restaurants

Newport Beach, Calif. — Juice It Up! has opened its new Ehrenberg, Ariz., location, marking the brand’s entry into the Grand Canyon State. The Ehrenberg location is part of the bustling AZ Travel Plaza, adding to the store’s current food/drink offerings. Juice It Up! will continue expanding its footprint in Arizona with another opening in Kingman slated for fall 2023. “As a co-owner of the AZ Travel Plaza, I often consider new concepts that have the potential to thrive and provide unique experiences to our visitors. Having lived in Southern …

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Atlanta — Krystal unveiled its much anticipated smaller prototype at its new company location in Center Point, Ala., on January 10. The 1,700-square-foot drive-thru features the first company store opening in more than 6 years with an advanced, sleek design using a smaller footprint. There is no dining room in the new prototype. Whereas a traditional Krystal is 2,700 square feet, this prototype uses 20% less kitchen space — making it both cost-efficient and operationally strategic. Without a dining room, the design makes it convenient for hungry guests with its …

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Las Vegas — As 2022 came to a close, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop and Wing Zone experienced another triumphant quarter to round out a record-breaking year for both brands. With the signing of 9 area development agreements in fourth quarter equating to a total of 92 new locations, Capriotti’s is closing out the year with a total of 235 new shops: 99 Capriotti’s and 136 Wing Zones. The Q4 area developer agreements will expand both brands into new territories in the U.S. and abroad. These signings will develop the Capriotti’s brand …

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Denver — Teriyaki Madness, the Seattle-style Teriyaki Shop franchise system, is wrapping up the year at 37 new franchisees with 103 new units on tap. These openings helped the brand break into several new markets for the first time, including Louisiana, Georgia, Missouri and Massachusetts. In other words, Teriyaki Madness saw a 24% increase in open shops systemwide — growing its footprint by nearly a quarter. “People keep talking about a recession?” says Michael Haith, CEO of Teriyaki Madness. “We are closing out yet another groundbreaking year for our franchisees …

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New York City — Montclair Hospitality Group (MHG), a leading chef-driven, global hospitality group focused on curating unique restaurant brands and experiences, has appointed hospitality veteran Joey Simons to lead the group as chief executive officer. Simons was handpicked by MHG’s founder, Luck Sarabhayvanija, and brings decades of experience, having developed some of the world’s leading elevated dining, food tech and hospitality brands. With his new appointment, Simons leads all of MHG’s business units, overseeing business development and growth, as well as leading strategy on company operations. In a short …

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Glendale, Calif. — Dine Brands Global, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar®, IHOP® and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® restaurants, plans key leadership moves, each effective on January 6, 2023. John Cywinski, Applebee’s president, is leaving the company for a CEO position at another restaurant company. Tony Moralejo, who is currently president, Dine Brands International and Global Development, has been appointed president, Applebee’s U.S. Scott Gladstone, senior vice president of strategy and innovation, will step into the role of president, international and corporate development. “John and I share …

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Los Angeles — Blaze Pizza, the nation’s leading fast-casual franchise pizza brand, has appointed Beto Guajardo as its new president and chief executive officer. Guajardo formerly served as president of Focus Brands International. Guajardo joins Blaze Pizza after overseeing the international business at Focus Brands, which included more than $400 million of chain sales in over 50 markets with 1,900 restaurants, 100 franchisees and eight brands (Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Moe’s Southwest Grill, McAlister’s Deli and Schlotzsky’s). Before being promoted to this role, Guajardo was responsible for …

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Atlanta — Cinnaholic, a gourmet plant-based cinnamon roll brand, is rolling out of 2022 in the brand’s strongest position since its inception in 2010. Standing at 80 locations across the U.S and in Canada, with 23 new locations opened in 2022, Cinnaholic is heading into 2023 with a strong pipeline of better-for-you bakeries to open in both new and existing markets. With 10 openings slated for early 2023, Cinnaholic plans to open 30 locations throughout the year, and aims to enter multiple new markets including Charleston, S.C.; Tampa, Fla.; Pittsburgh; …

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Raleigh, N.C. — Golden Corral, America’s No. 1 buffet and grill, is officially marking its golden anniversary with 50 years in the restaurant industry on January 3, 2023. “I am honored to be leading a brand that has been providing home-cooked classics and family favorites at an affordable price for five decades,” says Lance Trenary, chief executive officer of Golden Corral. “Golden Corral is able to reach our golden anniversary because of the passion our restaurant teams have for what we do daily and the commitment of our franchisees. Their …

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West Palm Beach, Fla. — The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill®, a rapidly expanding Mediterranean fast-casual concept, is reporting 2022 as the most successful year in its company history, signing 24 franchise agreements and 16 multi-unit development agreements. The brand is also reporting 48 restaurants in active development that will further expand its footprint in states like Maryland, California and Texas beginning in 2023. These 48 locations are part of a robust development pipeline that The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has generated, totaling 282 locations to be opened in the next …

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