{"id":4988,"date":"2015-05-21T10:24:22","date_gmt":"2015-05-21T10:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/newsroom.chainstoreguide.com\/?p=4988"},"modified":"2015-05-21T10:24:22","modified_gmt":"2015-05-21T10:24:22","slug":"industry-updates-restaurant-foodservice-may-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/2015\/05\/industry-updates-restaurant-foodservice-may-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry Updates: Restaurant & Foodservice \u2013 May 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

Personnel Update<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group<\/strong>\u00a0appointed Greg Burgett as VP of Development for the Americas.<\/p>\n

CiCi Enterprises LP<\/strong> promoted Steven Jones to COO.<\/p>\n

Craft Brew Alliance, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0appointed Joe Vanderstelt as CFO.<\/p>\n

Destination Hotels<\/strong>\u00a0promoted Ben Beaudoin to VP and Managing Director.<\/p>\n

DineEquity Inc.<\/strong> named convenience store executive Darren Rebelez President of its\u00a0IHOP<\/strong>\u00a0division.\u00a0He replaces DineEquity Chairman and CEO Julia Stewart, who has been leading IHOP\u2019s turnaround for three years as interim President.<\/p>\n

Dunkin’ Brands<\/strong>\u00a0announced that John Costello, President of Global Marketing and Innovation, has decided to retire in the middle part of 2016.\u00a0 The Company will not be replacing Mr. Costello, and will instead promote two members of the senior marketing leadership team to assume his current responsibilities:\u00a0 Scott Hudler, VP of Global Consumer Engagement, and\u00a0Chris Fuqua, VP Dunkin’ Donuts Brand Marketing & Global Consumer Insights & Product Innovation. The company also announced that Scott Murphy, Chief Supply Officer and Senior VP of International, will expand his responsibilities to include operational oversight of Dunkin’ Donuts<\/strong> and Baskin-Robbins <\/strong>in Europe.<\/p>\n

Friendly\u2019s Ice Cream LLC<\/strong>\u00a0promoted\u00a0Lance Forgit as Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis;\u00a0Sylvia Becker as Director of Field Marketing and Media;\u00a0Kyle Hauser as Director of Purchasing; and\u00a0Stephen Kloss as the Executive Chef.<\/p>\n

Hooters of America LLC<\/strong> named Carl Sweat Chief\u00a0Marketing\u00a0Officer, Terri Hoskins as Chief Human Resources Officer, and Pete Servold as Senior VP of Franchise Operations.<\/p>\n

Huddle House<\/strong>\u00a0appointed\u00a0Jenn Townsend\u00a0the new Executive Chef and Director of Menu Development.<\/p>\n

Hyatt Hotels Corporation<\/strong>\u00a0appointed Senior VP, Atish Shah, as interim CFO and Steven Dominguez VP of Brand Experience.<\/p>\n

Legacy Foodservice Alliance<\/strong>\u00a0promoted of Amy Wood to Director of Merchandising, where she will manage Supplier Member relations.<\/p>\n

Live Nation <\/strong>announced that Jordan Zachary has been named Chief Strategy Officer.<\/p>\n

Luna Grill<\/strong>\u00a0announced that Sean Allameh has joined their leadership team as COO.<\/p>\n

Marcus Hotels & Resorts<\/strong>\u00a0named Susan Madsen General Manager of the Cornhusker<\/strong>, a Marriott Hotel<\/strong>, in Lincoln, NE.<\/p>\n

McDonald’s<\/strong>\u00a0announced\u00a0Doug Goare, currently President – McDonald’s Europe, will become President – International Lead Markets;\u00a0Dave Hoffmann, currently President – McDonald’s Asia\/Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA), will transition to the role of President – High-Growth Markets;\u00a0Ian Borden, currently the CFO – McDonald’s APMEA, will assume the role of President – Foundational Markets.<\/p>\n

National Restaurant Association<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Dunkin’ Brands Group<\/strong>\u00a0jointly announced that Cicely Simpson will join the association as its new Executive VP of Government Affairs and Policy, starting 5\/13\/15.<\/p>\n

