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 …
restaurants
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 …
Atlanta — The Hummus & Pita Co., one of the country’s fastest growing Mediterranean fast-casuals, has signed a multi-unit deal to expand its franchise to the Southeast. Franchisees Jay Gill and Patrick Sidhu will bring five locations to the Atlanta area over the next 2 years. Gill and Sidhu are partners in Premier Kings, Inc., the largest BURGER KING® franchise in the country. Starting with six BURGER KING® locations in 2010, their portfolio now includes more than 170 locations, as well as 14 Popeyes® restaurants throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South …
Santa Monica, Calif. — Veggie Grill has partnered with Sodexo Inc., a global provider of food and facilities management, to offer Veggie Grill’s plant-based menu at university campuses. Since its inception in 2006, Veggie Grill has opened 32 locations in California, Oregon, Washington and Illinois. The brand will launch in East Coast markets, including New York City, this year and continue its extensive expansion through partnerships like Sodexo. “We have strategically opened several of our restaurant locations nearby or on college campuses, including UCLA, UC Berkeley and University of Washington,” …
Miami — FRONTIER Building has completed the new Chili’s Grill & Bar located at 555 Hubbard Ave. in the Berkshire Crossing Shopping Center in Pittsfield, Mass. The 5,000-square-foot casual dining restaurant is a first for Pittsfield and the surrounding Berkshire area. It is also one of Chili’s first locations to feature the latest interior prototype design, which focuses more attention on the bar. “We’re grateful to have been selected to build out this new restaurant design concept for Chili’s Grill & Bar,” says Andrew Goggin, director of construction at FRONTIER …