Chicago — McDonald’s and its franchisees plan to invest approximately $186 million to modernize 240 restaurants located across Florida. The initiative is part of the fast food giant’s aim to invest $6 billion to modernize most of its U.S. restaurants by 2020.
restaurants
Atlanta — McAlister’s Deli® is rolling out a new prototype restaurant in Atlanta this September that will be accompanied by a deeper, more community-centric brand positioning that guests can experience across the system, starting with a new kids and family program.
Cincinnati — Cincinnati-based Buffalo Wings & Rings has hired industry veteran Joe Dominiak as the brand’s new chief operations officer. Most recently executive vice president and managing partner at Skyline Chili, Dominiak brings a proven track record and expertise for growing the national footprints of restaurant companies to the role as Buffalo Wings & Rings continues its mission to strategically expand across the country.
Los Angeles — The Pie Hole, a fast growing gourmet pie and coffee shop, has solidified a multi-unit franchise agreement to bring its signature specialty pies to Saudi Arabia. The deal gives exclusive rights to the territory to local franchisee Abdulrhman Alrajhi, who will begin with a 10-unit development plan. Alrajhi has sights set on opening the first location of The Pie Hole in Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh, but is looking for additional sites in territories throughout the entire country.
Hollywood, Fla. — Hard Rock International (HRI) is starting to eliminate plastic straws at properties worldwide, effective September 1, 2018, in addition to existing green initiatives already in place at Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino locations globally.
Brookfield, Conn. — The Hummus & Pita Co., one of the country’s leading and fastest growing Mediterranean fast-casuals, will mark the official start of national expansion with the opening of its first franchised store in Brookfield, Conn., on August 11, 2018. The brand’s newest outpost is part of a franchise deal inked earlier this year. This marks the first of five grand openings in five new markets.
Irvine, Calif. — Potbelly Sandwich Shop has selected a location for its first California shop. Currently slated to open in early 2019, the brand’s first shop in the Golden State will be located in Irvine. Three more Orange County locations will follow.
Fairbanks, Alaska — Firehouse Subs is opening its first Alaska location in Fairbanks on August 8, 2018, under the ownership of Greg and Catharine Persinger. This is the first restaurant for the Persingers, who are fourth- and fifth-generation Alaskans. For the Firehouse Subs brand, Alaska marks its 45th state.