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Topgolf Enters New England with Opening of Rhode Island Venue

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf will open its first Rhode Island venue on Friday, Oct. 6. Roughly 5 miles from downtown Providence, Topgolf Rhode Island is located at 120 Sockanosset Cross Rd. in the city of Cranston. This will be Topgolf’s first venue in Rhode Island and first in New England overall. The opening of Topgolf Rhode Island will mark the company’s 81st outdoor venue in the U.S. and 91st globally. “The opening of our Rhode Island venue is a huge milestone for us as it marks our …

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Eataly Appoints New CEO North America

by Katie Lee

New York City — Eataly, the international Italian restaurant and retail group, has appointed Tommaso Brusò as the new CEO of North America, effective Oct. 2, 2023. Tommaso Brusò joins from Colourful Standard (part of RTG Group), the sustainable essentials clothing brand, where he was Group CEO. He was previously global COO for Benetton Group, where he spent a significant period of time in the U.S. Prior to that, he was CEO of Diesel North America from 2013-2017, CEO of Furla Americas from 2008-2013, and CEO of Fedon for the …

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Scooter’s Coffee Opens 700th Drive-Thru Location

by Katie Lee

Elkhart, Ind. — Scooter’s Coffee®, best known for its fast drive-thru and specialty coffee, is opening its 700th unit, located at 616 W. Bristol Street, Elkhart, Ind. The new location is part of the company’s new strategic growth phase in the Midwest and nationwide. “Opening our 700th location and celebrating this milestone with the great community in Elkhart is really exciting for Scooter’s Coffee,” says Joe Thornton, president of Scooter’s Coffee. “We look forward to sharing our amazing brand and love for all things coffee to new customers.” The drive-thru …

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Cover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinerestaurants

Welcome to (the New) Moe’s

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — The Southwest-style brand is modernizing its brand positioning with a refresh that is a win-win for customers and franchisees alike. With more than 600 locations nationwide (and counting), Atlanta-based Moe’s Southwest Grill® remains focused on growth — and on flexibility. According to its chief brand officer, Tory Bartlett, Moe’s will continue expanding in new markets and in new formats to meet guests where they are. Thanks to the introduction of new prototypes, Moe’s is able to provide franchisees with flexibility to develop with competitive real …

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FAT Brands Acquires Smokey Bones Barbecue Chain for $30 Million

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has acquired the Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill restaurant chain from an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The $30 million acquisition marks the company’s first foray into barbecue and expands FAT Brands’ portfolio of polished dining chains, which currently includes Twin Peaks. The purchase is expected to bring 61 new corporate locations under FAT Brands’ umbrella. “We continue to be selective and opportunistic in our acquisition strategy, targeting brands that are both scalable and synergistic with our existing platform,” …

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OTG Debuts Starbucks’ First Airport Pick Up Concept

by Katie Lee

Houston — Airport hospitality group OTG is unveiling Starbucks’ first airport Pick Up concept, with three initial locations opening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in IAH Terminal E this fall. Starbucks Pick Up will be exclusively designed for mobile orders — quick pickup without the wait — offering convenience, comfort and guaranteed immediacy to meet the needs of digitally savvy, ‘on-the-go’ travelers. Tailored for the airport environment, all stores will reflect Starbucks’ signature design DNA, featuring warm wood tones, fresh green accents and botanical art pieces inspired by the coffee’s …

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Sullivan’s Steakhouse Opens First Michigan Restaurant in Detroit

by Katie Lee

Detroit — Sullivan’s Steakhouse has opened the doors of its newest restaurant in Detroit. Located at 1128 Washington Blvd., inside the newly transformed Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, the 9,300-square-foot restaurant space is the brand’s first location in Michigan and 15th in the United States. The one-of-a-kind steakhouse offers guests bone-in and hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and signature cocktails with the sounds of live, local jazz music in a friendly, familiar atmosphere. “Detroit is a such a unique city with rich traditions and a storied history. It cannot be matched and …

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La Madeleine Appoints Senior Director of Franchise Development

by Katie Lee

Dallas — French-founded and French-owned la Madeleine has appointed seasoned industry executive Mark Ramage as senior director of franchise development, effective immediately. The newly appointed executive wants to attract experienced restaurant operators and investors to the brand, with the ambitious goal to sign and develop 50-100 new locations in the next 5 years. Ramage has more than 20 years of experience in the franchise development industry, with success spearheading development strategy, sales and real estate across multiple franchise restaurant and quick service brands. He has held leadership titles at a …

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Former McDonald’s Finance Leader to Become CFO at BIGGBY ® COFFEE

by Katie Lee

Lansing, Mich. — Erin Kaylor , a franchise veteran and finance leader, is joining BIGGBY® COFFEE as chief financial officer. As the brand approaches important growth milestones with over 360 units open and another 140 in development, Kaylor will serve a crucial role in supporting the entire system through its next stage of development. “I’m a CPA and an accountant by trade, but the vast majority of my career was spent in the finance organization of McDonald’s,” says Kaylor. “This new role fits very nicely because I have a lot …

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Smalls Sliders® Crosses 100 Units Under Development

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Smalls Sliders, a fast-growing cheeseburger slider concept, has crossed 100 units under development. This milestone is also notable because the brand only just recently reopened franchising opportunities in early 2023. Smalls Sliders currently has nine locations open in Louisiana, with a solid pipeline of new locations set to open in states including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and Texas. Smalls Sliders has consistently signed multi-unit agreements with prominent franchise groups and multi-brand operators alike, ultimately propelling the brand to cross the triple-digit unit mark. Leading …

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