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Nathan’s Famous Continues International Expansion in 2024

by Katie Lee

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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Condado Tacos Names New CFO

by Katie Lee

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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franchise developmentNewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Caribou Coffee Selects Toast to Support Growing Coffeehouse Footprint

by Katie Lee

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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Mountain Mike’s Pizza Promotes President & COO to CEO

by Katie Lee

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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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Focus Brands® Unveils New Company Name and Identity

by Katie Lee

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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Dink & Dine Pickle Parks to Debut ‘Eatertainment’ Concept in Arizona

by Katie Lee

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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Corner Bakery Cafe Continues Holistic Brand Revitalization in 2024

by Katie Lee

Dallas — When SSCP acquired Corner Bakery Cafe in June 2023, its goal was to stabilize the brand and lay a strong foundation that would drive growth of the 100+ unit chain in 2024 and beyond. Less than 6 months later, Corner Bakery Cafe’s comprehensive brand revitalization efforts are well underway — already resulting in positive sales growth, steady employee retention and improved guest experience. In addition, Corner Bakery Cafe is embarking on a comprehensive plan to remodel most of its corporate cafes in the coming months. Simultaneously, the brand …

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Starbucks Announces New Accessibility Guidelines for its U.S. Store Portfolio

by Katie Lee

Seattle — On Feb. 16, 2024, Starbucks Coffee Company announced that it is creating a more accessible store experience across its U.S. store portfolio through an Inclusive Spaces Framework. The first store to be built using the inclusive design framework opened on Feb. 16 in Washington, D.C. The new store features items such as optimized acoustics and lighting for improved visual and audible communication for customers and accessible equipment designs for a better partner (employee) experience among other features. The Inclusive Spaces Framework was created in partnership with a diverse …

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SPB Hospitality Names SVP of Operations for Krystal

by Katie Lee

Houston — SPB Hospitality, an industry-leading operator and franchisor of restaurants spanning a national footprint, has promoted Amanda Hyde to senior vice president of operations for Krystal. It has also welcomed Ellen Rockwell as executive vice president of people & culture. “These organizational updates symbolize our unwavering dedication to excellence and expansion at SPB Hospitality,” says Josh Kern, CEO of SPB Hospitality. “These transformations are a testament to our continual endeavor to refine our leadership framework and cultivate a culture marked by excellence and innovation. With Ellen and Amanda stepping …

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Restaurant365 Names New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Restaurant365, a leading all-in-one restaurant enterprise management platform, has named Jessica Lanier as its new chief financial officer, effective immediately. Lanier most recently served as vice president of finance at Qualtrics. “Jessica is a world-class finance leader, and we’re grateful to add her to our talented team. She will fit right in as she brings a passion for high-growth SaaS and experience with the milestones we plan to reach on the road ahead,” says Tony Smith, CEO and co-founder of Restaurant365. Prior to Qualtrics, Lanier served as …

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