If the National Restaurant Association’s apprentice program is any indication, in the future, restaurant managers will defy the industry’s high turnover rate. The program, run by the NRA’s Educational Foundation (NRAEF), boasts a 94 percent retention rate. As it turns out, plenty of restaurant workers see themselves on the managerial track. While most apprentice programs… read more

Nekter Juice Bar has signed its largest area development agreement with 2ndHarvest LLC to open 30 restaurants during the next few years in existing markets of Florida and Tennessee and in two new markets, Maryland and Washington, D.C., according to a company press release. Based in Miami, 2ndHarvest LLC plans to open its first Nekter… read more

Mr. Martin was most recently the Sam’s team lead for Quaker products at PepsiCo, Inc. Previously, he was the Walmart director of customer management and the Sam’s director of customer management for the Frito-Lay division at PepsiCo. Before that, he held a variety of senior sales and general management roles at PepsiCo. “Tom is an… read more

Ms. Nooyi will remain chairman of the board until early 2019 to ensure a smooth transition, according to the company. Mr. Laguarta has been with the company for 22 years. Since September 2017, he has served as president of PepsiCo, overseeing global operations, corporate strategy, public policy and government affairs. Previously, Mr. Laguarta served as… read more

Kona Grill Inc. has promoted Jim Kuhn as president and CEO to succeed Berke Bakay, who was appointed executive chairman of the casual-dining chain’s board, the company said. Kuhn most recently served as chief operating officer of the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based grill and sushi bar brand, a position he assumed in December. Bakay succeeds Jim Jundt, who is… read more

The celebrity chef is teaming up with Planet Hollywood founder and chairman Robert Earl with a new restaurant concept, Chicken Guy!, and the first location is opening up at Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs this summer. According to a press release, Fieri and Earl are teaming up yet again after the successful launch of Fieri’s sandwich… read more

In a move to further “differentiate and perfect the guest experience at Maggiano’s,” Brinker International tapped industry vet Kelly C. Baltes as the next president of the 52-unit Italian chain. Baltes will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Maggiano’s restaurants, including strategies and future growth of the brand, the parent company of Chili’s said… read more

Grindmaster-Cecilware, a leading manufacturer of commercial beverage and cooking equipment, announced the promotion of Kenny Stratton to the role of Vice President of National Accounts. He will be responsible for managing all sales activities for National Accounts. Kenny is an experienced sales leader in the beverage equipment industry and has been with Grindmaster-Cecilware since 2013…. read more

P.F. Chang’s, the full-service Asian restaurant industry leader known for its Farm to Wok food philosophy where every dish is made from scratch every day in every restaurant, announced the opening of its first restaurant in China at the No1 Mall on the iconic Nanjing Road in Shanghai. P.F. Chang’s currently owns and operates more… read more

Three weeks after the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) launched a teaser campaign to call itself IHOB to draw diners to its burgers, marketing pundits are still debating the wisdom of the rebranding move. However, investors of Glendale, Calif.-based Dine Brands Global, Inc. — IHOP’s parent organization — should be happy to see their stock… read more