The chain restaurants making news this week include Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza, Bojangles' Chicken and Biscuits, CKE Restaurants, The Melting Pot Restaurants and others.
Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza will open its third San Diego location on Nov. 13. The fast-casual concept built its newest location specifically to suit the 3,200-square-foot space. Blaze plans to have 70 locations open by March of next year.
The 614-unit Bojangles' Chicken and Biscuits reached $1 billion in annual systemwide revenue as of the end of October 2014. The company and its franchisees opened 44 locations in 2014 and have 20 additional locations under construction.
The Cheesecake Factory opened a new location in Franklin, Tennessee. Featuring French limestone floors and decorative columns, hand-painted murals, and modern lighting, the approximately 8,700-square-foot restaurant accommodates approximately 215 guests.
CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., parent company of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurant chains, today reported its annual Stars for Heroes in-store fundraising campaign raised more than $1.1 million this year to benefit U.S. military families and veterans. Funds raised in 2014 go directly to national beneficiaries USA Cares and Dream Foundation's "Dreams for Veterans" as well as to regional military charities with existing ties to individual Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurant communities.
Polished casual concept The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. seeks franchisees to bring the restaurant chain to Vancouver, Canada. The U.S.-based brand aims to franchise up to two restaurants in Vancouver at this time. Additionally, the company is looking to recruit qualified new franchisees in other Canadian cities, including the Greater Toronto and Calgary areas. There is currently one Canadian Melting Pot restaurant in Edmonton, which opened in 2010.
Moe's Southwest Grill will open a new location in Mentor, Ohio, owned and operated by franchisees Paul Giggi, Tom O'Hare and Ryan O'Hare. This will be the group's first Moe's in the area, however they have plans to build and open several more in the region over the next couple of years.
Schlotzsky's plans to expand throughout the greater Las Vegas area by adding at least six signed franchised deals by the end of the year. Schlotzky's operates more than 350 locations nationwide.
Tropical Smoothie Café was named to The World Franchising Network's "50 Top Franchises for Minorities" list, which aims to show the progress minorities have made within the franchising community. The World Franchising Network selected the 50 franchises from more than 380 that sought recognition.
