San Francisco — Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, the iconic San Francisco sandwich chain with a cult-like following, has launched its national franchise program with Fransmart to expand the concept across the country. Ike’s currently has more than 55 units open in California, Nevada and Arizona, along with locations opening soon in Texas. Founded by Ike Shehadeh in 2007, the San Francisco-based concept grew to wide foodie acclaim with lines around the block. “The idea behind Ike’s Love & Sandwiches was simple: putting customers’ happiness first while celebrating their unique and …
restaurants
San Francisco — Flynn Restaurant Group, the largest restaurant franchisee in the U.S., has made some recent promotions in its operations team. The new promotions will include two new vice presidents of operations as well as two new directors of operations. The largest Applebee’s franchisee in the country, Apple American Group, a subsidiary of Flynn Restaurant Group, welcomes the new positions as additional leadership to the 458 Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurants it currently owns and operates. First, Flynn’s market president, Tim Flatley, will step in for Mike Hebert, …
Los Angeles — Benihana Inc., the nation’s leading operator of Japanese-inspired teppanyaki and sushi restaurants, and AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company, have partnered to bring world-class culinary and dining experiences to fans at Dignity Health Sports Park (DHSP) in Carson, Calif., and Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. This is Benihana’s first-ever debut at a professional arena or sports complex and a market introduction for the brand to Kansas City, with the next closest Benihana location more than 400 miles away. As part of the agreement, …
Paradise, Calif. — On April 1, 2019, Dutch Bros Coffee reopened its doors in Paradise, Calif., nearly 5 months after the community was devastated by wildfires. This was California’s most destructive fire in history, with over 14,000 homes lost and approximately 25,000 people affected. “The hope is that the reopening will help customers feel a sense of normalcy and comfort again, even if it’s for 5 minutes going through the drive-thru,” says Matt Long, operator of Dutch Bros Paradise. “Our community has been through so much, and whatever we can …
Co-Branded Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express Debuts Remodeled HQ Location in Beverly Hills
by Katie Lee
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, has opened its newly remodeled location in Beverly Hills, Calif. This co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express restaurant is located steps away from FAT Brands’ headquarters and opened in late March. Fatburger, the beloved Hollywood burger chain, maintains and upholds its unique L.A. culture and trademark menu offerings crafted by founder Lovie Yancey when she launched the brand almost 70 years ago in Southern California. This remodeled location features vintage-inspired pendant lighting, the brand’s signature pop of blue, …
Milwaukee — Marcus Theatres®, a division of The Marcus Corporation, is planning to bring Movie Tavern® by Marcus to Brookfield Square in Brookfield, Wis., a suburb of Milwaukee. Given the company’s recent acquisition of Movie Tavern, the timing is right to introduce a new theatre brand into the marketplace. The concept would replace the previously announced Brookfield BistroPlex℠ and is anticipated to open in October 2019. “Movie Tavern by Marcus is an extension of the Marcus Theatres brand with its own personality and some unique attributes,” says Rolando Rodriguez, chairman, …
New York City — Shake Shack has appointed a new chief development officer, chief global licensing officer, chief information officer and chief marketing officer, as well as the addition of its ninth board member. All four positions represent new roles at the company, filled with a balanced team of internal and external talent. With sizeable growth ahead, Shake Shack’s team of senior leaders will be instrumental in its strategic growth. Andrew McCaughan, formerly vice president of development at Shake Shack, has been promoted to chief development officer. He will be …
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 …
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 …