Famous Dave’s

At Your Service

by Katie Lee April 27, 2022

— Interview with Jeff Crivello — Famous Dave’s expands its first line-service model and even adds a drive-thru as it grows through ghost kitchens, virtual brands, dual concepts, and strategic acquisitions of complementary brands. Nearly 30 years after the first Famous Dave’s opened in Hayward, Wisconsin, BBQ Holdings, Inc. continues to innovate and invigorate. Testing new prototype designs — including its first drive-thru model — and acquiring complementary brands are just two of the ways in which Famous Dave’s propels its impressive growth trajectory. In mid-March, Retail & Restaurant …

April 27, 2022

News people restaurants

BBQ Holdings Hires New VP of Franchise Sales and Real Estate

by Katie Lee September 21, 2021

Minnetonka, Minn. — BBQ Holdings, Inc., the multi-brand restaurant company behind concepts such as Famous Dave’s and Granite City Food and Brewery, and the newly acquired Village Inn and Bakers Square, has hired Manny Packing as the brand’s new vice president of franchise sales and real estate. Most recently, Packing was the director of international real estate and construction for Inspire Brands, the owner and franchisor of several legacy franchise brands, including Arby’s, Sonic Drive-In, Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins. While there, Packing was responsible for onboarded new franchisees and led efforts …

September 21, 2021

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

Famous Dave’s to Debut Drive-Thru and New Quick ‘Que Models in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas

by Katie Lee April 12, 2021

Minnetonka, Minn. — Famous Dave’s, the fast-growing barbeque franchise with 134 restaurants across the country, is bringing its counter and line-serve “Quick ‘Que” prototypes to Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. The Las Vegas location — a line-serve model — will open on Paradise Road, just a few blocks from the Las Vegas Strip, in early June. The Salt Lake City restaurant — a counter-serve model with a drive-thru — will open on South State Street in June. Both restaurant models boast small footprints with the goal of a quicker …

April 12, 2021

facilities management kitchen equipment News restaurants software/technology vendors

Restaurant Tech Disruptor 86 Repairs Raises $2 Million to Optimize R&M

by Katie Lee March 18, 2021

Chicago — 86 Repairs, an innovative platform that streamlines and optimizes equipment repair and maintenance for restaurants, has closed a $2 million round of seed funding from multiple investors. The investment will be used to accelerate the company’s aggressive growth and product development, which offers collective intelligence and robust data insights previously untapped in the foodservice equipment and supply industry. “86 Repairs harnesses the power of technology to create a real and innovative solution for the restaurant industry. We’re impressed with 86’s ability to tackle R&M and other back-of-house pain …

March 18, 2021

construction and design News restaurants

Famous Dave’s Plans New Restaurant Prototype

by Katie Lee March 2, 2021

Minnetonka, Minn. — Famous Dave’s, a fast-growing barbeque franchise with 117 restaurants, will introduce a streamlined new restaurant prototype this year. BBQ Holdings, Famous Dave’s parent franchisor, has struck an agreement with DTSG, one of its legacy franchisee groups, to open Famous Dave’s Quick-Que’, its first line-service model restaurant in Coon Rapids, Minn. In 2020, BBQ Holdings purchased Real Urban BBQ, a cafeteria-style barbeque restaurant concept that inspired Famous Dave’s new line-service model. The new model will provide the same fan-favorite BBQ fare Famous Dave’s built its name on but …

March 2, 2021

News people restaurants vendors

Restaurant Technologies Taps Subway Veteran to Support Next Growth Stage

by Katie Lee July 2, 2020

Minneapolis — Leading casual and quick-serve restaurant brand veteran Aric Nissen has joined Restaurant Technologies as chief marketing officer. Previously, Nissen served as vice president of revenue management for Subway, helping build out revenue strategies for the global chain. His role at Restaurant Technologies, a top provider of foodservice cooking oil and hood and flue management solutions, will be to lead the company marketing efforts through the next stages of growth, following on the successful acquisitions of AutoMist and Grease Lock. These solutions, along with the company’s flagship Total Oil …

July 2, 2020

News people restaurants

The Greene Turtle Names New President/CEO

by Katie Lee May 19, 2019

Columbia, Md. – The board of directors of The Greene Turtle has named Geovannie “Geo” Concepcion, formerly COO of Minneapolis-based Famous Dave’s, as president/CEO. He plans to guide the 44-unit casual dining chain to the next stage in its growth and success. During his time with Famous Dave’s, Concepcion oversaw company and franchise operations, marketing, IT, culinary, franchise sales and training, and compiled a stellar track record overseeing initiatives in many areas on which The Greene Turtle is now focused. Under his leadership, same-store sales at company-owned stores grew for …

May 19, 2019