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Heather Lalley

Managing editor

Articles by
Heather Lalley

Page 24
Marketing

El Pollo Loco launches its first retail shop

The fast casual’s Loco Gifts and Gear shop sells shirts, totes, skateboards and more, all designed by Latino creators.

Operations

A Chicago bakery mandated boosters, then came the threats

Earlier this week, Baker Miller said it would require proof of booster shots for dine-in customers. But the café’s owners decided to shut the dining room entirely after receiving threats from anti-vaxxers.

Operations

Danny Meyer temporarily closes some restaurants, mandates boosters amid COVID surge

Seven Union Square Hospitality Group restaurants are closed until later this month and the multi-concept group will be requiring booster shots for eligible employees immediately, with diners requiring a booster starting Jan. 24.

Emerging Brands

Inside &pizza’s ambitious growth plans

The fast-casual pizza concept, which has about 60 units, plans to open 40 new stores by the end of next year. It also isn’t ruling out a possible IPO one day.

Operations

For indies, omicron brings a terrifying déjà vu

Surging COVID cases among employees and customers are forcing restaurants to temporarily shut down during what is typically a busy holiday season. And the new year brings more uncertainty.

Technology

How the pandemic is speeding up tech adoption at BurgerFi

The fast casual is experimenting with robots, self-ordering kiosks and more to battle labor pressures facing the industry.

Operations

The year in restaurant design trends

The pandemic pushed operators to unveil a flurry of new prototypes in 2021, codifying the changes in consumer behavior brought on by the crisis in updated designs.

Emerging Brands

With Callaway’s backing, Five Iron Golf gets ready to grow

The tech-enabled, golf-focused eatertainment chain has 11 units now with at least five more slated for 2022.

Leadership

Kevin King returns to Donatos, this time as president

King worked for the fast-casual pizza chain from 1990 to 2003 and served as vice president of development.

Operations

Diners can’t enter this new Chipotle location

Later this month, the fast casual plans to open its first Chipotlane Digital Kitchen with an order-ahead drive-thru and walk-up window but no indoor access for customers.

Financing

Fat Brands completes $130M purchase of Fazoli’s

The acquisition of the fast casual brings the brand collector to about 2,300 global restaurant locations and an expected $2.2 billion in systemwide sales for 2022.

Leadership

Wingstop names its first chief people officer

Donnie Upshaw, who had served as SVP of people for the fast-casual wing chain, was elevated into the new post to oversee culture and talent management for the brand.

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