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Captain D’s Opens First Location in the UK

by Katie Lee

Broadstairs, Kent (UK) — Captain D’s will open its first-ever UK restaurant at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre in Broadstairs, Kent, on Oct. 20. At the new location, Captain D’s will bring its refreshed restaurant design, UK-tailored menu and international expansion strategy to life. This opening is part of a 20-unit master franchise agreement with local partner CD’s Holdings.  The Broadstairs restaurant is the first to showcase Captain D’s modernized UK design, featuring a fresh new color palette, playful seafood and chicken icons and a vibrant, family-friendly vibe. It’s contemporary, fun …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Smoothie King Opens First Stores in Utah and Minnesota; Also Expands in DFW Airport

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King is fueling its national growth with a series of milestone openings this fall, including debuts in two new states and new growth in one of the country’s busiest airports. The brand has officially opened its first-ever Utah location in Washington and its first-ever Minnesota location in Woodbury, marking Smoothie King’s entry into both states. At the same time, Smoothie King is strengthening its presence in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) with two new locations in Terminal A and Terminal D, joining its existing Terminal A store. …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Swig Names New President and Chief of Franchise Partnerships

by Katie Lee

Sandy, Utah — Swig, the creator of the dirty soda beverage category, is ramping up its nationwide growth by promoting Todd Smith to president, following his tenure as chief commercial officer, and appointing franchise sales veteran Shannon Swenson as chief, franchise partnerships. “We’re at a major moment for dirty soda,” says Alex Dunn, CEO of Swig. “People crave playful, personalized drinks, and Swig is here to deliver — coast to coast. Todd’s vision, Shannon’s franchising prowess and the talent of Swig’s leaders and team members alike are the perfect combination …

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Matternet Pilots Drone Delivery in L.A. With Dave’s Hot Chicken

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Matternet, the developer of the world’s leading urban drone delivery system, is partnering with Dave’s Hot Chicken to launch a drone delivery pilot, a first for the fast-casual leader. The service will debut in Northridge, a Los Angeles suburb, where eligible residents will be able to order Dave’s Hot Chicken through the Dave’s app and receive it directly to their homes via Matternet’s autonomous M2 drones — arriving hot, fresh and fast. “Each day, more than 10 million food deliveries move through our cities in 2-ton cars, …

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Ralph Lauren to Open ‘The Polo Bar Ralph Lauren’ in London

by Katie Lee

New York and London — Ralph Lauren will open a new restaurant as part of its renowned hospitality portfolio, The Polo Bar Ralph Lauren, in London. The restaurant will be located at 1 Hanover Square and is set to open in 2028. Building on the international acclaim of The Polo Bar, which opened in New York in 2015 and quickly became a widely celebrated and iconic restaurant, the London location will showcase the brand’s signature charm and timeless elegance with a refined, yet welcoming dining experience. “I have always been …

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Cracker Barrel Makes Changes to Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Lebanon, Tenn. — Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. is making changes to its leadership and organizational structure. Doug Hisel, previously vice president, field operations, has been promoted to senior vice president, store operations, overseeing field operations and operations services. Hisel is an 18-year veteran of Cracker Barrel and brings a strong ability to balance operational excellence with a deep understanding of people and Cracker Barrel’s processes and standards. He started at the company as an associate manager in Indianapolis in 2007 and has served in various other operations roles …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Donatos Pizza Aims to Develop 50+ Locations Across the Carolinas

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — Donatos Pizza is partnering with new franchise owners to begin adding more than 50 new locations across the Carolinas over the next several years. Cities in North Carolina include Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, High Point and Greensboro. Cities in South Carolina include Greenville, Spartanburg and Columbia. In North Carolina, Donatos already serves guests through 16 Red Robin locations. South Carolina has Donatos Edge to Edge® pizzas available in four Red Robin locations in addition to four traditional restaurants in Summerville, Boiling Springs, West Ashley and Fort Mill. “This …

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Happy Joe’s Expands Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Davenport, Iowa — Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream has added several seasoned leaders to its executive team, including Jenny Culp as vice president of purchasing and supply chain and Christopher Anschutz as vice president of restaurant operations. Culp has played a major role within the brand’s operations and supply chain since 2007, most recently serving as the director of purchasing and supply chain. In her new role as vice president, she will oversee sourcing, vendor partnerships and distribution strategies that position franchisees for success while ensuring consistency, quality and …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

FEP Invests in 7 Brew Franchisee, Signs Development Deal for Over 200 Units

by Katie Lee

New York City — Private investment firm Franchise Equity Partners (FEP) has acquired a majority stake in 7 Crew, the second-largest franchise owner of 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee. As part of the agreement, FEP will continue to execute 7 Crew’s existing development agreement with 7 Brew, which includes opening more than 200 new stands in addition to the 50 currently operating. FEP has taken a selective approach to investing in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector. After evaluating numerous opportunities, 7 Brew stood out as a differentiated, category-defining brand. 7 Brew …

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Starbucks to Close Stores, Lay Off Workers in $1 Billion Restructuring Effort

by Abby Cox

Seattle — Starbucks Coffee has announced that it will be eliminating roughly 900 non-retail U.S. jobs, with additional plans to close several hundred underperforming company-operated stores, as part of a broader $1 billion restructuring effort. The company’s store count will decrease by about 1 percent, which translates to roughly 500 closures for the company, as reported by CNBC. Starbucks plans to end its fiscal year with almost 18,300 North American locations, including both company-operated and licensed cafés. “In fiscal year 2026, we’ll grow the number of coffeehouses we operate as we …

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