Restaurant

Winston-Salem, N.C. — A new Krispy Kreme Doughnut Factory will open in Roswell, Ga., in early September, marking the start of an expansion effort across the metro area. The new shop will replace the existing Roswell shop and introduce the company’s updated design to the area.

Construction plans are currently underway for approved sites in Doraville, Smyrna and Stockbridge. Krispy Kreme is also working to secure sites in Decatur and Duluth.

Broomfield, Colo. -- TCBY Yogurt and Mrs. Fields Cookies parent Famous Brands International said it has appointed Michael Chao as CFO, effective immediately.  

Chao was previously VP finance, treasury and investor relations for Vail Resorts.

Famous Brands also announced the reappointment of David Barr to its board of directors. Barr, who is currently chairman of the board for Rita Restaurants and Australian jewelry company The Jewellery Group, was CFO and CEO of the Great American Cookie Co., which was sold to Mrs. Fields in 1998.

Miami — El Balcon de las Americas is bringing its Colombian food menu to Westfork Plaza in Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Terranova Corp. represented the shopping center in the transaction. The 2,335-sq.-ft. location at Westfork Plaza is the young chain’s fifth location in South Florida.

Plymouth Meeting, Pa. — Smashburger plans to open a 2,700-sq.-ft. eatery at Plymouth Meeting Mall this fall. As of now, Smashburger has 187 corporate and franchised restaurants across the country.

Anchored by Macy’s, Boscov’s and Whole Foods Market and Café, the mall features more than 100 specialty retailers and a long list of destination restaurants like Benihana, Bertucci’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Chipotle Mexican Grill and others.

Bethesda, Md. — Max Brenner has opened a Chocolate Bar in Bethesda, Md., along Bethesda Row. It is the first location for the chocolate retailer in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

The interior of the shop features vats of swirling chocolate and chocolate pipes running the length of the ceiling.
 

SEATTLE — Starbucks has long offered free Wi-Fi to its customers, but the coffee company has partnered with Google to offer up to 10 times faster network and Wi-Fi speeds at its U.S.-based stores. 

Throughout the next 18 months, Starbucks will convert more than 7,000 U.S. stores to the upgraded store network and Wi-Fi experience.

Lorton, Va. – In order to quickly detect customer service problems and quantify customer requests, Five Guys Burgers and Fries has implemented social intelligence technology from newBrandAnalytics (nBA). Using nBA solutions, Five Guys monitors social media chatter to help the company implement operational changes and improve engagement with customers. Five Guys also leverages the technology to gauge interest in potential new menu items.

Los Angeles — Hakkasan Ltd. has announced the opening of Hakkasan Beverly Hills, a 10,000-sq.-ft. restaurant in the most exclusive neighborhood in Los Angeles.

The international restaurant group’s newest offering will open in early fall.