Restaurants in Florida can resume dine-in service at pre-pandemic levels under an executive order drafted Friday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Virtually all other COVID-related operating restrictions on restaurants and bars in the state are also lifted. The changes take effect upon DeSantis’ signing of the executive order, which he promised during a press conference. DeSantis… read more
The Melting Pot fondue chain has begun the development of a new concept it describes as “flex-casual,” making it the latest full-service chain to try a blend of fast-casual and full-service elements. Called Melting Pot Social, the new venture will feature menu and service options that go beyond the typical offerings of a Melting Pot…. read more
Luby’s board votes to liquidate, dissolve 73-year-old Texas institution, Fuddruckers. The Texas restaurateurs behind Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and Pappasito’s Cantina could swoop in and save Luby’s, which earlier this month announced it would liquidate and dissolve the company. Christopher and Harris James Pappas entered a confidentiality agreement with Luby’s on Sept. 11 to obtain the… read more
Pizza Hut and Wendy’s franchisee NPC International, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July, is delaying a plan to auction off 900 Pizza Hut outlets after getting push back from Pizza Hut LLC, according to the Wall Street Journal. Earlier this week, the Yum Brands division expressed concerned that the sale would prompt a “group of credit-focused… read more
A group of minority shareholders and current management of Red Lobster Seafood Co. is acquiring the casual-dining chain from Golden Gate Capital, the new controlling consortium said. The new owners are seafood supplier Thai Union PCL, which has been a Red Lobster shareholder since 2016 and trades on the Stock Exchange of Thailand under the… read more
Levine Leichtman Capital Partners has agreed to purchase fast-casual chain Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the Los Angeles-based private equity firm said Tuesday. Management, led by CEO Charles Watson, will remain the same. “We are excited to partner with Charles and the rest of the management team who have led the tremendous growth of Tropical Smoothie Cafe…. read more
Global franchising company FAT Brands — global franchising company and owner of Fatburger, Hurricane Grill & Wings, and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses — has completed the acquisition of retro diner brand Johnny Rockets that was first announced in August. The acquisition, which was valued at $25 million, increasing the company’s securitization facility to $80 million…. read more
By Kedma Ough, MBA – Entrepreneur Many small-business owners may think that finding their next employee can be as simple as drafting a comprehensive job- and work-culture description, posting it to a public board, and waiting for the applicants to arrive to their inbox. It’s also commonly assumed with enough upfront detail, candidates have already taken some… read more
By Lucas Miller – Entrepreneur While many entrepreneurs are able to make a living within their current network, there’s no denying that they could be far better off if they were able to land a few more high-ticket clients. These so-called dream clients pay at higher rates and allow you to work smarter, not harder… read more
By Nate Swanner – Dice So long as social-distancing measures remain intact across the country, the majority of job interviews will take place remotely, either via phone or a video-conferencing platform such as Zoom or Skype. Although a video interview shares a number of similarities with an in-person meeting, there are crucial differences that you… read more