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RPI hits 100.7 in November

After several years of slow or no growth, restaurant traffic finally dropped into negative territory in the third quarter 2016, compared to the same quarter…

Remodeling stores into the new “Clubhouse” design is generating robust sales results for Round Table Pizza restaurants. The new concept, open in 16 locations in California, Oregon and Washington State, features “pizza-pub-play” options; the open layout includes a bar area with local craft beers, an arcade area for kids, and sports-focused big screen TVs. The Concord, Calif., chain has more than 450 restaurants in seven states; 14 more Clubhouse brand locations are anticipated to open in the first quarter of 2017.

Six weeks after the death of CEO Phil Keiser, Culver’s has named CFO Joseph Koss as its new president and chief executive officer, beginning in January. Koss has managed the fast-casual chain’s financial operations over a period of vast growth from just 53 locations when he joined the Sauk City, Wis., company as controller in 1997, to a total of nearly 600 stores today.

Senior v.p. Jeff Bonner, who currently oversees operations, training and design services, will step into the COO role in the new year as well. Bonner joined the chain 17 years ago. 

The fast-casual concept with 29 locations in New York, Chicago, Kansas, Hong Kong, and Dubai, has gotten a second investment from Panda Express parent Panda Restaurant Group. The funding comes after a year of expansion for Just Salad, which saw new openings in Midwest markets—including a second location in Chicago. The 10-year-old salad chain recently unveiled a new store design at two locations in New York, and is currently renovating its flagship store there. Privately run Panda Restaurant Group has close to 2,000 restaurants globally; it has invested in Pieology as well as three concepts from other countries looking to expand in the U.S.—YakiYan, Ippudo and Uncle Tetsu.