Commercial Construction & Renovation

Franchising will play a bigger role in Noodles & Company‘s future, starting with a deal that makes multiconcept operator Warner Foods the exclusive franchisee for California. Warner will open 40 new units in the next 12 years and take over …

After a 16-month hiatus, José Andrés and his DC-based ThinkFoodGroup are returning to Los Angeles, with plans to open three restaurants and a bar at the Grand L.A., a new retail, residence and hotel development designed by Frank Gehry. Los …

Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade, a 12-location brand, had formed 40 franchise agreements as of September, creating a foundation for strong growth. QSR

Dunkin‘ has opened a “Next Gen” location in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley. The 1,400-square-foot unit includes a contactless drive-thru and a special tap system. The Morning Call

Amy’s Drive Thru is gearing up for growth as mainstream demand for plant-based food continues to rise, with plans to add as many as 30 new units over the next five years. QSR

Pollo Campero has grown sales at its 80 US units since the pandemic began and the 50-year-old chain is on a mission to expand its presence in the country to 250 locations over the next five years. The brand is …

Fast-casual restaurants are investing in tools that bolster personalization and omnichannel innovations, industry leaders say. Mobile capabilities, loyalty program improvements and data analytics are helping build their competitive edge, they note. Nation’s Restaurant News

Golden Corral and its franchisees have reopened 360 of the buffet chain’s restaurants, and about 40 additional locations are slated to reopen after remodels. The pandemic has taken a toll on the buffet segment and the company is considering new …

Daddy’s Chicken Shack—a concept that emerged from a catering business—eventually opened a location in Pasadena, California, in 2018 and is now embarking on franchising. The company is establishing a restaurant flagship in Houston as it prepares for growth. QSR