{"id":5058,"date":"2015-06-18T10:10:34","date_gmt":"2015-06-18T10:10:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/newsroom.chainstoreguide.com\/?p=5058"},"modified":"2015-06-18T10:10:34","modified_gmt":"2015-06-18T10:10:34","slug":"industry-updates-restaurant-foodservice-june-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/2015\/06\/industry-updates-restaurant-foodservice-june-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry Updates: Restaurant & Foodservice \u2013 June 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

Personnel\u00a0Updates<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

&pizza<\/strong>‘s Steve Salis has stepped away from daily operations as CEO and President. Co-founder, Michael Lastoria, has taken the role of President and CEO.<\/p>\n

American Blue Ribbon Holdings<\/strong>\u00a0hired\u00a0Jeffery Kent as CIO.<\/p>\n

Ben E. Keith Foods<\/strong>\u00a0President,\u00a0Mike Roach, announced he will retire 6\/30\/15.\u00a0Mike Sweet, current Executive VP, will succeed Roach.<\/p>\n

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill<\/strong>\u00a0announced that Steve Vaughan will join the company as President and CFO, effective 6\/20\/15.<\/p>\n

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group<\/strong>\u00a0announced Marc Descrozaille as Area VP sub-Saharan Africa,\u00a0 Jeffrey Freund as Senior VP of Midscale Brands for the Americas, Alissa Montbriand as VP of Global Integrated Marketing Communications, and Roger Chacko as EVP and Chief Branding and Marketing Officer. The company also appointed Jenny Winkler as Senior VP & General Counsel, effective 7\/1\/15.<\/p>\n

Chanticleer Holdings Inc.<\/strong>, a\u00a0Hooters<\/strong>\u00a0part owner, named Mark Roberson to the newly created position of COO.<\/p>\n

Cousins Subs<\/strong>\u00a0founder,\u00a0Bill Specht,\u00a0announced his retirement as company\u2019s CEO. Specht’s daughter, Christine Specht-Palmert, assumed Specht’s responsibilities as President and CEO.\u00a0The company also\u00a0hired Scott Lewis as Director of IT.<\/p>\n

Domino’s\u00a0<\/strong>announced the following internal leadership appointments and promotions:\u00a0Joe Jordan as Chief Marketing Officer;\u00a0Dennis Maloney as Chief Digital Officer;\u00a0Julia Oswald as VP of Strategy and Insights for Domino’s USA; and\u00a0Debbie Sweeney as VP of National Field and Team USA Marketing.<\/p>\n

Farmer Boys Restaurants<\/strong>\u00a0promoted Karen Eadon to President and COO.<\/p>\n

Farmer Bros. Co.<\/strong>\u00a0added Scott Bixby as the new Senior VP and General Manager of Direct Store Delivery.<\/p>\n

FOCUS Brands<\/strong> named Bruce Schroder as President of\u00a0Moe\u2019s Southwest Grill<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Freddy\u2019s LLC <\/strong>hired Andrew Thengvall as Senior VP of Strategic Growth & Chief Legal Officer.<\/p>\n

Front Burner Brands Inc.\u00a0<\/strong>promoted Dan Stone to the newly created position of Chief Business and People Development Officer.<\/p>\n

Hilton Worldwide<\/strong>\u00a0named Debra Wilson as Senior Regional Director of Sales of the Northeast region.<\/p>\n

InterContinental Hotels Group<\/strong>\u00a0(IHG<\/strong>) appointed Yola Marshall to the position of Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Canada and Stephen K. Miller as Senior VP of Development and Acquisitions.<\/p>\n

Johnny Rockets<\/strong>\u00a0announced the following appointments:\u00a0Jim Kensinger as VP of Operations Services and Training, Chris Ferguson as Director of Operations for the East Coast, and Dillon McFarland as International Franchise Support Manager for the Middle East and Asia.<\/p>\n

Logan\u2019s Roadhouse Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0named James J. Hagan CFO and Maria Rivera Senior VP of Operations.<\/p>\n

