{"id":5244,"date":"2015-08-20T11:06:54","date_gmt":"2015-08-20T11:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/newsroom.chainstoreguide.com\/?p=5244"},"modified":"2015-08-20T11:06:54","modified_gmt":"2015-08-20T11:06:54","slug":"industry-updates-restaurant-foodservice-august-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chainstoreguide.com\/offthechain\/2015\/08\/industry-updates-restaurant-foodservice-august-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry Updates: Restaurant & Foodservice \u2013 August 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

Barnes & Noble, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0appointed Frederic \u201cFred\u201d D. Argir as VP and Chief Digital Officer reporting to Jaime Carey, COO.<\/p>\n

Bojangles’ Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced that Jayson Romeo was named VP of Information Technology and Strategic Planning.<\/p>\n

CB Franchise Systems<\/strong> named Edie Ames President and COO.\u00a0In her new role, Ames will oversee operations for The Counter<\/strong> and its 4-unit fast-casual sister concept, Built Custom Burgers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants<\/strong>\u00a0appointed John Inserra as the company’s President and COO, effective this fall.<\/p>\n

Darden Restaurants, Inc.<\/strong> named Todd Burrowes as President of LongHorn Steakhouse<\/strong>, effective 7\/28\/15. \u00a0Burrowes is rejoining the brand after spending the last two years as President and COO of Ruby Tuesday, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0He is succeeding Valerie Insignares, who departed the company last week to pursue other interests.<\/p>\n

DineEquity<\/strong>\u00a0added\u00a0Adrian Butler as\u00a0CIO and\u00a0Jim Anhut\u00a0as Senior VP of Development, effective 8\/17\/15.<\/p>\n

Evolution Hospitality<\/strong>\u00a0appointed Will Loughran as Senior VP of Operations.<\/p>\n

Famous Dave\u2019s of America Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0named Abelardo \u201cAbe\u201d Ruiz the company\u2019s COO.<\/p>\n

FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated<\/strong>\u00a0hired Thomas C. Hendrick as Executive VP and Chief Investment Officer.<\/p>\n

Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.<\/strong>, parent company of\u00a0Taco Cabana<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Pollo Tropical<\/strong>,\u00a0named Willie Romeo its first Corporate Director of Off-Premise Consumption. Romeo was elevated to his new position from his previous role as Pollo Tropical’s Director of Franchise Operations.<\/p>\n

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts<\/strong>\u00a0appointed\u00a0John Miller as\u00a0Senior VP of Design and Construction; Justin Milazzo as Director of Food and Beverage; and\u00a0Laura Fairweather to the newly created position of Director of Public Relations for the Americas.<\/p>\n

Golbon<\/strong>\u00a0announced that industry executive Rick Weis has joined the organization as Director of Member Development, Northeast Region and Pamala Padilla as Director of Procurement.<\/p>\n

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced Ruben A. Rodriguez as its next CEO, effective 9\/22\/15. The company’s current CEO, Kimberly K. Schaefer, will assume the role of Chief Brand Officer through the end of this year and will transition to Great Wolf’s board in early 2016.<\/p>\n

Hilton Worldwide<\/strong>\u00a0announced that William Margaritis will become the company\u2019s Executive VP of Corporate Affairs starting in late August, based in the company\u2019s global headquarters in McLean, VA.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants<\/strong>\u00a0hired\u00a0Tom Riley as\u00a0VP of Development Eastern Region based in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n

King\u2019s Seafood Co.<\/strong> tapped in-house celebrity Chef Damon Gordon to serve as Director of Culinary for Water Grill<\/strong>\u00a0restaurants.<\/p>\n

Logan\u2019s Roadhouse<\/strong>\u00a0announced that John Laporte has been named CIO, responsible for all company strategic IT plans and processes. Laporte was mostly recently VP of Information Technology for the El Pollo Loco<\/strong> restaurants.<\/p>\n

Long John Silver\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0appointed four new members to its executive team:\u00a0Peter Czizek as VP of Culinary Innovation,\u00a0Margo Mize as Senior VP of Marketing, Toni Bianco as VP of Operations, and\u00a0Marilyn Nicholson as VP of Media and Promotions.<\/p>\n

Marcus Hotels & Resorts<\/strong>, a division of\u00a0The Marcus Corporation<\/strong>, promoted\u00a0Katie Falvey\u00a0to VP of Real Estate and named Laurie Hobbs VP of Marketing. In her new role, Hobbs will provide executive leadership and management of operational areas including marketing, e-commerce, customer relationship marketing, advertising, social media and public relations.<\/p>\n

