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Montclair Hospitality Group Names New CEO

by Katie Lee

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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Dine Brands Global Announces Executive Leadership Changes

by Katie Lee

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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Blaze Pizza Names Focus Brands President as its New CEO

by Katie Lee

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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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Cinnaholic Signed 50 Agreements in 2022; Plans 10 New Openings in Early 2023

by Katie Lee

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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Golden Corral Commemorates 50th Anniversary in 2023

by Katie Lee

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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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Ends 2022 with 48 New Restaurants in Active Development

by Katie Lee

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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SpotOn Names New Chief Product Officer & Chief Innovation Officer

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — SpotOn, the top-rated software and payments partner for restaurants and small businesses, has named Bryan Solar as its new chief product officer. Solar joins SpotOn from Block, where he was the general manager for Square for Restaurants. He has also held leadership positions at Google, where he managed various SMB and restaurant-related projects. SpotOn’s co-founder and former chief product officer, Doron Friedman, will take on the newly-created role of chief innovation officer. “I’ve been closely watching SpotOn since its founding in 2017. Their ability to combine innovation, …

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Gala Capital Partners to Purchase Rusty Taco from Inspire Brands

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Gala Capital Partners (GCP), an investment firm focused on emerging restaurant franchise brands, has reached an agreement to purchase Rusty Taco from Atlanta-based Inspire Brands. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Rusty Taco leadership team has co-invested in the acquisition and will remain in place to guide this new phase of the brand’s evolution. Inspire Brands acquired a majority interest in the Rusty Taco brand along with its purchase of Buffalo Wild Wings in 2018. Inspire successfully reinvigorated the brand, clarifying its positioning and rebranding …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Daddy’s Chicken Shack Opens Flagship Location in 2022 & Has 120 Units in Development

by Katie Lee

Houston — In 2022, Daddy’s Chicken Shack opened a flagship restaurant in Houston Heights (Houston), as well as signed eight franchise agreements across California, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia and Florida. The brand now has 120 units in development nationwide. During 2022, the emerging chicken brand also hosted its first-ever regional developer conference, a rare achievement after launching its franchise opportunity only in 2021. The brand’s first conference was hosted by founders Pace Webb and Chris Georgalas, as well as Dave Liniger, former CEO and co-founder of RE/MAX realty, who …

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energy managementgreen newsHVAC/RIndustry Voicesrestaurantsvendors

All In On Energy Efficiency

by Katie Lee

— By Al Subbloie —   How one Arkansas-based IHOP operator received new equipment, lowered his energy bills and improved operations without out-out-pocket costs.   Restaurants use anywhere from five to seven times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings, and for quick-service restaurants energy consumption can be up to 10 times more. In an industry that traditionally operates on narrow profit margins, any reduction in energy costs will dramatically improve the bottom line. As many restaurant businesses are feeling the squeeze from rising inflation and increasing labor …

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