Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Read the Magazine Subscribe

restaurants

construction and designNewsrestaurants

Chick-fil-A to Test 2 New Restaurant Concepts in Metro Atlanta, New York City

by Katie Lee

Atlanta and New York City — Chick-fil-A has announced plans for two new restaurant concepts. Beginning in 2024, the brand will open an elevated drive-thru concept in metro Atlanta as well as a walk-up restaurant in New York City. Both concepts are designed to enhance efficiency and convenience, with plans for the drive-thru restaurant including a kitchen built above the drive-thru lanes and dedicated lanes for mobile orders. Targeted toward urban areas with heavy foot traffic, the walk-up concept will allow guests to order through the Chick-fil-A app and pick …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Great American Cookies Makes Philadelphia Debut

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Great American Cookies, the Original Cookie Cake franchise, is opening its first locations in Philadelphia. Both situated at the Franklin Mills Mall, the new stores represent the cookie chain’s commitment to domestic expansion on the East Coast. “At Great American Cookies, every new store opening is an opportunity to bring joy to a local community,” says Allison Lauenstein, president of Great American Cookies. “Making our debut in Philadelphia is a tremendous opportunity for Great American Cookies from a brand visibility standpoint and we look forward to treating …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Clean Juice Opening First Location in Austin, Texas

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas — Clean Juice®, the first and only USDA-certified organic juice and food bar franchise, is opening its first Austin, Texas, store with father-and-son duo franchisees Jeff and Ty Mobley. The new Clean Juice will open on July 29 in the William Cannon area across from Arbor Trails Plaza. “We were impressed from the first moment we walked through the doors,” says Ty Mobley, who is also a former award-winning collegiate soccer player. “The cleanliness of the restaurant and the freshness of the food presentation was on point. We …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Adds 31 Locations to Growth Pipeline

by Katie Lee

Wichita, Kan. — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® has signed a franchise development agreement led by new franchisee, Ellis Choi, to debut eight new restaurants in LA County, Calif., a key target market in the U.S. for the brand. This announcement comes on the heels of two quarters of growth, ending the first half of the year with more than 480 locations across 36 states. Freddy’s has set its sights on reaching 500 units later this year. “As we build upon a momentous first half of the year, we are …

Continue Reading
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

Maggiano’s Little Italy EVP and President to Retire

by Katie Lee

Dallas — According to Brinker International, Inc., Steve Provost, executive vice president and president of its Italian casual-dining brand, Maggiano’s Little Italy®, will retire at the end of August 2023. Provost has dedicated more than 4 decades to the foodservice industry. “Steve is a one-of-a-kind, humble and courageous leader with an incredible presence and knack for storytelling that will be missed,” says Kevin Hochman, president and CEO, Brinker International and president of Chili’s® Grill & Bar. “He is leaving the brand in a stronger position, having continued the legacy of …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsrestaurants

High Bluff Capital to Acquire 81-Restaurant Hardee’s Portfolio

by Katie Lee

San Diego — San Diego-based High Bluff Capital Partners will assume ownership of a portfolio comprising 81 Hardee’s locations following an auction. Located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina and Wyoming, the restaurants were previously owned by franchisee Summit Restaurant Group, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May of this year. The transaction is expected to close in August. Dave Dixon will oversee operation of the restaurants. “High Bluff is the ideal partner to support our efforts…while making critical investments in restaurant remodels and other initiatives …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

Cracker Barrel Names New President and CEO

by Katie Lee

Lebanon, Tenn. — According to the board of directors of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., Julie Felss Masino will succeed Sandra B. Cochran as the company’s next president and chief executive officer. Masino most recently served as president, international of Taco Bell, overseeing the expansion of the division to more than 1,000 restaurants in 32 countries, and before that led the $11 billion U.S. Taco Bell business. “Today’s announcement represents the culmination of a multi-year CEO succession-planning process by our board of directors and Sandy, and we are thrilled …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designFeaturesIndustry Voicesrestaurants

By Design

by Katie Lee

— By Tony Hunsoo Ahn — A bakery concept that features delicious design and a tasty layout. Store design and layout are pivotal to making a favorable first impression — and to maintaining the feeling for returning guests. Walk into any TOUS les JOURS (TLJ) location across the U.S., and you’ll find an inviting ‘cafeteria-style’ grab-and-go environment with a large display of individually wrapped pastries, encouraging customers to add their items — all-time favorites and new desires — to a tray as they approach the register. TLJ is committed to …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Paris Baguette on Track to Reach 160 U.S. Stores in 2023

by Katie Lee

Moonachie, N.J. — After an big year of growth in 2022, Paris Baguette, the global bakery café franchise with over 4,000 open cafés, has finalized 66 new franchise agreements and opened 20 new stores at the end of the second quarter 2023. “With 66 signings, 20 openings and almost 50 more cafés in various stages of construction, we’re climbing toward the goal of 64 cafés opened this year, and we see a pathway to get there,” says Mark Mele, chief development officer at Paris Baguette. “In the second quarter, we …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Paytronix Appoints New CEO; Founder Becomes Executive Chairman

by Katie Lee

Newton, Mass. — Paytronix, the leader in guest engagement for restaurants and convenience stores, has named industry veteran and current Paytronix board member Jeff Hindman (pictured here) as its new chief executive officer. Paytronix’s founder and current CEO, Andrew Robbins, will assume the role of executive chairman. “Paytronix continues to revolutionize the way restaurants and convenience stores build and nurture guest relationships. Our exceptional team is driven by a passion to meet the growing industry hunger for more personalized guest experiences and accelerate the pace of innovation needed to do …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts