Hooters, Red Bicycle Coffee, National Franchise Sales, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, and Juice It Up! lead RestaurantNews.com’s Top 20 stories for the week ending April 6, 2025.
1) Hooters Inc. and Hoot Owl Restaurants LLC, Two Leading Hooters Franchisees, Reach Historic Transaction with Hooters of America
Hooters Inc., in partnership with another successful Hooters franchisee, Hoot Owl Restaurants LLC, has reached an agreement in principle with Hooters of America, LLC and certain of its affiliates to acquire over 100 HOA-owned Hooters restaurants.
2) ERC Tax Credit Deadline: Claim Up to $21,000 Per Employee by April 15th
Restaurant owners, imagine injecting up to $21,000 per employee back into your business – cash that’s yours for the taking through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC).
3) Cortes Ventures Inc. Expands with Fifth Red Bicycle Coffee Location at Vintage Pleasant Grove
Led by husband-and-wife duo Luis Cortes and Cyndi Cortes, Cortes Ventures continues to expand its footprint in Middle Tennessee, further solidifying its reputation for delivering exceptional coffee experiences and fostering vibrant community spaces.
4) 77 Pizza Hut Restaurants Transition to New Ownership Following Auction Led by National Franchise Sales
This marks the completion of a competitive auction process, recovering just under $12 million for the bankruptcy estate.
5) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Enters Fourth Year as an Official Pizza Partner of Angels Baseball
Throughout the years, Mountain Mike’s Pizza has been able to build their relationship with the Angels and their devoted fans across Southern California since becoming an Official Pizza Partner in 2022.
6) Juice It Up! Enters Third Year of Angels Baseball Partnership
Rooted in fueling active lifestyles, Juice It Up!’s continued partnership with Angels Baseball is a natural fit, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to bringing energy, excitement and unforgettable experiences to Angels fans all season long.
7) Twin Hospitality Group Announces Leadership Transition
Ken Kuick, Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer and Allen Sussman, General Counsel of FAT Brands Inc., has been appointed Interim Chief Legal Officer.
8) Mediterranean Fusion Hotspot MF Gyros and Burgers Announces Nationwide Franchise Expansion
The brand expertly combines traditional fast-food favorites, such as fries, handcrafted burgers, and onion rings, with housemade gyros and falafels to offer a menu that is both exciting and satisfying for everyone from traditional gyro lovers to burger enthusiasts.
9) Golden Corral Opens Manchester Location with Grand Celebration
“Golden Corral has long been a beloved brand, known for its commitment to quality, variety, and outstanding customer service,” said franchisee Ray Blanchette. “We have great admiration for the brand’s leadership, whose visionary approach has made it a leader in the industry.”
10) BIGGBY COFFEE Unveils Spring-Inspired Limited Time Only Menu Featuring Lavender and MelonBerry Flavors
Available through May 21st, the new seasonal lineup features floral, fruity, and savory favorites, plus special promotions for National Tea Day and Mother’s Day.
11) Toastique To Open First El Paso, TX Location in Spring 2025
Toastique has announced its latest expansion to El Paso, Texas with its first location opening in spring 2025 serving gourmet toast creations, smoothie bowls, nutrient-rich cold-pressed juices, smoothies, espresso, coffee, and grab-and-go options.
12) Home Frite Opens in Pomona, NY To Record-Breaking Crowds
Home Frite’s signature thick-cut fries, gourmet burger offerings, and indulgent dipping sauces continue to captivate food lovers, and the brand’s expansion is set to redefine the fast-casual industry.
13) Jack in the Box Inc. Names Lance Tucker as Its Chief Executive Officer
Tucker served as interim CEO since February 2025 after being hired as chief financial officer for the company in November 2024, which followed a previous tenure as CFO of Jack in the Box from March 2018 to September 2020.
14) Mountain Mike’s Pizza Named Brand of the Year by Pizza Marketplace
With its legendary pizza and dedication to delivering exceptional dining experiences, Mountain Mike’s continues to reinforce its position as a pizza segment leader, and has grown exponentially since 2017 while staying true to its roots.
15) FB Society Names Christine Magrann President and COO
FB Society, the award-winning hospitality brand known for pushing the boundaries of immersive dining and experiential hospitality, has appointed Christine Magrann as President and Chief Operating Officer of Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar and Mexican Sugar.
16) Melting Pot Celebrates 50 Years of Fondue Magic With a Year of Special Menus, New Offerings and Unforgettable Moments
As the iconic fondue franchise embarks on its 50th anniversary, Melting Pot reflects on five decades of providing the perfect night out and announces exciting limited-time celebrations.
17) P.F. Chang’s Appoints Brad Hill as Chief Executive Officer and Corey Robertson as Chief Operating Officer
P.F. Chang’s today announced Brad Hill as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Hill, who previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer during his eight-year tenure with the company.
18) Peter Boylan to Retire from Ballard Brands, David Mesa Named President of Franchise Division featuring PJ’s Coffee and WOW American Eats
After nearly two decades of leadership within the company, Ballard Brands President and CEO Peter J. Boylan III will retire, effective April 2025.
19) Wray Executive Search Releases 2025 Industry Outlook for the Restaurant and Hospitality C-Suite
Report offers an analysis of the key challenges and strategies identified by C-suite leaders in the restaurant and hospitality industries as they prepare for a rapidly evolving landscape in 2025.
20) Juice It Up! Expands Spring Menu With Seasonal Smoothies, New Toast Lineup and Partnership With Dave’s Killer Bread
The brand is bringing back two seasonal fan-favorite smoothies, debuting five handcrafted, limited-time toasts and launching a first-of-its-kind partnership with Dave’s Killer Bread to expand its food offerings.
