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 …
Rob McColgan
Modern Market Eatery Inks First Franchise Agreement; Will Open 41 Units in 11 New Markets
by Katie Lee
Denver — Modern Market Eatery, a made-from-scratch fast-casual concept, has signed a 41-unit development deal with its first franchise partner, Thrive Restaurant Group. The agreement will expand the brand to 11 new markets, including Wichita and Kansas City, Kan.; Austin, San Antonio and Waco, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C.; and northwest Arkansas. Based in Wichita, Kan., Thrive Restaurant Group is a generational, multi-brand restaurant enterprise with deeply rooted values centered on guest-centric hospitality and a passion for scratch-made food. Founded by Darrel and David Rolph and led by Jon Rolph since …