Long John Silver’s<\/strong>\u00a0stated that Brian Unger will serve as its new COO.<\/p>\n

Marriott International <\/strong>appointed Craig S. Smith as President and Managing Director of Asia Pacific and Tim Sheldon as President of its Caribbean & Latin America (CALA) region.<\/p>\n

McDonald\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0has begun its reorganization with the recruitment of two senior-level executives from other industries: Silvia Lagnado as global Chief Marketing Officer and Robert Gibbs as Global Chief Communications Officer.<\/p>\n

Morgans Hotel Group Co.<\/strong>\u00a0announced that Jason T. Kalisman has resigned as Interim CEO of the company to spend more time on personal matters, effective immediately, and he will remain a member of the Board. Howard M. Lorber, veteran real estate investor and member of Morgans Board, has been named Chairman. The Board intends to continue its CEO search and in the interim, Richard Szymanski, CFO, will temporarily assume the duties of the principal executive officer for securities law reporting purposes.<\/p>\n

Pei Wei<\/strong>\u00a0hired\u00a0Clay Dover as the company’s first Chief\u00a0Marketing\u00a0Officer.<\/p>\n

Penn National Gaming, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0appointed\u00a0Bob Sheldon as President of Las Vegas Operations effective 7\/6\/15.\u00a0Mr. Sheldon will oversee the operations of Tropicana Las Vegas<\/strong> following the completion of the company\u2019s acquisition of the iconic Strip property, which is expected to occur later this year, as well as the operations of The<\/strong> M Resort<\/strong> in Henderson. The company also named Richard St. Jean as General Manager of Hollywood Casino<\/strong> in Jamul-San Diego and\u00a0Frank Quigley\u00a0as General Manager of Hollywood Casino <\/strong>in Toledo.<\/p>\n

Plamondon Companies<\/strong>, parent company of Roy Rogers<\/strong>, named Joseph Briglia as Director of Real Estate and Franchise Development.<\/p>\n

Restaurants Canada<\/strong>\u00a0appointed\u00a0Donna Dooher as\u00a0President & CEO. Ms. Dooher has been in the role on an interim basis since November 2014.<\/p>\n

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood<\/strong>\u00a0named\u00a0Bill Wright as President.<\/p>\n

Sonic Corp.<\/strong>\u00a0announced that Stephen C. Vaughan, the company\u2019s Executive VP of Franchise Operations, Finance and Planning, will resign from the position effective 6\/19\/15.\u00a0Vaughan will continue to serve SONIC in a transition role through that date.<\/p>\n

Starwood<\/strong>\u00a0made multiple executive changes including: John Peyton to the new role of Senior VP Brands and Shared Services;\u00a0Dave Marr as Global Brand Leader of Sheraton<\/strong> and Tribute<\/strong> portfolio;\u00a0Jim Petrus as Global Brand Leader of St. Regis<\/strong>;\u00a0Hoyt Harper as Global Brand Leader of The Luxury Collection<\/strong>; Anthony Ingham as Global Brand Leader of W Hotels<\/strong> Worldwide<\/strong>;\u00a0Brian Povinelli as Global Brand Leader of Westin<\/strong> and Le M\u00e9ridien<\/strong>; and\u00a0Brian McGuinness as Global Brand Leader\u00a0 of the Aloft<\/strong>, Element<\/strong> and Four Points<\/strong> brands.<\/p>\n

Taco John\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0added two new members to its leadership team: Ted Suor as VP of Supply Chain and Stephanie Forand as Director of Human Relations.<\/p>\n

The Broadmoor<\/strong>\u00a0added\u00a0Alison J. McDermott to the position of Director of Marketing.<\/p>\n

Vail Resorts, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced the planned retirement of Mark Schoppet, Senior VP, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer, effective upon the hiring of his replacement and the completion of a transition period. Additionally, the company hired David T. Shapiro as Executive VP and General Counsel, effective 7\/13\/15.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc.<\/strong> acquired 38 existing Buffalo Wild Wings<\/strong> restaurants located in TX, NM, and HI including three restaurants under development in NM and HI.<\/p>\n

