Tuesday, August 12, 2025
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TGI Fridays CEO to Step Down

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Ray Blanchette, chief executive officer of TGI Fridays, is stepping down. Rohit Manocha, chairman of the board and co-founder of TriArtisan Capital Advisors, will be assuming Blanchette’s responsibilities in the interim. The TGI Fridays executive team will report directly to Manocha. Blanchette led TGI Fridays for the past 5 years, managing the company through a successful turnaround that included both national and global growth as well as through the turbulent impacts around the COVID-19 pandemic. TriArtisan is the lead investor in TGI Fridays with extensive holdings in the …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Island Fin Poké Co. Debuts in Nashville, Tenn.

by Katie Lee

Nashville, Tenn. — On May 22, Island Fin Poké Co. will open its 26th location in the U.S. and second location in Tennessee, in Nashville. Offering Hawaiian-style poké bowls, this fast-casual restaurant is set to become a go-to spot for locals and visitors alike. “This is going to be a place where the community can go to get a well-balanced, convenient, healthy and fulfilling meal any day of the week,” says franchisee Tammy Fitzpatrick. “We’re excited to introduce this unique concept to Nashville. Island Fin offers the community a healthy alternative …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

FAT Brands Strengthens Leadership Team, Including 2 New Brand Presidents

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has elevated Jenn Johnston to the role of chief marketing officer. Since the acquisition of Global Franchise Group in July 2021, Johnston has held the role of president of the quick-service division at FAT Brands, overseeing brands including Round Table Pizza, Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery and Pretzelmaker. With the promotion, Allison Lauenstein and David Pear will assume brand president roles. Lauenstein will serve as brand president of Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery and Pretzelmaker. She brings over a …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Wetzel’s Pretzels Names New Brand Leader

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Wetzel’s Pretzels has appointed Vincent Montanelli to the company’s top leadership position. Montanelli joined Wetzel’s nearly 20 years ago as the senior vice president of operations and most recently held the post of COO. He will maintain the COO title with the promotion, taking on the highest leadership responsibilities for the organization. Promoted following MTY Food Group’s recent acquisition of Wetzel’s, Montanelli aims to build on the brand’s momentum, driving store growth through its multitude of flexible store formats. At the doorstep of the much anticipated 400th …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Shipley Do-Nuts Appoints New CEO

by Katie Lee

Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts, a fast-growing franchisor of a leading do-nut, kolache and coffee concept, has named Flynn Dekker as its new CEO. Dekker succeeds Clifton Rutledge, who will return to the company’s board of directors. Dekker most recently served as CEO of Bonchon, a global franchisor of Korean chicken restaurants with more than 420 locations spanning nine countries. Before joining Bonchon, Dekker served as chief marketing officer of Wingstop Restaurants. Dekker has 30-plus years of executive leadership experience in the restaurant and retail industry. “Flynn is an exceptionally strong …

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Milk Jar Cookies Launches Franchise Program in 39 States

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Milk Jar Cookies, a growing gourmet cookie shop born in Los Angeles, has launched its franchising program in 39 states across the country. “The Milk Jar Cookies brand has waited 10 years to prove the concept, maintaining our hands-on baking method, perfecting our recipes and protecting the integrity of an extraordinary cookie community bond,” says Courtney Cowan, founder of Milk Jar Cookies and author of “The Milk Jar Cookies Bakebook.” “We are now ready to partner with others to help share this vision; you don’t need to …

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sweetgreen Pilots Automation at New Store

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — sweetgreen has opened its first restaurant powered by automation, accelerating the industry’s adoption of advanced technology and taking steps toward the future of dining. The pilot store, located in Naperville, Ill., debuts new technology called the sweetgreen Infinite Kitchen, designed to enhance the customer experience and food quality, with a focus on fresh ingredients, fast service and friendly hospitality. With the advancement of automation playing a large role across industries today, sweetgreen is eager and excited to be an early adopter in the space, opening the first …

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A&W Restaurants Aims to Open at Least 10 New Units in 2023

by Katie Lee

Lexington, Ky. — A&W Restaurants, the All-American restaurant franchise with 500-plus units nationwide, has had fast start to the year with three new restaurants opened, all indicative of the brand’s real estate flexibility and willingness to embrace non-traditional spaces. With a goal of opening 10 new locations in 2023, the franchisor is ahead of schedule. “One of the notable openings this year brought an A&W to a Walmart in Rock Hill, South Carolina,” says Paul Martino, president and COO of A&W. “This is our first entry into the Walmart space, …

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Your Pie Names New VP of Operations and Director of Technology

by Katie Lee

Atlanta, Ga. — To invest in the future of Your Pie and offer greater support to its franchise owners, the nation’s original fast-casual pizza brand has appointed several new hires to its corporate team. Most notably, Your Pie has added Justin Patterson as vice president of operations. A Your Pie franchise owner for more than 7 years, Patterson brings a wealth of industry experience and expertise to the brand’s leadership team. Patterson will be responsible for leading both franchise and company restaurants to grow sales, customer counts, margins and continue …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Captain D’s Expands Development Team with New Director of Franchise Development

by Katie Lee

Nashville, Tenn. — Captain D’s has hired Steve Bailey as director of franchise development. Bailey has more than 20 years of experience in franchise sales and development with multiple restaurant service brands, most recently with Fazoli’s. Focusing on territories east of the Mississippi River, he will support Captain D’s ongoing expansion throughout the country alongside longtime senior director of franchise development Steve Bielewicz, who is responsible for growing the company’s presence in the western region. “Captain D’s focus on flexible prototypes and cost-effective conversion opportunities is fueling increased interest from …

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