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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

WaBa Grill to Expand in Arizona with 10 New Units

by Katie Lee

Anaheim Hills, Calif. — WaBa Grill, one of the nation’s leading healthy rice bowl chains, has recently inked a multi-unit development deal that will significantly expand its presence in Arizona. Signed by longtime WaBa Grill franchisee Jerry Bajwa of Bajwa Group of Companies, the new Arizona development deal paves the way for 10 WaBa Grill locations to open throughout Maricopa and Pima counties within the next 7 years. Bajwa, who currently owns and operates 19 successful WaBa Grill restaurants in Southern California, plus the brand’s lone Arizona location in Tempe, …

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Newsrestaurantssignagesoftware/technologyvendors

Palmer Digital Group to Digitize Menu Boards for High-End QSR Chain

by Katie Lee

Aurora, Ill. — Palmer Digital Group, a full-service supplier and installer of custom indoor and outdoor digital kiosks, display enclosures and drive-thru digital menu boards, has been selected by The Patio, a high-end QSR specializing in barbeque, sandwiches and salads, to digitize interior and exterior menu board systems at its six Chicago-area locations. PDG’s menu board solutions will completely modernize the in-store and drive-thru customer experience while accelerating the appearance of price adjustments, new menu additions, limited time offers and more across storewide menu board systems. PDG’s solution for The …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

First KAO Bar & Grill, a Container Restaurant, to Open in April

by Katie Lee

Miami — Co-founder Matias Pagano and The KAO Group — the minds behind South America’s Sushi Club concepts, as well as KAO Sushi & Grill in Coral Gables, Fla., and J&J Fresh Kitchen in Boca Raton, Fla. — are set to open the first KAO Bar & Grill concept in Hallandale Beach this April. The two-story restaurant will be the area’s first container project, adding a contemporary and vibrant spin to the neighborhood with colorful hand-painted murals by artist Falopapas and flavorful Argentine grill-inspired cuisine. The entire two-story, 5,000-square-foot restaurant, …

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Industry Voicesrestaurantssoftware/technology

Bridging the Digital Divide

by Katie Lee

— By Jim Metevier —   Striking the right balance between dine-in and digital investments.   In a world where convenience is king, the quick-service restaurant industry is experiencing an unprecedented push toward digitization, and understandably so. Throughout 2020 and 2021, while in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, brands needed to pivot to survive. Traditional guest-facing techniques fell to the wayside, as consumers called for contactless pickup and delivery — relying mostly on apps and websites to place orders, and demanding as little person-to-person contact as possible. Amazingly, for …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Church’s Texas Chicken Names New EVP, Global Chief Marketing Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Quick-service chicken restaurant chain Church’s Texas Chicken® has hired Natalia Franco as executive vice president, global chief marketing officer role on March 6, bringing more than 30 years of executive leadership experience to the brand. In her new role, Franco is responsible for providing a strategic vision for the brand and creatively leading marketing ideation, brand execution and digital prowess across the organization to drive brand awareness and positioning, resulting in continued growth and stronger franchise relationships. “I’m thrilled to join this iconic brand as it continues on …

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Newsrestaurants

Subway® Opens New Global Dual-Headquarters in Miami

by Katie Lee

Miami — Subway, one of the world’s largest restaurant brands, has officially opened its new global dual-headquarters in Miami’s Waterford Business District. (The brand will also maintain its headquarters in Milford, Conn.) Located at 1000 Sub Way — a new street name designated by Miami-Dade County — the space is designed to advance the brand’s multi-year transformation journey to improve across all aspects of the business, including its workspaces. The office features the first-in-Subway-history Innovation Center and Mock Restaurant as well as a modern, open layout with multiple collaborative spaces, …

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construction and designgreen building/LEEDNewsremodelsrestaurants

Sizzler Enlists Restaurant Design Studio, TNI Design, For New Look

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Creative restaurant design studio TNI Design has been enlisted to redesign Sizzler locations around the country. TNI, an acronym for ‘The Next Idea,’ has completed its pilot design for Sizzler’s Corona, Calif., location. It serves as the new remodel other locations will undergo over the next few years. “In partnership with Sizzler, we created Sizzler’s new interior design and now we are applying the design to around 60 locations over the next 2 years,” says Robert Ancill, CEO and creative officer at TNI Design. Several are currently …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Jack in the Box to Open 14 New Restaurants in Florida and Arkansas

by Katie Lee

San Diego — Jack in the Box Inc., one of the nation’s leading QSR chains, has signed 14 new restaurant commitments that will bring Jack in the Box to two new states, Florida and Arkansas. This is the first time the brand has entered the Arkansas market, and over 30 years since it was last in Florida. “We’re excited to see the brand’s continued expansion into new cities and states across the country, as both of these groups bring tremendous experience to the Jack in the Box franchise system and …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Veggie Grill Begins Franchising

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — While all locations have been strictly corporate-owned up until now, the Veggie Grill brand is officially launching its franchise opportunity and giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to join the runaway leader in the exciting plant-based movement. Since being founded in 2006, Veggie Grill has expanded to include 35 locations in California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York City. “This concept is good for you, good for the animals and good for the planet,” says John Billingsley, chief development officer. “Here is a chance to help the climate …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Pittsburgh’s Milkshake Factory to Begin Franchising in May

by Katie Lee

Ann Arbor, Mich. — Franworth, the well-known professional shared services platform, has formed a strategic partnership with the Milkshake Factory, a premium dessert retailer known for its heritage recipes and iconic family legacy throughout Western Pennsylvania. After successfully operating 11 Pittsburgh-area locations, the Milkshake Factory is prepared to share its business model with qualified franchise investors. Countless numbers of interested parties have inquired about the brand’s availability for franchising during the past two decades, and now the opportunity has arrived. “We’ve landed at this inflection point after a full year …

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