Beautiful Brands International, Burger 21, Dunkin' Donuts and Others

Multi-concept operator Beautiful Brands International (BBI) added Ludger's Cakes to its portfolio of restaurants. BBI plans to position Ludger's as a coffeehouse/café concept, with a menu of coffees, cakes, and sandwiches. Ludger's will also specialize in wedding cakes, according to a company release.

Owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. announced the national franchise launch of Burger 21, a new fast-casual concept featuring 21 chef-inspired burger creations, hand-dipped signature shakes and more. Burger 21 opened its first corporate-owned restaurant in Tampa, Fla., in November 2010 with a second slated to open this fall. Burger 21's growth plans include development efforts focusing on Florida and extending into select markets along the East Coast. Over time, Burger 21 will broaden its expansion efforts into markets in the Midwest and along the West Coast.

Dunkin' Donuts opened five new markets to franchisees: Denver and Colorado Springs, Colo.; Houston and Waco, Texas; Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla. As well as Santa Fe and Albuquerque, N.M. The coffee and baked goods chain expects that restaurants in these new markets will begin to open in early 2013.

Krispy Kreme opened a Krispy Kreme Neighborhood Shop in Virginia Beach, Va. The 2,000-sq. ft. location includes a drive-thru and features a menu that includes donuts, coffee and espresso drinks, Krispy Kreme Chillers specialty drinks and other iced beverages.

McDonald's announced plans to spend more than $1 billion to renovate its Canadian restaurants.