VP of Marketing Steven Clarke Joins QSR editorial director Danny Klein to discuss the 35th anniversary of Golden Krust, a brand that remains to this day a family-run operation that started from a single location in the Bronx, New York, before expanding nationwide. After immigrating to New York from Jamaica in the 1980s, Lowell F. Hawthorne and his 10 siblings founded Golden Krust in 1989. Clarke is carrying on that legacy, looking ahead to growth, and balancing modernizing the brand while also paying tribute to what’s made it such an icon since day one.
Big Chicken Names Bobby Shaw VP of Operations
Big Chicken is ushering in a new era of operational excellence with the appointment of Bobby Shaw as vice president of operations. A seasoned leader with more than four decades of experience in the restaurant franchising sector, Shaw will supercharge the brand’s growth, revolutionizing operations and teaming up with franchisees to deliver BIG results. With […]
Black Rock Coffee Bar Opens 150th Location
Black Rock Coffee Bar, founded in Oregon and known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful Fuel Energy drinks, is celebrating a significant milestone with the opening of its 150th location in the United States. The new store, located at 4602 Beacon Lane in Caldwell, Idaho, marks the 7th Black Rock Coffee Bar in the […]
Captain D’s Signs 20-Unit Deal in the U.K.
Captain D’s, the nation’s leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, has taken the next major step in its global expansion strategy by signing a 20-unit multi-unit franchise agreement for the United Kingdom. The agreement, signed with an experienced team of restaurant operators, will introduce Captain D’s signature seafood offerings to Europe, starting with the first restaurant in the London area in […]
Qu Reports Another Year of Growth in 2024
As the restaurant industry accelerates its modernization efforts, Qu’s powerful platform and strategic innovations culminated in a watershed year of exceptional growth and milestones in 2024. Major milestones achieved by the Qu team in 2024 include an impressive 112% recurring revenue growth (ARR) and 125% site growth driven by nearly 40% new enterprise customers. Over […]
Atomic Wings Ignites Growth in 2025
Atomic Wings, the fast-growing chicken wing franchise renowned for its authentic New York-style Buffalo wings, is celebrating an exceptional year of growth and innovation in 2024. With 22 units now open across the U.S. and a strong pipeline of development, Atomic Wings is well on its way to achieving its ambitious expansion goals, aiming to […]
Salata Salad Kitchen to Expand in Texas with Laredo and McAllen Locations
Salata Salad Kitchen, a leader for nearly two decades in the healthy fast-casual industry, is set to expand its Texas presence further with a multi-unit agreement signed for two restaurants in Laredo and McAllen. Local entrepreneurs and mother-daughter team, Patricia and Barbara Pequeño, will bring Salata’s beloved fully customizable salads, wraps, and house-made proprietary dressings […]
Pepper Lunch Signs New Deal to Grow in Oregon
Pepper Lunch, the Japanese-born experiential fast-casual concept unlike any other, with more than 500 locations in 17 countries, today announced it has signed a new development agreement that will bring Pepper Lunch to Oregon. The deal is with Peter T. Ng, local developer and owner of Seventh and Monroe LLC, and includes five locations across […]
El Pollo Loco Honors 50th Anniversary with Various Deals and Giveaways
El Pollo Loco, the nation’s leading fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain, proudly marks its 50th anniversary. From humble beginnings in Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1975 and eventual move to Los Angeles in 1980, El Pollo Loco has always been committed to flavor, quality, and community. To celebrate the milestone, the brand will kick off a year-long celebration, […]
The Human Bean to Open in Mokena, Illinois
Baristas at The Human Bean will begin pouring coffee and other specialty beverages at the corner of W. 191st Street and Everett Lane in Mokena, IL beginning early 2025. Customers are invited to come get a first taste of the cafe and drive-thru’s offerings, including specialty-grade coffee, Bright Energy, real-fruit smoothies, whole-leaf teas, and hot […]
Subscribe to A.M. Jolt
Get daily updates on quick-serve industry news, tips, and events.
"*" indicates required fields