Personnel Updates
• Aramark (530) has named Tom Ordrof CFO and Executive VP.
• Black Bear Diners Inc. (31) has announced that President Anita Adams will be taking over the role of CEO. Former CEO Bruce Dean will transition to Executive Chairman. Also, Jeff Guido has been named COO.
• Farmer Boys Food Inc. (15) has named Dave Wetzel as the new Senior VP of Operations.
• McDonald’s Corporation (243) has named Lucy Brady as the newly created Chief Digital Customer Engagement Officer.
• RAVE Restaurant Group Inc (25) has named Clint Fendley as VP of Finance.
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (50) has removed COO Guy Constant and has named Michael Buchmeier to interim COO.
Mergers & Acquisitions
• Landry’s Restaurants Inc. completed the acquisition of HRI Inc. and its assets on Dec 30th. The sale included an undisclosed number of HRI’s company owned restaurants and those not acquired will be closed. The sale did not include the 21 franchised Houlihan’s locations.
• YUM! Brands Inc. has agreed to purchase the The Habit Restaurants Inc and their 265 restaurants for $375 million.
Financial Focus
• The Palm Restaurant Group has filed for bankruptcy and is currently seeking new owners. All of the locations will remain open.
Real Estate
• Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Inc. has signed multiple expansion agreements that will spread 44 new restaurants across the U.S. in 2020.
• Dine Brands Global, Inc. opened a new concept called Applebee’s Express in Mobile, AL. The restaurant will feature a smaller Applebee’s menu and is focused on the fast casual space.
• Huey Magoo’s Restaurants LLC has opened a new location in Ocoee, FL that will feature the company’s first drive-thru lane. This gives the company 12 stores with 10 more panned for 2020.
• Slim Chickens opened a new restaurant in Somerset, KY.
• SJAC Food Groups LLC and Zaxby’s Franchising Inc. have opened a new Zaxby’s location in Atlanta.
