Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar to Close

Five rocky years since its arrival in tourist mecca Times Square, Guy’s American Kitchen & Bar, created by television rock star Guy Fieri will close. December 31 is the last day for the ill-received, yet still wildly popular restaurant that served as a touchstone for Fieri fans, employees at the restaurant have confirmed to Eater NY. Update: In a…

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Global Foodservice and Equipment Newsletter – December 15, 2017

Restaurants Have Become Increasingly Focused on Cutting Waste As restaurants become increasingly focused on cutting waste, many are taking innovative steps to meet their goals. Whether it’s completely feasible for restaurants and foodservice establishments to achieve zero-waste, however, remains questionable without changing key operational strategies. UK eatery Silo was recently celebrated for its commitment to zero…

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Le Cirque, Circo to Get New Life in New York and Dallas

The famed restaurants Le Cirque and sister brand Circo are close to announcing new locations in New York. At the same time, a location of Circo is scheduled to debut as a revamped “spa restaurant” in Dallas in February. After more than 40 years as a power-dining spot in Manhattan, the iconic Le Cirque, founded…

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3 Ethnic Cuisines Perfect for the Snacking Craze

Three years ago in this very space, when we last discussed snacking, I talked about the “globalization” of snacks—the increasing tendency of consumer packaged goods companies, in particular, to appropriate and redeploy different ethnic flavor profiles in their snack foods. Three years is practically a lifetime in the snacking world, where consumer behaviors and preferences…

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How Chefs Go from Restaurant Kitchen to Grocery Store Brand

Jeff Lotman has tried for years to get to Nobuyuki Matsuhisa to license his name. “I don’t believe in ‘no,’” the brand-licensing executive says. “I only believe in ‘No, right now.’ I have chased people for years before they’ve said yes. Chefs are often afraid they can’t get control. They can.” Where Matsuhisa, the world-renowned chef…

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Houston-Based Salad Chain Promotes Iris Campos

Salata Holdings LLC has promoted Iris Campos to be the salad chain’s first chief operating officer, the company said. Campos joined the Houston-based company in 2013, and most recently served as executive director of shared services and operations. “Iris is a seasoned and trusted member of our company, and has played an instrumental role in…

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Dunkin’ Brands President of International Steps Down

Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. president of international Bill Mitchell will leave the company in March 2018, according to an SEC filing. The company’s international leadership team will report directly to Dunkin’ Brands CEO Nigel Travis. The company did not comment on whether it is an interim move. “Under Bill’s leadership, our international operations are firmly…

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Steve Ells Stepping Down from Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

Steve Ells, chairman, founder and chief executive officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., will step down from his role and become executive chairman following the selection of a new CEO for the company. Mr. Ells founded Chipotle in 1993. “Steve is a visionary leader and one of the most successful restaurateurs in history, having grown…

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Bobby Flay Announces Franchise Plans for ‘Burger Palace’ Concept

Mesa Grill, Gato, Bar Americain. These are some of the restaurants Bobby Flay has opened in his decades-long culinary career and, as he describes them, “they’re all high-end,” with per-person check averages hovering around $60. But it’s Flay’s love for a greasier, cheesier—and cheaper—menu item that inspired the concept he’s grown to 17 restaurants and…

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