Newk\u2019s Eatery<\/strong>\u00a0named Scott Stanford VP of Human Resources.<\/p>\n

On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina<\/strong>\u00a0appointed Ashley Zickefoose as Chief Marketing Officer, effective 9\/8\/15.<\/p>\n

Papa John’s International, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0promoted COO Steve Ritchie to the position of President and COO, reporting to Founder, Chairman, and CEO, John Schnatter.<\/p>\n

Pizza Studio<\/strong>\u00a0hired John Theuer as CFO.<\/p>\n

Restaurants Unlimited Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0CFO Jim Eschweiler has been promoted to President and CEO.<\/p>\n

Roy’s Restaurant<\/strong>\u00a0named Mario Cernadas COO.<\/p>\n

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. <\/strong>appointed\u00a0<\/strong>Brett Patterson to the role of Ruby Tuesday Concept President and David Skena as Chief Marketing Officer, effective immediately.<\/p>\n

Schlotzsky\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0appointed Monte Jump to VP of Global Marketing.<\/p>\n

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill<\/strong>\u00a0named Ryan Esko CEO.\u00a0Esko replaces Chris Artinian, who left Smokey Bones to pursue other opportunities.<\/p>\n

Snap Kitchen<\/strong>\u00a0named David Kirchhoff as CEO.<\/p>\n

Sonic Corp.<\/strong>\u00a0appointed Andrew “Drew” Ritger, Jr. as Senior VP for Development and\u00a0Lori Osley Senior Director of Franchise Sales and Development Marketing.<\/p>\n

Soupman, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced Chairman, Jamieson Karson, has joined the company as CEO.<\/p>\n

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced that Mark Vondrasek has been promoted to the role of Senior VP of Commercial Services.<\/p>\n

Subway <\/strong>announced its\u00a0Global Chief Marketing Officer, Tony Pace, will leave his position to create a marketing consulting firm, effective 9\/30\/15.\u00a0Subway\u2019s\u00a0<\/strong>former Senior VP of Global Marketing, Chris Carroll, has returned to the sandwich chain to lead marketing, but was not named Chief Marketing Officer.<\/p>\n

Sysco Corporation<\/strong>\u00a0announced the following promotions and changes:\u00a0Paul Moskowitz was promoted to Executive VP of Human Resources;\u00a0Scott Charlton was promoted to Executive VP of Supply Chain; and\u00a0Russell Libby was named Executive VP of Administration and Corporate Secretary. The company also named Joel T. Grade as\u00a0Executive VP and CFO of the company, effective 9\/1\/15.<\/p>\n

TGI Fridays\u2019<\/strong>\u00a0announced that current President and CEO,\u00a0Nick Shepherd,\u00a0will be stepping down from that role by mid-October. The Board has launched a search for the successor, which will be led by Sentinel Capital Partners<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc.\u00a0<\/strong>announced a COO transition. John G. Inserra, the Company\u2019s current COO, has notified the Company of his decision to depart, but will remain and assist during the transition and onboarding of a new COO. The Company has already commenced a search for a new COO.<\/p>\n

Tijuana Flats Holdings LLC<\/strong>\u00a0promoted Monique Yeager to the newly created position of Chief Marketing Officer.<\/p>\n

Wienerschnitzel<\/strong>\u00a0announced Ted Milburn as Director of Franchise Development.<\/p>\n

Wyndham Hotel Group<\/strong>\u00a0promoted Mark Robertson to VP of Revenue Management, North American Managed Hotels and Chris Lawler to Senior Director of Performance Support.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Arby\u2019s Restaurant Group Inc.<\/strong> completed the acquisition of all 26\u00a0Arby\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0locations owned and operated by franchisee\u00a0Trefz and Trefz<\/strong>. Including locations across Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, the company said. Arby\u2019s assumed official management of those units on 7\/27\/15 and 600 employees of the former franchisee have transitioned to employment under Arby\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced that it completed the acquisition of five Burger King<\/strong> restaurants in SC. Four of the restaurants are located in Rock Hill and one restaurant is located in Fort Mill.<\/p>\n

Chanticleer Holdings Inc.<\/strong> acquired another burger chain. The Charlotte, NC-based operator of\u00a0Hooters of America<\/strong>\u00a0restaurants said that it has reached a deal to buy eight-unit Portland, OR, concept\u00a0Little Big Burger<\/strong>.\u00a0Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the acquisition is the company\u2019s fifth purchase of a burger concept in less than two years, and fourth in less than a year.<\/p>\n

