Chipotle prepares to add ShopHouse locations, as a handful of chains enter new markets — both domestic and abroad. Also, we look at financial results for a couple of chains, while another reports the expansion of its electric car charging program.
Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza, reached an agreement with an affiliate of Levy Family Partners to develop 15 franchise stores in Chicago and 10 franchise stores in Miami. Levy Family Partners was established by entrepreneur Larry Levy, founder and chairman of Levy Restaurants.
Cracker Barrel reported total revenue of $640.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. This represents an increase of 5.2 percent over the third quarter of the prior year. Comparable store restaurant sales increased 3.1 percent, including a 2.4 percent check average increase.
East Coast Wings & Grill announced plans to open as many as 20 restaurants throughout Tennessee over the next 5 years. With a franchise development agreement in place for Knoxville, the chain will now target Nashville and Memphis for growth, as well. The company believes the Memphis and Nashville markets can hold as many as five and ten stores respectively. The Knoxville group's agreement calls for 5 restaurants with the opportunity to grow to at least 50 within 7 years in several states.
Yum! Restaurants International opened its first KFC in Mongolia, in conjunction with franchise partner, Tavan Bogd Group.
For its first fiscal quarter ending May 5, 2013, Krispy Kreme Donuts reported revenues increased 11.2 percent to $120.6 million. In addition, company same-store sales increased 11.4 percent.
Menchie's Frozen Yogurt opened a location in Houston, its 300th restaurant system wide. Menchie's reached the 300 location milestone in 6 years, according to a company release.
Chipotle Mexican Grill has signed leases for additional ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen locations. The Southeast Asian concept developed by Chipotle, ShopHouse has one restaurant open in Washington, D.C., with another Washington location and two Los Angeles area restaurants under construction and opening in the coming weeks. Chipotle was quick to point out that the new ShopHouse deals do not signify an acceleration of its development plans for the concept.
SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza opened its first franchise location in Orange, Calif. Franchisee Hofman Hospitality Group operates the location and has a development agreement in place to open 37 SPIN! restaurants throughout Southern California.
Tim Horton's has expanded its electric vehicle charging station pilot launched earlier this year in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, by unveiling six new charging stations at restaurants throughout B.C.
Self-serve frozen yogurt chain Yogurtland opened a location in Brookline, Mass., its first in the Boston market. The chain plans to open three additional locations in the Boston market in the next month. Yogurtland plans to expand in the Northeast using both corporate and franchised locations. The chain has more than 220 locations across the U.S., Australia, Guam, Mexico and Venezuela.
Wingstop opened a restaurant in Jackson, Tenn. The new restaurant is the latest opening from Maybach Music Group CEO and platinum recording artist Rick Ross who also owns two Wingstop locations in Memphis and one restaurant in Miami. Wingstop has 570 locations system wide.
