Monthly Archives: April 2018

Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, founded and based in Birmingham, has a new chief executive officer. The company last week announced Dan Simpson, its chief innovation officer for almost two years, as its new CEO.

Dan Simpson, Taziki’s new CEO, came to the company almost two years ago as chief innovation officer. (Taziki’s)
Simpson will work closely with Taziki’s founder Keith Richards, who two decades ago put up his house as collateral to build the first Taziki’s near U.S. 280 in Birmingham. The company now has locations in 16 states, and last month opened its 83rd restaurant in West Chester, Ohio. Plans are to have 100 locations open by 2019.
“Keith’s vision for his restaurant is an inspiration to so many. He has created an environment that combines extraordinary food with meaningful human experience,” Simpson said. “He has led the charge to offer fresh, healthy, diverse and affordable food options to the tables of tens of thousands of people for the past 20 years.”
Richards manages the flagship market of Birmingham and will continue to lead Taziki’s culinary research and development program and the HOPE program, which is the company’s charity.
Richards began the HOPE program when he decided to connect Taziki’s to a community need. It began with hiring special-needs adults and teens at his Birmingham-area restaurants, and led to the development of HOPE, or “Herbs Offering Personal Enrichment.” With HOPE, students are hired and taught to plant and cultivate herbs – parsley, oregano, cilantro, basil and rosemary – which are harvested and delivered for use in Taziki’s restaurants.

Simpson and Richards will continue to work with Taziki’s board and staff to clarify the purpose, mission and brand values to guide the company’s next 20 years.
“Dan is working closely with me to carry out my vision for the next 20 years of Taziki’s,” Richards said. “His passion for working to create the new ‘Mediterranean-Coastal’ design for our restaurants has been an integral part of this process.”
The new design for the restaurants includes community tables to create a welcoming environment for conversation, exposed wooden beams in the ceiling, stone and white shiplap-adorned walls, and white and deep blue interior accent pieces. A community board at the back of the restaurants lists local nonprofit events with information about how to participate.
Before joining Taziki’s, Simpson founded and was CEO of ToGo Technologies. Over the past five years, Taziki’s has experienced an increase of more than 60 percent in online and to-go orders.
“Expanding Taziki’s technology capabilities for our customers, including our app offerings, accessibility to ordering online, as well as a new website is a big focus for our team,” Simpson said. “We are working to anticipate consumer trends and seeking innovations that enhance guest experiences.”
Later this year, the company will launch TazRewards, a loyalty program that in-line and online customers can access on the app.

CHILLICOTHE, OH – PRNewswire

Petland Inc., the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Ohio Professional Dog Breeders Association, the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the American Kennel Club (AKC) recently hosted the sixth annual Dog Breeder Symposium in Walnut Creek, Ohio. More than 200 professional and hobby breeders from three states were in attendance.

“Petland is proud to be a partner in supporting this annual educational conference. This is a special collaborative effort between federal and state agencies and the pet industry to promote and implement processes to improve the life and welfare of pets,” said Petland President and CEO Joe Watson. “Breeders from around the state have a unique opportunity to hear firsthand about improvements and standards of care.”

The Symposium series is unique in that the five groups work together to produce an annual breeder education event geared towards the continual improvement of dog-breeding standards.

“We find that bringing groups together is highly productive and beneficial,” said Petland’s Vice President of Animal Welfare Brian Winslow. “Petland works closely with the USDA and all of our conference partners as each group brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the meeting.”

This year’s symposium was held March 27 and focused on enrichment activities for dogs, and how to train dogs in a kennel environment. Speakers included representatives from Petland, AKC, the Ohio Professional Dog Breeders’ Association as well as veterinarians. Previous symposiums have addressed the importance of socialization programs for breeding parents and their offspring, improved kennel design and genetic testing.

CANTON, MA – To bring customers more options to enjoy two great breakfast sandwiches at one great price, Dunkin’ Donuts launched Dunkin’ Go2s, the brand’s new national value menu. Available beginning today at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide, the Dunkin’ Go2s menu allows guests to choose from among three of the brand’s most popular breakfast sandwiches, and purchase two of their go-to favorite at $2, $3 or $5 price points.

Available all day long, Dunkin’ Go2s include*:

• Two Egg & Cheese Wake-up Wraps® for only $2
• Two Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches served on English Muffins for only $3
• Two Egg, Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Sandwiches served on Croissants for only $5

According to Tony Weisman, Chief Marketing Officer, Dunkin’ Donuts U.S., “Dunkin’ Donuts is committed to offering our guests quality products at compelling prices, and we are excited to introduce a new national value menu. Dunkin’ Go2s is focused on delivering more choices and great value for our most popular go-to breakfast sandwiches. Now guests can enjoy not one but two of their favorite breakfast sandwiches priced at $2, $3 or $5.”

Calling All Go-Getters

For the launch of Dunkin’ Go2s, Dunkin’ Donuts is celebrating “go-getters” across America. Beginning April 9, and throughout April the brand will host the new “Go-getters Go2 Dunkin’” contest, giving fans the chance to win by sharing how they work hard to succeed each day. Each week fans will be asked to nominate themselves as the ultimate go-getter– such as the office go-getter, go-getter with a side hustle, a go-getter in the community, etc. — on Instagram using #GoGetter and #contest. Dunkin’ Donuts will select three go-getters to receive a customized trophy in honor of his or her drive and ambition to succeed, along with a gift card to share a Go2 breakfast sandwich with their friends/loved ones. No purchase necessary, 18+, U.S. residents only. Ends April 30, 2018. Official rules will be available at www.DDGoGetters.com.

Cold Brew Tasting Event

Dunkin’ Go2s pair perfectly with the brand’s coffee beverages, including hot or iced coffees, lattes, macchiatos, frozen coffee and Cold Brew coffee. On Friday, April 6, Dunkin’ Donuts is giving guests a great opportunity to try a taste of its rich, smooth Cold Brew coffee as part of a special nationwide Cold Brew tasting event.

Dunkin’ Donuts will offer a complimentary sample (3.5-ounce) from 10 AM to 2 PM at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide, while supplies last. Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew coffee is crafted by hand in small batches, prepared by steeping a special blend of coffee in cold water for 12 hours. This longer process extracts a uniquely distinctive, inherently sweeter flavor from the beans reminiscent of dark chocolate.

To learn more about Dunkin’ Donuts, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com, or subscribe to the Dunkin’ Donuts blog to receive notifications at https://news.dunkindonuts.com/blog.

* Single sandwich sold at regular price. No substitutions. For a limited time at participating locations.