Miscellaneous

🍗 Wan Kim, CEO of Smoothie King, will expand his restaurant portfolio by opening Flock & Fresh in winter 2025 or early 2026 at Dallas' Old Town Shopping Center. The 2,600 sq. ft. space will seat 42 inside and 42 on an open-air patio. Flock & Fresh will feature wellness dining with cage- and hormone-free chicken, and a variety of house-made sauces. Kim also opened Nuri Steakhouse ($20M) in August 2024 and JOA Grill in 2023.

📅 Crestline Hotels & Resorts, LLC, headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, celebrated its 25th anniversary. Founded in 2000, Crestline manages 120 hotels and conference centers across 25 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, with more properties planned. CEO James Carroll emphasized their dedication to superior operations and innovative strategies. Supported by Barceló Hotel Group, Crestline aims to enhance asset value and deliver exceptional guest experiences, positioning itself as a leader in hospitality management.

💳 Accor announced ALL Accor+, a global subscription platform launching in 2026 to unify regional programs with four cards: Explorer, Voyager, ibis, and Signature. Tailored to diverse travel styles across 4,500 hotels, benefits include discounts and exclusive offers. Signature targets Brazil, priced at 135€ annually. The initiative aims to boost personalization, engaging over 100 million members since 2019. Accor partners with 110 global companies to enhance value and drive direct bookings.

✈️ Technology providers play a crucial role in the airline and travel industry, facilitating over a trillion dollars in air travel sales annually. Key players include Amadeus, Sabre Corporation, and PROS for airline distribution technology, Travelfusion and Duffel for content aggregation, and Spotnana and KAYAK for travel seller technology. These technologies range from legacy Passenger Services Systems to modern Offer & Order Management Systems and NDC APIs, enhancing distribution efficiency and enabling modern retailing.

📱 In 2001, Steve Jobs launched the Apple Store, consulting Bernard Arnault. Apple's revenue stands at $5,546 per square foot, while Louis Vuitton generates $100M+ per flagship annually. Apple's model focuses on accessibility, hospitality, and open architecture, while Louis Vuitton emphasizes exclusivity, cultural landmarks, and heritage storytelling. Apple's $17,000 Watch Edition failed to merge luxury with technology. Both brands showcase how innovation and heritage contribute to thriving retail strategies.

🍽 Saudi Arabia's foodservice patronage has declined. Consumers prefer purchasing foodservice for regular meals, with Middle Eastern cuisine being the most popular by a significant margin. However, sauces for proteins are generally less appealing in Saudi Arabia compared to other countries.

💻 Tony Fernandez, CEO of MTech Mobility, and Richard Newman, Chief Strategy Officer at Scale Computing, discussed challenges in scaling restaurant technology. Fernandez compared the process to solving a Rubik’s Cube, emphasizing unique solutions. Newman highlighted cost control as crucial, warning about spiraling expenses. Tim Tang from Hughes advised ensuring technology offers clear value to franchisees. Newman further stressed the need for a stable, scalable infrastructure and cautioned against transactional vendor agreements that hinder growth.

🍴 Bret Thorn, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., is the Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999. He hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast and has a rich history in food journalism, including writing for The New York Sun (2005-2008). A Tufts University graduate, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu and in China. He contributed to the Oxford Encyclopedia and received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Thorn became a Disciple d'Escoffier in 2014.

📊 Sweetgreen's $425 million loss over three years results from poor decisions and tech investments that didn't pay off, leading to customer dissatisfaction. Delta introduced limited edition Air Force 1 sneakers for employees. Fragrance sales have surged in the past two years, signaling a shift in luxury. The invite-only dining model promotes loyalty by focusing on community. Google launched The Pixel Journal app, leveraging personal data. Tech and hospitality industries should recognize the value of detailed, meaningful customer insights.

🛢 Dad bought an old caboose used as a dog kennel for $5,000. It was moved to Deary and renovated with $40,000 over several months. Now, Car 306 boasts 90% occupancy at over $350 per night, attracting guests globally. This project, uniting a depot, car, and caboose, revives Idaho's railroad history. It's a testament to family collaboration and turning dreams into reality. Book now and get $100 off your stay!