The National Restaurant Association will host a two-day seminar this fall as a way to offer operators ideas to better engage guests through emerging technology. “Restaurant Innovation Summit: Emerging Technology and the Customer Experience,” Oct. 23-24 in Denver, will feature sessions on mobile payment, enabling in-store customer interaction, maximizing out-of-store interaction, and leveraging big data.…

Sbarro will spread its footprint in southern India under a new 35-unit master franchisee deal. White Planet Restaurants, which currently operates five Sbarro eateries there, will open three outlets this year and grow the brand to 35 new eateries throughout the region. The 1,000-unit Melville, N.Y., chain has 400 outlets in 40 countries outside of…

Frozen yogurt retailer Pinkberry has expanded into India and opened three stores— in Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai—in one day. The Santa Monica, Calif., chain has regionalized the menu for India, its 19th global market. It’s partnering there with JSM Corp., which has a portfolio of independent restaurants and is India’s exclusive master franchisee for brands…

One of the country’s largest foodservice equipment manufacturers has acquired one of its counterparts in China, providing it access to the world’s largest consumer market. Illinois Tool Works announced July 3 that it has purchased Gold Pattern Holdings, the owner of Vesta Catering Co., which sells Western-style cooking equipment under the brand name, Justa. Financial…

Still thinking about next year’s sales strategy? There’s still time to register for the industry’s only hard-numbers forecast seminar for the E&S market. Foodservice Equipment Reports’ 2014 E&S Market Forecast President’s Preview is Wed., Aug. 7, at the Westin O’Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Ill. The annual one-day event provides manufacturers, operators, dealers and others in…

Five Guys has crossed the pond. While the United States celebrated its independence last week, the chain opened its first unit in the United Kingdom. The freezer-free burger chain’s debut London unit is in Covent Garden; a second outlet will open in August in Reading, and it’s rumored in the British press that two additional…

It’s a reinvigorated look for Hooters, which marks its 30th anniversary this year. The Atlanta chain has unveiled a new modern prototype in Slidell, La., that it says sets the tone for future locations and renovations. The new design includes expansive windows, more exposed wood and more open space to encourage social interaction. The bar…

Southern California’s car culture will soon have some new outlets. Sonic, America’s Drive-In, is set for further expansion on the West Coast, including franchise deals for 15 new drive-ins in Southern California. The Oklahoma City chain’s five-unit franchise partner SPG Management will develop five new drive-ins in San Diego County and 10 new drive-ins in…

It’s a milestone year for Cold Stone Creamery. The chain is marking its 25th year in business by setting up shop in Turkey—its 25th country of operation. Parent company Kahala has inked a master franchise agreement with Ulker Golf, aiming to open 15 stores in the market over the next five years. Since debuting its…

Landry’s Inc. has acquired Mastro’s Restaurants LLC, a high-end steak and seafood chain. The 10-unit chain, based in Woodland Hills, Calif., includes two main concepts: Mastro’s Steakhouse and Mastro’s Ocean Club. Mastro’s has five sites in California, three in Arizona, one each in Chicago and Las Vegas. The upscale Mastro’s Ocean Club has units in…