Limited-time premium steak returns November 28
Cafe Rio Mexican Grill returned Carne Asada to restaurants systemwide. Starting November 28, the fast casual chain’s premium steak is on the menu for a limited time.
Eatery Pulse Team
Aurify organizes Le Pain Quotidien, Little Beet as Convive Brands
Table by Little Beet also falling under Convive Brands umbrella
The owners of Le Pain Quotidien, The Little Beet and Table by Little Beet organized the restaurant chains under Convive Brands. Formerly, the brands were operated by Aurify Brands. Jon Weber will lead the new operating platform as its chief executive officer.
Focus Brands names former Church’s Chicken exec SVP of OPS, restaurant category
Brendan Berg to lead umbrella OPS group team, supporting Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Schlotzky’s
Focus Brands named Brendan Berg SVP of operations for the restaurant category. The 40-year industry veteran comes to the franchisor of Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Moe’s Southwest Grill, among other quick-serve chains, from Church’s Chicken. Berg has had the experience of working his way up from team member to executive leadership ranks.
Wendy’s rolls out Italian Mozzarella Sandwiches, Garlic Fries
Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich, Mozzarella Cheeseburger added to Wendy’s Made to Cave lineup
Wendy’s launched Italian Mozzarella Sandwiches and Garlic Fries. The Mozzarella Chicken Sandwich and Mozzarella Cheeseburger make up the new, limited-time lineup. In addition, Wendy’s added the Italian Mozzarella Sandwiches to the QSR burger chain’s Made to Crave line.
The Counter adds Texas BBQ Brisket Burger, new chocolate shake
Double Chocolate Cookies N Cream Shake added to menu as seasonal beverage
The Counter introduced a Texas BBQ Brisket Burger and Double Chocolate Cookies N Cream Shake. These newly-released menu items will be available for a limited time.
Brix names Sherif Mityas CEO, Dawn Petite, Friendly’s president
New company chief to oversee Red Mango, Orange Leaf, Smoothie Factory, Friendly’s
Brix Holdings named Sherif Mityas chief executive officer and Dawn Petite, brand president for Friendly’s Restaurant Group. Mityas will now take charge of the restaurant brands of Brix Holdings and Amici Partners. He will oversee Friendly’s, Red Mango, Orange Leaf, Smoothie Factory, SouperSalad and Humble Donuts.
Applebee’s returns Sizzlin’ Skillets to restaurants nationwide
Chicken & Shrimp Scampi, Garlic Parmesan Sirloin, Sizzlin’ Cheddar Bacon skillets debut
Applebee’s Sizzlin’ Skillets, including Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp, returned to participating locations nationwide. The value-priced, limited-time Sizzlin’ Skillets have been a popular draw for the casual-dining chain. This year, three new skillets—Chicken & Shrimp Scampi Skillet, Garlic Parmesan Sirloin Skillet and Sizzlin’ Cheddar Bacon—join the Bourbon Street faves, including Bourbon Street Steak.
Fat Brands strikes deal for 80 new restaurants in Texas
40 Round Table Pizza, co-branded Fatburger + Buffalo’s Express stores to open
Fat Brands and franchisee Brame Holdings LLC will open 40 new Round Table Pizza restaurants in Texas in the next 10 years. The development agreement with Brame will also lead to 40 new co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express stores. As a result of this significant franchising deal, the first handful of new locations will open in Texas in 2023.
Technomic identifies restaurant trends, brighter year for 2023
Optimism in recovery boosted by economic predictions, despite unionizing; fermenting + pickling, nourishing pink ingredients, grain products to shine
With ongoing, yet easing inflation, and the recession looming, the economic environment won’t be easy as we start 2023. However, restaurants will have a much friendlier environment as the year progresses, according to foodservice consultancy Technomic. For now, it is a mixed bag. Workers will continue to organize, demanding better wages and improved working conditions. Meanwhile, fermentation, pink ingredients and grain products will be stars on the menu. These are just some of the predictions in Technomic’s latest whitepaper, “What We Foresee for 2023.”
National Restaurant Association responds to elimination of DC’s tipped wage
Current system misunderstood, provides state minimum wage when tips are below that amount
The National Restaurant Association responded to Washington, DC voting to eliminate the tipped wage. In the District of Columbia, voters have passed Initiative 82, doing away with the tipped wage.