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Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor

Articles by
Lisa Jennings

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Operations

Tijuana Flats hires turnaround pro James Greco as CEO

Greco, former CEO of Bruegger's and Sbarro, steps in as the fast-casual Tex-Mex chain navigates bankruptcy under new ownership.

Financing

3 fast-casual CEOs on the high cost of fast food

There's been a lot of talk lately about high QSR pricing, and the leaders of Portillo's, Sweetgreen and Cava are pretty happy with that. It makes the fast-casual space look good.

Operations

Gladstone's in Los Angeles prepares to make its last days the best ever

Three partners and a small group of employees are determined to keep the 50-year-old beachfront restaurant alive, risking everything with the hope of making history.

Operations

A breakout year for salad

Small but growing, this group of salad concepts is figuring out how to scale by making fresh, healthful options accessible.

Operations

Former Portillo's exec Derrick Pratt named CEO of Condado Tacos

Derrick Pratt is scheduled to take the helm on July 1 and is charged with leading the full-service brand into the next stage of growth.

Operations

Slutty Vegan may be coming soon to a city near you

The plant-based concept backed by an investment from restaurateur Danny Meyer is on a national tour this summer to hunt for potential locations. And founder Pinky Cole Hayes is working with Pepsi to find the best Black-owned restaurants.

Operations

Portillo's expands operating hours, explores late night

Systemwide, Portillo's restaurants will open 30 minutes earlier, and some restaurants are staying open as late as 1 a.m. local time.

Food

Picking the food stars among miles of booths at the National Restaurant Show

From schnitzel to soft serve, Nancy Kruse and Lisa Jennings put in the mileage and tasted it all at the biggest restaurant event of the year.

Operations

How Dave's Hot Chicken is harnessing a rabid fan base

Top 500: It was one of the fastest growing fast-casual chains in 2023 and sales nearly doubled. But is the hot chicken chain growing too fast?

Leadership

Sam Bakhshandehpour named global CEO of José Andrés Group

The Washington, D.C.-based multiconcept operator also received an investment to fuel its growth.

Operations

Portillo's ousts COO as it looks for operational efficiencies

After five years with Portillo's, COO Derrick Pratt will depart from the company on June 30. Portillo's said it will search for a new head of operations.

Marketing

For fast-casual chains, TikTok creates both love and headaches

The social media platform demonstrated its power in more ways than one this week, giving unexpected publicity to Cava's "love button" while putting Chipotle on the defensive.

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