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Smokey Mo’s Welcomes New CFO

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas — Popular family-friendly Texas restaurant Smokey Mo’s TX BBQ has named Martin Hornsby as its new chief financial officer. “Bringing Martin to Smokey Mo’s will support more financial opportunities for franchising and corporate strategy,” says Craig Haley, president of Smokey Mo’s TX BBQ. “Smokey Mo’s is in the beginning stages of a substantial growth plan and we are very excited to add Martin’s financial and franchising expertise to our team.” Having worked as chief financial officer for companies such as Alamo Drafthouse and Sport Clips Haircuts, Hornsby’s experience, …

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Industry Voicesrestaurantsretailersvendors

Next Generation

by Katie Lee

— By Michael Spataro — Why intelligent automation will be key for successful workforce management in 2023 and beyond.   Throughout 2022, many businesses were left scrambling to fill shifts, properly serve customers and attract and retain hourly employees. In 2023, businesses in the retail, hospitality and restaurant industries will need to find new ways to manage their hourly workforce, find ways to streamline their labor operations and operate more effectively — while also delivering a better experience for their frontline employees and customers. The solution: intelligent automation powered by …

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Darden Restaurants Completes Acquisition of Ruth’s Hospitality Group

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Darden Restaurants, Inc. has completed its acquisition of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. The Ruth’s Chris Steak House brand now joins and complements Darden’s portfolio of differentiated brands that include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s and Bahama Breeze. Ruth’s Chris has 155 locations around the globe, including 81 company-owned or company-operated restaurants and 74 franchised restaurants. The $715 million acquisition was completed on June 14, 2023. Following the consummation of the merger, Ruth’s became an indirect, wholly …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Smashburger Appoints Interim President

by Katie Lee

Denver — Smashburger has appointed Jose Miñana Jr. as interim president in place of Carl Bachmann upon his departure from the company on June 30th. Miñana is the chief sustainability and public affairs officer for Smashburger’s parent company, Jollibee Foods Corporation, and will serve as the president until the permanent lead executive has been appointed. Miñana has over 25 years of experience working for the Jollibee Foods Corporation and has held multiple positions within the global restaurant company. Before being named the chief sustainability and public affairs officer in 2019, …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Great American Cookies Continues U.S. Expansion with First Alaska Location

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Great American Cookies, the Original Cookie Cake franchise, plans its first location in the state of Alaska. The new store will be located in Anchorage. “This year, Great American Cookies arrived in Arizona, New Mexico and Illinois,” says Allison Lauenstein, president of Great American Cookies. “Growing domestically has been a key growth pillar for us so we are pleased to be able to expand our footprint to four new states, including Alaska, in just a few months. We see Anchorage as a great market to make our …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Paris Baguette on Track to Have 1,000 Units Open by 2030

by Katie Lee

Moonachie, N.J. — Paris Baguette, the bakery café concept with 4,000 units worldwide, currently has nearly 150 units open in the U.S. and is working toward reaching the 1,000 unit mark in the States by 2030. After a great end to 2022, the concept has kicked off 2023 by signing 40 franchise agreements and opening one restaurant per week in the first quarter. “We are very proud of the momentum we have. Last year we opened 24 stores. This year, we are more than halfway there in just 3 months,” …

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facilities managementNewsrestaurantssecurity/loss preventionsoftware/technologyvendors

BRIX Holdings Chooses Interface to Streamline Network and Security Operations

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — Interface Systems, a leading managed service provider of business security, actionable insights and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses, has been selected by BRIX Holdings, a leading multi-brand franchising company that specializes in the “better-for-you” QSR segment, to deploy managed network, business voice, PCI compliance, business security and business intelligence solutions for all their franchise locations, including Red Mango Cafe, Smoothie Factory + Kitchen, Souper Salad, Orange Leaf, Humble Donut Co, Greenz, Friendly’s and Pizza Jukebox. Interface’s solutions enable BRIX to offer its franchisees a modern and proven …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

BurgerFi International Inc. Names New CFO

by Katie Lee

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — BurgerFi International Inc., owner of leading fast-casual brand BurgerFi and Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings, is making a change in senior leadership as Christopher Jones will be joining as chief financial officer on July 10, 2023. Jones is replacing the current CFO, Mike Rabinovitch, who is transitioning to Lionheart Capital as a senior advisor. Lionheart Capital along with its founder and the company’s executive chairman, Ophir Sternberg, is the company’s largest shareholder. Rabinovitch will remain in his role as CFO until July 10, 2023 and …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Captain D’s Converts Former Dunkin’ Location in Atlanta Area

by Katie Lee

Nashville, Tenn. — Captain D’s, the nation’s leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, has converted a former Dunkin’ to its newest franchised location in Marietta, Ga. (not pictured here). This is the fourth Atlanta-area Captain D’s for local owner Anil Dossani, who began franchising with the brand in 2018 and already has a fifth location on tap for Ellenwood later this summer. The Marietta opening comes on the heels of two other Captain D’s conversions this spring in Georgia, including a former Bojangles in Savannah and a Huddle House in Glennville. Dossani …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurantsretailers

Dave & Buster’s to Open 20 Stores in India and Australia

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Dave & Buster’s has made two more significant deals for its global expansion plans. The first deal includes a 15-store partnership in India with the Malpani Group, and the second deal comprises a five-store partnership with the NightOwl Entertainment Group in Australia. These strategic alliances mark Dave & Buster’s second and third multi-store franchise agreements, firmly cementing the brand in the APAC and MEA regions with a total of 31 stores committed to development since global expansion plans were announced in 2022. Dave & Buster’s has implemented several …

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