franchise model has proven successful time and time again, and the fact that many of our existing franchisees are opening additional locations is a true indicator of our products resonating …
Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has opened its first international location in the Dubai Mall. The brand’s second international location is slated to open at the Mall of the Emirates in the coming weeks. The restaurants are owned and operated by Tastebuds Group, which will continue to drive Freddy’s growth throughout the Middle East, with plans to open locations in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Qatar. “The training and support that we’ve received from Freddy’s since signing …
— By Mike Watt — How to get rid of the frequent diners you do NOT want. There is no privacy anymore, and no privacy can often turn into terrible publicity for restaurants. For instance, go to YouTube and type in the query “video rats in a restaurant” and more than three pages come up all showing rats running around a restaurant kitchen. But, that’s not the only rodent restaurant owners and managers may have to grapple with. If rats are present, very often mice are as well. …
Round Rock, Texas — The Twin Peaks restaurant in Round Rock, Texas, which first opened in 2008, recently reopened after a significant remodel. Twin Peaks updated its interior to provide the best experience possible for its guests. Restaurant renovations include a complete revamp of the bar for more seating, an increase of beer taps from 12 to 24 and expanded bourbon and whiskey offerings. In addition, dining areas have been updated with larger communal tables, a modernized furniture and décor package and completely remodeled restrooms to include all new modern …
Chicago — On July 9, 2019, home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel opened The Table at Crate, a collaboration between Crate and Barrel and Cornerstone Restaurant Group, with James Beard-nominated Chef Bill Kim leading the kitchen. Opening within Crate and Barrel’s Oak Brook, Ill., store, The Table at Crate is Crate and Barrel’s first full-service restaurant and Cornerstone’s first venture into the retail space. The Table at Crate integrates the dining and retail experience across two levels of indoor and outdoor space, connecting people, creative food and timeless design, while …