Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor

Articles by
Lisa Jennings

Page 6
Operations

Noodles & Company names Drew Madsen CEO, plots menu overhaul

The former Panera Bread president has served on the board and was interim CEO since November. He has launched a return to roots, aiming to embrace an identity as a culinary comfort kitchen.

Operations

Panera Bread appears to be relaxing ingredient standards, says report

With a major menu overhaul coming next month, the fast-casual chain may also be easing off on its commitment to responsibly raised meat.

Denver restaurateur Troy Guard is partnering with a Swedish startup to grow a fast-casual brand that is something different.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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?

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