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Darden Restaurants Completes Acquisition of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Darden Restaurants, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $605 million. The transaction was approved by a majority of Chuy’s Holdings stockholders on Oct. 10, 2024. This follows the merger agreement that was announced on July 17, 2024. With the acquisition now complete, Chuy’s joins Darden’s portfolio of differentiated brands which also includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s and Bahama …

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green newskitchen equipmentNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendorswaste management/recycling

Better Earth Acquires Sustainability SaaS Company, Betterbin

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Better Earth, a leader in sustainable foodservice packaging solutions, has acquired Betterbin, a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that optimizes recycling and composting education for consumers, retailers and businesses. This acquisition bolsters Better Earth’s mission to create a regenerative circular economy by providing seamless, tech-driven solutions that divert food packaging waste from landfills, improve compliance with solid waste regulations and meet local sustainability goals. With only around 5% of plastics currently being recycled in the United States, the need for smarter waste solutions is more urgent than …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Zaxbys to Debut in Maryland with First 3 Locations on the Eastern Shore

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Zaxbys™, a rapidly expanding Georgia-based QSR franchise, will make its debut in the state of Maryland next year. A newly signed territory agreement will open three locations along Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The first Zaxbys in Maryland is slated to open in Cambridge in late 2025, with additional locations in Easton and West Ocean City/Berlin to follow. The first Maryland Zaxbys location will be built near Walmart in Cambridge, with a modern farmhouse design. Another location is planned near a new hospital development in Easton, and the third will …

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construction and designCover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinerestaurants

Onward & Upward

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a Newport Beach, California-based family-style pizza chain for more than 45 years, continues to scale the heights toward the peak of franchise success. Born out of the Bay Area in 1978, Mountain Mike’s Pizza started franchising in 1981 and grew steadily and regionally over the ensuing decades. More recently, Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, former multi-unit Burger King franchisees and Stanford alumni who frequented the chain in college, came along and shook things up. In 2017, the pair acquired the company …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Killer Burger to Open First Location Outside the Pacific Northwest, in Texas

by Katie Lee

Portland, Ore. — Killer Burger, a fast-growing better burger concept, plans to enter the state of Texas with its first location in San Antonio. The franchised location is expected to open in November, and will be owned and operated by Killer Burger founder — and now also a franchisee — Thomas “TJ” Southard. This marks the brand’s first location outside of the Pacific Northwest. Southard is adding “franchisee” to his roles of founder, board member and majority shareholder as part of his broader plan to help Killer Burger attract and …

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energy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsNewsrestaurantssupply chainwaste management/recycling

Yum! Brands Releases Annual Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — On Oct. 8, Yum! Brands, Inc. released its annual Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report, detailing its advancements in reducing carbon emissions, improving packaging and more. The company has a longstanding dedication to responsible business practices, investing strategically in its three priority pillars of People, Food and Planet. “In 2023, we experienced a year of remarkable growth and remained focused on greenhouse gas reduction, sustainable packaging and having a positive community impact,” says David Gibbs, CEO of Yum! Brands. “Our ‘Good Growth’ strategy has propelled our sales and …

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Jack in the Box Executive Vice President and CFO to Depart

by Katie Lee

San Diego — The executive vice president and chief financial officer of Jack in the Box Inc., Brian Scott, plans to resign. He has accepted a new position outside of the restaurant industry. To assist with a smooth transition, his last day with Jack in the Box will be Nov. 20, 2024. Dawn Hooper, a Jack in the Box veteran of 24 years who has previously served as interim chief financial officer, will assume the role of principal financial officer on Nov. 1 and interim CFO upon Scott’s departure. She …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Taco Cabana Launches Franchise Program to Grow the Brand Outside Texas

by Katie Lee

San Antonio, Texas — Taco Cabana®, a popular fast-casual chain since 1978, has launched a franchise program to grow the brand in new markets across the country, including Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma and Tennessee. “After 45 storied years building the Taco Cabana brand in Texas, we have the leadership and operational systems in place to deliver a nationwide franchising opportunity for passionate and experienced operators who want to introduce our acclaimed restaurant chain to their communities,” says Ulyses Camacho, president and COO of Taco Cabana. “This exciting step forward …

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construction and designmanagementNewsproperty managementremodelsrestaurantsretailers

RED Development Underway on $2 Billion Redevelopment of Paradise Valley Mall in Phoenix

by Katie Lee

Phoenix — RED Development has begun construction on PV, the $2 billion redevelopment of a 100-acre site in Phoenix formerly occupied by Paradise Valley Mall. Phase I of the project will include retail, dining and entertainment space anchored by Whole Foods Market; AVE Paradise Valley, a 400-unit multifamily community; and a 77,000-square-foot co-headquarters for Fender Musical Instruments Corp. Each component of the development will be linked via centrally located parks. A groundbreaking was recently held for the office portion of the development — a three-story building designed by SmithGroup to …

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Whataburger Names Chief Supply Chain Officer

by Katie Lee

San Antonio — Whataburger® has appointed Todd Huetinck as its new chief supply chain officer. With nearly two decades of global supply chain leadership, Huetinck has expertise across sourcing, distribution, logistics, food safety, supplier quality management, continuous improvement and product commercialization. His first day at Whataburger was Oct. 1. Huetinck joins Whataburger from CKE Restaurants, where he most recently served as senior vice president, supply chain management, overseeing operations for 3,000 Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants. Throughout his 18 years at CKE, he took on increasingly responsible roles, making significant …

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