Panera Bread Co.<\/strong>\u00a0named Drew Madsen President and Ken Koziol Executive VP, effective 5\/11\/15.<\/p>\n

Pollo Tropical<\/strong>\u00a0hired Bob Moore as VP of Operations for TX.<\/p>\n

Potbelly Corporation<\/strong>\u00a0promoted Julie Younglove-Webb as its new Senior VP of Operations.<\/p>\n

Russo’s Restaurants<\/strong>, which includes\u00a0Russo’s New York Pizzeria<\/strong>\u00a0as well as\u00a0Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen<\/strong>, appointed Steve Hubbard as its new Director of Operations.<\/p>\n

Ruth’s Hospitality Group<\/strong>\u00a0announced\u00a0Mark Osterberg\u00a0notified the company of his intention to relinquish his duties as Principal Accounting Officer of the\u00a0Company. Effective immediately, CFO Arne Haak has assumed the responsibilities of Principal Accounting Officer and Michael Hynes has been promoted to VP of Accounting.<\/p>\n

Scooter’s Coffee<\/strong>\u00a0promoted Clay Cox, COO, to President of Scooter’s Coffee.<\/p>\n

Smashburger<\/strong>\u00a0hired Tim Lowther as its managing director in the UK.<\/p>\n

Starwood Hotels & Resorts<\/strong>\u00a0named Chris White Area Director of Sales and Marketing for Southern CA.<\/p>\n

Taco Bell Corp.<\/strong>\u00a0named former cosmetics brand marketer Marisa Thalberg as its first Chief Brand Engagement Officer, effective 6\/1\/15.<\/p>\n

Taco John’s<\/strong>\u00a0added two new members to its leadership team: Ted Suor, VP for Supply Chain and Stephanie Forand, Director of Human Relations.<\/p>\n

The Halal Guys<\/strong>\u00a0hired Mike Speck as the company’s new COO.<\/p>\n

The Krystal Company\u00a0<\/strong>announced that Tom Murrill joined the company as its new Chief People Officer, effective 5\/4\/15.<\/p>\n

The Wendy\u2019s Co.<\/strong>\u00a0appointed Kurt Kane to the newly created position of Chief Concept Officer.<\/p>\n

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is shuffling a number of key executives and also tinkering with its organizational structure:\u00a0Mike Moore\u00a0will transition to a new Executive VP role with oversight of Wal-Mart\u2019s<\/strong> much larger supercenter operation in the U.S. and\u00a0Julie Murphy will assume the position of\u00a0Executive VP of the Walmart Neighborhood\u00a0Market\u00a0<\/strong>division.<\/p>\n

Wyndham Hotel Group <\/strong>added two proven hospitality sales leaders to its global sales organization: Carol Bullock as VP of Global Sales in North America and Latin America, and Dawn Parisi as VP of Field Sales.<\/p>\n

Yum! Brands Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0subsidiary,\u00a0Pizza Hut<\/strong>, hired\u00a0Claes Petersson as VP of Innovation, effective 5\/18\/15.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mergers & Acquisitions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Chesapeake Lodging Trust<\/strong> closed on the acquisition of the Ace Hotel Downtown<\/strong> and The Theater at Ace Hotel, located in Los Angeles, for a purchase price of $103M.<\/p>\n

Good Times<\/strong>\u00a0closed the purchase of all of the ownership interests in\u00a0Bad Daddy’s International, LLC<\/strong>, which owns the\u00a0Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar<\/strong>\u00a0concept and a number of Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar restaurants, for a total purchase price of $21 million consisting of $18.5 million of cash and a promissory note in the amount of $2.5 million.<\/p>\n

Penn National Gaming<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to acquire the\u00a0Tropicana <\/strong>Las Vegas<\/strong> from Onex Corp. for $360M. Penn National plans to invest $20M to upgrade the resort, which is the company’s second property in the Las Vegas area but its first on the Strip.\u00a0The Merger is expected to close by year-end 2015.<\/p>\n

Red Lion Hotels Corp.<\/strong>\u00a0acquired the intellectual property assets and all hotel franchise license agreements of GuestHouse International.\u00a0RLHC will pay $8.5M (US), plus a potential additional payment of up to $1.5M (US), to add 73 GuestHouse International<\/strong> and Settle Inn & Suites <\/strong>franchise license agreements.<\/p>\n

