Panera Bread is coming to Ventura, California thanks to a team of athletes. Keyshawn Johnson, a former NFL football player, opened the new restaurant with the help of other athletic business partners. He also plans to open an additional five restaurants along the California coast with the help of the First Picks team.
Brad Blum, who owns 7% of the restaurant company Cosi Inc., is pushing for a new board of directors with him at the helm. He claims to be able to turn the company around after its stock reaching an all-time low of 56 cents if he is given a chance at being CEO. He has decades of experience in the restaurant industry, including time spent as CEO of Burger King.
Big name celebrity chefs like Todd English rose to the level of stardom through talent and hard-work, but they now spend more time developing products or overseeing restaurants than cooking. Some critics argue that franchising and multiple restaurants dilute the genius of a good chef. Others feel that truly talented individuals deserve the fame.
Mimi’s Cafe is expanding its “Value Revolution” campaign by adding new Family Meals To-Go to their menu. Each of the 10 meal options serves between 4 and 5 people and costs just $25. Dinner options include Mediterranean Chicken Fettuccine, Jambalaya, Slow Roasted Turkey Breast and Oven Fresh Pot Roast.
Beef O’ Brady’s has developed a prototype restaurant design and an updated menu just in time for their California expansion. The chain currently has over 200 locations and is based in Florida, but West Coast expansion was limited before recently. Research has led the company to choose Yucca Valley as their entry point into the state.
The newest Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers location will be opening soon in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. The grand opening celebration will be held on October 3rd. Franchisees who own a Mellow Mushroom in Wilmington chose Wrightsville Beach as the best part of North Carolina for expansion.