By Kat Boogaard-theMuse I’m a people pleaser. I like when other people are happy with me—when they’re satisfied with my work, think highly of what I accomplish, and just generally like me. That’s why my stomach was in knots when—at the ripe age of seven—I was trying to decide what sort of treat to… read more
To Our Loyal Readers: It is now officially Fall and the leaves are changing; however, my CUBS are in the playoffs as a Wild Card team. In the playoffs as in business, strategy is the key to success. I would like to share with you an “old” new tool that many Fortune 500 firms have… read more
David Zadikoff, founder and CEO of Cornerstone Restaurant Group, announced Wednesday that Josh Zadikoff will take on the role of president at the hospitality company, which oversees Chef Bill Kim’s bellyQ and urbanbelly restaurants in Chicago as well as iconic Michael Jordan-brand restaurants throughout the country, among others. The announcement comes as Josh Zadikoff leads… read more
Roger Eaton, CEO of the KFC Division of Yum Brands Inc., will retire at the end of the year and will be replaced Jan. 1 by president and COO Tony Lowings, the company said Friday. Lowings, left, a 24-year veteran of Yum Brands, has vast experience running international growth for the Louisville-based company, which is also parent… read more
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
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 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
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
Elite Restaurant Group, the owner of Slater’s 50/50 and Daphne’s, is adding deep-dish pizza to its fast-growing portfolio. Mike Nakhleh, president of the Los Angeles-based company, said he has purchased the 17-unit Patxi’s Pizza from private-equity firm KarpReilly LLC. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition, expected to close in 60 to 90… read more
Health officials in Ohio released their findings on Aug. 16 regarding the recent foodborne illness outbreak at a Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in Powell, Ohio that sickened 647 people. The Delaware General Health District said that stool samples collected in July tested positive for the toxin that Clostridium perfringens forms in the gastrointestinal tract. The food samples did test… read more