Golden Gaming’s\u00a0<\/strong>$341M merger with MN-based Lakes Entertainment was finalized, creating a publicly traded casino, tavern, and slot machine route operation with business interests in NV and MD. The transaction turned family-owned Golden Gaming into Golden Entertainment<\/strong>. The company’s tavern division has 48 locations under five brands. Golden also owns three casinos in Pahrump. Through Lakes, the deal brought Golden ownership of the Rocky Gap Casino Resort inside Rocky Gap State Park near Cumberland, MD. Golden Entertainment has 2,100 employees in NV and will be headquartered in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

GPS Hospitality<\/strong>\u00a0acquired\u00a060\u00a0BURGER KING<\/strong>\u00a0restaurants across MI from TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants<\/strong>. The newly acquired eateries stretch across the Lower Peninsula and include areas such as Detroit, Lansing, Saginaw, Flint, Ann Arbor, and Pontiac.\u00a0The MI acquisition marks the largest single market purchase to date for GPS Hospitality and brings the total number of franchise locations across the US to 196 total.<\/p>\n

Jamba Juice Company<\/strong>\u00a0announced the completion of a refranchising agreement for 73 stores in the San Jose\/Easy Bay and Sacramento markets.\u00a0The Company expects to sell the remaining 27 company locations in the San Diego market by the end of 2015.<\/p>\n

Meritage Hospitality Group Inc.<\/strong> acquired 15\u00a0Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers<\/strong> restaurants in Toledo, OH.\u00a0The company estimates the acquisition will add approximately $19.0M in annual sales and be accretive to consolidated earnings and EBITDA going forward. The company plans to install POS upgrades and transition the back-of-house systems over to the Meritage operating and accounting system protocol. The Wendy’s restaurant system is going through a major brand re-imaging and new building design termed “image activation” with the goal of having 60% of the system renovated by the end of 2020.<\/p>\n

Penn National Gaming<\/strong>\u00a0was granted approval by\u00a0The Nevada Gaming Control Board\u00a0for its $360M purchase of the Tropicana Las Vegas<\/strong>. The final ruling on the transaction is expected 8\/20\/15. Penn plans to spend $200M upgrading the property over four years.<\/p>\n

Sun Holdings\u00a0<\/strong>completed a trio of transactions for a total of 84\u00a0Burger King<\/strong>\u00a0restaurants throughout TX, and owner Guillermo Perales said he has 20 more units under contract.<\/p>\n

TravelCenters of America LLC<\/strong> completed one of its previously disclosed acquisitions of 33 convenience store locations in northern IL. These locations offer branded gasoline, and a wide selection of groceries, fresh to-go food prepared on site and quick serve restaurants, and most include car washes. TravelCenters expects the convenience stores at these locations, which average approximately 3,400-sq-ft in size, will be rebranded as Minit Mart<\/strong> convenience stores and the sites will undergo improvements in the coming months.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Z\u2019Tejas Southwestern Grill<\/strong>, a portfolio company of KarpReilly<\/strong> LLC<\/strong>, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in AZ.\u00a0Cornbread Ventures LP has made a stalking horse bid for Z\u2019Tejas and offered to pay roughly $4M, including $1.38M credit, $2.34M cash plus the assumption of debt, for the restaurant chain, a bankruptcy court filing dated 7\/22\/15 said. A deadline for competing bids and sale objections is set for 9\/15\/15, while an auction is scheduled for 9\/17\/15. The Z\u2019Tejas sale hearing is slated for 9\/25\/15.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

BurgerFi<\/strong> announced its first international development agreement in Europe with hopes to open a location in central London before the end of the year.<\/p>\n

Dairy Queen<\/strong> opened a new\u00a0DQ Grill & Chill<\/strong> restaurant at the Marina Mall in Salmiya, Kuwait. The opening of this location makes Kuwait the 27th country outside the U.S. and Canada with a DQ presence.<\/p>\n

Domino’s <\/strong>opened its 12,000th store in the world today in Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n

Dunkin’ Donuts<\/strong>\u00a0debuted a store in Iceland and announced the company\u2019s upcoming entry into Poland with a projected 40\u00a0new locations.<\/p>\n

