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Bloomin’ Brands CEO to Retire

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — The chief executive officer of Bloomin’ Brands, Inc., David Deno, will be retiring after 12 years with the company, including the last 5 years as CEO and a member of the board of directors. Deno will continue in his current role until a successor is named and a successful transition period is completed. The board of directors will conduct a search for Deno’s successor. “David has strengthened the financial foundation at Bloomin’ Brands through better profitability and a stronger balance sheet, which is especially impressive given nearly …

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Craveworthy Brands Adds Sigri Indian BBQ to Restaurant Portfolio

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Craveworthy Brands, an innovative fast-casual restaurant platform company with 12 brands under its umbrella, has a new addition to its portfolio with the acquisition of Sigri Indian BBQ. Craveworthy Brands is also the parent company of Bd’s Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Genghis Grill, Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, Lucky Cat Poke Co., Pastizza Pizza & Pasta, Scramblin’ Ed’s, Soom Soom Mediterranean, The Budlong Southern Chicken and Wing It On! The company will infuse its operating procedures, marketing strategies and finance processes to optimize restaurant operations …

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Pizza Hut Names New President of Pizza Hut U.S.

by Katie Lee

Plano, Texas — On May 6, Pizza Hut announced that Juan Carlos “Carl” Loredo will join the company as the president of Pizza Hut U.S., reporting to Pizza Hut division CEO Aaron Powell, effective June 3. Loredo joins Pizza Hut from Wendy’s. “Carl comes to Pizza Hut with a strong track record of positioning brands for success and delivering results in highly competitive markets. He is adept at helping brands show up in novel and authentic ways at the right intersection of customer need and culture,” says Powell. “The Pizza …

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Fogo de Chão to Open First Oklahoma Location

by Katie Lee

Oklahoma City — Fogo de Chão, the internationally renowned restaurant from Brazil, has signed a lease agreement to open its first Oklahoma location in Oklahoma City. The new 8,439-square-foot restaurant is scheduled to open later this year at 13710 Pennsylvania Ave. in Memorial Square. “We are excited to introduce Fogo to the Oklahoma market and expand our Southwest footprint with our first restaurant in Oklahoma City,” says Barry McGowan, chief executive officer of Fogo de Chão. “Our restaurant will serve as a memorable addition to Oklahoma City’s dining scene and …

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Voodoo Brewing Company Promotes Employee Owner to CFO

by Katie Lee

Meadville, Pa. — Voodoo Brewing Company, a pioneer in the craft brewing industry, has promoted Isaiah Fitzgerald-Palacio to the position of chief financial officer (CFO). A proud employee owner, Fitzgerald-Palacio brings a wealth of financial expertise and a passion for promoting community to Voodoo Brewing Company. As CFO, he will play a pivotal role in guiding Voodoo Brewing Company’s financial strategy, fostering sustainable growth and ensuring fiscal responsibility. With over 15 years of experience in financial management and a proven track record of success, Fitzgerald-Palacio brings invaluable expertise to the …

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Burger King to Invest $300 Million to Remodel 1,100 U.S. Restaurants by 2028

by Katie Lee

Miami — Burger King plans to invest $300 million to modernize 1,100 U.S. restaurants by 2028, according to parent company Restaurant Brands International Inc. Each restaurant will be renovated in a new layout, called Sizzle, that emphasizes flexibility as well as the digital, pickup and drive-thru experiences. In addition to the planned renovations, the investment will also cover cash incentives for top-performing operators. “We are committed to giving our guests the very best experience in all our restaurants and that includes a modern, exciting restaurant image and digital experience that …

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Daddy’s Chicken Shack Promotes 2 Executives to CEO and President

by Katie Lee

Castle Rock, Colo. — Daddy’s Chicken Shack has made two new promotions within its executive team. Tony Adams, who previously served as the vice president and chief of staff for Area 15 Ventures, will now be taking on the role of president for Daddy’s Chicken Shack, while Dave Liniger Jr. transitions from president to CEO. Adams and Liniger Jr. have been a part of Daddy’s Chicken Shack through Area 15 Ventures, the private equity firm that acquired the brand last year amidst a major growth surge. Area 15 Ventures is …

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Blackstone Agrees to Acquire Tropical Smoothie Cafe for Nearly $2 Billion

by Katie Lee

Atlanta and New York City — Private equity giant Blackstone has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a franchiser of fast-casual restaurants, from Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. The deal values the Atlanta-based smoothie chain at around $2 billion, including debt, according to The Wall Street Journal. Tropical Smoothie Cafe began as a single location in Destin, Fla., in 1997. The chain has grown to more than 1,400 locations in 44 states today. The company opened more than 175 locations in 2023, 70% of which were …

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Smalls Sliders Joins the Big Time

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Maria Rivera — In its innovative small spaces, the young slider brand is going big places — with 200 modular “Cans” open or under development in 16 states. The only thing “small” about Smalls Sliders is the unique space it inhabits. Utilizing a creative “Can” buildout, the expanding burger brand operates out of a 750-square-foot shipping container — keeping construction costs down and clearing the way for easy, efficient openings almost anywhere. Last year, Smalls Sliders began further positioning itself as a disruptor in the ‘big burger’ …

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Flynn Group to Open 25 New Applebee’s Restaurants in the U.S.

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Applebee’s recently signed an agreement with the world’s largest restaurant franchise operator, Flynn Group, with the goal to open 25 new Applebee’s restaurants in the U.S. over the next 7 years. This expansion goal is part of Applebee’s development strategy to return the brand to net new unit openings. “After 44 years as the neighborhood dining destination in America, this agreement reinforces the confidence in the Applebee’s brand from our largest franchisee — and the largest franchise operator in the world — Flynn Group,” says Tony Moralejo, …

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