restaurants

Athens, Ga. — Zaxby’s, a rapidly growing Athens, Ga.-based QSR franchise, now with over 930 locations, has recently signed a franchise development deal that will lead the company to enter its 21st state: Arizona. “This is such an exciting time for us,” says Bert Lane, Zaxby’s vice president of development. “Not only are we seeing growth in our tried-and-true Mid-Atlantic states and Southeast, but we’re thrilled to expand our footprint in the western part of the United States.” This year alone, Zaxby’s has sold 51 new locations and is on …

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— By Savneet Singh — Balancing automation and workforce: navigating the future of restaurants. In an era of shrinking workforces and rising costs, the restaurant industry faces significant challenges in maintaining operational efficiency and profitability while delivering exceptional customer experiences. Many establishments have implemented automation — including robots and artificial intelligence (AI) — to address these pain points and supplement their human workforce. While automation enhances productivity and streamlines operations, restaurants must balance relying on technology and prioritizing the hiring/retention of employees. A Growing Need for Automation In a labor-driven, …

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Lake Forest, Calif. — Del Taco® has debuted its new “Fresh Flex” Drive-Thru Only location. Opening in Albuquerque, N.M., the location’s small footprint spans just 1,200 square feet. “Our Fresh Flex design offers a modern, sleek look that is aligned with our Del Taco® Better Mex® brand promise — better quality, better value,” says Tim Linderman, chief development officer. “This design allows us to reduce the overall footprint of the building which creates more real estate flexibility and the potential to reduce total buildout costs which will allow us to …

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Detroit — Little Caesars, the world’s largest privately owned pizza chain, has experienced explosive sales and new unit growth over the last several years, in existing and new countries around the globe. To support this and ongoing growth, Little Caesars’ 18-year CEO Dave Scrivano is promoting Paula Vissing and Ed Gleich to more expansive posts. Vissing, formerly chief operating officer, will now serve as president of Little Caesars global retail. Gleich, formerly chief innovation officer, will serve as president of global services for the brand. They will continue to report …

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Atlanta — Krystal, the original quick-service restaurant chain in the South, is unveiling a strategic refranchising initiative aimed at propelling the expansion of its brand presence. The program involves offering existing company-owned locations in markets previously unavailable for franchising, with a targeted focus on attracting established multi-unit operators who possess a proven track record and a desire to acquire a successful portfolio of existing restaurants and continue to build the market with new locations. This strategic move aligns with Krystal’s ambition to amplify its footprint across the United States, transitioning …

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Milford, Conn. — Private equity firm Roark Capital has entered into a definitive agreement with Subway to acquire the Milford, Conn.-based restaurant chain. The price was not disclosed, but according to CNBC, Subway previously sought $10 billion, and The Wall Street Journal reported on August 21 that Roark offered $9.6 billion. According to CNBC, other bidders reportedly included TDR Capital and Sycamore Partners. Founded more than 50 years ago by Peter Buck and Fred DeLuca, Subway boasts 36,592 restaurants globally, according to the company website. Market-research firm Technomic has reported that the chain garnered $9.8 billion …

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Miami — Subway, one of the world’s largest restaurant brands, has announced leadership transitions. After an 18-year tenure, Subway’s president of North America, Trevor Haynes, plans to leave the company at the end of the calendar year. Haynes, who joined Subway in 2006 as territory manager in Australia, has worked across several continents and held significant leadership positions during his time with the brand, including chief business development officer and interim CEO. Douglas Fry, country director of Subway Canada, will assume the role of president of North America, effective September …

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— By Jon Jaggers — How to leverage brand heritage in the restaurant industry and beyond. Have you ever found yourself drawn to a restaurant not just because of the food, but because of its unique history and story? Maybe it’s a local diner that’s been around for decades, or a chain that’s been passed down from generation to generation. Whatever it may be, brand heritage is a powerful tool in the food and beverage industry. In this post, we’ll dive into why brand heritage matters, and how it can …

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— By Mickie Bollinger — How to get a grip on floor safety. Slips, trips and falls have unfortunately provided the source material for countless viral videos on social media, but business owners and facility managers know they’re no laughing matter. Whether it’s a team member who’s at risk due to unsafe working conditions, or a customer who encounters slippery floors when they enter your building, there’s great potential for injuries and liability claims if you’re not all in on floor safety. Slips, Trips and Falls by the Numbers The …

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San Diego — QDOBA, America’s #2 fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand, is planning for rapid expansion. With 750 restaurants in 45 states, the privately held company expects to double in size over the next decade, with plans to open 40 new restaurants this year, followed by 60 in 2024, and 80+ annually beginning in 2025. “QDOBA is an exceptionally well positioned brand in one of the most attractive restaurant categories. We possess long-standing momentum, strong unit economics, a compelling operating model, an extraordinarily passionate guest following and significant untapped geographic potential,” says …

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