restaurants

green building/LEEDgreen newsNewsrestaurantswaste management/recycling

Wicked Weed Brewing Earns Zero Waste Certification

by Katie Lee

Asheville, N.C. — Wicked Weed Brewing and its main production brewery located in Candler, N.C., has been award GOLD certification under the TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) rating system. Administered by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), TRUE helps facilities measure, improve and recognize zero waste performance by encouraging the adoption of sustainable waste management and reduction practices. Wicked Weed Brewing is one of only three breweries in the United States to receive zero waste certification. To reach this milestone, Wicked Weed diverted its waste to 99.3%, sending less than …

Continue Reading
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

McAlister’s Deli Surpasses $1 Billion in Systemwide Sales

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — GoTo Foods, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s®, has announced that legacy brand McAlister’s Deli has officially crossed the $1 billion systemwide sales milestone. McAlister’s Deli is the first of GoTo Foods’ concepts to reach $1 billion in systemwide sales. Founded in 1989 in Oxford, Miss., McAlister’s Deli began as a regional brand but has since expanded to 29 states across the United States. After unlocking untapped revenue streams such as digital ordering, pickup windows, tableside service, to-go …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Voodoo Franchise Group Names New COO

by Katie Lee

Meadville, Pa. — Voodoo Franchise Group, a franchise with 18 brewpubs open across the U.S., has named Erik Ivey its new chief operating officer. Ivey has over two decades of experience in the restaurant space, having worked at multiple major brands including Quiznos, Chipotle and Yum! Brands. Voodoo Brewing Co. is a community of passionate beer lovers dedicated to pushing the boundaries of craft beer. Each community-focused brewpub has a customized logo, locally inspired menu and consistent local events, allowing Voodoo Brewing Co. franchise partners to become truly immersed in …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Industry Voicesmanagementrestaurantsvendors

Cost of Doing Business

by Katie Lee

— By Glen Greenawalt — 3 hospitality employment challenges facing the industry today. It’s ironic that “Down Under,” the 1980s anthem about a group of Australians traveling the world, is by the band Men at Work. In the song, the protagonists clearly are not working — just like much of today’s working age U.S. population. What’s going on with employment trends, and how can hospitality employers get the workers needed to ensure guests get a guest experience? Here are the top three workforce challenges our team sees facing the industry …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designIndustry Voicesrestaurantssignage

Memorable Mosaics

by Katie Lee

— By Kait Paradowski — How design and art go hand in hand when creating bespoke spaces for restaurants. In a time when all demographic groups, especially Millennials and Gen Z, are increasingly seeking authentic and immersive experiences, bespoke design is providing a meaningful connection between patron and location. Naturally, design and art go hand in hand. Whether it be a large mural or unique branding, bringing in an artistic element allows designers to tell a captivating story for the restaurant and create meaningful differentiation. When it comes to choosing …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar Names Previous Director of Franchise Operations as New COO

by Katie Lee

Wilmington, N.C. — Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, a laid-back full-service seafood restaurant franchise with 19 units across the country, has promoted Sarah Meriam to chief operating officer. The promotion fills the role vacated in late 2022 due to the retirement of the previous COO. Aided by her operational acumen, Meriam has already driven impressive growth and development for the company. “Sarah’s operational background and desire to see our strategic franchise partners succeed makes this move a no-brainer for us,” says Jonathan Weathington, CEO. “Sarah, since joining our team 2 years …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsrestaurants

Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery, an East Coast Classic, Opens First Western U.S. Location

by Katie Lee

Las Vegas — Blending East Coast tradition and Las Vegas flair, Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery, a Brooklyn, N.Y.-based eatery famed for its cheesecakes and classic diner menu, opened its first location in the Western U.S. at Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) on Feb. 28, 2024 in Las Vegas. The 300-seat venue is a culinary time capsule where classic New York meets contemporary Las Vegas. The menu features New York and Brooklyn comfort food dishes ranging from classic New York deli sandwiches piled high, famous 10 oz. steakburgers, salads, jumbo half-pound …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

Brinker International Announces Executive Leadership Team Appointments

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Brinker International Inc. is making updates to its executive leadership team, including the retirement of Joe Taylor, executive vice president and chief financial officer; the appointment of Mika Ware as senior vice president and chief financial officer, effective June 27, 2024; and the appointment of Chris Caldwell as senior vice president and chief information officer, effective Feb. 26, 2024. Taylor intends to retire at the end of the company’s fiscal year in June 2024 after almost 25 years at the company. He will continue to serve the company …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Nathan’s Famous Continues International Expansion in 2024

by Katie Lee

New York City — Nathan’s Famous, Inc. continues international expansion in 2024. The over 100-year-old brand, which recently opened virtual kitchens in Belgium and France, multiple full-service franchised restaurants in Mexico City, and two franchised restaurants and a food truck in Egypt in 2023, currently operates in 19 countries globally. Through master franchise relationships in Brazil, the UK, Egypt and Ukraine, the brand plans to open brick-and-mortar locations in Brazil by the end of 2024. Nathan’s Famous plans to open several virtual kitchen locations in the UAE by the end …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

Condado Tacos Names New CFO

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — The fast-growing Ohio-based taco and tequila company, Condado Tacos, has appointed Natalie Harden as its new chief financial officer. Harden joins the company from Chuy’s, with 20 years of experience in both restaurant and consumer-related corporate finance. “We are pleased to welcome Natalie to the Condado team. As a results-driven leader, she brings a dynamic, data-based approach to growth, financial planning and business strategy,” says John G. Troiano, CEO of The Beekman Group and chairman of the board of Condado Tacos. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts