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Mountain Mike’s Pizza Promotes President & COO to CEO

by Katie Lee

Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading California-based family-style pizza chain for more than 45 years, has promoted Jim Metevier as chief executive officer (CEO). Metevier previously served as Mountain Mike’s president and chief operating officer (COO) since 2018 and boasts more than 30 years in the restaurant industry — experience that has been instrumental in accelerating the brand’s considerable sales and franchise growth in the last half-decade. After being acquired in 2017 by new owners Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, who made several key executive hires, …

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Focus Brands® Unveils New Company Name and Identity

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Focus Brands, the parent company of the Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s® brands, is officially changing its name to GoTo Foods. This news comes on the heels of a record development year globally with more than 1,150 signed franchise agreements and 398 store openings. These achievements have set the stage for considerable development and strong performance in fiscal year 2024. The rebranding, announced by CEO Jim Holthouser, signals the company’s continued transformation into a platform company as it embraces its brands’ …

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Dink & Dine Pickle Parks to Debut ‘Eatertainment’ Concept in Arizona

by Katie Lee

Orange County, Calif. — Embracing the fervor surrounding the beloved sport of pickleball, Dink & Dine Pickle Parks, based in Orange County, Calif., plans to revolutionize the Arizona market with a new pickleball “eatertainment” concept. Located at Mesa Riverview, an open-air shopping center in Mesa, Ariz., the venue will offer 11 pickleball courts, four restaurants, multiple bars, seating for over 300 guests, a live music stage, and supplementary play areas. The Mesa location marks the inaugural Dink & Dine establishment, with negotiations underway for expansion into Southern California, Northern California, …

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Corner Bakery Cafe Continues Holistic Brand Revitalization in 2024

by Katie Lee

Dallas — When SSCP acquired Corner Bakery Cafe in June 2023, its goal was to stabilize the brand and lay a strong foundation that would drive growth of the 100+ unit chain in 2024 and beyond. Less than 6 months later, Corner Bakery Cafe’s comprehensive brand revitalization efforts are well underway — already resulting in positive sales growth, steady employee retention and improved guest experience. In addition, Corner Bakery Cafe is embarking on a comprehensive plan to remodel most of its corporate cafes in the coming months. Simultaneously, the brand …

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Starbucks Announces New Accessibility Guidelines for its U.S. Store Portfolio

by Katie Lee

Seattle — On Feb. 16, 2024, Starbucks Coffee Company announced that it is creating a more accessible store experience across its U.S. store portfolio through an Inclusive Spaces Framework. The first store to be built using the inclusive design framework opened on Feb. 16 in Washington, D.C. The new store features items such as optimized acoustics and lighting for improved visual and audible communication for customers and accessible equipment designs for a better partner (employee) experience among other features. The Inclusive Spaces Framework was created in partnership with a diverse …

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SPB Hospitality Names SVP of Operations for Krystal

by Katie Lee

Houston — SPB Hospitality, an industry-leading operator and franchisor of restaurants spanning a national footprint, has promoted Amanda Hyde to senior vice president of operations for Krystal. It has also welcomed Ellen Rockwell as executive vice president of people & culture. “These organizational updates symbolize our unwavering dedication to excellence and expansion at SPB Hospitality,” says Josh Kern, CEO of SPB Hospitality. “These transformations are a testament to our continual endeavor to refine our leadership framework and cultivate a culture marked by excellence and innovation. With Ellen and Amanda stepping …

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Restaurant365 Names New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Restaurant365, a leading all-in-one restaurant enterprise management platform, has named Jessica Lanier as its new chief financial officer, effective immediately. Lanier most recently served as vice president of finance at Qualtrics. “Jessica is a world-class finance leader, and we’re grateful to add her to our talented team. She will fit right in as she brings a passion for high-growth SaaS and experience with the milestones we plan to reach on the road ahead,” says Tony Smith, CEO and co-founder of Restaurant365. Prior to Qualtrics, Lanier served as …

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Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™ Record Blockbuster Growth in 2023

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Continuing its impressive growth trajectory in the U.S. and internationally, quick-service chicken restaurant chain Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™ recorded blockbuster development growth in 2023. The company is also continuing its successful remodeling program. “2023 was a monumental year for the Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™ brands as we significantly grew our footprint and development pipeline, while at the same time, refining our brand positioning and strategy, investing substantially in new capabilities and breaking unit-level sales records across the board,” says Joe Guith, who was named …

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Marble Slab Creamery Expands in Canada with 40-Unit Development Deal

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Marble Slab Creamery and 17 other restaurant concepts, has a new development deal to open 40 new Marble Slab Creamery franchised locations throughout Canada in partnership with Canadian Ice Cream Company Inc. The Marble Slab Creamery locations are set to open over the next 10 years, with the first of the new locations slated to open by the end of 2024. The development deal will bolster the brand’s presence from approximately 100 stores that are operating today in …

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Philly Pretzel Factory Expands into St. Louis with Conversion of 11 Pretzel Pretzel Locations

by Katie Lee

St. Louis —  Philly Pretzel Factory is about to become a household name in the St. Louis market. The nation’s largest Philly-style pretzel brand will convert 11 Pretzel Pretzel locations throughout the region into new Philly Pretzel Factory locations within the next month. Philly Pretzel Factory CEO and co-founder, Dan DiZio, met with Pretzel Pretzel franchisees, sharing his humble founding story, mission and explaining the strengths of the Philly Pretzel Factory franchise support system. The message resonated — as all 11 Pretzel Pretzel franchisees opted to convert their stores to …

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