Trends

Keeping the foodservice equipment marketplace up to date with the latest menu and concept trends.

Advertisement

Chain Operating Report for Aug. 12, 2014

The restaurant chains making headlines this week include Baskin-Robbins, Burger King, Coconut’s Fish Café, Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Hwy 55 Burgers and Schlotzky’s.

Varuzh Tirityan of Burbank, Calif., is the 2013 Baskin-Robbins Franchisee of the Year. The award recognizes franchisees that excel in all areas of the Baskin-Robbins system, including restaurant operations, guest service, marketing, training and technology.

Due to popular demand, Burger King Worldwide, Inc. (BKW) will add its Chicken Fries to the menu as a limited time offer. Chicken Fries had previously been on the Burger King menu from 2005 to 2012.

Coconut’s Fish Cafe, a Maui-based, fast-casual chain, has been approved to begin franchising in California. Coconut’s entered the Arizona market in 2013 and finalized a deal in Texas for multiple franchised locations, the first of which will open later in 2014. The chain has targeted markets in Northern and Southern California and seeks to work with multi-unit developers.

Del Frisco's Restaurant Group opened a Del Frisco's Grille concept in Irvine, Calif. This the 13th Del Frisco's Grille to date, and the 42nd restaurant overall for Del Frisco's Restaurant Group, which also owns and operates Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House and Sullivan's Steakhouse. The company plans to open three more Del Frisco's Grille locations by year's end in Rockville, Md.; Tampa, Fla.; and Pasadena, Calif.

Restaurant chain Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Friesplans to debut a new express concept in Greenville, N.C., later this week. This will mark the 112th location for the 1950s-style diner. Hwy 55 Express will feature quick-service, freshly made food and longer hours. In 2012 the chain won BurgerBusiness.com’s “Best Burger” award. Earlier this year, Hwy 55 opened its first international locations in the United Arab Emirates and Canada. The chain also has locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia.

Schlotzsky’s inked a development agreement with Oklahoma City business owner, Shawn Islam. This comes on the heels of last month’s deal with Stillwater-based Bryan Whitfiled who signed a deal to develop two new markets in Edmond and Ponca City, Okla. Schlotzky’s plans to add an additional 15 locations in Oklahoma City and 10 in Tulsa by the end of 2014.

Yum! Brands is introducing the U.S. Taco Co., a concept designed to compete with Chipotle.