Personnel Updates
• Dave & Buster’s Inc. (31) has named Brandon Coleman Chief Marketing Officer and Senior VP. He will be replacing Sean Gleason who has decided to step down, but will remain with the company through April to ease transition.
Industry Insight
• Biglari Holdings Inc. and The Steak n Shake Operations Inc. are planning to reopen 107 closed franchise owned stores. The locations will be reopened as quick serve counter service only and there is no set timetable for the reopening’s.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has launched its new Queso Blanco menu item to all nationwide stores.
• Donatos Pizzeria LLC and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. have changed their licensing deal and plan to roll out Donatos Pizza to all of Red Robin’s more than 500 locations.
• KFC Corporation’s Chicken and Donuts menu item will be available at all restaurants nationwide. The donuts can be ordered as a sandwich or separately and will be glazed upon ordering. KFC hopes this product will give them an edge in the chicken sandwich battle against Chick-fil-A Inc. and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc.
• The Panera Bread Company has initiated a monthly coffee subscription to all of its stores. The subscription will offer unlimited coffee as Panera hopes to drive new and returning customer back into stores.
Financial Focus
• An 80% stake of Wagamama US has been acquired by investors Robert Cornog and Richard Flaherty.
• Cosi Inc. has closed 30 stores and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It is unclear what will happen to the company’s remaining locations.
Real Estate
• Another Broken Egg of America Inc. has opened a new location in Flowood, MS. This will be the chain’s second location in Mississippi.
• Culver Franchising System Inc. is planning to open a new location in Plant City, FL.
• I Heart Mac & Cheese has plans to open four franchised stores in California starting in November. The new locations will be in Los Angeles, Westwood, Claremont, and Fullerton.
• Ike’s Love & Sandwiches has franchise deals to open 10 new restaurants in Florida and 5 new restaurants in Denver starting this year.
• Pi Pizzeria is planning to bring their pizza restaurants nationwide through a new franchising deal. They have yet to announce how many new stores they hope to launch this year.
• Slim Chickens has plans to open up over 30 new restaurants his year in Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, Washington, and internationally in the United Kingdom. They have also just opened a new location in Mt Juliet, TN.
