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Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor

Articles by
Lisa Jennings

Page 5
Operations

Kwame Onwuachi's return to D.C. and other hot new restaurants open or coming soon

Openings and Closings: Reverie 2.0 is almost ready in Georgetown; Early to Rise is brunching it up in San Francisco; and Detroit's Book Tower adds sushi and sandos by Hiroki Fujiyama.

Operations

4 Potbelly franchisees add to their development commitments

The deals are the latest in an ongoing franchisee acceleration program as as the sandwich chain pushes to reach 2,000 units, with 85% franchised.

Emerging Brands

At Neon Greens, the lettuce is extra, super local. It was grown next door

This new concept coming to St. Louis will have two hydroponic vertical farms attached to the restaurant where fresh lettuces are harvested just feet away from diners.

Emerging Brands

One of the biggest açai suppliers wants to be the In-N-Out Burger of the Brazilian superfood

Growing the Sambazon Açai Bowls concept will mean competing with its own CPG products and foodservice clients, but the CEO says it's about communicating the brand's mission.

Operations

Food halls: A fad still figuring it out

Nancy and Lisa debate the up and downsides of these multi-concept outlets that are a leading cause of Choice Paralysis.

Operations

Sweetgreen's robotic makelines show 10% sales lift

But the multi-tier Sweetpass subscription program is not showing results. CEO Jonathan Neman says it needs to be simpler.

Food

Panera Bread unveils a major new menu overhaul

A streamlined menu launches in April with nine new dishes and recipe upgrades for 12 classics. But say goodbye to flatbread pizzas.

Operations

Chipotle doubles down on Cultivate Next

To celebrate the venture fund's two-year anniversary, the fast-casual chain commits another $50 million to bring the investment pool to $100 million.

Operations

GoTo Foods' 4-year path to overnight transformation

The company formerly known as Focus Brands is now GoTo Foods and a "platform business." What does that really mean for franchisees of Cinnabon, McAlister's Deli, Carvel, Jamba, Schlotzsky's, Auntie Anne's and Moe's Southwest Grill?

Operations

Watch out casual-dining chains, Cava is coming for your guests

The Mediterranean fast casual is planning to enhance restaurant ambiance to make locations more inviting for dine-in. Also steak is coming to the menu.

Leadership

Joe Essa named president, COO of Yardbird

Known for his work with Wolfgang Puck Worldwide and Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, Essa is tasked with helping the casual-dining concept grow around the world.

Operations

Cava wraps landmark year with traffic growth exceeding 10%

Now comes the hard work of lapping a strong first year as a public company, but the fast-casual chain is well positioned for more "normalized" growth.

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