Posts Tagged ‘Industry Spotlight’

The Independent Restaurant Coalition and Chase bank have teamed together to honor independent operators that model sustainability and workforce well-being. The Innovator Award includes a $25,000 grant. Forty independent restaurants across the country have won $1 million as the first class to be honored with Innovator Awards by the Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) and Chase.…

Restaurant Brands International announced that Chris Padoan has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Popeyes U.S. & Canada, effective March 23. In this role, Padoan will lead operations across the Popeyes system, focusing on strengthening restaurant execution, enhancing the guest experience, and supporting franchisees across the U.S. and Canada. Padoan brings nearly 15 years of…

Atlanta-based Neighborhood Restaurant Partners took the step after it was unable to find a buyer for its 53 locations. Applebee’s is now in line to acquire them. A large Applebee’s franchisee has filed for bankruptcy, and the franchisor is in line to acquire the business. Atlanta-based Neighborhood Restaurant Partners (NRP) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy…

The bundt cake chain, which is approaching $1 billion in system sales, is being sold at a reported value of $2 billion. It’s a rare exit for the private-equity firm Roark Capital. Nothing Bundt Cakes, the fast-growing, Dallas-based chain that turned a niche treat in a billion-dollar business, is being sold to the private-equity firm…

People aged 65 and older will account for 18% of all U.S. restaurant spending in 2030, up from just 10% in 2025, according to Technomic. An aging U.S. population will reshape the restaurant industry in the years ahead, experts say. A major demographic shift is on the horizon, with all Baby Boomers reaching retirement age…

The purchase will help the bubble tea brand strengthen its U.S. system and ultimately speed up growth as it targets 1,000 units in the country. Dive Brief: Gong cha, a bubble tea concept with over 2,200 units globally, has acquired 170 U.S. locations from a master franchisee, a majority of its roughly 240 stores in…

Darin Dugan succeeds James North, who spent more than 20 years as the chain’s brand president. Dive Brief: Jimmy John’s promoted its chief marketing officer, Darin Dugan, to brand president as part of a broader shift in the chain’s executive leadership, the brand said Monday. Dugan succeeds James North, who has served as Jimmy John’s…

She will report to G.J. Hart, chief executive officer of parent company SPB Hospitality Krystal has promoted Amanda Hyde to chief operating officer. In her elevated role, she will report directly G.J. Hart, chairman and chief executive officer of parent company SPB Hospitality. Hyde brings more than two decades of restaurant industry experience spanning operations,…

A Delaware court approved the Chapter 7 declaration once the debtor stated no other options were available Planta, a plant-based restaurant chain founded in Toronto in 2016, will be liquidated following a court approval to convert its Chapter 11 bankruptcy case to Chapter 7. A Delaware judge ruled on the decision following the debtor’s statement…

Previous owner SPB Hospitality will shift focus to its upscale-casual concepts like J. Alexander’s, while SSCP expands into the steakhouse category. Logan’s Roadhouse has quietly changed hands. SPB Hospitality sold the steakhouse chain to SSCP Management, which owns Cicis Pizza, Corner Bakery and Roy’s and also operates dozens of Applebee’s and Sonic restaurants. Terms of…