Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., a leading global franchising company and parent company of 18 brands including Twin Peaks, has opened the first converted Smokey Bones location to Twin Peaks in Lakeland, Fla. Since acquiring Smokey Bones last year, FAT Brands has identified a select number of Smokey Bones locations to convert to its fastest-growing brand, Twin Peaks. The global restaurant franchising company has identified this strategy as a key growth pillar for the brand and currently has a pipeline of approximately 30 Smokey Bones locations …
restaurants
Orlando, Fla. — In mid-September, The Red Lobster® restaurant chain exited Chapter 11 restructuring following the company’s acquisition by a new owner: RL Investor Holdings LLC. RL Investor Holdings is an entity created by funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC, alongside co-investors TCW Private Credit and Blue Torch. “Red Lobster is now a stronger, more resilient company, and today is the start of a new chapter in our history,” says Damola Adamolekun, the new CEO of Red Lobster. “From the opening of our first restaurant in 1968, …
The Magic of Balancing Maintenance Costs
Running a retail or restaurant facility requires balancing costs, maintenance and operational uptime — a challenge that is further compounded when dealing with multiple stores. Facility owners and operators face the challenge of keeping their properties in top condition while managing expenses and minimizing disruptions to business. In the retail and restaurant industries, any downtime at all can be costly. A malfunctioning bathroom or a broken HVAC system can lead to customer dissatisfaction, lost revenue and temporary closures. Preventative maintenance and proactive scheduling can address these concerns by managing costs, staggering …
Omaha, Neb. — Scooter’s Coffee, LLC, the Midwest-based drive-thru coffee franchise experiencing record-breaking growth, plans to open five new coffee kiosks in four different states — the result of new franchise agreements signed in August — including its first location in the state of West Virginia. The new signings in West Virginia, Alabama, Minnesota and Wisconsin are the latest boost to the Scooter’s Coffee‘s network of more than 800 stores in 30 states as the brand strives to become the #1 drive-thru specialty coffee franchise system in the nation. …
Dublin, Ohio — The Wendy’s Company has appointed John Min as its chief legal officer and secretary and Mary Greenlee as senior vice president, U.S. operations. Min will report to Wendy’s president and chief executive officer, Kirk Tanner; and Greenlee will report to the president, U.S., Abigail Pringle. Min succeeds E.J. Wunsch, who was appointed as Wendy’s president, international in June 2024. “I’m pleased to welcome John and Mary to the Wendy’s team,” says Tanner. “John’s proven track record of managing complex commercial transactions, his extensive background in legal strategy …
— By Sharon Cho and Justin Shreiner — Selecting optimal water heating systems to meet the needs of full-service restaurants. Full-service restaurants are harsh environments for commercial water heaters. They operate for long hours, often from early morning to midnight, with continuous 140° hot water necessary for food prep, cooking and cleaning. This constant demand places a significant strain on water heating equipment and requires units that can withstand heavy use and provide consistent performance. For this reason, selecting the proper water heater is necessary to keep restaurants operational, remain …
Exhaustive Analysis
— By Christopher Collins, AIA, NCARB — The good, the bad & the ventless …exhaust hoods. The look of dismay on the chef’s face told me everything I needed to know: the vent hood was not cutting it and big money was going to be burned trying to remedy his woes. The issue was the ventless hood that was used for the cooking appliances. And not really the exhaust type that was being employed, but more of the expectations around that piece of equipment. That’s when I realized what ventless …
Atlanta — Smalls Sliders has appointed industry veteran and financial expert Dan Hurwitz as its new chief financial officer. In his new role, Hurwitz will focus on supporting investment decisions to drive profitable growth for Smalls Sliders as the brand continues expanding its capabilities as an industry disruptor. With over two decades of experience managing and overseeing the financial growth of several known brands, Hurwitz will play a key role in Smalls Sliders’ growing leadership team. Hurwitz’s background includes his most recent position as CFO of Philz Coffee, where he …
Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® has signed four separate development deals that will build the brand’s presence across Washington, Illinois, Iowa, New Jersey and Texas. These deals are being individually spearheaded by a mix of both current and new Freddy’s franchisees and will add a total of 21 restaurant locations to the franchise system. Among these deals, Freddy’s is planning its first restaurants in the state of Washington, with a 10-unit development agreement for the Seattle market. Another franchise deal, this time in the …
Denver — Smashburger® has appointed Jim Sullivan as chief development officer. In his new role, Sullivan is responsible for overseeing all facets of restaurant development, including market planning, site selection and franchise sales, with a strategic focus on elevating Smashburger’s brand identity in the fast-casual space. “We are thrilled to welcome Jim Sullivan as Smashburger’s new chief development officer,” says Denise Nelsen, CEO of Smashburger. “Jim brings unparalleled expertise, passion and a deep understanding of the fast-casual industry that will be instrumental in driving our ambitious expansion plans both domestically …