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Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor

Articles by
Lisa Jennings

Page 7
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.

Operations

Hard Rock International taps Major Food Group to curate F&B

Known for concepts like Carbone, The Grill and Dirty French, the multi-concept operator will bring dining options to both existing and new properties under development.

Operations

Focus Brands is changing its name to GoTo Foods

The parent of McAlister's Deli, Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Carvel, Jamba, Schlotzsky's and Moe's Southwest Grill is evolving into a "platform business."

Operations

Even blizzards didn't keep guests away from Texas Roadhouse

Guests are ordering less alcohol and more from the value side of the menu, but traffic was up 5.1% in the fourth quarter at company units.

Operations

Shake Shack stock jumps 26% after better-than-expected year-end report

Traffic for the fast-casual chain was up 1.4% in Q4. And the burger brand is testing combo meals for the first time.

Leadership

Famed Chef David Bouley dies at age 70

Among the vanguard of chefs who redefined French fine dining, Bouley also believed food had an important role in good health.

Operations

The restaurant group that includes the Etta concept files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Founder David Pisor said the move is part of a planned restructuring that could include a sale, which is designed to give the troubled restaurant group a fresh start.

Operations

Hilton Hotels exec joins Focus Brands' board

Phil Cordell, who has led both the Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn brands, joins the Atlanta-based multi-brand franchise company's board of directors in an expansion.

Emerging Brands

How Tacos 1986 is scaling the magic of a Tijuana-style taqueria

It has been a journey that involved pure grit, stretching the truth at times and former first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. But this seven-unit Los Angeles chain is preparing for the next phase of growth.

Financing

The world's largest restaurant franchise group may be for sale

The largest shareholders behind the massive Flynn Group are considering a sale of a majority stake, according to media reports.

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