Gene & Georgetti<\/strong>, a landmark in Chicago\u2019s fine-dining scene, has opened another branch after 74 years as a single-restaurant operation.\u00a0The Durpetti family\u2019s second steakhouse is located in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, IL.\u00a0Paired with the restaurant is a new events venue run by the Durpettis, The Estate by Gene & Georgetti<\/strong>.\u00a0Three private dining rooms can host groups of 10 to 125 people. The restaurant measures 3,600-sq-ft and seats 240 guests. In addition to the Gene & Georgetti menu, the new outlet features small plates and sliders in its bar.<\/p>\n

Hurricane Grill & Wings<\/strong>\u00a0announced the brand’s international expansion plans with a development agreement for 25 restaurants in Europe that will be split up between 5 countries, the first of which is Italy.<\/p>\n

Ignite Restaurant Group<\/strong>\u00a0stated the company will move its headquarters outside Beltway 8 in Westchase later this year and will move into an entire 50,000-sqe-ft Class B building at 10555 Richmond Ave. in the fourth quarter.\u00a0The new space will include a 3,000-sq-ft test kitchen.<\/p>\n

Jamba Juice Company<\/strong> exceeded its initial refranchising goal with closed deals representing 150 stores. The company expects deals for 74 additional stores to be refranchised for three CA markets by the end of 2015 and the Chicago\/Midwest market by the first quarter of 2016. At the end of 2015, the company expects to be at 90%+ franchise organization.<\/p>\n

LM Restaurants Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0closed\u00a0New Bern Subs<\/strong>\u00a0due to a realignment of its growth strategy. New Bern Subs was the only fast food restaurant left in the LM Restaurant portfolio.<\/p>\n

McDonald’s <\/strong>announced\u00a0plans to open more than 100 restaurants along the autobahn, a German expressway, during the next four years. The company is also considering opening a location in Iran, and is accepting applications from potential franchisees in the country. The company does not have a timeline for opening restaurants in Iran. Additionally, the company will open a restaurant\/entertainment location in Orlando, FL. The location will feature Create Your Taste custom burger ordering, an open-design pizza and pasta kitchen, and new tech highlights, including an energy management system.<\/p>\n

Menchie’s<\/strong> opened its newest store and first airport location in San Jose, CA, in Terminal B of the Mineta San Jose International Airport.<\/p>\n

Pei Wei Asian Diner<\/strong> \u2014 the fast casual offshoot of P.F. Chang\u2019s China Bistro<\/strong> \u2014 opened its first college location on Arizona State University\u2019s campus in Tempe.<\/p>\n

Pizza Hut<\/strong>\u00a0closed its longest running US shop. The restaurant, located at 1121 Moro St. Manhattan, KS, opened nearly 55 years ago in 1960.<\/p>\n

Rita’s Italian Ice<\/strong> announced it will enter the convenience and gas channel nationwide with two area development agreements calling for 60 units by 2025\u2014the first of which opened its doors last month in Newbury Park, CA, at the Chevron Extra Mile convenience store and recently celebrated its grand opening.<\/p>\n

Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen<\/strong>\u00a0opened at the mixed-use residential and shopping destination, The Rim, in San Antonio, TX.<\/p>\n

Sloan’s Ice Cream<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company will expand the brand into Kuwait as part of a major development deal. This marks the concept’s second multi-unit franchise agreement in the Middle East this year, joining the five-shop deal struck for the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n

Starbucks<\/strong>\u00a0announced it is building a store that\u00a0will feature stadium-styled “grandstand” seating from which customers can view a huge projector screen in its\u00a0Grand Bazaar Shops location in Las Vegas. The store is due to open at the end of August.<\/p>\n

Ted’s Caf\u00e9 Escondido<\/strong>\u00a0opened a restaurant in Lee\u2019s Summit, MO, a suburb of Kansas City, MO \u2013 its 10th<\/sup> location overall. This marks Ted\u2019s second restaurant outside of OK and second in the Kansas City metropolitan area.<\/p>\n

The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced that its subsidiary has completed a management agreement to open an STK<\/strong> in Toronto\u2014marking the company\u2019s first location in Canada. Planned to open in 2016, the restaurant will be located in the cosmopolitan neighborhood of Bloor-Yorkville, home to the city\u2019s luxury shopping, restaurants, and hotels.<\/p>\n

Union Square Cafe<\/strong>\u2019s original space, at 21 East 16th Street, will close its doors in December 2015.<\/p>\n

Wendy’s<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is partnering with First Kitchen, a Japanese fast food chain, to combine the two brands at the same outlets. A challenge for Wendy’s when it re-entered the Japanese market was finding locations that were profitable, and this partnership enables it to utilize First Kitchen’s 130 already established restaurants. If the test is successful, it may expand to more First Kitchen locations.<\/p>\n

