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Heather Lalley

Managing editor

Articles by
Heather Lalley

Page 11
Financing

Saladworks parent acquires Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Zoup!

WOWorks, the collector of better-for-you fast-casual chains, now operates six brands and plans to have more than 400 locations by the end of the year.

Leadership

Freshii promotes CFO Daniel Haroun to CEO

The health-focused chain’s founder, Matthew Corrin, becomes executive chairman, while Victor Diab joins the Toronto-based brand as CFO.

Marketing

Why Grubhub is giving NYC office workers free lunch

Marketing Bites: The delivery app is seizing on cubicle-dwellers returning to their desks, Taco Bell teams up with Dolly Parton on a musical and more marketing news of the week.

Workforce

Chipotle blasts report that says it passes over Black managerial applicants

The survey, backed by two unions, found that job seekers with “racially distinctive” Black names were less likely to receive a callback for GM openings and other leadership posts than those with white-sounding names.

Technology

Wing Zone’s newest franchisee is focused on robots

The wing chain is creating Wing Zone Labs with the product development incubator behind restaurant robots like Flippy and Chippy, with the goal of fully automating its stores.

Leadership

Zaxby’s promotes Michelle Morgan to chief people officer

Morgan has been with the chicken finger chain for more than 20 years, starting out as a cashier. She’ll oversee recruitment, professional development and more.

Emerging Brands

Slutty Vegan gets $25M investment from group that includes Danny Meyer’s Enlightened Hospitality Investments

The plant-based burger concept will use the money to beef up its C-suite and fuel its expansion, CEO and founder Pinky Cole said.

Marketing

Language-learning app Duolingo is set to open a restaurant

Duo’s Taqueria, slated to open next month in Pittsburgh, will offer food discounts and freebies if customers can answer a question in Spanish.

Financing

Earnings roundup: Ruth’s Chris, STK, Chuy’s, El Pollo Loco, RAVE

Sales are up, but inflation and supply chain issues continue to cause stress for smaller, publicly traded restaurant chains.

Emerging Brands

Inside the plate lunch concept that’s growing ultra-fast with Hawaiian comfort food

Drive-thrus and a super-simple menu propelled Hawaiian Bros. Island Grill into the Top 500, with year-over-year sales growth of 172%.

Financing

Shake Shack: Cities are bouncing back, but inflation persists

Shake Shack raised menu prices another 3.5% in March and said more price hikes could be on the way.

Financing

Sweetgreen says pandemic recovery is neither ‘linear nor consistent’

But the salad chain reported Thursday that its same-store sales climbed 35% during the first quarter and earnings rose 67% over the year before.

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