Sysco Corporation\u00a0<\/strong>notified\u00a0USF Holding Corp.<\/strong>\u00a0of its decision to extend the termination date of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated 12\/8\/13, from the current termination date of 5\/7\/15 to 7\/6\/15.<\/p>\n

TravelCenters of America LLC<\/strong> completed its previously disclosed acquisition of nineteen (19) gasoline\/c-store locations in KS (3) and MO (16) for $27M. TravelCenters expects that the convenience stores at these locations, which average approximately 3,900 sq-ft in size, will be rebranded as Minit Mart<\/strong>, and that it may add quick service restaurants, or QSRs, at some of these locations to complement existing QSR operations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Financial Focus<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Fogo de Chao Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0expected to raise up to $75M with its initial public offering. The 35-unit Fogo de Ch\u00e3o <\/strong>chain plans to use funds from the IPO to repay some of its $243M in debt.<\/p>\n

Levy Acquisition Corp.<\/strong>\u00a0announced changes to its ticker symbols ahead of completing its definitive merger agreement with\u00a0Del Taco Holdings, Inc.\u00a0<\/strong>Effective 4\/28\/15, LAC’s ticker symbols, as quoted on the NASDAQ stock exchange, will change to “TACO” from “LEVY” for its common stock, to “TACOW” from “LEVYW” for its warrants, and to “TACOU” from “LEVYU” for its units.<\/p>\n

The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc.\u00a0<\/strong>announced that its common stock has been approved for listing on the NASDAQ Capital Market and began trading on NASDAQ under the symbol \u201cSTKS<\/strong>\u201d beginning 5\/8\/15.<\/p>\n

Tropical Smoothie Cafe<\/strong>\u00a0announced an all-time high average unit volume (AUV) of more than $578,000, while the top 50 percent of its cafes nationwide reported exceeding $734,000.<\/p>\n

Wingstop Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0filed an $86M initial public offering. Wingstop<\/strong> is the 4th<\/sup> restaurant company to make or file for a public offering this year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Industry Updates<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Bob Evans Farms Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to close 20 underperforming restaurants over the next 12 months, but the majority of the locations will be closed by the end of May 2015.\u00a0The company owns 16 of the 20 restaurants and plans to sell the properties immediately. It expects to generate as much as $17M in net proceeds from the sale.<\/p>\n

Burger 21<\/strong>\u00a0announced its franchise development strategy to increase the brand’s presence in non-traditional venues across the country. This announcement comes on the heels of its recent bid submission for space in the newly renovated Tampa International Airport, which will be granted in early June 2015.<\/p>\n

Carl’s Jr.<\/strong>\u00a0opened its first restaurant in Colombia.<\/p>\n

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0has begun offering delivery for online and mobile orders in 67 cities including Chicago.<\/p>\n

CKE Restaurants Holdings<\/strong>\u00a0announced it is considering Nashville for its corporate offices. The company’s lease on its St. Louis regional office will expire in 2017, and company officials are considering relocating to TN due to it not having a state income tax.<\/p>\n

Collier Restaurant Group<\/strong>\u00a0added\u00a0Quaker Steak & Lube<\/strong>\u00a0to its list of franchise locations in the Sevierville\/Pigeon Forge area.\u00a0The new Quaker Steak & Lube is set to open this June and will be the brand’s first location in the state of TN.<\/p>\n

Domino’s<\/strong>\u00a0opened in its third new market so far this year, as the first Domino’s store in the Republic of Georgia began serving customers in the capital city of Tbilisi. The company will start taking pizza orders over Twitter next week, letting regular customers order simply by tweeting a pizza emoji to @Dominos<\/strong>. The chain already gets about half its orders via digital channels, and the new option is aimed at time-crunched young consumers.<\/p>\n

Escape Enterprises<\/strong>\u00a0of Columbus, OH introduces the\u00a0Steak Escape Sandwich Grill<\/strong>\u00a0in Hilliard, OH, as the company’s latest evolution of the fast-casual dining business. Other menu items, such as wraps, grilled salads, and smashed potato bowls were elevated as healthier choices for customers.<\/p>\n

