This fall top level executives from the country’s biggest restaurant chains will gather together for the Restaurant Executive Summit. The event, which is sponsored by Hospitality Technology Magazine, will be held the weekend of September 14th in Chicago. The conference will give executives a chance to network, share tricks and strategies for brand management and relax with their peers.
Firehouse Subs is now using the knowledge and experience of the former Chief Operating Officer of Lonestar Steakhouse to develop new restaurants in Texas. Ryan Franklin has joined the company as an Area Representative. He’ll open his own Firehouse Subs restaurant, then he’ll be responsible for training other new franchise owners in Dallas and the surrounding area.
Fast food companies already know that some of their most regular customers are young men. However, new research shows that these men are very social media savvy and are willing to share details about their fast food experiences. Lab24 solicited intimate details about customer’s fast food favorites and ordering quirks by advertising through Facebook.
After 15 years as a high level executive in the finance department of the Chrysler Corporation, Tom Jones used his buy-out package to open his own franchise restaurant. He recently opened a Culver’s restaurant location in Madison Heights. The co-founder and current owner of the Culver’s chain, Craig Culver, visited the new location for the grand opening.
Some restaurant chains are raising their base prices up to 4% this year to compensate for higher transportation and food costs. The Texas Roadhouse chain is raising their menu prices by 1% later this summer. The price hike will also help offset the high costs of expansion. The chain is currently building and developing new locations.
Chipotle Mexican Grill is on track to use about 10 million pounds of farm fresh produce. Almost all of this 10 million pounds will come from farms within 350 miles of each restaurant location. The company began focusing on the use of local produce in 2008 and each year since then has steadily increased their use.
Outback Steakhouse made a $1 million dollar donation to a charity that works to help wounded soldiers and their families. This donation to Operation Homefront wraps up their 2011 Giving for Thanks program. The donation check was presented at a small ceremony on June 22nd in Elliott City, Maryland. The money was raised from customer purchases off of the Red, White and Bloomin’s Menu.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit has experienced explosive growth in the past year. In just 8 months the chain opened 34 stores across the country. These new locations have added jobs to struggling communities and brought new dining options to small towns. The chain also recently created a new conversion concept that helps franchisees turn old buildings into new barbecue restaurants.
Carl’s Jr., one of two chains owned and operated by CKE Restaurants, is now in Canada. The first Carl’s Jr. location opened in Kelowna, British Columbia a few days ago. The chain is planning to expand further into Canada over the next decade. The plan is to build up the number of international locations to 700 within 5 years.
Straw Hat Pizza now has a location inside Harvey’s Hotel & Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The restaurant location is over 5000 square feet in size and seats 25 in the bar alone. While other Straw Hat locations are more family friendly, this location is a combination sports bar and pizza grill restaurant. The chain serves California style pizza and stuffed calzones.