Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. has promoted Scott Murphy to chief operating officer of Dunkin’ Donuts U.S., the parent company said Monday. Previously, he was senior vice president of operations for the U.S. and Canada. Murphy will continue to report to Dunkin’ Donuts U.S. president David Hoffmann. The Canton, Mass.-based company has also moved responsibility for… read more
Steak ‘n Shake, the fast-food chain many University of Illinois transplants are familiar with from their days in Champaign, is planning to open its first Chicago location. While the Indianapolis-based chain has restaurants in the surrounding suburbs, it hasn’t opened within the city’s limits. An opening timeframe hasn’t been shared, but Steak ‘n Shake is… read more
WKS Restaurant Group, the largest El Pollo Loco franchisee, has acquired Pennant Foods Corp. and its 52 Wendy’s in Southern California, the company said this week. Lakewood, Calif.-based WKS, which now owns more than 180 franchise restaurants that include such other brands as Blaze Pizza, Corner Bakery Café, Denny’s and Krispy Kreme, purchased Pennant from… read more
Fast-growing North Texas franchisee Ampex Brands is continuing its rapid expansion with the acquisition of 77 Pizza Hut units. The company purchased the pizza restaurants, all located in North Texas, from Pizza Hut’s corporate office last month. The deal adds $88 million to Ampex’s top line and makes it Plano-based Pizza Hut’s largest franchisee in North… read more
Processors would be required to produce preventative food safety plan documents and meet other sanitation requirements under a plan to align egg products inspections rules with those governing meat and poultry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the proposed rule seeks to modernize egg products plants’ inspection systems and require processors to use methods that… read more
The Food and Drug Administration’s food recall process sometimes falls short of ensuring the safety of the nation’s food supply, according to a review published by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services in late December. The conclusion reflected findings of a review of documentation related to 30… read more
Frank Lloyd Wright made his name by designing spaces that connect with nature. The surroundings helped define what the building would look like and how it would function. Wright’s buildings left their marks in a major way. His architecture remains an example of how one person’s perspective can influence the look and feel of our… read more
As nearly everyone in the foodservice market knows, the parent company of Oneida and Anchor Hocking, among America’s most recognized foodservice and retail tabletop brands, has weathered more than one storm since the beginning of the Millenium. The forces of globalization, the demands of American finance and other factors led to two bankruptcy filings, supply… read more
Walmart, Inc. said it will close 63 Sam’s Club locations nationwide and convert up to 12 of the affected clubs to e-commerce fulfillment centers in a move to speed delivery of online orders. Following the closures, the company will operate 597 Sam’s Club stores. “Transforming our business means managing our real estate portfolio and Walmart… read more
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. this week laid off a number of field and corporate-level workers, the company confirmed. The Greenwood Village, Colo.-based brand said “the casual-dining marketplace has changed dramatically in recent years and our guests’ needs have evolved,” according to Kevin Caulfield, Red Robin spokesperson, in an email. To remain a strong and… read more