restaurants

— By Kait Paradowski — How design and art go hand in hand when creating bespoke spaces for restaurants. In a time when all demographic groups, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly seeking authentic and immersive experiences, bespoke design is providing a meaningful connection between patron and location. Naturally, design and art go hand in hand. Whether it be a large mural or unique branding, bringing in an artistic element allows designers to tell a captivating story for the restaurant and create meaningful differentiation. When it comes to choosing …

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Wilmington, N.C. — Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, a laid-back full-service seafood restaurant franchise with 19 units across the country, has promoted Sarah Meriam to chief operating officer. The promotion fills the role vacated in late 2022 due to the retirement of the previous COO. Aided by her operational acumen, Meriam has already driven impressive growth and development for the company. “Sarah’s operational background and desire to see our strategic franchise partners succeed makes this move a no-brainer for us,” says Jonathan Weathington, CEO. “Sarah, since joining our team 2 years …

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Las Vegas — Blending East Coast tradition and Las Vegas flair, Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based eatery famed for its cheesecakes and classic diner menu, opened its first location in the Western U.S. at Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) on Feb. 28, 2024 in Las Vegas. The 300-seat venue is a culinary time capsule where classic New York meets contemporary Las Vegas. The menu features New York and Brooklyn comfort food dishes ranging from classic New York deli sandwiches piled high, famous 10 oz. steakburgers, salads, jumbo half-pound …

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Dallas — Brinker International Inc. is making updates to its executive leadership team, including the retirement of Joe Taylor, executive vice president and chief financial officer; the appointment of Mika Ware as senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective June 27, 2024; and the appointment of Chris Caldwell as senior vice president and chief information officer, effective Feb. 26, 2024. Taylor intends to retire at the end of the company’s fiscal year in June 2024 after almost 25 years at the company. He will continue to serve the company …

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New York City — Nathan’s Famous, Inc. continues international expansion in 2024. The over 100-year-old brand, which recently opened virtual kitchens in Belgium and France, multiple full-service franchised restaurants in Mexico City, and two franchised restaurants and a food truck in Egypt in 2023, currently operates in 19 countries globally. Through master franchise relationships in Brazil, the UK, Egypt and Ukraine, the brand plans to open brick-and-mortar locations in Brazil by the end of 2024. Nathan’s Famous plans to open several virtual kitchen locations in the UAE by the end …

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Columbus, Ohio — The fast-growing Ohio-based taco and tequila company, Condado Tacos, has appointed Natalie Harden as its new chief financial officer. Harden joins the company from Chuy’s, with 20 years of experience in both restaurant and consumer-related corporate finance. “We are pleased to welcome Natalie to the Condado team. As a results-driven leader, she brings a dynamic, data-based approach to growth, financial planning and business strategy,” says John G. Troiano, CEO of The Beekman Group and chairman of the board of Condado Tacos. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to …

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Boston — Toast, the digital technology platform built for restaurants, has formed an agreement with Caribou Coffee to implement Toast Enterprise Solutions across 500 initial coffeehouse locations in the United States. In addition to Toast point-of-sale (POS) terminals, Caribou Coffee will use Toast Payments, Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) and Multi-Location Management. To help support the brand’s growing coffeehouse footprint, Caribou Coffee sought a modern technology partner with a robust, scalable POS solution that would be easy to use for all stakeholders including company and franchisee operators and team members. Focused …

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Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading California-based family-style pizza chain for more than 45 years, has promoted Jim Metevier as chief executive officer (CEO). Metevier previously served as Mountain Mike’s president and chief operating officer (COO) since 2018 and boasts more than 30 years in the restaurant industry — experience that has been instrumental in accelerating the brand’s considerable sales and franchise growth in the last half-decade. After being acquired in 2017 by new owners Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, who made several key executive hires, …

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Atlanta — Focus Brands, the parent company of the Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s® brands, is officially changing its name to GoTo Foods. This news comes on the heels of a record development year globally with more than 1,150 signed franchise agreements and 398 store openings. These achievements have set the stage for considerable development and strong performance in fiscal year 2024. The rebranding, announced by CEO Jim Holthouser, signals the company’s continued transformation into a platform company as it embraces its brands’ …

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Orange County, Calif. — Embracing the fervor surrounding the beloved sport of pickleball, Dink & Dine Pickle Parks, based in Orange County, Calif., plans to revolutionize the Arizona market with a new pickleball “eatertainment” concept. Located at Mesa Riverview, an open-air shopping center in Mesa, Ariz., the venue will offer 11 pickleball courts, four restaurants, multiple bars, seating for over 300 guests, a live music stage, and supplementary play areas. The Mesa location marks the inaugural Dink & Dine establishment, with negotiations underway for expansion into Southern California, Northern California, …

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