Fast Five: Need-to-Know News in Full-Service this Week

Owners/Operators: Two brands that are household names swapped owners. Darden sold Red Lobster for $2.1 billion last week, and TGI Fridays was scooped off the market for a reported $800 billion Wednesday.
NRA Show: Highlights included innovation in beverage, a sustainable rooftop garden, and health as a menu driver.
Chefs: The James Beard Foundation announced it will move its annual awards ceremony from New York City in Chicago in 2015. Airport restaurant operator HMSHost will sponsor the event.
Finance: North American restaurants saw overall declines of 2.1 percent in diner counts during the first quarter, OpenTable's index found.
Technology: Groupon announced Gnome, a tablet-based platform that will allow customers to instantly recognize Groupon customers, easily redeem Groupons, and act as a POS system and credit card payment processing device.

Peter D’Amelio Named Strategic Advisor to Leo’s Italian Social

Peter D’Amelio, CEO of PJD Hospitality and former president of the Cheesecake Factory, has joined Leo’s Italian Social as a strategic advisor to help steward its growth in the Midwest and along the East Coast. With an impressive 30-plus-year track record in the hospitality industry, D’Amelio brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the […]

Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Pledges $1 Million to Ohio State

The Ohio State University’s College of Education and Human Ecology announced a generous $1 million commitment from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR) on Monday for the renovation of Campbell Hall. The news was shared during The Big Dish, the Hospitality Management Program’s annual signature event, which celebrates the program’s graduating seniors and industry partners. The program’s […]

Hooters Unveils New ‘Sizzling Menu’ for Limited Time

Hooters, the original wing joint, has unveiled a new limited-time offer (LTO) “sizzling menu” running through summer that includes an array of scrumptious new items, from a brand new Mango Habanero wing sauce to shareables like Cheese Curds served with marinara sauce and two new styles of loaded fries. The new Mango Habanero Sauce is […]

Kyuramen Opens in Sandy Springs, Georgia

Kyuramen, the renowned Japanese ramen chain, introduced its location at 6623 Roswell Rd NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 that brings authentic and innovative ramen experiences at an affordable price to Sandy Springs residents. Participating in Kyuramen’s nationwide “New Bowl Lottery Game,” the Sandy Spring location allows diners to have a chance to win a free […]

Denny’s to Offer Discounted Sweet Cream Cold Brew on 4/20

This 4/20, come to Denny’s for a brew-tiful celebration. In honor of National Cold Brew Day on April 20, Denny’s is pleased to provide Denny’s rewards members 20 percent off one Sweet Cream Cold Brew. Customers must become value members before April 20 to be eligible for this special all-day offer. No matter what holiday you’re celebrating, […]

Harrison Launches Global Design Competition for Students

360-degree global branding, interior design & architecture specialist, Harrison, announces the launch of its inaugural design challenge for students to take part in this summer (2024), ‘The Harrison School of Design Competition’. Launching across the UK and US simultaneously, the competition gives aspiring designers and architects the opportunity to create a restaurant design concept based on their […]

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Hosting Mother’s Day Weekend Lunch

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is celebrating Moms with amazing 3-Course Menus for Mother’s Day weekend. Fleming’s will be offering a new 3-course Lunch Menu that will be available starting at 11 am on Saturday, May 11, 2024 and 10 am on Sunday, May 12th, 2024, as well as a classic Surf & Turf […]

Stravito Unveils Assistant Insights Companion

Stravito, the enterprise insights platform democratizing access to market research in the world’s largest food and beverage organizations, is making a major leap forward in its generative AI journey. Today the company unveils Stravito Assistant, a trusted insights companion that helps users find answers faster, ask better questions, and immediately leverage a wealth of insights […]

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