Growth Archive

Casual Dining

Atlanta’s Antico Pizza Napoletana Celebrates 15 Years of Business

Atlanta’s famed Antico Pizza Napoletana is still going strong as it approaches its 15th birthday in September. Since opening in 2009, the beloved eatery has garnered accolade after accolade for the best pizza throughout the country. This astonishing list now numbers more than 50 accolades and awards, including one of the world’s most-sought-after hospitality awards: the coveted MICHELIN Bib Gourmand. So how does a pizza […]

Tom’s Watch Bar Opening in Orlando

Go big or go home at Orlando’s newest sports bar experience coming this spring, Tom’s Watch Bar, where every seat is the best seat in the house. While your focus might be on the giant stadium screens or the 150+ TVs lining the restaurant and bar, guests can also take in amazing views of the […]

Nana’s Chicken & Waffles to Open Second Store in Sandy Springs, Georgia

Nana’s Chicken & Waffles, a popular eatery that has grown in popularity from their vast assortment of waffles (including red velvet waffles, lemon waffles, cinnamon roll waffles, banana foster waffles, strawberry shortcake waffles, peach cobbler waffles, banana pudding waffles and more), have announced today that they are opening their second location in Sandy Springs  — at The […]

New Japanese Concept Omakase Shoji Opens in Chicago’s West Town Neighborhood

With a rich background steeped in Japanese culinary tradition, Takashi Iida and Shoji Takahashi bring their unparalleled expertise to the heart of Chicago’s West Town neighborhood with the grand opening of Omakase Shoji (1641 W Chicago Ave). The concept is a collaborative effort led by the guidance of Takashi Iida, with the execution overseen by […]


Franchising

World’s Largest Applebee’s Franchisee Flynn Group Signs 25-Unit Deal

Applebee’s, one of the world’s largest casual dining brands, recently signed an agreement with the world’s largest restaurant franchise operator, Flynn Group, with the goal to open 25 new Applebee’s restaurants in the U.S. over the next seven years. This expansion goal is part of Applebee’s development strategy to return the brand to net new unit openings. Tony […]

The Melting Pot Signs Franchising Agreement in Bentonville, Arkansas

The Melting Pot, the 92-unit fondue franchise that has built a brand around providing a one-of-a-kind experiential dining atmosphere, has signed a franchise agreement in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Chad Hickerson; his wife, Candice Bright; and his mother-in-law, Diana Bonnett, have signed an agreement to open the first Melting Pot location in Arkansas in the Bentonville area. […]

Rock N Roll Sushi Sees Hot Start to 2024

Rock N Roll Sushi, the lively restaurant chain known for its original, American-style sushi experience and rockin’ vibes, has kicked off its 2024 show with a series of big, loud hits. The brand has continued its western expansion, opening a second Phoenix area location in Goodyear, Arizona, and signed on two additional agreements with KMG LLC […]

Twin Peaks Inks Multi-Unit Deal in Colorado

Twin Peaks Restaurant is expanding its presence in Colorado with its newest franchisee, James Cha, who has signed a multi-unit deal with the popular sports lodge. Cha has signed an area development agreement to initially open three new franchised Twin Peaks lodges across the Denver area in the coming years. Cha’s area development agreement covers the […]


Chain Restaurants

Iron Hill Crafts New Hazy IPA in Partnership with Make-A-Wish

Prepare to experience the enchantment of Hops & Wishes, a brand-new hazy IPA brewed by Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant (Iron Hill) in partnership with Make-A-Wish. The renowned East Coast brewery joins hands with the Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley chapter of the National Make-A-Wish Foundation (Make-A-Wish) to introduce a heartwarming collaboration set to launch on April […]

Friendly’s Announces Opening of Store Near Disney Springs

Friendly’s Restaurants, announced the soft opening of the brand’s newest location in Orlando in a prime area near Disney Springs. The new restaurant opening will bring Friendly’s presence across Florida to 3 locations while expanding the brand’s growing national footprint to more than 100 locations spanning most of the Eastern seaboard in states like Connecticut, […]

California Pizza Kitchen Announces Deals for Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day

California Pizza Kitchen has everything you need to make your Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day celebrations delicious and stress-free! Fiesta for Cinco de Mayo: CPK is offering an all day happy hour on May 5 to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Deals or Special Menu Starting at $5 Treat Mom to Her Favorite Pizza + More: […]

Mellow Mushroom Celebrating 50 Years with Events and Menu Items

Mellow Mushroom – the stone-baked pizza brand with 160+ locations nationwide – celebrates 50 years of business this year and is set to mark the golden anniversary with a kaleidoscope of celebratory events across locations from May 14 to November 2024. Mellow Mushroom will commemorate five decades with the launch of a company-wide, limited-time-only anniversary […]

Virtual Dining Concepts and IHOP to Expand Partnership

Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC), the platform for adding revenue to restaurants, will expand its collaboration with IHOP, as a provider of virtual brands for the iconic restaurant chain. This expansion allows three of VDC’s top brands to be available for delivery from IHOP restaurants nationwide, attracting new and existing guests. The collaboration introduces two new […]


Hotel & Lodging

Tre Dita Opens at The St. Regis Chicago

Tre Dita (401 E. Wacker Drive, 2nd Fl., Chicago, IL 60601) and Bar Tre Dita are now open at The St. Regis Chicago. A collaboration between award-winning Chef Evan Funke (Funke, Mother Wolf, Felix) and Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Tre Dita marks the Los Angeles-based chef’s first Chicago restaurant. Italian for “three fingers,” Tre Dita […]