KFC<\/strong> closed the doors of its fast casual concept,\u00a0KFC Eleven<\/strong>, which opened in August 2013, in Louisville, KY.<\/p>\n

Kona Brewing Company<\/strong>, parent company Craft Brew Alliance<\/strong>,\u00a0announced that it will invest approximately $15M to expand its brewery operations in HI. The expansion project, which will include a new state-of-the-art, 30,000 square-foot brewery, will increase annual production capacity to 100,000 barrels (BBLs) per year. Kona Brewing is currently narrowing its list of possible locations for the new facility, with plans to break ground in the second half of 2015 and be fully operational by early 2017.<\/p>\n

Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation <\/strong>signed a development agreement to open 10 Krispy Kreme<\/strong> shops throughout Cambodia over the next five years.<\/p>\n

McDonald’s <\/strong>announced\u00a0plans to open about 1,000 restaurants per year, sell 3,500 corporate-owned restaurants to franchisees by 2018, and cut $300M a year in corporate costs in the near future. The company also began a delivery service in NYC, will continue to test all-day breakfast and revamp its drive through menu boards to improve speed and efficiency. Additionally, McDonald\u2019s\u00a0said that it will close 220 underperforming stores in the U.S. and China and 130 in Japan, in addition to the 350 units worldwide that were previously planned to be shuttered.<\/p>\n

Panera Bread Co.<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to continue expanding its delivery and catering business by opening seven delivery hubs to support fulfilling orders in the first quarter of 2015, and will continue testing small-order delivery in Louisville, KY, with plans to expand to more test markets this year.<\/p>\n

Penn National Gaming<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to redevelop its new Las Vegas Strip property, the Tropicana Las Vegas<\/strong>, in two phases, undisclosed sources say. The first phase will include $20M in facility improvements and database integration, while the second phase will add retail and dining options and improve the casino floor.<\/p>\n

Rita’s Italian Ice<\/strong> partnered with the fast casual brand,\u00a0Sandella’s Flatbread Caf\u00e9<\/strong>, to provide its guests with a dining option.<\/p>\n

Riviera<\/strong>\u00a0casino closed after 60 years on the Las Vegas Strip. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority purchased the casino with plans to build an expansion to the city’s convention center. Elvis, Liberace, and Frank Sinatra are among the stars who performed at the casino.<\/p>\n

Sloan’s Ice Cream<\/strong>\u00a0signed a franchise development agreement to open 5 locations in UAE beginning in early fall 2015.<\/p>\n

Smashburger<\/strong>\u00a0announced that it is expected to open 35 restaurants in the United Kingdom. The launch of Smashburger in the UK will expand the brand footprint to eight countries.<\/p>\n

The Halal Guys<\/strong>\u00a0signed three multi-unit franchise deals to open 40 restaurants in the Philippines; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The franchisee for the Philippines has signed a 20-unit deal for the entire country with the first location expected to open in the summer of 2015 in Manila. The Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta franchisees have signed 10- and 6-unit deals, respectively.<\/p>\n

The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced that a second European STK<\/strong> location will open 5\/11\/15 at the new ME Milan Il Duca hotel.<\/p>\n

The Rezidor Hotel Group<\/strong>\u00a0arrived in two new countries: Armenia and Togo.<\/p>\n

TravelCenters of America LLC<\/strong>\u00a0opened a\u00a0Starbucks<\/strong>\u00a0location at the Gadsden, AL.<\/p>\n

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0unveiled plans to countermand slowed growth in China with 115 new stores in the country by 2017 and creating some 30,000 jobs.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Real Estate<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Bill’s Bar & Burger<\/strong>, a\u00a0BR Guest Hospitality<\/strong>\u00a0restaurant, premiered in The Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

California Pizza Kitchen <\/strong>announced the company\u00a0will renovate 80 locations by the end of 2016. The units will feature rustic decor and no two locations will be exactly alike. The chain is adding hand-crafted cocktails and expanding its menu in a bid to attract younger customers.<\/p>\n

