Boston Market Names Chief Operating Officer

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Boston Market has named Eric Wyatt its chief operating officer, the Golden, Colo.-based company said. Most recently he was vice president of operations for a large Panera Bread franchisee where he oversaw day-to-day operations including retail, marketing, recruiting, human resources, catering facilities and bakery. He also has held senior operations roles at Starbucks, Taco Bell,… read more

La Boulangerie Acquires Loving Cup

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The owners of Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and La Boulangerie have added to their portfolio of niche brands with the acquisition Wednesday of Loving Cup, a popular six-unit dessert shop in San Francisco. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. “We bought Loving Cup because it fit nicely into our strategy of curating intimate, local brands… read more

Keurig Dr Pepper to Acquire Premium Beverage Maker

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Keurig Dr Pepper has entered into an agreement to acquire Core Nutrition L.L.C. for $525 million. Core Nutrition is a manufacturer of Core Hydration, a bottled water, and Core Organic, and the business has annual sales of approximately $200 million. Prior to the acquisition agreement, Keurig Dr Pepper and Core Nutrition were working together. Approximately… read more

Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings Parent to Buy Sonic for $2.3 Billion

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The restaurant industry has to contend with a new giant. The parent of Arby’s, Inspire Brands Inc., announced that it had agreed to acquire Sonic Corp. in a deal valued at about $2.3 billion, adding more than 3,600 locations of the burger chain to a portfolio that also includes Buffalo Wild Wings and Rusty Taco. The deal would… read more

Papa John’s Asks Potential Acquirers to Submit Offers: Sources

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Papa John’s International Inc., the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company, has reached out to potential acquirers to ask them to submit offers, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Papa John’s has come under pressure by founder John Schnatter, who owns about 30 percent of the company. He resigned as chairman in July following… read more

5 Marketing Musts to Drive Business Success

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Beth Comstock, American business executive and current Vice Chair of General Electric, once said: “Marketing’s job is never done. It’s about perpetual motion. We must continue to innovate every day.” Getting a leg-up as a cash-strapped small business owner may seem nearly impossible. Each year brings new social and technological trends to our society, and small… read more

How this Classic Steakhouse Inspires Lifelong Customers

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With competition fierce, every restaurant is looking for ways to inspire loyalty from its customers. Lawry’s the Prime Rib—Chicago decided to start at the beginning. The company created the Junior Carver Program, a loyalty program that focuses on children. Lawry’s, which has 12 locations, eight of which are international, was founded in 1938 in Beverly Hills… read more

Chipotle Gets ‘Real’ in New Ads Focused on Fresh Ingredients

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. has been relatively quiet lately on the marketing front as it deals with the fallout of a food-safety crisis. Now, it’s turning the page. The fast-casual restaurant chain is launching its biggest ad campaign ever in terms of spending within a quarter, as it looks to rehabilitate its image and turn it… read more

The name is Dunkin’, just Dunkin’

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If customers aren’t on a first name basis with Dunkin’ Donuts by now, the Canton, Mass-company hopes they will be soon. “It’s time we take our relationship with our consumers to the next level,” said the company’s chief marketing officer Tony Weisman on a call discussing the plan to formally rebrand as Dunkin’. Dunkin’, which… read more

Crate & Barrel to Open Restaurant in Oakbrook Center Store in Spring 2019

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Crate & Barrel has long sold items to help shoppers prepare and serve meals at home, from dinnerware and drinkware to cutlery and kitchen tools. But for those who’d rather take a night off from home cooking, next spring its Oakbrook Center store will get a full-service restaurant. The restaurant is a partnership between the Northbrook-based home… read more