Denver — Mark Lohmann, a former senior executive with Qdoba Restaurant Group, has been named chief brand officer of REGO Restaurant Group, the fast-casual restaurant platform backed by High Bluff Capital Partners that includes Quiznos and Taco Del Mar. The news follows the recent appointment of President and CEO Tim Casey, as REGO looks to expand its brand portfolio through strategic acquisitions.
restaurants
Dallas-based MUTTS Canine Cantina brings a unique concept to unique real estate spaces. — By Katie Lee — Imagine the coolest dog park and the coolest dog-friendly restaurant — together in one place. Like a beer garden with your dog. Or a dog park with adult beverages. Then, imagine no more because it actually exists. MUTTS Canine Cantina is an innovative new concept from Dallas-based FreeRange Concepts, led by co-founders Kyle Noonan (left) and Josh Sepkowitz (right), with two locations in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. With over 100 franchisee …
Los Angeles — Kitchen United, the virtual restaurant center for innovative brands building off-premise through pickup and delivery, has signed lease agreements for kitchen centers in Columbus, Ohio, and Atlanta. Both locations are expected to open spring 2019 and are part of the company’s significant national expansion plan aimed to support the dramatic, consumer driven shift toward off-premise food consumption.
Tampa, Fla. — Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. has appointed Jeff Carcara as president of Bonefish Grill. In this role, Carcara will be responsible for leading the operations and development for Bonefish Grill restaurants across the United States. He most recently served as the CEO of Del Frisco’s Emerging Brands.
Miami — The TREO Group, a privately-held real estate investment firm headquartered in Miami, has signed a lease for celebrity chef Jeremy Ford’s new restaurant concept, Afishonado, at Regatta Harbour, the mixed-use development transforming Coconut Grove’s waterfront. The development team partnered with Grove Bay Hospitality Group to bring the Bravo TV “Top Chef” winner to the destination in a significant next step to revolutionize the area’s waterfront with culinary experiences and more.
Philadelphia — With successful 2018 openings in four states, Saladworks, the healthy, fast-casual franchise, will continue to expand its national footprint to new and existing states in 2019. With 10 new stores committed to by new and existing franchisees in 2018, the expanding brand is on target to open 17 locations in 2019. Stores will open in Rhode Island, Colorado, Ohio, Virginia, California, Minnesota and Arkansas.
Fort Wayne, Ind. — CoreLife Eatery, an active lifestyle restaurant offering a variety of greens, grains and broth-based dishes, will soon hit a major milestone by opening its 50th location. The brand will open in Fort Wayne, Ind., for the first time on January 31, 2019. This is the fifth Indiana location for the fast-growing brand.
Atlanta — GPS Hospitality, one the nation’s largest franchisees of BURGER KING® and Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen restaurants, has promoted Mike Kovac to senior vice president of operations. Previously, he was vice president of operations, where he achieved consecutive yearly sales increases.