Lake Forest, Calif. — Del Taco has signed a 10-unit development agreement with a new franchise group in the Indianapolis DMA. Target markets include Bloomington, Bedford, Columbus, Greenwood, Plainfield and Avon. This marks the brand’s entry into the Indiana market. Founded in 1964, Del Taco has nearly 600 restaurants across 17 states. For more information, visit www.deltacofranchise.com. SOURCE: Del Taco
Pasadena, Calif. — Dine Brands Global, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar®, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® and IHOP®, has announced that Tony Moralejo (pictured here) will step down as Applebee’s president, effective March 4, 2025, and will serve as an advisor to the company through June 4, 2025. John Peyton, CEO, Dine Brands, will assume the role of interim president of Applebee’s while continuing in his current capacity. “Tony and I share a deep respect for the DNA of Applebee’s and we are all grateful for his …
Nashville, Tenn. — Captain D’s, a leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, is expanding on both sides of the Mississippi. It is adding the state of Maryland to its system and increasing its presence in Texas. The Maryland development group has signed on to develop five restaurants in Prince George County in the Baltimore metro over the next 7 years. Expanding Captain D’s footprint to its 24th state is part of the Tennessee-based seafood chain’s strategic plan to grow into the Northeast. In Texas, Captain D’s will open three locations in San …
Beaumont, Texas — Jason’s Deli is stepping into a new era with a refreshed visual identity system and innovative new restaurant design, in partnership with experience agency ChangeUp. The brand refresh, which began rolling out in recent months, is centered on a new core concept: “The Art of Delicious.” This captures the essence of Jason’s Deli’s mission — to craft delicious, honest-to-goodness food served with the same care and attention that has made the restaurant a favorite for nearly five decades. The new identity is being integrated across all touchpoints …
Houston — Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen has signed a multi-unit development agreement to open 10 outlets in Mexico City by 2027. This marks a milestone for the brand as it continues its international expansion. Russo’s newest franchisee, Javier Aguilar, will introduce the brand’s signature New York-style pizza and Italian dishes to the vibrant culinary scene in Mexico City. Aguilar emphasizes what makes Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen stand out from other pizza chains: the exceptional menu and flexible store design. “The ability to open a …
New York City — On Feb. 3, Planet Hollywood New York opened its doors, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the brand’s history. Planet Hollywood’s return to New York City introduces a modernized version of the beloved restaurant and entertainment venue. A transformative $20 million investment, the cutting-edge, technology-driven space sets a new standard for unparalleled dining and entertainment experiences. Located at 136 W. 42nd St., the restaurant redefines Hollywood glamor beneath a 360-degree canopy of state-of-the-art, high-definition screens. Encircling the entire perimeter is an array of over …
— By Rich Kilgannon — How winterization and preventative maintenance can give restaurants the upper hand. When it comes to dining experiences, people eat with their eyes. Studies have shown that the way food looks can alter the diner’s perception of its taste and flavor. But it’s not just the look of the food, it’s the look of the place. We all have our own stories about visiting one of our favorite restaurants and thinking the food might still taste OK, but the stale look on the outside and in …
Moonachie, N.J. — Paris Baguette, a bakery café concept with over 200 cafés open across the U.S. and Canada, wrapped up 2024 marked by unprecedented growth and achievements. With 163 franchises awarded and 51 new cafés opened last year, the company aims to open 100 or more cafés across North America in 2025 as the team prepares to expand their presence to over 35 states. “The growth we saw last year was truly remarkable, and I firmly believe that our success is driven by our people-first approach,” says Darren Tipton, …
Exton, Pa. — Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, an innovative craft brewery, has appointed Mark Kirke as its new chief executive officer. With nearly 30 years of experience in restaurant leadership, Kirke brings a wealth of knowledge to propel Iron Hill into the next chapter. As CEO, Kirke will leverage his extensive experience across full-service multi-unit operations and brand building to drive Iron Hill’s continued growth and operational excellence. With a proven track record of prioritizing guest experiences, Kirke’s leadership will refine Iron Hill’s hospitality-centered approach. Kirke will also guide …
Toledo, Ohio — Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, enters 2025 on the heels of a landmark year. With 85 franchises awarded and 70 new store openings in 2024, Marco’s surpassed its 1,200th store milestone. Marco’s enters 2025 with a renewed focus on multi-unit franchise development, with 65% of 2024 agreements coming from existing franchisees. Key growth areas include expansion into non-traditional locations and international markets, including Mexico. “Marco’s leads the charge in growth, innovation and customer satisfaction,” says Tony Libardi, co-CEO and president of Marco’s Pizza. …
