Personnel Updates:
Biggby Coffeeco-founder Mary Roszel will retire this year.
CBC Restaurant Corp. (dba Corner Bakery Café) named Nick Booras and Gregg Koffler as Directors of Franchise Sales.
Dunkin’ Brandsappointed Chuck Jolley as VP of International Integration and Franchisee Profitability. The company also announced the following promotions: Jo-ming Tung to VP Greater China for Dunkin’ Brands; John Varghese to VP Middle East and Southeast Asia and Australia for Dunkin’ Brands; and Carlos Vidal to VP Europe and India for Dunkin’ Brands.
ESquared Hospitality announced that Shaun Hergatt has joined the company as Executive Chef.
Fiesta Restaurant Group announced changes effective 1/31/13: Jim Tunnessen, Exec VP/COO at Pollo Tropical, and Mike Biviano, Exec VP/COO at Taco Cabanawill retire. Danny Meisenheimer will succeed Tunnessen at Pollo Tropical, and Todd Coerver will replace Biviano at Taco Cabana.
FREEBIRDS World Burrito has named Chris Cheek as VP of Franchise Development.
Frisch’s COO Rinzy Nocero retired; the company is not seeking a successor.
Ignite Restaurant Group (dba Joe’s Crab Shack and Brick House Tavern + Tap) hired Jim Doak as VP of Menu Innovation and Corporate Executive Chef; he was most recently with Culver Franchising System. The company also promoted Kristen Temple to VP of Marketing and Deanna Par to VP of Design Services.
MGM Resortsnamed Anton Nikodemus as President/COO of Casino Marketing.
Nicholas & Company promoted Dave Robbins, Ed Carr and George Adondakis to Exec VP positions; Robbins heads up Supply Chain, Adonakis leads Human Resources, and Carr oversees Sales and Marketing.
Performance Food Group promoted Kent Berke to Senior VP of Business Development.
Pilot Flying Jnamed John Compton its CEO.
Quaker Steak & Lube named Fred Dreibholz as CFO, effective 11/1/12.
Red Lion Hotelsannounced its Chairman, Donald K. Barbieri, will retire at the end of 2012.
Six Flags Entertainment Corp.’s COO Alexander Weber Jr. retired effective 9/30/12.
The Society for Foodservice Management named Mark Freeman its new President.
TriMark United East named Joseph Thibert as President.
Tropicana Casino and Resort promoted Steve Callender to General Manager.
Veggie Grillhired Michael Beck as VP of Development; he was most recently with Ruby Tuesday.
Financial Focus:
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. reported total revenue of $2,529,1
36,000 for the year ending 8/3/12; restaurant revenue was $2,011,982,000.
36,000 for the year ending 8/3/12; restaurant revenue was $2,011,982,000.
Farmer Bros. Co. reported net sales of $495,442,000 for the year ending 6/30/12.
Piccadilly Restaurants filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Mergers & Acquisitions:
AGAR Supply Co. was acquired by Reinhart Foodservice LLC.
Centerplateannounced a management-led buyout from former majority owner Kohlberg and Company; the transaction is scheduled for 4th quarter.
K-MAC Holdings Corp. acquired a Missouri-based Taco Bell franchisee that operated 25 Taco Bell restaurants.
US Foodsacquired Glover Foodservice of Americus, GA, in early October.
Industry Insight:
B.R. Guest LLCclosed its Primehouse restaurant in New York City.
Catalina Restaurant Group converted a Carrowsrestaurant to its newest concept, Ranch House Café and Grill.
Chili’s Bar & Grill opened its first location in Costa Rica.
Duffy’s Management has relocated to 1926 10th Avenue N., Ste 300, Lake Worth, FL 33461; the phone number is 561-585-6685.
Fatburgerparent, Fog Cutter Capital Group, signed a partnership to expand the brand through China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore over the next several years.
Johnny Rocketsopened its first location in Bali.
Krispy Kremehas signed a development agreement for its first locations in India; up to 80 stoers will open over the next five years.
Papa John’s International opened its 4,000th restaurant worldwide.
Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza opened its first overseas location in Dubai; the franchisee plans to open 100 Papa Murphy’s throughout the Middle East.
Pinnacle Entertainment opened L’Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge on September 1.
Quiznos will be expanding in the Dominican Republic over the next several years.
Wyndham Worldwide was named one of the 50 best companies for Latinas by the annual LATINA Style 50 report.
Yum! Brandsclosed its KFC locations in Pakistan in the wake of the anti-American protests there.
Real Estate:
CBC Restaurant Corp. (dba Corner Bakery Café) is targeting Portland OR, Sacramento CA, Minneapolis MN, Boston MA, Madison WI, Indianapolis IN, Orlando FL, Pittsburgh PA, Little Rock AR, Oklahoma City and Tulsa OK, and Omaha NE for franchise development in the coming years. Corner Bakery Café also signed a development agreement that will bring its first restaurants to the Northwest; 18 restaurants in the Seattle market are planned over the next seven years.
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. is seeking franchisees in existing markets, including Baltimore, Washington DC, and select markets throughout VA.
Dunkin’ Donutshas four multi-unit development agreements for 29 new restaurants in Houston and Waco TX over the next few years. The first will open next year and the remainder by 2019. Dunkin’ Donuts will also open two locations in Cincinnati, one in 2014 and one in 2015.
Front Burner Brands is targeting south FL for expansion of its Burger21 concept and is seeking qualified franchisees.
Jake’s Wayback Burgers opened its first NH location and will soon be opening locations in CT, NH, NY, MD, MA, NJ, OR, PA, and SC.
Matchbox Food Group is expanding by at least six new locations, with two scheduled to open in DC and northern VA by early next year.
Panda Expressopened outlet #1,500 with its first location in the Memphis area.
TCBY announced that the Seattle metro area has been identified as a priority market for continued expansion, along with its sister brand, Mrs. Fields Cookies.
Green Initiatives:
Marriott International released its second sustainability report, announcing a $2.5M investment in its environmental portfolio over the past three years as well as contributions to workforce development for disadvantaged youth around the world.
Wyndham Worldwide reduced its carbon footprint by 5% in 2011 compared to 2010 based on energy per square foot, according to its second annual Sustainability Report.