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Presto Named Supplier of the Year for Innovation by Checkers & Rally’s

by Katie Lee

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., the largest drive-thru automation technology provider in the hospitality industry, has been awarded the Supplier of the Year Innovation Award for 2022 by iconic drive-thru restaurant chain Checkers & Rally’s. Presto has been recognized for successfully delivering and scaling its A.I.-powered voice assistant, Presto VoiceTM, at hundreds of Checkers & Rally’s drive-thru restaurants nationwide. Over the past year, Presto Voice has consistently demonstrated that drive-thru A.I.-driven voice automation can significantly lower labor costs while simultaneously driving up revenue. “We announced a rollout of …

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Crisp & Green Inks Largest Multi-Unit Deal in Company History with 40 Units Sold

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — STEELE BRANDS®, a Minnesota-based company known for establishing and developing healthy lifestyle restaurants, including its flagship brand CRISP & GREEN®, has signed a record-breaking 40-unit Crisp & Green development deal franchise partner Salads & Smoothies, LLC. This milestone comes at a time when the brand is embarking on its busiest year yet with a goal of 50 locations slated to open across 15 additional states before the end of 2023. This new 40-unit development agreement adds to Salad & Smoothies’ existing 11-unit agreement with CRISP & GREEN, totaling …

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After Successful Pop-Up, pastaRAMEN to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant

by Katie Lee

Montclair, N.J. — After gaining a cult following during its 2-year run as an exclusive, invite-only pop-up, pastaRAMEN is debuting its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Montclair, N.J., in early February. The first-ever Italian ramen shop marries Japanese and Italian cuisines in a style called “Wafu-Italian,” which blends ingredients, textures and techniques from both worlds. “The response we received from our pop-ups in Seattle, Jersey City, Miami and Los Angeles was overwhelmingly positive, so when it became clear that there was an appetite for pastaRAMEN and this new type of cuisine, …

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Dine Brands International Expands with Dual-Brand Locations in the Middle East

by Katie Lee

Glendale, Calif. — Dine Brands International, an affiliate of Dine Brands Global, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP® and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® restaurants, has opened a dual-brand Applebee’s and IHOP location in the United Arab Emirates and plans to open a minimum of 4 additional locations in the Middle East in partnership with established franchisees Eagles Landing International Restaurants and Kout Food Group. Eagles Landing International Restaurants opened its first dual-brand location in the UAE at the Dubai Festival City Mall on January 21 and …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

In-N-Out Burger to Expand to Tennessee, Plans to Open First Restaurant by 2026

by Katie Lee

Franklin, Tenn. — In-N-Out Burger, a popular fast-food chain based in California, plans to expand to Tennessee, beginning with a regional office in the Nashville suburb of Franklin. The company plans to open its first Tennessee restaurant in the Nashville area by 2026, which represents the furthest east location for In-N-Out. “We are very excited to provide Tennesseans with our quality burgers, fries and shakes,” says Lynsi Snyder, In-N-Out owner and president. “This expansion is significant for our company. For many years, we’ve heard requests from our customers in Tennessee …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Chuck E. Cheese Continues National Brand Transformation with 200th Remodel

by Katie Lee

Irving, Texas — Chuck E. Cheese has completed its 200th remodel at its Douglasville, Ga., location. New and refreshed facilities across 35 states have been enhanced to improve the fun and the experience for families with more games, updated technology enhancements throughout each location, and innovation within its operation for greater guest benefits. With nearly half its entire fleet remodeled already, the brand is on track to remodel another 100 locations across the nation in 2023. “Within the next 3 years, we expect all our fun centers across the country …

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Papa John’s Unveils New Design for International Restaurants

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Papa John’s has unveiled a new design for international restaurants. Premium ingredients are highlighted throughout the new restaurant through colors, lighting and décor that showcases Papa John’s new visual brand identity. In a streamlined and flexible environment, Papa John’s team members will be equipped to more efficiently create quality food and serve it in the seamless, personalized ways that today’s customers prefer. Following the rollout of a more modern design for Papa John’s restaurants in North America that began last year, this new design for international restaurants will …

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BIGGBY® COFFEE Names Former Starbucks Veteran as New Chief Marketing Officer

by Katie Lee

Lansing, Mich. — BIGGBY® COFFEE, the 340-unit coffee concept, has welcomed industry veteran Michele Waits as chief marketing officer. Waits has 25 years in brand management and more than 11 years in coffee marketing as a vice president for Starbucks. In addition to Starbucks, Waits has worked with brands such as Gerber and illycaffè. “Michele brings a remarkable professional history to the BIGGBY® COFFEE team,” says Michael McFall, co-founder and co-CEO. “As we work to drive the brand forward, her insights will empower the marketing team to connect with our …

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Condado Tacos Plans 12 New Restaurants in 2023, Including Opening in 8 New Markets

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — Condado Tacos, an award-winning taco joint, plans 12 new restaurants that will open in 2023, with 8 of these located in new markets. This fast-growing taco restaurant company will open new restaurants in St. Louis, Mo., Buffalo, N.Y., Charleston, S.C., Greenville, S.C, Birmingham, Ala., Huntsville, Ala., Knoxville, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky., as well as at least 4 new locations in existing markets. Condado Tacos has created its own niche as a full-service taco restaurant company and fits perfectly into the NextGen Casual category of exciting restaurant growth …

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Presto Voice A.I. to Significantly Expand at Del Taco Drive-Thru Restaurants

by Katie Lee

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., the largest drive-thru automation technology provider in the hospitality industry, is expanding its partnership with Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. to provide automated voice ordering at several drive-thru restaurants nationwide. Its artificial intelligence (A.I.) powered solution, Presto Voice™, is already operating 24/7 at select Del Taco locations where it is significantly helping operations by improving labor productivity, increasing suggestive selling and boosting guest and staff experience. Del Taco has 600+ locations nationwide. “With Del Taco’s desire to build a drive-thru that improves operational efficiency …

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