Eric Nomis 
Panera Bread rolled out Drive-Thru Pick-Up, leveraging its capabilities to meet the demands of consumers adopting digital ordering. The new drive-thru option combines digital ordering with drive-thru convenience. Customers order ahead on the Panera app, and then pick up orders with ease.
Jack in the Box signed an agreement for 22 new locations in Mexico. The deal with Augustin Terrazas becomes the first such in Mexico for the QSR chain in over three decades, and will expand the brand across four northern Mexican states.
Panera Bread opened at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. The new bakery-cafe began operating in the Carl J. Shapiro Clinical Center lobby. The East Campus unit at 330 Brookline Avenue is operated by PR Restaurants LLC, a premier franchisee in the consolidated New England market.
US Foods agreed to acquire Watertown, New York-based Renzi Foodservice. The acquisition of Renzi Foodservice will set the stage for greater penetration by US Foods in upstate New York. This is US Foods’ first acquisition under Dave Flitman, the broadliner’s chief executive.
Velvet Taco will open its first casino restaurant in partnership with Choctaw Casino & Resort. The new unit will be located inside of the District Food Hall in Durant, Oklahoma. The hip, taco-shop chain continues to expand as it reaches more than 40 US locations.
Captain D’s hired Steve Bailey to join the company as director of franchise development. The 20-year restaurant industry franchise sales veteran will help the seafood QSR continue to expand in targeted markets. Currently, the quick-service chain continues to focus east of the Mississippi River.
Darden agreed to acquire the parent of Ruth’s Chris Steak House for $715M, paying $21.50 per share. The all-cash transaction for Ruth’s Hospitality Group should be completed by June. Ruth’s Chris will be added to Darden’s portfolio, which includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Yard House, among others.
Rego Restaurant Group will debut a dual-branded Quiznos and Taco Del Mar restaurant in Cape Coral, FL. The multi-brand franchisor partnered with Sunshine Gasoline Distributors to debut the new unit. The parent of Quiznos and Taco Del Mar has incorporated contemporary stores designs that launched in 2022 in the new units.
Smashburger rolled out what it describes as a Virtual Drive-Thru in Houston, Texas. The better-burger chain has committed to innovate as far as the customer experience is concerned. This follows a new kitchen design that the chain unveiled – – also in an effort to meet’ consumers’ expectations for convenience and ease of access.
Church’s Texas Chicken named Neel Patel vice president, strategy & growth. The recently-created position sets the stage for the next chapter of the brands’ continued growth and expansion.
