Food & Beverage News

Papa John’s International Inc. has appointed Jim Norberg as the company’s first chief restaurant operations officer, the company said. Norberg, who had served as chief operating officer at McDonald’s USA until 2015, will oversee the operations of corporate and franchise stores for the Louisville, Ky.-based quick-service pizza brand. “Jim has an impressive growth track record,…

Scott and Ally Svenson knew what they were getting into when they created MOD Pizza. The Seattle natives had found their knack for the food business when they started London-based Seattle Coffee Company (eventually acquired by Starbucks) and honed it while helping to build the Italian brand Carluccio’s. Their itch to create MOD Pizza back…

After 41 years in business, Mimi’s kick-started a refresh project Monday it believes will strengthen the chain’s connection to France, and help accentuate differentiating traits amid a growing fast-casual category. The modernization also includes a new name: Mimi’s Café is now Mimi’s Bistro + Bakery. Philippe Jean, chief operating officer for Le Duff America, Inc.,…

A franchisee of 27 Perkins Restaurant & Bakery locations filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after losing the right to use the parent company’s name. The franchisee, 5171 Campbells Land Co., based in Rankin, Pa., said in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania filing that it had assets of between $1…

As one of the oldest continuously family-owned and operated restaurants in the country, French-Creole restaurant Antoine’s of New Orleans has a rich history that goes back almost two centuries. Today, the restaurant is known for its 15 themed dining rooms including Mardi Gras themes and the Mystery room that dates back to a Prohibition-era speakeasy.…

Dallas-based Brinker International Inc. plans to buy 116 Chili’s Grill & Bar restaurants from franchisee ERJ Dining, according to a regulatory document filed Wednesday afternoon. The parent of Chili’s did not disclose the value of the deal, only stating that the restaurants generate revenue of about $300 million a year. Most of the casual-dining restaurants…

From the outside looking in, it seems like Tableside Restaurant Group is on a serious growth curve. The Sarasota-based company just opened three new restaurants in the past few months and has immediate plans for several more. But CEO Joe Seidensticker said what looks like a lot of growth at once is actually just the…

About 300 of KFC’s top marketers from around the world will descend upon the company’s global headquarters in Dallas this week to share best practices, industry trends and menu ideas. It’s at this Marketing Planning Meeting—which has been held since 2006—where much of the brand’s menu magic happens. If you’re not fully familiar with what that…

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc. is planning to develop and open more than 1,500 restaurants in China over the next 10 years through a partnership with T.F.I. T.A.B. Food Investments. Since 2012, Restaurant Brands International Inc., the parent company of Popeyes, has partnered with T.F.I., a quick-service restaurant operator in Turkey and China. Popeyes is the…

Offering donut-infused ice cream available in both milkshakes and scoop sandwiches and allowing guests to customize their donuts are two components of a shop redesign from Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp. The company planned to preview the redesign at a new Krispy Kreme in Concord, N.C., on July 23. Other innovations include digital and interactive enhancements.…