Personnel Updates

• Barbeque Integrated Inc. (12) has named James O’Reilly CEO of its Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill restaurants.

• Terry’s (8) has named Millicent Hawkins to the role of CEO.

• Rave Restaurant Group Inc. (24) named Mike Burns as the brand’s new chief operations officer. Rave also named Douglas Kwong as vice president of marketing, Justin Smith as senior director of operations for Pizza Inn and Aaron Archuleta as director of operations for Pie Five Pizza.

Industry Insight

• Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. is planning to put “Chipotlanes” in half of the restaurants currently under construction, and the chain plans to open between 150 to 165 new locations in 2020, with more than half including a Chipotlane. The Chipoltlane will be restricted to digital orders.

• Potbelly Corporation has redesigned its Logan Square, Chicago location with a streamlined ordering system. The dining room is now completely separate from the ordering stations to allow diners a relaxing spot to enjoy their meal.

• Shake Shack Inc. announced a partnership with Grubhub to allow delivery.

• YUM! Brands Inc. is testing a new fried chicken tenders and chili pepper sauce product at Taco Bell that could be available nationwide in the summer of 2020.

Financial Focus

• HRI Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as part of an initial sales agreement to Landry’s Restaurants Inc. for $40 million in cash.

• Pork & Mindy’s filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on November 5. They will be closing all locations.

Real Estate

• Billy Sims BBQ Restaurants opened its first restaurant in Wisconsin.

• Curry Up Now signed a multi-unit franchise deal for the entire state of Indiana. The new stores will begin opening early 2020.

• Dave’s Hot Chicken has signed a 12 location agreement in California and they will begin opening new stores early 2020.

• Piccadilly Restaurants LLC will open a new 7,000-square-foot prototype restaurant in Denham Springs, La. in December.

• Urban Plates LLC is opening a new location Nov. 25 in Manhattan Beach, California.

Technology

• Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc will now allow customers to order through Amazon Echo devices.

• McDonald’s Corporation is testing out ordering kiosks that are able to accept cash payment.

• Moe’s Southwest Grill LLC will be opening two kiosk only stores in Pittsburgh and Charlottesville early next year. The stores will also feature Moe’s redesigned logo and new color scheme.