Centerbridge Partners, LP, <\/strong>parent company to P.F. Chang\u2019s China Bistro<\/strong> and Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc., <\/strong>closed on its acquisition of Great Wolf Resorts. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Diversified Restaurant Holdings<\/strong>\u00a0announced\u00a0its intention to acquire eighteen\u00a0Buffalo Wild Wings<\/strong>\u00a0restaurants in the St. Louis area for $54M.\u00a0Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0has already provided the waiver of its Right of First Refusal. The acquisition will allow DRH to own the entire St. Louis market and also provide for the opportunity to open new BWW stores.<\/p>\n

First Watch Restaurants, Inc.<\/strong> acquired Centennial, CO-based\u00a0The Egg & I Restaurants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Frisch’s Restaurants Inc. <\/strong>announced the company will be acquired by private-equity fund\u00a0NRD Partners I LP<\/strong> for $175M.\u00a0Following the deal, Frisch\u2019s CEO Craig Maier Jr. and VP of Marketing Karen Maier will leave the company, but will remain part of the Frisch\u2019s system as franchisees.\u00a0NRD is led by Aziz Hashim, a veteran of franchised chains such as Popeyes<\/strong> and Checkers<\/strong>\/Rally\u2019s<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Gatti\u2019s Pizza<\/strong>\u00a0chain has been acquired by Sovrano LLC<\/strong>, a Fort Worth, TX-based private-equity firm led by Michael Poates. The purchase price was not disclosed and Poates has taken the president\u2019s post at Austin, TX-based Gatti\u2019s. Blue Sage Capital<\/strong> had acquired the chain in 2004 for $24M.<\/p>\n

Kahala Brands<\/strong>\u00a0announced that it now controls 100% of the\u00a0Planet Smoothie<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Tasti D-Lite<\/strong>\u00a0franchise brands headquartered in Brentwood, TN.<\/p>\n

NRD Capital<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company will buy\u00a0Frisch’s Restaurants Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0for $175M. Frisch’s operates 95 company-owned and 26 franchised Frisch’s Big Boy<\/strong> restaurants in OH, KY, and IN. The transaction is expected to close before the end of September.<\/p>\n

Ridge Runner Fast Foods,<\/strong>\u00a0dba\u00a0Burger King<\/strong> was acquired by\u00a0Carolina Quality LLC<\/strong>. The three Burger King locations are in Boone, NC, Mountain City and Elizabethton, TN.<\/p>\n

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.<\/strong> announced that it has sold The Phoenician<\/strong> in Scottsdale, AZ, to Host Hotels & Resorts<\/strong> for $400M.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Jimmy John’s Franchise LLC<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is preparing for an initial public offering that could value the chain at more than $2 billion. The IPO is expected to take place later this year.<\/p>\n

Roark Capital Group<\/strong> made an investment in\u00a0Naf Naf Grill<\/strong>, a seven-year-old Chicago-based chain that serves Middle Eastern cuisine in an Americanized, fast-casual format, the Atlanta-based private-equity firm.<\/p>\n

Wingstop<\/strong> announced the company will set a $75M initial public offering. Wingstop has 712 locations and brought in nearly $67.4M in revenue in 2014.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Beef \u2018O\u2019 Brady\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0franchisee announced plans to open a fast-casual version of the casual-dining sports bar, Beef\u2019s Express<\/strong>\u00a0in Lakeland, FL, on 8\/17\/15.<\/p>\n

Boston\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is looking forward to establishing a total of 11 restaurants in Mexico by the end of 2015, the first of which will open in Tuxtla this August.<\/p>\n

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. <\/strong>announced the company\u00a0will open its new \u201cfusion prototype,\u201d a new-equipment version of its full-service, family-dining restaurant, on 6\/22\/15, in Morganton, NC.<\/p>\n

