Tuesday, June 17, 2025
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construction and designNewsremodelsrestaurants

Good Times Revamps Restaurant Prototype

by Katie Lee

Denver — Good Times Burgers and Frozen Custard is debuting a new, modernized prototype for all of its units, with the goal of completing the systemwide redesign over the next 2 years. So far, five Good Times units have been updated, one is in progress and 10 are slated to undergo remodels in 2025. All locations are expected to be completed by 2026. The popular Colorado brand — born in Boulder 37 years ago — aims to preserve its heritage of fast drive-thru burgers and frozen custard while modernizing the …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Melting Pot Re-Enters State of Nevada with Reno Opening

by Katie Lee

Reno, Nev. — Melting Pot, the 92-unit fondue franchise that has built a brand around providing a one-of-a-kind experiential dining atmosphere, has signed a franchise agreement in Reno, Nev. — returning to Reno 20 years after the last location closed. It also marks Melting Pot’s re-entry into the state of Nevada. “It was in the early 2000s when Melting Pot left Nevada,” says franchisee Bruce Witmer. “We had previously had family dinners there and really enjoyed it. Since it closed, we would go to Sacramento to eat at Melting Pot. …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Moe’s Southwest Grill® Debuts in Arizona with 5 New Locations

by Katie Lee

Phoenix — GoTo Foods, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s®, has expanded Moe’s Southwest Grill into Arizona with a five-unit franchise agreement that will bring locations to the greater Phoenix area. Behind the deal are serial entrepreneurs and father-son team, Tony and Namit Mangat. “As proud Arizona residents, my son and I are excited for the opportunity to be the first to bring Moe’s Southwest Grill to the state,” says Tony Mangat. “We’ve wanted to make the jump into the …

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Newsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

PAR Punchh® and Yumpingo® Partner to Elevate Customer Experience for Restaurants

by Katie Lee

New Hartford, N.Y. — Yumpingo®, a leader in customer experience services for restaurants, has forged a partnership with ParTech, Inc. and PAR’s leading loyalty solution, PAR Punchh®. Together, they aim to transform customer experiences, enhance loyalty and drive growth through innovative platform integration. By combining Punchh’s loyalty solutions with Yumpingo’s customer experience management, restaurant brands gain powerful tools to engage guests and deliver exceptional service. “By merging our loyalty solutions with Yumpingo’s real-time guest feedback, we empower brands to deliver deeply personalized and impactful experiences that not only enhance customer …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Denny’s Makes 2 Executive Appointments

by Katie Lee

Spartanburg, S.C. — Denny’s Inc. has appointed two new executive leaders: Monigo G. Saygbay-Hallie, Ph.D. joins as executive vice president, chief people officer for Denny’s Corporation, effective August 5, and Patty Trevino joins as Denny’s senior vice president, chief brand officer, effective August 12.  Saygbay-Hallie will lead people initiatives across Denny’s and Keke’s Breakfast Café. She brings more than 20 years of restaurant and retail experience in leading teams and developing talent. She most recently served as chief people officer at Checkers & Rally’s Drive-In restaurants. Before Checkers, she served …

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green newsIndustry Voiceskitchen exhaust/grease controlrestaurantswaste management/recycling

Clear Path Forward

by Katie Lee

— By Jeff Kiesel — Serving up fresh, automated oil solutions to replace stale, deep-fried thinking. Oil management has historically been a struggle for restaurants and commercial kitchens. While oil plays a crucial role in food preparation, traditional oil handling can result in unsafe and dirty kitchens, frustrated staff, lower food quality and unnecessary waste. Now, new automated cooking oil management tools are allowing restaurants to embrace digital transformation and provide improved control of kitchen chaos. For those who get JIBs (joint interest billing) of oil delivered and grease removal …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Marco’s Pizza Launches New Store Design

by Katie Lee

Boise, Idaho — Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, recently debuted its new store design near Boise in Meridian, Idaho. The new look features aesthetic updates in addition to operational enhancements. The prototype is set to fuel the brand’s continued nationwide growth and performance, while enhancing the guest experience. The Meridian corporate-owned store opened on July 23, 2024. Earlier this year, Marco’s announced its development plan to bring four new locations to the Boise market, using it as a test bed for forward-thinking innovations. Updates include: • …

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Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Cousins Maine Lobster Launches Food Truck Tour in the Midwest

by Hayden Spiess

South Portland, Maine — South Portland-based lobster roll concept Cousins Maine Lobster has announced plans for a multi-state food truck tour throughout the Midwest to introduce the brand to new markets. Franchisee Chris Papp — whose portfolio includes two restaurants and four food trucks — will lead the tour. Scheduled for Aug. 7-16, the tour will stop at breweries and festivals in South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. 

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Smoothie-Factory-Kitchen
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

BRIX Holdings Enters Four-Unit Franchise Agreement in Arizona, Missouri

by Hayden Spiess

Dallas — Dallas-based food-and-beverage franchising company BRIX Holdings LLC has entered into an agreement with franchise owner Richard Stassi to open four new units in Arizona and Missouri. Stassi will open three Smoothie Factory + Kitchen and Red Mango co-branded shops within the next three years in metro Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. The first of the units is scheduled to open in early 2025. Franchisee Gary Patel signed the fourth deal with Stassi and will open a Red Mango store in Kansas City, Missouri, in early 2025, marking the first entry …

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Newsrestaurants

Darden Restaurants Agrees to Acquire Tex-Mex Chain Chuy’s for $605 Million

by Hayden Spiess

Austin, Texas and Orlando, Fla. — Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) has agreed to acquire Chuy’s Holdings (NASDAQ: CHUY) for $605 million in an all-cash transaction.  The Tex-Mex restaurant chain — which owns and operates 101 full-service restaurants across 15 states — will join Darden’s existing restaurant portfolio, which includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, among others.  Under terms of the merger agreement, Orlando-based Darden will acquire all outstanding shares of Chuy’s at $37.50 per share. The purchase price represents a 40 percent premium to the Austin-based company’s …

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