Family Restaurant

Lebanon, Tenn. – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is taking a decidedly new-fangled approach to promotion. The casual dining chain has enlisted Nashville-based advertising agency Redpepper to create a holiday-themed social marketing campaign.   The promotion targets a younger, more social demographic with Facebook posts. Some posts in the campaign have received more than 10,000 interactions.

San Jose, Calif. -- West Coast sandwich operator Togo's Eateries, Inc. has named Jim Peros as its new COO, charged with overseeing all operations and the expansion of the brand's restaurants throughout the West.   

Alpharetta, Ga. - McAlister's Deli has signed an agreement with existing franchise group Southern Deli Holdings LLC to open 10 additional locations throughout North and South Carolina, Colorado and Wyoming, with three locations slated to open in late 2014. In addition, the franchise group recently acquired seven existing locations in St. Louis.

The new development commitments will result in two new restaurants per year during the next five years.

Boulder, Colo. -- Cheesecake Factory is North America’s favorite casual-dining chain, according to a study by Market Force Information. More than 6,100 consumers were polled for the study, which ranks the top restaurant chains in five categories: general menu, breakfast, steak, Italian and seafood. Cheesecake Factory was tops in the general menu category, receiving high marks for quality of food, healthiness of food and atmosphere.
 

Dallas - On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, has appointed Ward Whitworth as president of On The Border. The move follows the resignation of On The Border CEO Steve Clark, who has committed to stay on for a period of time in order to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.

Spartanburg, S.C. - Denny's Corp. has launched its new Spanish-language Facebook page, Denny's Latino. As part of the brand's integrated communications efforts to connect with customers at different touch-points, the Denny's Latino page includes original and curated content designed to actively engage with online Latinos, and promote ongoing dialogue with this audience.

West Palm Beach, Fla. -- Wing chain Hurricane Grill & Wings has signed five multi-unit development agreements, representing 22 new locations slated to open in 2014-2015.

The Florida-based franchised brand opened two locations in early 2014, with plans for a total of 14 new units by the end of this year.

One of the most fascinating developments over the last several years in our industry has been the explosion of new and different types of dining concepts. And it’s not only the restaurants chains evolving and emerging, but also about the way that dining preferences are changing.

Queens, N.Y. — A CVS Pharmacy and The Boulevard, a new family restaurant, have leased space in the Francis Lewis Boulevard Shopping Center in the Whitestone section of Queens, N.Y.

The CVS transaction is a lease renewal for an existing 13,500-sq.-ft. pharmacy. The Boulevard has taken 4,000 sq. ft. and plans to open by the end of March.

The Francis Lewis Boulevard tenant lineup also includes McDonalds, First Savings Bank, Kumon and Aphrodite Sweets.