David Burke Group<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is preparing to open the first of three restaurant-bar-concessions combos to be housed in movie theaters. \u00a0The eating and drinking facility, called Trilogy<\/strong>, will feature a 120-seat restaurant, a bar described by DBG as \u201celegant,\u201d and concessions featuring locally popular specialties.<\/p>\n

Domino’s Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0opened its first Portugal location in Lisbon.<\/p>\n

Dunkin’ Brands<\/strong>\u00a0stated the company would integrate deliveries with a mobile ordering platform that is under development.\u00a0Dunkin\u2019 Donuts also opened two new Dunkin\u2019 Donuts Express<\/strong> locations at Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.<\/p>\n

Fatburger\u00a0<\/strong>and sister restaurant\u00a0Buffalo’s Express<\/strong>\u00a0announced the pair is bringing their American fare across the pond to London for the first time.<\/p>\n

First Watch<\/strong>\u00a0opened\u00a0its latest \u201cUrban Farm\u201d interior design and a new, inspired menu. \u00a0The design combines farm-inspired finishes with a high-energy, urban vibe creating a warm, familiar space.<\/p>\n

Hilton Worldwide<\/strong> renamed the Cypress Hotel, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Juniper Hotel Cupertino<\/strong> \u2013 Curio Collection<\/strong> by Hilton.<\/p>\n

KFC<\/strong>\u00a0opened its first location in Myanmar (Burma).<\/p>\n

Luby’s Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0continued to close\u00a0Cheeseburger in Paradise<\/strong>\u00a0units and convert them to Fuddruckers<\/strong> restaurants in the third quarter ended 5\/6\/15. The Houston-based operator continues to expand its combo locations of shared Luby’s Cafeteria<\/strong> and Fuddruckers restaurants. The company is also in the process of selling two closed Cheeseburger in Paradise locations to a Fuddruckers franchisee.<\/p>\n

Momofuku, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0owner David Chang unveiled his latest fast-food concept,\u00a0Fuku<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Papa John’s International Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to expand by 150 to 200 units per year. Most of the pizza chain’s international locations are franchised stores, with the most in the UK.<\/p>\n

PizzaRev <\/strong>announced the company\u00a0is rolling out delivery in its core Los Angeles market.<\/p>\n

Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc.<\/strong> closed on the sale of the\u00a0Hyatt Regency La Jolla<\/strong>\u00a0for $118M. The company formerly owned a 53.5% interest in the asset. At closing, the joint-venture retired $89.2M of debt secured by the hotel.<\/p>\n

Taco Bell<\/strong> applied for a liquor license for a unit soon to open in Chicago. The unit will have a completely new urban restaurant design in Chicago\u2019s Wicker Park neighborhood and may serve alcoholic beverages. Taco Bell plans to open a number of new restaurants in urban locations with modern designs, such as creating stores from shipping containers or creating restaurants with open kitchens.<\/p>\n

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf <\/strong>opened its first Japan location.<\/p>\n

US Foods<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is closing its Lakeland, FL, distribution center and will fold into its Tampa and Port Orange locations, effective August 2015.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Bar-B-Cutie<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company will develop\u00a0three Smokehouse restaurants in San Antonio over the next four years with the first location slated to open spring 2016. Additional growth in cities such as McAllen, Houston, and Dallas is expected.<\/p>\n

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0opened four\u00a0new restaurants and remains on track to open at least 15 new restaurants this fiscal year. The company anticipates opening three more\u00a0restaurants before the end of June in Pittsburgh, PA; Baltimore, MD; and Columbus, OH.<\/p>\n

Black Bear Diner<\/strong>\u00a0announced that the company is marching towards the goal of 100 operating restaurants by 2018.\u00a0The new restaurants are all based in the western region of the United States\u2014four restaurants in CA (Elk Grove, Sunnyvale, Danville, and Oakland), two restaurants in UT (Orem, West Valley), and one restaurant each in CO, ID, OR, and WA. The opening of the restaurants will be sprinkled between Q3 and Q4.<\/p>\n

Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to open 38 more locations in LA, MS, AL, and the panhandle of FL. The company will also open additional locations in TX, with hubs in Austin, Fort Worth, and College Station in the works. Additionally, the company opened its first OR location in Portland.<\/p>\n