Chick-Fil-A<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to open several locations in Omaha by the end of 2016.<\/p>\n

Cinemark<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to construct a new 14-screen movie theatre in Tucson, AZ.<\/p>\n

Corner Bakery Cafe<\/strong>\u00a0announced of a 13-location deal for greater Cleveland, the brand’s first area development agreement in the state of OH, and plans to open 8 Sacramento-area locations over the next four years.<\/p>\n

Cowboy Chicken<\/strong> signed two new franchisee agreements that will expand the brand into TX, KS, and NE.<\/p>\n

Dog Haus<\/strong>\u00a0opened its first CO location in Centennial.<\/p>\n

Dunkin’ Brands Group<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company will open 750 new units in 2015.<\/p>\n

Dunkin’ Donuts<\/strong>\u00a0signed a multi-unit store development agreement to develop 5 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants and 4 multi-brand restaurants with its sister brand, Baskin-Robbins<\/strong>, in Albuquerque and its surrounding areas. The first restaurant is planned to open in summer 2016.<\/p>\n

First Watch Restaurants<\/strong>\u00a0announced it will open its first CO location 5\/26\/15 in Northglenn\u2019s Webster Lake Promenade.<\/p>\n

Fuddruckers\u00a0<\/strong>introduced its first ME\u00a0location in\u00a0Ellsworth.<\/p>\n

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi<\/strong>\u00a0added\u00a0Pie Five Pizza Co.<\/strong>\u00a0resulting in the company\u2019s first MS location.<\/p>\n

Heartland Restaurant Group<\/strong>\u00a0opened the company’s first\u00a0Dunkin’ Donuts<\/strong>\u00a0location outside of PA in Weirton, WV.<\/p>\n

Huddle House<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to\u00a0open restaurants in Suffolk, VA, Ocala, FL, and three in TX \u2014 Bonham, Paris, and Sulphur Springs. Suffolk and Ocala are scheduled to open before the end of the year along with at least one, and possibly two, of the new TX locations.<\/p>\n

Jamba Inc.<\/strong> signed two deals with existing operators to refranchise 21 Jamba Juice<\/strong> locations in CA.<\/p>\n

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores<\/strong>, a national travel stop company, signed a deal to add 10\u00a0Taco John’s<\/strong>\u00a0quick-service Mexican restaurants to its travel stop locations.<\/p>\n

Miami Subs<\/strong>\u00a0announced sites in Cutler Bay and Miami Springs have already opened, and several new or renovated locations are expected to open this year under the new\u00a0Miami Grill<\/strong>\u00a0name. The company also opened its first New Zealand and Malaysia locations.<\/p>\n

Nando\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to expand into Chicago.<\/p>\n

Newk\u2019s Eatery<\/strong>\u00a0announced a new development agreement\u00a0to open 15 Newk\u2019s locations throughout Southern LA and in Houston.\u00a0Newk\u2019s will open nearly 30 new company-owned and franchised locations this year, with plans to reach 200 units by 2018.<\/p>\n

Panda Express<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to open more than 100 stores worldwide each year. The company will focus on its domestic market in HI, while gradually expanding its products and brand outside of the U.S.<\/p>\n

Papa Murphy’s Holdings Inc. <\/strong>announced the company\u00a0will open at least 9 new locations in the Memphis, TN, market in the next three to five years.<\/p>\n

Penn National Gaming<\/strong>\u00a0said it is on track to open MA\u2019s first casino, the $250M\u00a0Plainridge Park Casino<\/strong>\u00a0in Plainville on 6\/24\/15.<\/p>\n

Penn Station East Coast Subs<\/strong> signed a 10-unit agreement for Northeast Atlanta with plans to open 10 restaurants over the next five years; the first location opening this month in Suwanee, GA. The chain is targeting Alpharetta, Cumming, Roswell, Buford, Johns Creek, Norcross, Duluth, and Lawrenceville for future locations.<\/p>\n

Pick Up Stix<\/strong> launched a larger, more upscale prototype designed to build dine-in business.\u00a0The new prototype, which opened in Westlake Village, outside Los Angeles, in March 2015, is larger \u2014 between 2,000 square feet to 2,500 square feet.<\/p>\n

