Articles, news and resources for chain restaurant executives involved with expansion, including growth strategy, franchising and finance. en-us http://www.chainleader.com/community/Expansion/47555.html?nid=3965 2008 Reed Business Information. Subject to its Terms of Use. Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:28:44 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6604192.html?nid=3965 The debut of Saladworks' new 2,600 sq. ft. "turbo-charged" store design on October 1 drove record-setting gross sales figures of over $18,000 the company announced today. Saladworks celebrated the opening of its 100th store in Mount Laurel, New Jersey and unveiled the design of its improved store prototype. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:01:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6604190.html?nid=3965 Krispy Kreme is evolving its store concept to better compete in today's market with the "neighborhood doughnut shop," first being introduced in the Arizona market on Oct. 9, 2008. Also, for the first time in history, the company is opening three stores on the same day to meet Arizona market demand. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:59:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6603654.html?nid=3965 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. (NYSE: KKD) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with KKD Lotte Holdings Company, Ltd. for the development of approximately 35 Krispy Kreme retail locations over the next four to five years in the metropolitan areas of Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin, China. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:18:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6603650.html?nid=3965 Golden Spoon, the largest frozen yogurt chain in California by sales volume, is marking its 25th anniversary this year with an aggressive expansion strategy to develop the brand throughout the country and worldwide. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:37:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6603177.html?nid=3965 BLUM Enterprises LLC, a progressive restaurant company founded by former Olive Garden and Burger King executive Brad Blum that develops and operates new restaurant brands, will open the first Dogmatic Gourmet Sausage System restaurant in New York City on October 13, 2008. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:45:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6602921.html?nid=3965 Burger King Corp. (NYSE:BKC) announced today plans to introduce the world's first WHOPPER BAR(tm) at Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Fla., in Spring 2009. The new concept, a condensed and more contemporary version of the typical BURGER KING(r) restaurant, was initially announced in March 2008. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 16:24:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6602919.html?nid=3965 Yum! Brands Inc. reports third-quarter 2008 EPS of $0.58 per share, 16% growth; confirms full-year EPS growth forecast of 12%, excluding special items, and announces record international new unit development for 2008. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:45:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6602538.html?nid=3965 Landry's Restaurants, Inc. reported today on the current status of the Merger Agreement with Tilman J. Fertitta, Chairman, President and CEO, to acquire the Company. In view of the closure of the Company's Kemah and Galveston properties, the instability in the credit markets, and the deterioration in the casual dining and gaming industries, Fertitta believes the financing required to complete the transaction is in jeopardy at the current $21.00 per share price. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:38:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6602539.html?nid=3965 All the talk about bank failures is prompting attorney Gary Schildhorn to send out a warning to treasury departments: Review your sweep contracts with your banker. He says restaurant companies that rely on banks for this service--and many do--should carefully review where their deposits are going. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:31:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6602464.html?nid=3965 Tops Friendly Markets and Tim Hortons announced today an agreement that will see that customers who shop at Tops stores in Western New York, Rochester, Central New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania, can add a hot cup of fresh Tim Hortons coffee and other Tim Hortons products to their shopping trip by the end of this year. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:43:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6602463.html?nid=3965 Baja Fresh Mexican Grill the quick casual Mexican grill chain today announced the grand opening of its two newest locations and its newest concept, Baja Fresh Express. These new express concepts opened in terminal seven at Los Angeles International Airport and the second location in the newest food facility at the University of Southern California. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:37:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6601778.html?nid=3965 The National Restaurant Association today issued a statement from President and CEO Dawn Sweeney regarding the nation's financial crisis: "On behalf of the restaurant industry's 13.1 million employees in almost one million locations nationwide, we thank Congress and the Administration for their quick action to stabilize the U.S. financial system." Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:02:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6601293.html?nid=3965 Spicy Pickle Franchising, Inc. (OTCBB: SPKL) fast casual restaurants announced today the acquisition of Bread Garden Franchising, Inc., the franchisor of the Bread Garden Urban Cafes, a chain of franchised fast casual restaurants located in the greater Vancouver, Canada area. Currently there are 11 operating restaurants. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:33:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6600884.html?nid=3965 Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers(r), one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the U.S., today announced the appointment of Carey Carrington as chief financial officer. Carrington will oversee the company's finance, accounting, information technology and purchasing functions. He will also work closely with the leadership team in the areas of legal and risk management. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:03:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6599092.html?nid=3965 The military has been a useful ally for Subway. By opening units on military bases overseas first, it gives the Milford, Conn.-based sandwich chain a launching pad into civilian locations in countries such as Germany and South Korea and, more recently, Portugal and Italy. At the same time, it allows the company to extend its brand domestically. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6599095.html?nid=3965 Given the thriving Panamanian economy, franchisee Landmark International Holdings believes the time is right to expand Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits in Panama. To prepare the company has expanded the menu, implemented motorcycle delivery and launched an image-building campaign. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6599094.html?nid=3965 ZED451 has broken away from its Brazilian churrascaria roots in favor of a concept that focuses on international flavors and guest-focused hospitality. The three-unit steakhouse chain hopes the makeover will position it for national expansion. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6599090.html?nid=3965 As operating performance declines and prime costs rise, a growing number of chains are breaking lender covenants. Chain Leader recently asked Allan Hickok, managing director for investment bank Houlihan Lokey in Minneapolis, to explain this worrying trend. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6599084.html?nid=3965 Red Mango is ready to roll out its brand of tart frozen yogurt with a simple and so far profitable business model, veteran executives and expansion in existing markets that have educated, active populations. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PST http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6600799.html?nid=3965 NPC International, Inc. announced today that it has completed the acquisition of 99 Pizza Hut units including 9 fee owned properties located primarily in Virginia for $35 million from Colonial Foods, LLC. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:34:00 PST