From menu developments to calorie calculators to new store openings, this week’s restaurant chain operating report has a little something for most every foodservice professional.
Roughly two months after being acquired by Roark Capital, Arby’s is tinkering with its menu with the hopes of improving the restaurant chain’s financial performance.
Boston Market has completed the renovation of its 12 Los Angeles-area locations, as part of an effort to revamp all of the chain’s restaurants systemwide. As first reported last October, Boston Market’s restaurants will now feature a warmer, more inviting environment that includes reusable plates and stainless steel dinnerware. In addition, Boston Market updated its menu items, including some that are made or tossed to order, and hot food display cases. To date, Boston Market has updated 440 locations and only a few remain.
California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPK) opened a 6,000-sq.-ft. full-service restaurant at Stoneridge Shopping Center in Pleasanton, Calif. that seats 222 guests.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG) has created the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, a charitable entity aimed at supporting people, organizations and institutions that are committed to making a better, more sustainable future. Chipotle has a track record of supporting various philanthropic organizations, including many that benefit some element of the food system. “By creating the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, we are extending our reach beyond our restaurants and will be supporting organizations and people that are working to improve individual family farms, animals and the environment, and youth and education programs,” said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. Additional information about the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation is available at CultivateFoundation.org.
Domino's Pizza (NYSE:DPZ), refranchised 30 company-owned stores in Atlanta to four local owner-operators. The change of ownership took place on August 29. Franchisee Mike Orcutt, who led U.S. store operations for Domino's Pizza in the 1990s, purchased 14 stores. Orcutt now owns 93 locations across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina, making him the second-largest Domino's Pizza franchise owner in the United States, according to a company release. Franchisee Greg Fox has purchased nine stores, bringing his total to 38 stores. Franchisee Todd Dyrda has purchased five stores, bringing his total to seven stores. Tim Garrett, formerly a supervisor for Orcutt's Cowabunga Pizza Inc., is now a two-store franchisee owner-operator with his purchase. The Atlanta area is home to 118 Domino's Pizza stores.
Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (NASDAQ:DAVE) opened a Bar-B-Que restaurant in Falls Church, Va. The restaurant chain operates 10 locations in Virginia and 53 system wide.
Frisch's Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE Amex: FRS) closed six of its 35 Golden Corral restaurants. Four of the six underperforming restaurants – Western Hills, Ridge Road, Lawrenceburg and Hamilton - were operated in the greater Cincinnati area and the remaining two were operated in West Akron and Medina, Ohio.
Jamba Juice franchisee Blended Star, LLC opened a location in West Valley, Utah. In addition, franchisee Just Juice It, LLC opened a location in Peabody, Mass. Jamba Juice now has more than 740 locations nationwide. As a result of its ability to continue to open locations and other factors, Jamba Juice has drawn some positive attention from the financial community lately.
McDonald’s is helping consumers make healthier purchasing decisions at its Canadian restaurants through the use of its iPhone Nutrition Calculator app.
