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Heather Lalley

Managing editor

Articles by
Heather Lalley

Page 30
Leadership

Zaxby’s hires Bernard Acoca as CEO

Zach McLeroy to become chairman. Acoca, the former El Pollo Loco CEO, becomes the chicken finger chain’s first non-founder leader in its 30-year history.

Financing

Sweetgreen files its IPO

The 140-unit fast-casual salad chain, which has been hard hit by the pandemic, becomes the fifth restaurant brand to go public this year.

Financing

Franchisees buy Rapid Fired Pizza

The fast-casual pizza chain has been acquired by franchisees Pie Guy Restaurants, with former Long John Silvers head serving as its new CEO.

Workforce

Chipotle is playing the staffing shuffle with its on-site vs. digital makelines

Workers are being shifted from the digital kitchen to the front line in short-staffed stores, forcing the fast casual to “throttle” digital orders during peak times.

Financing

Chipotle reports record-breaking third quarter sales

The fast casual said same-store sales increased 15.1% during the third quarter, with revenue climbing 21.9% to $2 billion.

Financing

Portillo’s CEO: IPO day is ‘like a rollercoaster’

The 67-unit fast casual, known for its Italian Beef sandwiches, ended its first day on the market with its share price at $29.10, up 45.5% from its starting price. It raised more than $405 million from the IPO.

Financing

Portillo’s aims high with IPO at $20 per share

The 67-unit fast casual, with a menu of regional Chicago fare like hot dogs and Italian Beef sandwiches, will offer more than 20 million shares for sale starting Thursday.

Financing

Some Casa Bonita superfans don’t want ‘South Park’s’ creators to buy the quirky landmark

A group called Save Casa Bonita has filed an objection to the proposed sale, offering to pay $3.5 million for the Mexican restaurant/tourist attraction.

Workforce

Original ChopShop wants customers to help with hiring

The 16-unit fast casual is now offering $50 referral bonuses to diners who send new hires to the chain.

Leadership

Time Out Market hires a COO

Hospitality vet Jay Coldren joins as the food hall operator’s first chief operating officer for the Americas.

Operations

Panera makes a bold climate-change pledge

The fast casual set the goal of becoming “climate positive”—removing more carbon from the environment than it emits—by 2050.

Emerging Brands

How a 6-unit fast casual is behaving like a much bigger chain

Denver-based Mici Handcrafted Italian has some big-name advisors, well-oiled operations, a thriving rewards program, and it’s starting a major growth push after 17 years building its foundation.

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