Wok Box <\/strong>announced\u00a0plans to open 44 stores across FL this year, with 24 in South FL. The chain’s first FL location is slated to open in Coral Springs in August.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Another Broken Egg Cafe<\/strong>\u00a0announced the signing of a landmark franchise agreement to open a dozen restaurants throughout the San Diego area over the next five years.<\/p>\n

Applebee’s<\/strong> announced the company is now 100% franchise-owned after parent\u00a0DineEquity Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0sold off its remaining 23 corporate-owned locations in the Kansas City, MO, area. DineEquity has sold 502 locations since acquiring Applebee’s in 2007. Additionally, the company is seeking growth opportunities throughout WA during the coming 18 months.<\/p>\n

Baskin-Robbins<\/strong>\u00a0announced that it is seeking Los Angeles entrepreneurs to develop new and existing ice cream shops in Southern CA specifically in Glendora, Long Beach, Oceanside, and Pico Rivera, as well as San Diego.<\/p>\n

BJ’s Restaurants, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0opened its first TN location in\u00a0Murfreesboro.<\/p>\n

Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company will open its first WA location in September.<\/p>\n

Bojangles<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company will open between 59 and 63 stores in fiscal 2015. The restaurant chain initially planned to open 50 to 57 stores this year, including in WV and KY where it has a pipeline of 90 restaurants in development.<\/p>\n

Capriotti\u2019s Sandwich Shop\u00a0<\/strong>opened its first NE location Lincoln.<\/p>\n

Carolina Ale House<\/strong>\u00a0brand announced the company will open at least three more locations in Chapel Hill, NC, VA, and FL before the end of this year.<\/p>\n

Chick-fil-A, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced the grand opening date and local franchise owner of its first freestanding restaurant in New York City. The restaurant, located at the corner of West 37th<\/sup> Street and 6th<\/sup> Avenue in the city’s Garment District, is set to open 10\/3\/15. The three-story, 5,000-sq-ft restaurant will be Chick-fil-A’s largest in the country and will be independently owned and operated by local resident Oscar Fittipaldi.<\/p>\n

Chipotle<\/strong>\u00a0stated the company will roll out two new store prototypes in the Kansas City, MO, area and will introduce two designs with smaller footprints by the end of this year (Wichita, KS, and Dallas, TX). If successful, the prototypes could be implemented in all of Chipotle’s new restaurants.<\/p>\n

Del Taco\u00a0<\/strong>announced\u00a0expansion plans into the Southern region of the US with a recently-signed ten store development agreement for the Knox County, TN, area by 2021, with the first restaurant slated to open in 2016.<\/p>\n

Dunkin\u2019 Donuts<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company will continue its CA expansion by building 26 new locations in San Francisco and Fresno (Clovis, Visalia, and Tulare).\u00a0The first restaurants under both of the deals are expected to open in 2017. Additionally, the company announced it will open Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in Baton Rouge and its surrounding areas.<\/p>\n

Fuddruckers<\/strong>, a TX-based heritage brand, opened its first KS location with a fast casual restaurant at 1705 Village West Parkway in Kansas City.<\/p>\n

Golden Chick<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is seeking growth opportunities throughout AR, GA, MO, OK, SC and TX during the coming 18 months.<\/p>\n

Grabbagreen<\/strong>\u00a0announced that it will expand its footprint into the Eastern United States with a 34-store development agreement with the first location slated to open in Greensboro, NC.\u00a0This announcement follows multi-unit deals in Dallas, TX, and Phoenix, AZ, since Grabbagreen launched their franchise efforts in April.\u00a0The company also <\/strong>mentioned it is opening soon in Southern CA. The deal will bring 80 Grabbagreen stores to Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties over the next several years.\u00a0An additional 15 stores will be developed in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.<\/p>\n

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced it is expanding its paw print to the state of CO.\u00a0Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs will be a first-class destination resort, providing families with more than 380,000sq-ft of entertainment offerings and lodging amenities to enjoy.\u00a0Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs will also feature several dining options and food outlets, including the brand’s signature Lodge Wood Fired Grill<\/strong> restaurant and bar, and Hungry as a Wolf<\/strong> handcrafted pizza and pasta.\u00a0The resort is expected to open in late 2016.<\/p>\n

Hooters of America <\/strong>announced expansion plans for Hooters domestic growth, which includes plans for over 50 new franchise locations in the next five years.<\/p>\n

