Columbus, Ohio — On Sept. 4, 2024 national restaurant brand Sweetgreen opened its first-ever restaurant in Ohio, located near Columbus. Ahead of the opening, Sweetgreen’s co-founder and chief executive officer, Jonathan Neman, had this to say: “We can’t wait to open the doors at our flagship Ohio restaurant in this lively Columbus neighborhood. With local ingredients sourced from across the Midwest, we’re excited to bring the Sweetgreen flavor to Columbus’ iconic food scene. It’s been a long time coming, and we are so grateful to the Columbus community for embracing …
restaurants
— By Gregg Majewski — Propel your restaurant forward with digital transformation. Technology in the restaurant space is rapidly evolving as we enter a digital era. Every day, restaurants are taking new steps toward improving the guest experience. Virtual kitchens, mobile ordering and contactless payments have become commonalities, and while it may seem like a tall order, leaning into digital transformation is imperative for the evolution of a modern-day restaurant. Digital transformation does not always involve leveraging technological advancements. For example, it can also mean compiling dining analytics and using …
Prep Now for HVAC Manufacturer Backlogs, Service Delays in 2025
An approaching shift in refrigerants for heat pumps and air-conditioning systems will have far-reaching implications for restaurant and retail operators, potentially delaying the availability of new equipment, replacement parts and access to the service providers needed to install or repair them. “In the months before a rule change like this, everybody starts to scramble to get ready,” says John Brightwell, regional project manager at facilities repair service provider MaintenX. “We’ve budgeted for this and have adjusted our equipment, tools and training to install and service the new systems; but if …
Redding, Calif. — Black Bear Diner, a leading full-service family dining concept known for its cabin-themed dining experience, has appointed Art Kilmer as chief operations officer (COO), replacing Jeff Guido, who retired on Aug. 14. This strategic hire underscores the company’s commitment to operational excellence and positions Black Bear Diner for continued expansion. Kilmer brings over two decades of restaurant industry experience, most recently serving as COO for P.F. Chang’s for 6 years, where he was responsible for more than 200 domestic restaurants and worked with more than 95 international …
Moonachie, N.J. — Paris Baguette, the renowned global bakery café franchise with over 170 locations across the U.S., has welcomed Norm Ginsberg to the team as its new vice president of operations. After 17 years with Bowlero, working his way up to key leadership positions, Ginsberg has developed a keen sense of what it means to always deliver the best possible experience through proper recruiting, training and operational systems. Ginsberg will oversee all operations aspects of Paris Baguette’s expanding network, focusing on maintaining the elevated guest experience, streamlining operations and …
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has hired Ammy Harrison as senior vice president of non-traditional development and Maiyo Hood as vice president of international development. The new team growth underscores FAT Brands’ commitment to driving organic growth, especially non-traditional and international. Year-over-year, the brand continues to build upon its over 2,300-unit global footprint. Harrison brings nearly 25 years of industry experience with high-growth restaurant brands, including spearheading non-traditional growth at Papa John’s International, Inc. Prior to joining FAT Brands, Harrison also served as vice president of …
— By Ray Hatch — The shocking truth about food waste: how businesses can drive positive change. Each year, a significant portion of the United State’s food supply goes unsold and uneaten, leading to about 145 billion meals ending up in landfills annually. This accounts for 38% of all food in America, with over half of the food waste originating from the food and grocery industry. As consumers are increasingly seeking environmentally friendly practices and a diverse range of high-quality food options, this puts pressure on food purchases, inventory management …
— By Samuel Hammers — Why it’s important for retailers and restaurants to strengthen their power management. Summer is the season for relaxation, but it can be a stressful time for retailers and restaurant owners looking to keep the lights on. Electrical disruptions, which tend to be more common during the summer, have potential to bring down critical systems such as HVACs and push customers to seek out greener (or cooler) pastures. A power surge could also take down POS systems and leave a facility unable to process transactions. Power …
Denver — In late August, Sage Hospitality Group welcomed Mercantile Dining & Provision to its portfolio. Located in Denver’s Union Station, the award-winning restaurant by James Beard Award Winner Chef Alex Seidel is joining a roster of more than 50 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues under Sage Restaurant Concepts (SRC). Mercantile will be an owned restaurant concept for Sage, alongside brands such as Urban Farmer and Departure, with plans to strategically grow the brand in suitable standalone restaurant locations. Additionally, Chef Seidel will be joining SRC as a collaborator, leveraging …
Mill Valley, Calif. — Four Corners Property Trust (FCPT), a real estate investment trust that owns and acquires high-quality, net-leased restaurant and retail properties, has acquired 19 Bloomin’ Brands restaurant properties comprising 20 total restaurants (10 Outback Steakhouse restaurants and 10 Carrabba’s Italian Grill restaurants, including one dual-tenant property with both concepts) for $66.4 million. The 19 properties are located across 10 states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee. The sites are in strong retail corridors with high traffic and attractive demographics. The …