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 …
restaurants
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Atlanta — Focus Brands®, parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s®, has appointed three senior leaders across two areas of the business. Effective immediately, the following executives will be leading these key business functions within the company: Chris Newman, Senior Vice President, Real Estate Jim Cannon, Senior Vice President, Design & Construction Julie Younglove-Webb, Chief Brand Officer, Auntie Anne’s “One of the most important investments a leader can make is in recruiting the best talent and assembling the right teams,” says Jim …
Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s International Inc., a quick-serve Mexican franchise, is unveiling its newest store design concept, the Drive Thru Olé, which was first piloted in 2021 and whose original idea — based on modular buildings — dates back to the company founding in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyo. Drive Thru Olé is less than half the size of its traditional location footprint, requiring only .35 to .50 acres of land. This latest prototype is quicker to build and costs significantly less than the traditional freestanding unit that is 2,200 …
Los Angeles — Modern Restaurant Concepts (MRC), a leading fast-casual restaurant platform comprising the QDOBA, Modern Market Eatery and Lemonade brands, has hired veteran restaurant executive John Cywinski as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately. Previously, Cywinski served on leadership teams from Applebee’s, Chili’s, KFC, McDonald’s and Burger King. Most recently, he was president of Applebee’s Grill & Bar for 6 years, where he led a transformation and resurgence of the $4.4 billion business. Before his role at Applebee’s, Cywinski also served as president of KFC where he led …
Manasquan, N.J. — Jersey Mike’s Subs has hired Brooke Cabrera join the national sub sandwich franchise as director of real estate, Northeast. Previously, she was a vice president and market director of real estate at JPMorgan Chase & Co for the past 5 years. In her position at Chase, Cabrera oversaw the bank’s retail branch expansion in New England, opening branches in seven states across the Northeast. Her responsibilities entailed high-level market strategy, site identification, lease negotiation and coordinated partnership with her construction counterparts. Prior to JPMorgan, Cabrera was a …