Hot Head Burritos<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company is expanding its national footprint with plans to enter the Las Vegas market, OH, and Movi, MI.<\/p>\n

Huddle House<\/strong>\u00a0announced plans to open\u00a0the region\u2019s first Huddle House restaurant early next year and a second location in late 2016 in South TX. The new South TX Huddle House restaurants will be freestanding locations that reflect the 51-year-old chain\u2019s dynamic new look and branding. It\u00a0will seat up to approximately 100 guests and both locations will be open 24-hours.<\/p>\n

Jamba, Inc.<\/strong>\u00a0announced an acceleration of its retail growth plan with a development agreement that will yield 25 new locations in key NY markets. Jamba offers flexible retail formats ranging from full-size, traditional stores to several smaller formats that lend to placement in a broad set of locations. The 25 new locations will be comprised of a variety of Jamba formats, and will be built in Manhattan and Long Island with plans to open the first four to six locations by early 2016.<\/p>\n

Jersey Mike\u2019s Subs<\/strong>\u00a0opened its first UT location in Cottonwood Heights.<\/p>\n

Johnny Rockets<\/strong>\u00a0announced further expansion plans into college and university campuses through its Express prototype. Johnny Rockets Express<\/strong>, a quick-service prototype ideal for universities, airports, malls and other entertainment destinations, offers flexible floor plans with options ranging from a 150-sq-ft, free-standing kiosk to a 1,100-sq-ft restaurant.<\/p>\n

Kona Grill<\/strong>\u00a0stated expansion plans for locations in\u00a0Miami, FL; Cincinnati, OH; Las Vegas, NV; and Friendswood, TX, outside of Houston opening later this year.<\/p>\n

Marcus Hotels & Resorts<\/strong>\u00a0announced an agreement to sell its\u00a0Hotel Phillips<\/strong>\u00a0in Kansas City, MO.<\/p>\n

MGM Resorts International’s<\/strong>\u00a0announced its $1.3B casino resort in Prince George’s County, MD, is under construction. MGM National Harbor<\/strong> will span 1M-sq-ft and is expected to open toward the end of 2016.<\/p>\n

MOD Pizza<\/strong>\u00a0opened its first NC store in\u00a0Raleigh and announced the company will open five locations in Houston, TX.<\/p>\n

Modmarket<\/strong>\u00a0announced the company will expand to one or two new markets per year starting in 2016, opening 10 to 15 locations annually. The farm fresh fast-casual chain intends to keep new restaurants under company ownership rather than through a franchise model due to the concept’s complexity.<\/p>\n

MOOYAH\u00a0Burgers, Fries & Shakes<\/strong>\u00a0opened its first OH location in Cleveland.<\/p>\n

Papa Murphy’s <\/strong>announced the company will open as many as 115 additional domestic stores in the near future. Between 15 and 20 of these new stores will be company-owned.<\/p>\n

Piada Italian Street Food<\/strong>\u00a0stated the company will open its first MN location inside Mall of America; it\u2019s slated to open before the holiday season.<\/p>\n

Pie Five Pizza\u00a0<\/strong>opened\u00a0its first IN location in Indianapolis and announced the company will add 25 locations in Branson and Springfield, MO; Tucson, AZ; and Albuquerque, NM. The first location is set to open next year in Branson, MO.<\/p>\n

Pizza Hut<\/strong>\u00a0mentioned the company is seeking growth opportunities throughout CT, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, upstate NY, western PA, RI, VA and VT during the coming 18 months.<\/p>\n

PizzaRev<\/strong>, a fast-casual pizza concept backed by\u00a0Buffalo Wild Wings<\/strong>, announced plans to develop the brand in Reno, Carson City, and Sparks, NV. The brand will enter five new states before the end of the year, including NV, CO, OH, MA, and NY.<\/p>\n

Portillo’s<\/strong>\u00a0stated the company will open its first FL location in March 2016 in Brandon, but other locations — including a possible expansion into Central FL — could follow.<\/p>\n

Russo’s New York Pizzeri<\/strong>a<\/strong> and\u00a0Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen<\/strong> announced plans to expand the brands’ footprint in HI.<\/p>\n

Smashburger<\/strong> announced the company will open a location in Shakopee, MN, with more restaurants planned for Rochester, St. Paul, Wayzata, and Blaine, MN. Additionally, the company announced partnerships for new airport locations. Smashburger has partnered with global restaurateur HMSHost<\/strong>, the largest airport food and beverage operator in the country to introduce the brand\u2019s fresh, made to order burgers at the following venues:<\/p>\n