Bob Evans Farms Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to sell a significant portion of its real estate.\u00a0The company also suggested that it is still open to separating its restaurant and packaged food businesses. Bob Evans has 564 restaurants.\u00a0Activist investors have estimated the real estate to be worth up to $700M.<\/p>\n

Boston Market<\/strong>\u00a0stated the company is targeting military installations to grow its footprint and expects about a third of its new stores to be on military bases going forward. Ten to 12 new restaurants are scheduled to open this year, following a six-year period where the number of locations declined by more than 25%.<\/p>\n

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to open up to 50 locations in the Greater Boston area, opening 5-10 restaurants per year starting in 2016. It will also consider conversion opportunities of fast-food spaces and existing restaurants. The expansion is partly driven by Checkers’ new distribution agreement with\u00a0Willow Run Foods.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Corner Bakery Cafe<\/strong>\u00a0stated the company will focus its franchising efforts in Birmingham, Charleston, Charlotte, Columbus, Jackson, New Orleans, Raleigh, and Tampa.<\/p>\n

DMAC 81, LLC<\/strong>, a McAlister’s Deli <\/strong>franchisee, announced plans to open several new restaurants between southern GA and North FL.<\/p>\n

Donatos Pizza<\/strong>\u00a0mentioned plans to open up to 12 locations in Birmingham, AL.<\/p>\n

Dunkin’ Donuts\u00a0<\/strong>announced the company is recruiting franchisees to develop an estimated 10+ new Dunkin\u2019 Donuts restaurants throughout Mobile, AL, and Biloxi and Jackson, MS.<\/p>\n

El Pollo Loco<\/strong>\u00a0signed a new development agreement with its largest franchise partner, WKS Restaurant<\/strong> Corporation<\/strong>, to further grow the brand’s presence in UT with plans to open six new restaurants in Salt Lake City. They expect to open two locations towards the end of 2016 and an additional four restaurants by the end of 2018. The company also stated the company will open seven locations in North TX over the next four years.<\/p>\n

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers<\/strong>\u00a0disclosed that, with the opening of three new restaurants last week, including a company site in Kansas City, MO, and two franchise locations in Jacksonville, FL, and Caldwell, ID, the system has added 21 stores in the first 21 weeks of 2015. This expansion came during the same timeframe in which the company completed a remodeling and 40% expansion of the area it occupies in its home office building at 260 N Rock Rd in Wichita, KS.<\/p>\n

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop\u00a0<\/strong>announced four new multi-unit development agreements that will bring the restaurant concept to FL this summer. The agreements call for opening more than 20 new Fuzzy’s Taco Shops in the Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, and Fort Myers areas over the next six years.<\/p>\n

Hard Rock International<\/strong> announced its plan to build a casino at the Meadowlands in NJ.<\/p>\n

Jersey Mike’s<\/strong>\u00a0mentioned plans to open 13 restaurants in southeast WI over the next four years.<\/p>\n

KFC Corp<\/strong>. announced the company is introducing a new store prototype featuring a simpler, modern layout with high-top tables, booths and Colonel Sanders’ face on the building’s facade. Other brand updates include new food packaging, redesigned websites and new menu items, including baked beans with pulled chicken, a new sauce and lemonade.<\/p>\n

Krispy Kreme<\/strong> signed development agreements to open 11 Krispy Kreme shops in AR, MT, IL, and KY over the next several years.<\/p>\n

McAlister’s<\/strong>\u00a0Deli\u00a0<\/strong>signed a multi-unit development agreement to open restaurants in Southern GA and its first restaurants in South FL specifically in the markets of Doral, Aventura, South Miami, Davie, Plantation, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines and Ft. Lauderdale.<\/p>\n

