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Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor

Articles by
Lisa Jennings

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Emerging Brands

Punch Bowl Social plans growth with two acquired concepts

Chicago-based eatertainment chain Punch Bowl Social has acquired two new brands that it plans to grow. One is karaoke-concept Voicebox and the other is an immersive art experience called Sweet Tooth Hotel. Both have cocktail bars.

Operations

Can Smashburger get back on track for growth?

Smashburger's new CEO Denise Nelsen is taking a hard look at the brand and how it can reignite expansion, both domestic and international.

Operations

Danny Meyer wants to bring enlightened hospitality to more than just restaurants

Noted restaurant operator Union Square Hospitality Group's consulting arm Hospitality Quotient has launched a new e-learning platform for a broader audience.

Leadership

Pizza Inn parent Rave Restaurant Group upgrades leadership team

The Dallas-based pizza restaurant operator, which also owns Pie Five, has six new executives in place in preparation for planned expansion.

Emerging Brands

3 concepts from Asia are making their U.S. debut

These three chains are big in Asia and elsewhere, but they opened units in the U.S. for the first time last week. Two are full-service concepts, from China and Mongolia, and a third is an innovative pastry shop from Taiwan.

Operations

Panera Bread digital channels suffer national outage

Panera cafes are open, but digital ordering systems are down, including kiosks in stores. Workers say they have been given no explanation.

Leadership

Smashburger names former Starbucks exec CEO

Denise Nelsen spent more than two decades at Starbucks, most recently leading U.S. operations. Now she's plotting new business ventures and international growth at the fast-casual burger brand.

Operations

Can AI solve the challenge of mass producing a truly artisanal sourdough?

The Croatian food engineers at Boogie Lab are bringing an AI-trained "smart fermenter" to the U.S. in partnership with Delmonico's steakhouse co-owner Dennis Turcinovic. Together they will launch the Boogie Bread bakery brand in North America.

Leadership

Jennifer Schuler named CEO of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream

Former Wetzel's Pretzels CEO Jennifer Schuler joins the Canfield, Ohio-based Handel's Homemade Ice Cream at a time of growth for the 130-unit franchise chain.

Operations

Panera Bread increases Unlimited Sip Club price

The subscription drinks program that was $11.99 per month is now $14.99 per month, a 25% increase.

Operations

Calif. labor commissioner clarifies fast-food wage exemption

An update last week attempts to address lingering questions about what companies would be impacted by the upcoming fast-food wage hike. It looks like Panera Bread is not exempt after all.

Operations

Cinnabon and Carvel are about to have a baby

The new Cinnabon Swirl concept from GoTo Foods will debut in Hawaii this summer, with a second unit coming to Oregon. It's a mashup brand with its own identity as the multi-brand restaurant franchise platform promotes more co-branding.

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