While most pizza chains have put all their focus on takeout and delivery over the past several years, Irvine-based Mountain Mike’s Pizza LLC is bucking that trend by going all-in with indoor dining. That’s where the real opportunity lies to grow revenue and profit, Chief Executive Jim Metevier told the Read More
BJ’s Restaurants Inc. promoted Lyle Tick to chief executive this month, almost 10 months after the restaurant company first hired the executive as president and chief concept officer. Tick takes over from Bradford Richmond, who had served as interim CEO since last August when the restaurant chain’s previous leader Greg Read More
Ramen chain Yoshiharu Global Co. removed Founder James Chae as co-chief executive and named Ji-Won Kim as the company’s sole CEO, according to an SEC filing on June 12. Brea-based Yoshiharu also replaced Chief Financial Officer Ryan Cho with John Oh. The moves were effective June 10 (Nasdaq: YOSH). Read More
UC Irvine is set to take over stewardship of the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA). “A nonbinding, exploratory letter of intent has been signed, and the two organizations continue to develop a definitive agreement, pending approval of the University of California Board of Regents,” UCI said in a Read More
Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. has sold the Hilton New Orleans St. Charles hotel for $47 million, or approximately $187,000 per key. The Aliso Viejo-based REIT said it expects the 252-room Hilton to “require a cyclical renovation to maintain its competitive position and sustain its current level of earnings.” Read More
In a deal valued at $146 million, CareTrust REIT Inc. has acquired a portfolio of skilled nursing facilities in the Pacific Northwest—bringing its annual investment total to about $1.1 billion. The San Clemente-based real estate investor in healthcare centers, along with a joint venture partner, acquired the skilled nursing facilities Read More
Another activist investor is taking a closer look at El Pollo Loco. CapitalSpring Finance Company LLC, a middle-market private equity and debt investment firm focused on franchised and multi-location businesses, disclosed in a May 29 regulatory filing that it has 5.2% stake in the company with about 1.6 million shares. Read More
Cork & Vines Fund I LP, a Newport Beach-based private equity fund to support building high-end chef-driven bars, recently secured a $3.5 million capital infusion from financial services firm Beneficient (Nasdaq: BENF). This brings Cork & Vines, founded last year by Managing Partner JC Clow, up to $14.5 million in Read More
Disneyland Resort will build a new parking structure with 6,000 spaces on the east side of the property, with construction starting in fall 2026. This site is currently a cast member parking lot off Disney Way. The project includes a new pedestrian bridge over Harbor Blvd., connecting the parking and Read More
As Disneyland Resort marks its 70th anniversary, Walt Disney Co. revealed that the total economic impact of its two Anaheim theme parks, hotels and retail district is $16.1 billion on the Southern California region. The study, conducted by Tourism Economics, covered the fiscal year 2023 and includes direct, indirect, and induced impacts that Read More