Moe\u2019s Southwest Grill<\/strong>\u00a0opened its 600th unit in its first UT location in Salt Lake City. Moe\u2019s hopes to open 70 new restaurants this year and continue its aggressive expansion plans with new Moe\u2019s locations debuting in Chicago, Cleveland, and the state of IA. Additionally, the company is seeking experienced, multi-unit franchise owners to develop San Francisco, Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Phoenix, and Detroit.<\/p>\n

Native Foods Caf\u00e9<\/strong>\u00a0debuted its first Express unit to test the possible rollout of a quicker version of the fast-casual.\u00a0Though the West Loop location is about 3,000 square feet, the Express design could fit into locations as small as 1,000 square feet, which opens the door for Native Foods to move into both urban and nontraditional locations, including airports or college campuses.<\/p>\n

Noodles & Co.<\/strong> opened its first international location in Toronto, Canada.<\/p>\n

Roy Rogers<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to open 70 restaurants in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast over the next several years at a pace of one to two corporate locations and three to five franchised locations per year. The company is planning to open several franchises in DC, MD, and VA after shutting down lower-performing restaurants during the past several years.<\/p>\n

Smashburger<\/strong> added three new partners with a combined commitment for 61 new restaurants into new markets such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, and Naples.\u00a0The company will also open a location in the Cincinnati\/Northern KY International Airport.<\/p>\n

Starbucks <\/strong>mentioned\u00a0plans to open up to 10 locations in Baltimore this year.<\/p>\n

Steak Escape<\/strong>, which departed many of its mall locations four years ago, now wants to get out of the suburbs and is testing a new Steak Escape Express<\/strong> prototype within city limits.<\/p>\n

Studio Movie Grill\u00a0<\/strong>announced it is expanding on both coasts once more with new locations announced in Philadelphia, PA; and Simi Valley, CA; as well as two new TX theaters in North Dallas and Houston.<\/p>\n

Subway<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company looks to add more than 2,500 locations worldwide in 2015.<\/p>\n

Sweetgreen<\/strong>\u00a0stated the company is expanding to Los Angeles with two new units in Los Angeles. The first is close to the farmers market in West Hollywood and the other is just steps from the ocean in Santa Monica.<\/p>\n

The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille<\/strong> entered WV with the debut of a new restaurant featuring 6,000 square feet of interior space and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor deck.<\/p>\n

The Halal Guys<\/strong> sold out CA with the signing of three major multi-unit franchise deals for the state.<\/p>\n

The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.<\/strong> announced that it is actively seeking franchise candidates to open a new restaurant in the Triad area, a region that includes Winston-Salem, Greensboro, and High Point, NC.<\/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

Tropical Smoothie Cafe<\/strong>\u00a0announced it is aggressively targeting three major US cities and surrounding areas over the next few years: 10 locations near Cleveland, OH (Avon, Lakewood, Fairlawn, Euclid, North Olmsted and more); 25 locations near Denver, CO (Greater Denver, Colorado Springs, Highlands Ranch, Boulder, Lakewood, Westminster and more); 10 locations near Tampa, FL (Palm Harbor, Clearwater Beach, and Northdale); 5 locations near Orlando, FL (Orange, Lake, and Seminole Counties); and 6 locations near Detroit, MI (Ann Arbor, Canton, Plymouth and more).<\/p>\n

Which Wich Superior Sandwiches<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to open 27 locations in San Francisco and 20 in Sacramento over the next few years. Which Wich is slated to open 100 locations annually from 2016 to 2020. Targeted markets include San Francisco and Sacramento, Chicago, Charlotte, NC, and the Greater Boston area, where it plans to open between 30 and 40 restaurants in the next three to five years.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc.<\/strong> announced that it has reached 11% total energy reduction per company-owned restaurant since 2011, paving the way to a goal of 15% energy reduction by the end of 2015. \u00a0The announcement comes following a 2014 reported reduction of 3.3% in average year-over-year energy consumption per company-owned restaurant.<\/p>\n

Panda Restaurant Group<\/strong>, operator of Panda Express<\/strong>, Hibachi-San<\/strong>, <\/strong>and Panda Inn<\/strong> has been on a steady path toward sustainability for the last decade:<\/p>\n