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Chick-fil-A Opens First Elevated, Drive-Thru Only Restaurant in McDonough, GA

by Katie Lee

McDonough, Ga. — Chick-fil-A is opening its first elevated, drive-thru only restaurant in the south Atlanta suburb of McDonough today. Located at 2155 Jodeco Rd., the restaurant features four drive-thru lanes that run below an elevated kitchen that is twice the size of a typical Chick-fil-A kitchen. Food reaches the delivery team members via a custom meal transport system that uses conveyor belt technology. Patrons can either order onsite with a Chick-fil-A team member or order ahead on the Chick-fil-A app. The restaurant features dedicated lanes for both ordering methods, …

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Tony Roma’s Appoints First Female CEO

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Tony Roma’s, the world’s largest casual-dining concept renowned for its ribs, has appointed Mohaimina ‘Mina’ Haque as chief executive officer. She is the first female CEO to helm the 52-year-old brand. Mina Haque, Esq., is a seasoned attorney and founder of The Law Office of Mohaimina Haque, PLLC. Since 2021, she has served as Tony Roma’s outside counsel, managing global legal matters and providing strategic guidance. An Official Member of the Forbes Business Council, Mina’s deep expertise in business and franchise law has been pivotal in driving …

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Industry Voicesmanagementrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

The Race to Digitize

by Katie Lee

— By Mani Kulasooriya — How e-commerce can help restaurants fight rising costs and challenges. Restaurant operators are often running an uphill marathon. From hiring and schedules to inventory management and food ordering, back-end operations can present neverending challenges. To make matters worse, according to the National Restaurant Association’s “2024 State of the Restaurant Industry” report, 97% of operators now cite rising food and labor costs as pressing issues. Fortunately, foodservice has entered a new leg of the race. E-commerce is emerging as a secret weapon to streamline operations and …

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A Fresh Spin on Tradition

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Carvel celebrates 90 years of soft serve ice cream with a new shoppe design and growth in new markets. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen by accident. However, the beloved ice cream brand Carvel may beg to differ. It was way back in 1934, in Hartsdale, New York, when founder Tom Carvel had a flat tire in his ice cream truck. Pulling over, he tried to salvage the product he had left and sold the slightly melted ice cream to people passing by. …

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The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Debuts First Food Truck

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the leading global specialty coffee and tea house, will be launching its first permanent food truck location at the Los Angeles Zoo. Local entrepreneur Benjamin Dreicer and operating partner Genadi Orlov signed the franchise agreement. With more than two decades of experience in the retail real estate sector, Dreicer has developed a comprehensive understanding of the restaurant space and honed his skills in strategic site selection. As he grows with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Dreicer is interested in looking …

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Bill Schaphorst Retailers Storms quote
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Retailer Disaster Planning Speeds Timeline to Restored Operations

by Sarah Daniels

The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters pose a growing threat to many restaurants and retailers. All too often, unprepared businesses struggle to contend with property damage, power interruptions and repair delays that can plague communities for months in the wake of a catastrophic wildfire or storm. “Businesses that have stores operating in hurricane-prone areas like Florida or other regions threatened by natural disasters need to have a plan in place, with committed assets or a vendor to support them in an emergency,” says Bill Schaphorst, vice president of …

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Marco’s Pizza Debuts in New Mexico with 9-Unit Area Development Agreement

by Katie Lee

Albuquerque, N.M. — Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, announces a 9-unit area development agreement in New Mexico. This marks a milestone for the brand as it breaks into a new state, with its nationwide footprint now spanning 35 states. Site selection is currently underway, with the first two locations slated to open in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho areas before the end of first quarter 2025. Seasoned franchisees Chris and Kristian Ornelas are the principal owners of the company developing the units. “When looking to invest …

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Chipotle Names COO as its Interim CEO

by Katie Lee

Newport Beach, Calif. — The chairman and CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., Brian Niccol, has accepted the role as chairman and CEO of Starbucks and will be leaving Chipotle on August 31, 2024. Niccol has served as Chipotle’s CEO since 2018 and as chairman of the board since 2020. Chipotle’s board of directors has appointed Scott Boatwright, chief operating officer, as interim CEO. Boatwright joined Chipotle in 2017 and has been instrumental in driving restaurant operations for the company’s more than 3,500 restaurants. He also led the integration of …

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Industry VoicesProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Enhanced Experience

by Katie Lee

— By Savneet Singh — How cutting-edge tech helped Hooters of America upgrade its dining experience. Americans love experiences, with the majority (61%) of Gen Z and Millenials choosing to invest in them, according to Experian, over retirement savings. And with all the money they’re spending, they anticipate outstanding outcomes — especially when it comes to dining. Competition in this sector is fierce, with seemingly endless options for the 9 in 10 customers who enjoy going out to eat, per a February 2024 report by the National Restaurant Association. The …

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MilkShake Factory® Awards 100th Franchise Unit on First Anniversary of Franchise Launch

by Katie Lee

Ann Arbor, Mich. — MilkShake Factory, a Franworth portfolio brand and beloved dessert destination, has reached a milestone by awarding its 100th franchise unit on the first anniversary of its franchising journey. MilkShake Factory, a fourth-generation family business, was built on a legacy of quality. The journey began in 1914 when Charlie and Orania opened their first chocolate shop and soda fountain in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood. More than a century from its early soda fountain days, the company was renamed “MilkShake Factory” and by 2016, had established itself as the …

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