Pie Five Pizza Co.<\/strong> signed a new development deal that will open up to 24 new locations across multiple northeastern states including\u00a0state of DE, Eastern PA\/ Philadelphia, Northern MD, and Southern NJ. The first location, slated to open this fall, will be in Dover, DE. Additionally, the company plans to open up to ten stores across the state of AR. The first three stores will be located in central AR and are expected to open within the next year.<\/p>\n

Planet Sub<\/strong>\u00a0signed an agreement to develop 12 stores in the San Antonio, TX-area in addition to its already 23 stores set for other varying metroplexes in TX including Austin, Dallas, Denton, and Fort Worth.<\/p>\n

Quaker Steak & Lube\u00a0<\/strong>announced it signed a franchise development agreement with\u00a0Cedar Fair, L.P.<\/strong>\u00a0to develop a new restaurant at\u00a0Cedar Point<\/strong>\u00a0amusement park\/resort. The restaurant marks the 18th Quaker Steak & Lube location in OH, will create close to 125 jobs for the Sandusky community, and is scheduled to open in May 2015.<\/p>\n

Shake Shack <\/strong>opened its first-ever TX location in Austin and\u00a0will open its first CA location in Los Angeles in 2016.<\/p>\n

Smallcakes: A Cupcakery and Creamery<\/strong>\u00a0opened its first AZ location in\u00a0Scottsdale.<\/p>\n

Starbucks Corp.<\/strong>\u00a0debuted its new express store format on Wall Street in NY, across from the New York Stock Exchange.\u00a0The compact 538-sq.-ft. store space is designed to provide a streamlined customer experience and provide what Starbucks<\/strong> calls an \u201cespresso shot\u201d version of visiting its stores. The company is also expanding its premium Starbucks Reserve<\/strong> brand to 500 units worldwide with a flagship, 15,000-sq.ft location opening in 2016 in Asia.<\/p>\n

The Halal Guys<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is opening 15 TX restaurants as part of two multi-unit franchise deals outside its home market of NYC. The restaurants will open in parts of Houston and Austin, TX, including one unit at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.<\/p>\n

The Wendy’s Company<\/strong>\u00a0announced it will sell its bakery business by the second quarter, remodel restaurants, and offload more company-owned locations. Wendy\u2019s<\/strong> plans to sell 540 domestic restaurants to its franchisees.<\/p>\n

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery\u00a0<\/strong>stated that the company will add nine new pubs in the Northeast region over the next three years with new locations in upstate NY and five pubs in PA.<\/p>\n

Toppers Pizza<\/strong>\u00a0announced a multi-unit partnership to open six locations throughout SD and IA over the next four years.<\/p>\n

Uncle Maddio\u2019s Pizza<\/strong>\u00a0Joint<\/strong>\u00a0announced the signing of its largest franchise deal to date with a subsidiary of Jubilee Restaurant Group<\/strong> slated to develop 13 locations across the Mid-South: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, LA; Greater Memphis, TN; and Southaven and Olive Branch, MS.<\/p>\n

Uno Restaurant Holdings<\/strong>\u00a0mentioned it will expand its\u00a0Uno Due Go<\/strong>\u00a0quick-service concept, build new full restaurants, and remodel existing locations in New England over the next three to five years. A new Uno Due Go location will open every 12 to 18 months in Boston, and the chain’s regular restaurants will be built at the same pace in suburbs.<\/p>\n

World of Beer<\/strong>\u00a0will open its first location in NYC, a 5,000-square-foot space in Chelsea, six blocks from Madison Square Garden early June 2015.<\/p>\n

Zoup! Fresh Soup Company<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is opening several units in Canada, WI, and OH by 5\/22\/15.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Green Initiatives<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Chipotle\u00a0<\/strong>announced that they are removing genetically engineered ingredients creating a safer and healthier food system for all Americans.<\/p>\n

Chuck E. Cheese<\/strong> added EnTouch 360\u00b0 Energy Management as its official energy management solution for corporate stores in North America.<\/p>\n

Craft Brewing Company<\/strong>\u00a0released its Annual Sustainability Report:<\/p>\n