Wingstop is one of America’s most popular hot wing chains, with over seven consecutive years of same store sales growth. They’ve been named one of the best franchise deals in the country as well by the quick service industry magazine QSR. 95% of the chain’s nearly 500 locations in America and Mexico are franchise owned.
The CEO of the fresh salad chain Saladworks, John Scardapane, was honored recently by SmartCEO magazine. He was handed the “Chief Executive Officer of the Year Award” at the Philadelphia SmartCEO Business Awards event on May 11th. The magazine also chose the Saladworks chain as one of the companies with great growth potential over the next 10 years.
Starbucks Coffee Company, the US based corporate arm of the popular brand, has now assumed 100 percent ownership of nearly half of the Chinese based Starbucks locations. Maxim’s Caterers was the partner in charge of locations in provinces like Sichuan and Shaanxi but they relinquished those areas to the main corporation. In exchange Maxim’s Caterers received complete control over the Hong Kong locations.
Restaurants Unlimited, an operator of a variety of concept restaurants, has announced the appointment of a new CEO. Chris Harter is joining the company after his time as the President of Levy Restaurants, another large multi-concept company. He helped develop outstanding locations like the Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe and Bistro 110.
The Mazzio’s chain offers quality pizza and other Italian foods in a fast casual environment, and the company has signed a new franchising agreement to bring the brand to Virginia. This would be the first East Coast locations for the 50 year old chain. The chain is largely based in the Midwest, with 170 currently operating restaurants.
Two new Grandy’s locations are coming to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A new franchise contract between the Grandy’s company and Sam Poonawala will create the two convenience store locations by the end of this year. The brand combines other convenience store fixtures with home cooked Southern foods and sweet tea.
Dunkin’ Donuts will be adding four new locations to the Montgomery, Alabama area. The company signed a franchise agreement with Harrison Kwan to develop stores this Southern town that the chain hasn’t reached yet. The first location will open during 2012, and the next three will be built by 2016. Kwan now owns exclusive rights to the brand within the Montgomery area due to the agreement as well.
La Carafe Restaurant and Wine Bar celebrated its opening in the Hell’s Kitchen area recently. The restaurant is small, featuring only 30 tables, and offers a homey interior with rustic Italian décor. The menu combines French Mediterranean dishes constructed by the chef and owner Al Rineh with a full wine list.
Irving will be the home of the newest Freebirds World Burrito location. The location will celebrate its grand opening on June 8th by giving the first 25 customers free burritos for a year. The Freebirds brand combines tastes and toppings from around the world in their healthy and tasty burritos, wraps, salads and sandwiches.
North Dallas is getting a new Dickey’s Barbecue Pit location that fits the Texas barbecue obsession very well. Guy New will be developing this location, impressed by the restaurant when he first visited other Texas locations of the chain. Dickey’s is currently engaged in rapid expansion of their brand, and this new location is just one of dozens currently working towards opening.