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Yum! Promotes Sean Tresvant to Taco Bell Division CEO

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has promoted Sean Tresvant to Taco Bell division chief executive officer, reporting to Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs, effective January 1, 2024. Tresvant, who currently serves as global chief brand and strategy officer of Taco Bell, will succeed Mark King, who plans to retire at the end of 2023. As CEO, Tresvant will assume global responsibility for driving Taco Bell’s growth strategies, franchise operations and overall performance. “Sean is a visionary business leader and best-in-class brand builder who is driving transformative R.E.D. (relevant, easy, …

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Industry Voicesrestaurants

Support Local

by Katie Lee

— By Andrew Munday — What’s next after ghost kitchens? Restaurants are expanding their reach with a new business model: a partnership with ‘Local Kitchens.’ The restaurant industry has evolved rapidly over the last decade, with much of this evolution accelerating since the pandemic. We’ve seen new technologies emerge with consumer behaviors evolving in tandem. These changes have forced restaurant founders to adapt, pushing them to seek out new partnerships for expansion and to explore new business models emerging within the industry. When a restaurant is successful, the owners face …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

INKED Tacos and The Original Hot Chicken Open Dual-Concept Flagship Location

by Katie Lee

Sandy Springs, Ga. — INKED Tacos and The Original Hot Chicken have opened a dual concept location in Sandy Springs, Ga., near Atlanta. Both INKED Tacos and The Original Hot Chicken are portfolio concepts of Atlanta-based Experiential Brands. The grand opening took place on June 29th. “We are excited to expand our presence in Atlanta and play an important role in the daily lives of people who live, work and visit here,” says a restaurant representative. “We strive to create memorable food experiences that will keep guests coming back for …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Subway® Marks 15 New Master Franchise Agreements Since 2021

by Katie Lee

Miami — Subway, one of the world’s largest restaurant brands, is continuing to strategically expand its international footprint and recently celebrated the signing of its 15th new master franchise agreement over the past 2 years. The brand’s latest agreements in Bahrain, Georgia, Mainland China, Uruguay, Costa Rica and Panama will add more than 4,000 future restaurants across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific (APAC), and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) within the next 20 years. Since 2021, Subway has signed 15 master franchise agreements or country development …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

SPB Hospitality Names New CEO

by Katie Lee

Houston — SPB Hospitality, an industry-leading operator and franchisor of restaurants spanning a national footprint, has appointed Josh Kern as chief executive officer. He was named interim CEO in August of 2022. SPB Hospitality encompasses a wide array of brands in the casual, fast-casual, quick-service and fine dining categories, as well as bars and breweries. Kern steered the company’s merger with Krystal, the original quick-service slider concept in the South. Furthermore, he has blended the companies while streamlining costs and launched the first major refranchising effort for the Krystal brand. …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Atomic Wings Has 10 New Stores Under Construction; Plans 2.0 Remodel Program

by Katie Lee

New York City — Atomic Wings, a 15-unit brand specializing in flavorful chicken wings, is starting off 2023 with a bang. In first quarter, the New York-based franchise experienced strong sales numbers, opened a new store in Utica, N.Y., and sold two new Area Representative agreements, in both Dallas and Northern California. The company has an additional 10 locations under construction, with plans to open throughout the year, bringing Atomic Wings to new states, including Arkansas, Nevada, Indiana and Texas. Atomic Wings also is launching its first two drive-thru locations …

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construction and designCover Storyrestaurantsretailers

Retail Placemaking

by Katie Lee

— By Kristin Harlow —   Owners are incorporating new uses and tenants in their retail redevelopment projects that help foster an environment where consumers want to linger.   The future of retail has been questioned many times in the last few years, but the sector continues to evolve and overcome the obstacles that arise. Today’s consumers want a gathering place to dine, drink and be entertained, especially after the isolation and stay-at-home mandates they endured throughout the pandemic. With that in mind, owners are redeveloping many underutilized retail properties …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Blaze Pizza Names New Chief Development Officer and COO

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Blaze Pizza has named industry veterans Kevin Moran and Johnny Tellez to its executive leadership team. As the newly appointed chief development officer (CDO) and chief operations officer (COO), respectively, they arrive during a pivotal phase of advancement for the dynamic brand, keen to enrich the customer journey, pioneer operational initiatives and expand its domestic and global footprint. “We are pleased to announce the addition of Kevin and Johnny to our executive team at Blaze Pizza. Their outstanding qualifications and proven track record of success assure us …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Savvy Sliders Names New Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee

Detroit — Michigan-based Savvy Sliders has named QSR veteran Bryon Stephens as chief development officer. Stephens brings 35 years of industry knowledge to the Savvy Sliders brand.  With 35 stores open today, and another 30 in development, Stephens will guide the 3-year-old brand to a growth trajectory of more than 500 stores over the next 48 months. “With Bryon’s leadership and knowledge, this unique partnership will lead us to explosive growth throughout the world,” says Happy Asker, founder and CEO of Savvy Sliders. While at A&W Restaurants, Stephens spearheaded the …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Pizza Hut Celebrates the Opening of its 3,000th Store in China

by Katie Lee

Shanghai — Yum China Holdings, Inc. (“Yum China”) has celebrated the opening of Pizza Hut’s 3,000th store in China, located in Qinhuangdao, a coastal city in Hebei province. It marks a significant milestone in Pizza Hut’s 33-year growth journey in China. The new restaurant enjoys a sweeping view of the sea. Not only does it provide a contemporary dining experience, but also showcases advanced sustainability solutions, including an IoT-based intelligent energy management system and outdoor solar lamps. The restaurant also incorporates renewable and recycled materials in its decoration and layout, …

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