Mixing Tech Improves Sanitation

Sanitation will always be top-of-mind for bakers to ensure the food coming out of their facilities is safe. Although most batter-based products go through a kill step, bakers must still keep the mixer as sanitary as possible. It’s reassuring to have all bases covered, especially for aerated products that don’t travel through the oven. “What is…

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Jack in the Box Exploring Sale

Jack in the Box Inc. said it is exploring a range of financial strategies to maximize shareholder value, including a possible sale of the San Diego-based burger company. In a brief regulatory filing, Jack in the Box said it “has had discussions with potential buyers; however, it noted that there can be no assurance that…

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Chipotle Adds Two to Leadership Team

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. has filled out its leadership team with the addition of two executives. Roger E. Theodoredis joins the company as chief legal officer, and Tabassum Zalotrawala has been named chief development officer. Both will report to Brian R. Niccol, chief executive officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill. Mr. Theodoredis most recently was general…

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The Cheesecake Factory Opens New Restaurants in Texas and Tennessee

The Cheesecake Factory, known for its extensive menu, generous portions and legendary desserts, today announced the opening of its newest restaurants in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Lubbock, Texas. With more than 250 menu selections including Skinny Licious dishes with 590 calories or less and Saturday and Sunday Brunch—handmade, in-house with fresh ingredients—and more than 50 signature cheesecakes and desserts, The Cheesecake…

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Jollibee Foods Corp. Acquires Final Stake in Smashburger. Jollibee’s Pursuit of Smashburger is Complete

After taking big stakes in Smashburger over the course of three years, Asia’s largest restaurant operator, Jollibee Foods Corp., said it has acquired the remaining 15 percent stake in the Denver-based better burger chain. Jollibee, based in the Philippines, operates more than 4,300 restaurants around the world under various banners including its namesake fried chicken…

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Applebee’s no Longer Fully Franchised After 69-Unit Buyout

Applebee’s has taken a step back into restaurant ownership with the purchase of 69 locations from a North Carolina franchisee, marking the first company-owned restaurants in the Applebee’s system in three years. The company said Friday it had closed on a deal to buy 69 Applebee’s from Raleigh, N.C., franchisee Apple Gold Group. The restaurants,…

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Bloomin’ Brands is Killing Discounting and Boosting Profitability

Bloomin’ Brands reinvigoration of Outback has, rightfully so, grabbed headlines in recent months. If you look back to the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the company shuttered 14 restaurants and followed by refranchising 54 corporate stores to longtime franchisee partners. In Q3 of this year—the most recent report for the legacy steakhouse—same-store sales rose 4.6…

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CAVA’s Purchase of Zoes Kitchen Becomes Official

Cava Group Inc. completed its acquisition Wednesday of Zoes Kitchen, creating a privately held Mediterranean fast-casual company with some 340 units and more than 8,000 employees. The $300 million deal, first announced in August, was financed by a “significant equity investment” from Act III Holdings, the emerging brand-accelerator financing group created by former Panera Bread CEO…

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