Savannah, Ga. — Paula Deen and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians plan to open Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen at OWA, an entertainment destination in Foley, Ala. OWA, located minutes from Coastal Alabama’s beaches, spans 520 acres and includes a 21-ride amusement park, an indoor arcade, a 150-room Marriott TownePlace Suites, 16 outdoor Sports Fields, 65,000-square-foot indoor event center, and 168,000 square feet of retail and dining opportunities.
restaurants
San Francisco — The San Francisco Bay Area will now have access to 41 enhanced industry-leading electric vehicle (EV) charging stations owned, operated and provided by Blink Charging Co. at 16 area McDonald’s restaurants. These stations are an additional example of Bay Area McDonald’s commitment to sustainability. In January, McDonald’s announced new packaging and recycling goals, and in March, McDonald’s became the first restaurant company to set an approved science-based target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe, one of the fastest growing franchise concepts in the country, has signed a franchise development agreement to expand its presence in Indiana. Existing franchisees David and Ruth Buko, alongside first-time Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisee James Volpert, will be developing eight cafes throughout the Indianapolis area, with the first two locations expected to open in Hamilton and Boone counties in 2019.
Milford, Conn. — Suzanne Greco, chief executive officer of Subway®, plans to retire at the end of June. Subway® has appointed Trevor Haynes, chief business development officer, as interim CEO, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company, effective May 2, 2018.
Scottsdale, Ariz. — P.F. Chang’s, the full-service Asian restaurant industry leader, has opened its first restaurant in China at the No1 Mall on the iconic Nanjing Road in Shanghai. P.F. Chang’s currently owns and operates more than 300 restaurants in 23 countries and territories.
Durham, N.C. — Rise Biscuits Donuts, a fast growing biscuits and donuts chain, has signed a five-unit franchise deal for the greater Kansas City area. The upcoming Kansas City locations — expected to be on both sides of the Missouri and Kansas state lines — will be the first to hit the Midwest.
Canton, Mass. — Dunkin’ Donuts has signed a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchisees Lagunita Franchise Operations, LLC (LFO). Over the next several years, the franchisee group is planning to open seven new restaurants throughout Montgomery, Ala. The first two locations are scheduled to open in 2019.
Wallingford, Conn.— John Merkin has been named COO of Edible® International (Edible®). In this role, he will oversee all franchise operations for the world’s largest franchisor of shops offering creatively designed fresh cut fruit arrangements. Merkin will also oversee Edible’s® supply chain organization.