Fast-casual The Stand Restaurant will expand into the Texas market, adding 15 to 20 restaurants. The new licensing agreement with Norman Abdallah and Neil Billingsley-Michaelsen of Buffalo1942, LLC will mark the first new market entry for the Southern California chain. The Stand specializes in American fare “with a twist,” featuring made-to-order burgers, sandwiches, locally-made sausages salads, sides, and desserts with a focus on local sourcing.
The Habit Burger Grill will open a new restaurant in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Tela Toul Kork Station is the latest international destination of the fast-casual, charbroiled burger chain. The Charburger will land in the heart of Cambodia’s capital thanks to a deal with franchise partner Kampuchea Tela Company, LTD.
Julio Ramirez is the new CEO of BurgerFi, according to an announcement from Opes Acquisition Corp., the restaurant chain’s owner. As a nearly-thirty-year restaurant industry veteran with deep QSR and franchising experience, he will take the fast casual through its next chapter of growth, suggested Ophir Sternberg, chairman & chief executive of OPES Acquisition Corp.
Fast-casual BurgerFi expanded the rollout of the new Spicy Fi’ed Chicken Sandwich. The all-natural, cage-free chicken sandwich is already available at corporate restaurants, and is currently being added to menus at all 125 locations—to be completed by mid-October. Charlie Guzzetta, president of BurgerFi, said, “We think that this will be the new spicy lovers’ go-to sandwich…”
Qdoba Mexican Eats named Jeannie Cho chief marketing officer. Cho’s experience includes work with growing high-profile brands, namely Lay’s, Doritos and Cheetos, during her tenure at PepsiCo, where she was assigned to the role of Marketing VP for the Frito-Lay portfolio—a multi-billion-dollar enterprise. There, Cho saw the culmination of her work in innovation and digital marketing as she positioned its brands for record growth, which was realized during her tenure.
Frozen yogurt chain Yogurtland launched a new, more upscale, fast-casual concept, known as Holsom, which will have an expanded menu and offer signature items that include made-to-order grain bowls and toasts. The first restaurant will debut in Huntington Beach, Calif. Grain bowls come in Classic, Thai Peanut, Greek, and Chipotle Southwest versions.
Just Salad partnered with Barcelona-style tapas bar Boqueria to launch The Catalan, a new Spanish-inspired salad, which is available through October 23. The new, limited-time offer (LTO) menu item helps raise funds for RAICES, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services. The non-profit agency promotes justice through free- and low-cost services to underserved immigrants.
Lauren Cody has taken the role of chief of staff and chief customer officer for Panera Bread, the fast-casual chain announced. She has deep experience in strategy and business and consumer insights. In addition, Panera noted that over her twenty years in the restaurant industry,, Cody has developed a global business leadership acumen.
Noodles and Company reported positive, systemwide comp(arable) sales for its September period, ending on the 29th, according to an announcement of preliminary third-quarter results. The fast-casual chain posted comp sales of 0.4 percent in September compared to last year, recovering from a 4.7-percent and 8.2-percent decline for the periods ending July 28 and August 25, respectively. During September, company stores increased comp sales by 1.0 percent, but franchise restaurants dropped by 3.2 percent.
Chipotle Mexican Grill returned Carne Asada to its menu nationwide in the United States, available to rewards members only September 22 to 23. Through the app, Chipotle customers in the loyalty program will have first crack at the limited-time offer (LTO) steak protein. And from September 24 to 27, Carne Asada can be accessed by all customers exclusively through digital ordering on the Chipotle app or at Chipotle.com. Finally, all customers can order Carne Asada starting September 28, including in-restaurant and through third-party delivery providers.
