Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has expanded into the non-traditional sector for the first time with the opening of five new locations in spaces across the Midwest. The brand recently opened restaurants in Old Capitol Town Center in Iowa City, Iowa; Wichita State University’s student center in Wichita, Kan.; and Oklahoma State University’s football and basketball stadiums in Stillwater, Okla. The company also signed an agreement to bring Freddy’s to the Missouri State University student center in Springfield, Mo., before the end of the …
restaurants
Chicago — Pork & Mindy’s, along with chef and owner Jeff Mauro, plan to open two new standalone restaurants in the Chicago area, including one in Mauro’s hometown of Elmwood Park. The Chicago-based BBQ concept also plans to open 28 locations inside Mariano’s grocery stores. Pork & Mindy’s is scheduled to open along ‘Restaurant Row’ in Elmwood Park this summer, as well as in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood later this year. The Elmwood Park location will feature a rooftop patio and regularly scheduled live music. Mauro (pictured here) and …
Chicago and New York and Tel Aviv — McDonald’s Corporation has reached an agreement to acquire Dynamic Yield Ltd., a leader in personalization and decision logic technology. With this acquisition of Dynamic Yield, based in New York and Tel Aviv, McDonald’s builds on its significant technology investments for growth. McDonald’s will utilize this decision technology to provide an even more personalized customer experience by varying outdoor digital drive-thru menu displays to show food based on time of day, weather, current restaurant traffic and trending menu items. The decision technology can also …
Franklin, Tenn. — CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® restaurants, has named Darla Morse as its new chief information officer. She joins CKE from Inspire Brands. In her most recent position, as chief information officer of Inspire Brands, Morse led initiatives to enhance the restaurant experience and drive operational efficiencies for the multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 8,300 Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Rusty Taco and Sonic Drive-In locations worldwide. She was previously CIO of Arby’s, served as CIO of SeaWorld and spent …
Boca Raton, Fla. — I Heart Mac & Cheese, a fast-casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls, grilled cheese sandwiches and specialty salads, has signed an agreement with franchise group G5 Services, LLC, to open a new location in Augusta, Ga. Slated to start construction later this year, the Augusta location will be owned and operated by Kimberly and Brian Grotz, opening in winter 2019. G5 Services, LLC is led by husband-and-wife duo and first-time entrepreneurs, Kimberly and Brian Grotz. “We are so thrilled to have Kim …
— By Del Williams — Streamlining reporting, monitoring and operations requires a flexible POS system and quick, supportive vendor response. In the quick-service restaurant (QSR) arena, both established and emerging franchises understand the importance of choosing the right POS system to keep operations functioning smoothly. Although there are many options on the market, most POS systems offer similar technological advantages: the commonalities include hardware such as POS terminals with touchscreen interfaces and credit card swiping mechanisms as well as the software that ties to all to back office operations. Today, …
Greenwood Village, Colo. — Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a full-service restaurant chain, has retained The Cypress Group, a leading restaurant and franchise investment banking firm, to manage Red Robin’s refranchising initiative. Cypress has more than 25 years of multi-unit M&A and corporate refranchising experience in the restaurant industry, including engagements with a number of major casual dining brands. “Strategically refining our real estate portfolio and pursuing development opportunities with high-quality franchisees is a key component of future growth for Red Robin. We are excited to partner with The Cypress …
Denver — Sage Restaurant Group, a Denver-based independent restaurant group, has made several new hires and internal promotions as the company expands its corporate leadership team and continues to grow nationally. SRG has hired Adam Titze as vice president of culinary operations, and has promoted Meaghan Goedde to senior vice president of operations and Bev McCrory to director of people resources. “We believe success starts with talented individuals,” says Brent Berkowitz, COO of SRG. “Extraordinary people are dedicated to delivering extraordinary guest experiences, and we seek to hire and retain …
Glendale, Calif., and Karachi, Pakistan — Dine Brands Global Inc. has signed a deal with several principals of Gerry’s Group, a leading Pakistan-based logistics and food-and-beverage group, to bring the IHOP brand to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The deal calls for 19 IHOP locations throughout the country over the next 9 years, nine of which will be franchised by the principals of Gerry’s Group with the other 10 sub-franchised. The first location is expected to open in Karachi by the end of 2019 and continues the brand’s expansion into …
Nashville, Tenn. — J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc., owner and operator of a collection of restaurants which includes J. Alexander’s, Redlands Grill, Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill and selected other restaurants, has promoted Mark A. Parkey to president and CEO, effective May 1, 2019. He will succeed Lonnie J. Stout II, who has been named to a newly created position, executive chairman of the board of directors. Additionally, the company has promoted Jessica L. Hagler to vice president and CFO, also effective May 1. Frank Martire will become lead independent director …