Rick Zambrano

Kathy E. Hollinger will leave the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) effective October 3 to lead the Greater Washington Partnership

Kathy E. Hollinger departs RAMW for Greater Washington Partnership CEO post

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Hollinger led RAMW since 2012, representing DMV region’s restaurants, food companies that employ 100,000 workers

Kathy E. Hollinger will leave the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) effective October 3 to lead the Greater Washington Partnership, the latter noted in an announcement. Her appointment to the critical role of Partnership CEO signals the confidence of the Washington region’s business industry influencers in her ability to create positive change and shepherd resources and critical thinking to a worthy cause.

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Marketers have long embraced reward programs to engage customers + encourage increased order spend

Restaurant chains find that loyalty marketing pays dividends

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Enterprises see loyalty programs increasing revenue, competitiveness in digital arena

Marketers have long embraced reward programs to engage customers and encourage increased order spend and frequency. Restaurant chains are seeing the value of loyalty first-hand in the context of the digital ordering explosion. A number of brands have recently launched or revamped loyalty programs in recent months, including Burger King (improved), Velvet Taco (launched), and IHOP, which rolled out its International Bank of Rewards.

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A Taco Bell Go Mobile restaurant location has opened in North Las Vegas

Taco Bell Go Mobile opens in North Las Vegas

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Dual drive-thru, dining-room-less store leverages efficiencies, speed of service of digital order-ahead

A Taco Bell Go Mobile location has opened in North Las Vegas. Diversified Restaurant Group, a multibrand quick-service franchisee debuted the first such unit in the Western United States.

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US Foods will open four new Chef’Store locations, including in Merced and Santa Cruz, Calif., and Helena, Mont. and Winston-Salem, N.C.

US Foods Chef’Stores to open in Merced, Santa Cruz, Helena, Winston-Salem

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Merced, Santa Cruz to grow California portfolio to 17 units; Helena, Montana to be third store in state; Winston-Salem, second in North Carolina

US Foods will open four new Chef’Store locations, including in Merced and Santa Cruz, Calif., and Helena, Mont. and Winston-Salem, N.C. The cash-and-carry type stores help restaurant operators, food industry pros and a variety of chefs and groups stock up on foodservice supplies, whether by the case or in individual sizes.

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Steve Salis of Catalogue restaurant group launched Pizza TBD, a hybrid Roman-style and Detroit-style pan pizza shop, on Ensemble Kitchen

Catalogue debuts Pizza TBD via Ensemble Kitchen in Washington region

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Hybrid pizza combines Roman and Detroit styles of pizza, offered on parent’s digital ordering hub

Steve Salis of Catalogue restaurant group will launch Pizza TBD, a hybrid Roman-style and Detroit-style pan pizza shop, with Ensemble Digital Kitchen in July. Pizza TBD follows Michelin Bib Gourmand concepts Honeymoon Chicken and Federalist Pig as brands offered on the Ensemble digital hub, based in Bethesda, Md.

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Plant-based dairy producer Eclipse Foods completed a Series B round of over $40M led by Sozo Ventures

Eclipse raises $40M+ in Series B round to fuel dairy replacement platform

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Series B round, led by Sozo Ventures, to accelerate growth, R&D, distribution partnerships

Plant-based dairy producer Eclipse Foods completed a Series B funding round of over $40M led by Sozo Ventures. Forerunner Ventures, Initialized Capital, Gaingels, and KBW Ventures also participated. The infusion will propel growth of the manufacturer in retail and foodservice. In addition, Eclipse Foods will be able to accelerate R&D of the company’s plant-based dairy platform, build a world-class team and drive awareness of Eclipse as a top dairy replacement product, according to a statement.

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Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant launched a test of Bear Robotics’ Servi robot in Rogers, Arkansas, increasing the time servers have with guests

Abuelo’s tests Bear Robotics’ Servi robot in Rogers, Arkansas restaurant

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Restaurant chain to test Servi’s ability to improve guest satisfaction, increase efficiency and help retain staff

Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant launched a test of Bear Robotics’ hospitality robot in Rogers, Arkansas. The goal of the test would be to help servers with service, while increasing the time servers have with guests. In the pilot at the Rogers restaurant, Abuelo’s seeks to understand Servi’s proficiency in improving guest satisfaction, increasing efficiency and helping retain restaurant staff in a tight labor market.

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Curry Up Now named Abhijit Kamath director of culinary & flavor

Curry Up Now names Abhijit Kamath director of culinary & flavor

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CIA graduate will ramp up innovation at Indian fast casual, expand non-traditional partnerships

Curry Up Now named Abhijit Kamath director of culinary & flavor. Kamath will create new, authentic dishes that align with the brand’s existing offerings, the Indian restaurant chain said. Curry Up Now further revealed its new director is one of the youngest culinary directors in the United States for a fast-casual franchise chain.

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