Food & Beverage News

The swift rise of ramen restaurants across the U.S. has inspired a new wave of Japanese concepts that are not focused on sushi. Sushi is now considered as much a part of the American culinary experience as pizza. Ramen restaurants can be found in most major cities. And now, a growing number of chains based…

Boston Market has named Frances Allen, left, CEO, effective immediately, the rotisserie chain based in Golden, Colo., said. She replaces George Michel, who is retiring. Allen had been president of Jack in the Box since October 2014. Before that she was executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Denny’s. She also has worked at…

Cicis took the interim tag off William Mitchell’s CEO title, the company announced May 8. Mitchell, the former president of Dunkin’ Brands International, held the position since January. “Bill has an outstanding track record as a leader of large franchise systems, improving operations, customer service and overall business growth,” said Arlon managing director Ben Fishman.…

Suzanne Greco will be retiring as Subway CEO after three years, and the company has named brand development chief Trevor Haynes as interim CEO, the company said. The Milford, Conn.-based sandwich chain said Haynes, the Subway’s chief business development officer who joined the company in 2006 and serves on the brand’s executive leadership team, would…

The company has 44,000 locations globally — more than any other retailer. The National Retail Federation put its US store count at nearly 27,000 as of 2016, compared to 17,500 for Yum Brands, which runs Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC, and the 14,000 locations for McDonald’s). The company said Wednesday it expects stores to close after…

Dunkin’ Donuts completed the conversion of a simplified menu in 100% of its U.S. units in the first quarter ended March 31. The menu change should increase afternoon sales and make value campaigns more effective, said David L. Hoffman, president of Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. and Canada. “This massive undertaking resulted in a 10% reduction of…

Kent Taylor stuffed the proposal into an envelope and scootered his way to Ross Perot’s Bermuda vacation home. The billionaire and former presidential candidate was staying in a home tucked behind a gated community, but Taylor, the founder and CEO of Texas Roadhouse, has never been one to reverse course in the face of resistance.…

California institution In-N-Out Burger is going down under in its latest attempt to protect its world-known trademarks. In the latest challenge, the Irvine, Calif.-based operator has accused an Australian burger brand with trademark infringement. The fast-food burger joint Down N’ Out, with two locations in Sydney, bills itself as selling “American style burgers, done right.”…

White Castle will debut the Impossible Slider — a variation on its iconic mini-sandwiches using the plant-based Impossible Burger — at 140 locations in New York, New Jersey and Chicagoland. The move makes the 400-unit hamburger chain, based in Columbus, Ohio, the largest restaurant group to serve the meat alternative. “Innovation has been core to everything we’ve…

Farmwise, L.L.C., maker of fries, rings and tots made with vegetables, has closed a $4.5 million financing round led by Cleveland Avenue L.L.C., the venture capital firm founded by former McDonald’s Corp. chief executive officer Don Thompson. Founded in 2014, Boston-based Farmwise uses a blend of vegetables, legumes and potatoes to produce its Veggie Fries,…