In a marriage of burger and deli, Johnny Rockets and Halsted Street Deli have opened two combined restaurants in downtown Chicago. The new restaurants, which feature a wood-trimmed Halsted Street Deli on one side and the retro/modern Johnny Rockets on the other, feature walk-up registers and self-service beverage bars instead of the usual table-service model.…

Donuts for Egypt. That’s the goal of Beautiful Brands Int’l., which recently inked a deal with Egypt-based Vision Brands to franchise 25 Dixie Cream Donut Co. stores in that country over the next 15 years. The agreement represents BBI’s largest franchise agreement in Egypt and the first for Dixie Cream Donut. Egypt’s inaugural Dixie Cream…

The Greene Turtle The Greene Turtle has signed a deal with newly formed franchisee group GT Fairfax to open five sports bar and grill restaurants in Fairfax County, Va., by 2014. Apart from that, the Edgewater, Md.-based chain plans to open about 10 restaurants next year. Target markets include East Coast states ranging from New…

Talk about busy. McDonald’s invested nearly $1.2 billion in 2010 in remodeling some 1,800 systemwide restaurants, according to a third-quarter investors’ report. In the United States, the Oak Brook, Ill., burger giant has completed renovations at about 40 restaurants, with an additional 300 units expected to be finished in the next few months. Preliminary sales results…

Carl’s Jr. is blazing a new trail again—this time in Southeast Asia. In May, CKE Restaurants’ Carl’s Jr. debuted as the first Western fast-food hamburger chain in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Then in August, the Carpinteria, Calif.-based operator opened its first Carl’s Jr. in Jakarta, Indonesia—the first of at least 25 stores planned for…

To Russia with love: Wendy’s/Arby’s Int’l., subsidiary of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group,  announced in August it has signed a major agreement with Wenrus  Restaurant Group Ltd. to build 180 dual-branded Wendy’s/Arby’s restaurants in Russia over the next 10 years. Headquartered in Moscow, WRG is affiliated with Food Service Capital, which currently operates 28 restaurants, including Goodman Steak…

Saladworks is leafing out. The Conshohocken, Pa., chain is offering qualified entrepreneurs the chance to own a Saladworks restaurant for a $75,000 initial investment. An affiliate organization, Saladworks Leasing LLC, will provide the balance of the financing and new-store opening costs. This program aims to expand the Saladworks brand and encourage new franchisees and multiunit…

Yes, lots of Texas-based chain news this month: Chicken wing chain Wingstop is taking flight in the Chicago metro market. The Dallas company plans to add up to 50 Chicago-area locations over several years, which would bring its Illinois tally to about 65 units. The chain, which currently operates 14 Chicago stores, plans to open…

Dallas-based frozen yogurt chain Red Mango, in the news pretty often these days, has awarded development agreements for more than 70 additional locations in some 20 states. One of the most recent deals will see the opening of five stores in the Atlanta area. The sweet-treat chain specializes in “fro-yo” beverages as well as smoothies…

Congratulations in order: The Association for Healthcare Foodservice announced the 2010 winners of the association’s awards at AHF’s annual conference in Austin, Texas. The Lifetime Achievement Award is AHF’s highest award and is given to the individuals who best exemplify the leadership and spirit of legacy organization founders Jacques Bloch and Angelo Gagliano. Seven additional…