Top Denise Lee Yohn: QSR’s Marketing Guru News

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc., announced several strategic leadership changes to support domestic and international expansion as part of its plan to become a $14 billion brand by 2022. Domestically, Taco Bell plans to add 2,000 restaurants by 2022, while adding 1,300 restaurants and an additional $2 billion in system sales […]

Russo’s New York Pizzeria, the fast-casual Italian restaurant, recently opened at The Shops at 3 Corners, 8236 Kirby Dr., Suite 160, in Houston. Local resident Asif Malik, an experienced hospitality industry entrepreneur, opened the Russo’s New York Pizzeria location directly adjacent to NRG Stadium to serve local residents, businesses, and thousands of hungry football fans. […]

Wahlburgers, a burger restaurant founded by brothers Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg and subject of the popular A&E TV reality series, announced multiunit franchise deals in Florida and New York, continuing its rapid expansion in North America. Davgar Holdings Group LLC will open 20 Wahlburgers throughout Florida over the next several years, as New York–based Big Apple Burgers prepares to […]

McAlister's Deli, a fast-casual restaurant chain, announced it has signed development agreements with three new franchise groups to open 20 locations throughout Rochester, New York, Northwest Indiana, and Chicago over the next several years. Franchisees Josh and Peter Bruckel will open the first McAlister’s in Rochester in 2015. Over the next four years, the group will […]

Maui Wowi Hawaiian says ‘Howdy’ and ‘Aloha’ to its newest franchisees, Mike Kruitwagen and Debbie Hedrick from Friendswood, Texas, a city just outside of Houston. The fruit smoothie and Hawaiian coffee retailer has a growing presence in the market, making it an ideal time for Kruitwagen and Hedrick to begin their business and start a […]

Coconut’s Fish Cafe, home of Hawaiian fish tacos, announced a franchise expansion plan that positions the brand for strategic growth into prime U.S. markets in 2015.  Initially, Coconut’s is pinpointing key cities throughout the Southern and West Coast regions of the country for new cafes. Additional markets tabbed for future growth will be identified throughout […]

Bowl of Heaven, an upstart concept that serves açaí bowls, smoothies, and cold pressed juices featuring plant protein and superfood ingredients that are sugar- and dairy-free, announced the signing of a new franchise deal for San Diego. Bowl Of Heaven partnered with Fransmart, the franchise development company responsible for the explosive growth of brands like […]

Amsterdam Falafelshop is catapulting the falafel craze it has created in the capital city to a new level. Washington, D.C.’s fast-casual restaurant falafel brand announced the arrival of its third D.C. shop, sixth overall, which opened December 1 at L’Enfant Plaza. Situated in L’Enfant Plaza’s recently renovated South Food Court in the Underground Promenade and […]

In late 2014, California Tortilla will make its arrival in State College, Pennsylvania, opening its doors on the busy College Avenue strip. The Washington, D.C.-based fast-casual concept will be available for the first time to Penn State, offering its reimagined Mexican fare to hungry students, faculty, and residents alike.    Owners Ashook, Jay, and Nirav […]

Just in time for the rush of holiday travel, Concessions International introduces a new fast and fresh restaurant option—Genghis Grill. As part of a joint venture between CI and MBC Concessions, Genghis Grill debuts this week at Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport in Terminal E (near Gate E33). Dallas-based Genghis Grill is known for its fresh market bar, which features an […]

Sloan’s Ice Cream, the ice cream brand known for its bold pink and neon green walls and heaping amounts of candy, toys, and homemade ice cream, will open the doors to its first Southern California franchise location on November 28, also known as “Black Friday.” This is a historic moment for Sloan’s Ice Cream and […]

Dunkin’ Donuts announced the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with five franchise groups for a total commitment of 63 new restaurants in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, as well as Palm Springs and Bakersfield, California, over the next several years. The five franchise groups and their development plans include:  ·      New franchise group […]

Russo’s Restaurants, the founders of dining concepts that include Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, announced plans to significantly enhance the brands’ footprint in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia in order to continue expansion into key markets. Evidencing the excitement around both brands, Russo’s kicked off 2014 with the opening of the […]

Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint announced an agreement to develop three restaurants for Ocala and Marion, Lake, and Sumter counties in Florida. In addition to the Ocala area, Uncle Maddio’s has development agreements to build three more Uncle Maddio’s in the Tallahassee area and five more units in the Jacksonville and Gainesville areas. Uncle Maddio’s has named […]

Doc Popcorn announced that it plans to add 100 new units in Chile and Peru over the next 15 years following a recently executed master franchise agreement with Alice Keh and her husband, Patricio Haristoy. The first Doc Popcorn location will open in the couple’s hometown of Santiago, Chile. Alice, who was originally born in the […]

In late 2014, California Tortilla will open its doors in Montvale, New Jersey, the first location in the New York City metropolitan area for the D.C.-based chain. Situated in the Chestnut Ridge Shopping Center, the fast-casual concept brings its popular menu and brand to the New Jersey suburb, offering fresh, re-imagined Mexican fare in a fun and […]

Blaze Pizza announced the opening of its first store in Knoxville, Tennessee, located in Town and Country Commons, at the corner of Kingston Pike and Peters (113 North Peters Road), near Jason’s Deli, Panera Bread, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. The company is offering free build-your-own artisanal pizzas November 21 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. […]

Fresh To Order celebrates the November 19 opening of its first Greenville, South Carolina location. The opening will mark the 13th restaurant for the fast-casual brand and the first South Carolina location. The new Fresh To Order will offer its fine-food-fast in Magnolia Park at 1025 Woodruff Road. Fresh To Order serves up delicious entrees, panini […]

When the first Pizza Inn restaurant opened across from Dallas’ Southern Methodist University back in 1958, no one had any idea of the presence the restaurant would one day have.  Yet more than half a century later, Pizza Inn’s dedication to serving up smiles one slice at a time continues to resonate with pizza lovers worldwide. Just […]

Dunkin’ Donuts announced the signing of a multi-unit store development agreement with existing franchisees, ABDD Arizona, to develop seven restaurants in Phoenix. The group’s first restaurant from this franchise agreement opened on October 27 at 1543 East Bethany Home Road.  Led by Judd and Erica Wishnow, this franchise group currently operates 23 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in […]

Maui Wowi Hawaiian is coming soon to Shops at Mangrove in Chico, California. This is the first location for local franchisee Jules Jackson, who has big plans for her Hawaiian themed coffee and smoothie shop and her Northern California community. The recently signed lease sets the stage for Maui Wowi’s newest location from which to […]

Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing build-your-own pizza chain, announced that its 70th restaurant is set to open in March in the Dallas suburb of Frisco, Texas. The fast-casual pizza chain, known for its chef-driven recipes and casually hip restaurants, also announced that it has signed new franchise agreements that will […]

The Dairy Queen system, a part of Berkshire Hathaway, announced that Bajco Gulf LLC, a family-operated quick-service restaurant franchise group, has signed a long-term multiunit agreement to develop DQ Grill & Chill restaurants and DQ Treat stores throughout the United Arab Emirates. The first DQ Treat store, featuring the soft-serve products that have made the […]

The New Orleans–style barbecue restaurant, VooDoo BBQ & Grill, opened in Pensacola, Florida. VooDoo BBQ & Grill brings together favorite barbecue styles and kicks them up a notch with Caribbean, Cajun, and Creole spices to create a New Orleans–style barbecue.  The opening marks the 20th restaurant and the first Pensacola, Fla. location for the concept.  […]