My Place Hotels of America Teams with Grubhub

My Place Hotels of America is partnering with Grubhub, a leading online and mobile food ordering and delivery platform, to upgrade guests’ dining experience at its hotels. Guests of My Place Hotels can order from Grubhub’s network, which includes more than 365,000 restaurants and convenience stores, for delivery directly to the hotel, with $0 delivery […]

Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery to Open Enclos in Spring

Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyards & Winery, Sonoma’s premier producer of small lot, earth-conscious Bordeaux-style wines, and acclaimed Chef Brian Limoges announced the opening of Enclos in spring 2024.  Located just a few steps from historic Sonoma Plaza in California’s wine country, the vibrant new restaurant will feature an engaging seasonally inspired tasting menu, an […]

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa Announces New Restaurants for Spring

Nestled in the heart of Coachella Valley, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa announced two new restaurants by acclaimed Chef Angelo Sosa, Tía Carmen and Carmocha, slated to open in late spring 2024. The opening of Tía Carmen marks the restaurant’s second location, following its highly acclaimed debut in Phoenix in April 2022.  When […]

Hard Rock Hotel New York Appoints Oscar Gonzalez F&B Director

Hard Rock Hotel New York announced the appointment of Oscar Gonzalez as their new Food & Beverage Director. With an illustrious career steeped in culinary innovation and a profound commitment to exceptional guest experiences, Gonzalez steps into this pivotal role after his successful tenure as the property’s Executive Chef, bringing a wealth of expertise and […]

The Allison Inn & Spa Hires New Leaders

The Allison Inn & Spa, Oregon Wine Country’s luxury boutique hotel, welcomed Ron Stevens as the new director of food & beverage and Jill King as marketing and communications manager. “We are incredibly excited to welcome Ron and Jill to our growing team at The Allison,” says General Manager Percy Brandon. “Jill’s local perspective and […]



NextGen Casual

Pinstripes Officially Opens in Orlando

Pinstripes, the acclaimed experiential dining and entertainment destination, officially opened the doors to its Vineland Pointe in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, April 20. The brand’s second Florida location (and 17th location nationwide) features a full-service bistro serving chef-driven Italian-American cuisine and handcrafted cocktails, 16 bowling lanes, four indoor and outdoor bocce courts, two outdoor patios and four […]

Five Iron Golf Signs Lease to Open in Port Chester, New York

Five Iron Golf announced the signing of a lease for a new franchise location at 179 North Main Street in Port Chester, NY. Led by seasoned professionals John Cornelius, Jake Dowden, Jeff Kelly, and George Jamgochian, this venture will bring the renowned Five Iron Golf brand to the vibrant Port Chester area of Westchester County. […]

First Watch Completes Acquisition of 21 North Carolina Franchised Restaurants

First Watch announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of 21 of its franchise-owned restaurants and corresponding development rights in North Carolina for an aggregate purchase price of $75 million on a cash-free, debt-free basis. “This acquisition, which represents our largest First Watch franchise acquisition to date, is an important part of our long-term […]


Dave & Buster’s Names Darin Harper CFO

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment announced that it has appointed a new Chief Financial Officer, Darin Harper, who will join the company on June 17, 2024. The company’s existing Chief Financial Officer, Michael Quartieri, will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer until June 16, 2024 to ensure a smooth transition to his successor prior to his previously announced retirement. “I […]


Casual Dining

General Mills Foodservice Announces Finalists for Biskies Recipe Contest

Celebrating the best biscuit creations on menus nationwide, General Mills Foodservice announces the four finalists in its 2nd Annual Biskies Recipe Contest, who will each receive at least a $5,000 cash prize and qualify for the $20,000 Grand Prize. The Grand-Prize Recipe Winner will be named following a public voting phase taking place today through […]

Otis Spunkmeyer Debuts New Website

It just got easier to find everyone’s favorite cookies. With the debut of the new OtisSpunkmeyer.com, the fully redesigned website provides the ultimate user-friendly experience with improved site navigation. The website showcases the entire Otis Spunkmeyer baked goods portfolio, bringing the most delicious cookies, muffins, brownies, and loaf cakes straight to the user’s fingertips. “Our […]

Sabert Corporation Launches New Catering Pop-Top Family

Sabert Corporation, a leading global manufacturer of innovative and sustainable food packaging solutions, announced the launch of its new Catering Pop-Top family. A game-changer for foodservice operators, this distinctive catering bowl line offers unmatched functionality and convenience for any catering occasion, from workplace meetings to large-scale events. The Catering Pop-Top features a unique hinged lid […]

US Foods Plans Five More CHEF’STORE Locations in 2024

US Foods Holding Corp. announced its plan to open five new CHEF’STORE locations in 2024. The new stores will be in Beaverton, Ore.; Hampton, Va.; Hickory, N.C.; Sandy Springs, Ga.; and Virginia Beach, Va. The new locations are expected to open in the second half of 2024. CHEF’STORE offers a one-stop-shop for restaurant operators, food […]

FoodLuma Names Catherine Trujillo Chief Growth Officer

FoodLuma has named Catherine Trujillo, a seasoned sales and marketing executive, as its Chief Growth Officer. Trujillo has over 20 years of experience in the food industry and previously held leadership roles at Whole Foods Market, Tony’s Fine Foods (Formerly Columbus Foods), and La Boulangerie San Francisco Bakery & Cafe. Trujillo joins FoodLuma from Rubicon […]