Foodservice Management

Arby's identifies more than $5.5 million in potential savings for energy program

Arby's Restaurant Group has taken an aggressive stance with regard to its third largest and most controllable expense: energy. Faced with rising costs, the chain developed a strategic energy management plan that identified more than $5.5 million in potential annual savings.

Chicago – A growing demand for on campus food service exists among US college and university students, according to new data from Technomic. The latest Technomic College & University Trend Report shows that 69% of college students purchase food and beverage from on-campus foodservice facilities once a week or more. This is close to the 71% of college students who did so in 2009 and is a substantial gain from the 62% who paid visits to campus foodservice facilities once a week or more in 2011.

New York -- Canadian burger chain Big Smoke Burger has leased its first New York City location at 70 Seventh Ave., between West 14th and West 15th Streets in Chelsea, according to Winick Realty Group who represented Group 868 Inc., the landlord in the transaction.

The 2,380-sq.-ft. property includes a 500-sq.-ft. basement and an 880-sq.-ft. outdoor courtyard.

Big Smoke Burger plans to open the restaurant within the next four months. RKF represented Big Smoke Burger.

Atlanta -- Restaurant brands Boneheads Grilled Fish and Piri Piri Chicken has announced a new senior management team and board of directors, intended to ramp up the five-unit chains’ expansion plans.

Boneheads franchisee Ron Barber has been appointed chairman of the board, and Beef O’Brady’s and Brass Tap chief development officer James Walker has been named to the board of directors.

Melville, N.Y. -- Sbarro is expanding its international growth with plans to open 20 eateries in Ontario, Canada. This announcement is the latest in a series of franchise agreements that have recently expanded Sbarro's presence across Europe, the Middle East, South America, Asia and the Pacific.

Former Nike executive Tony Moralejo has been appointed chief development officer at Church’s Chicken. Moralejo will be responsible for domestic and international expansion for the global chicken chain, as well as franchising, re-imaging, construction and real estate management. 

He will report directly to president and CEO Jim Hyatt and will be a member of the brand’s executive team.

Canton, Mass. – Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins, has named current CEO Nigel Travis, 63, as chairman of the board of directors. Board member Raul Alvarez, 57, has been appointed lead independent director of the board. These changes come as Jon Luther, 69, prepares to retire as director and chairman of the board effective May 15.

Young chefs are opening restaurants in urban neighborhoods

In New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Denver — and other major cities across the country — creative young chefs are opening their own restaurants.

"In New York, the trend isn't all that new. Think of Andre Soltner, Jean-Georges, David Chang and others," said Faith Hope Consolo, noted trend-watcher and chairman of Douglas Elliman's Retail Group in New York City.

Development chief details chain growth

Chain Store Age asked Paul Carolan, chief development officer for Dallas-based Le Duff America, about the bakery-café company's aggressive growth plan in the United States.

The North American subsidiary of Paris-based Groupe Le Duff SA, Le Duff America now manages four brands in the United States: Bruegger's Bagels, la Madeleine Country French Café, Brioche Dorée and Mimi's Café, which was acquired in March.

Memphis -- Specialty restaurant operator Perkins Restaurant & Bakery is launching a store remodeling initiative that will include more than 20 corporate locations in the first half of 2013 and then expand to franchise locations.

The remodel package, designed by Louis & Partners Design, will encompass external and internal changes. Perkins operates 416 restaurants in 34 states and Canada.