Latest news with #AscentHospitalityManagement
Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Perkins Griddle & Go Announces 46 Units Sold in New Jersey
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Perkins American Food Co., is launching into a new fiscal year on a high note. Coming off the heels of a record-breaking FY 2025, the company is quickly growing its presence in New Jersey with the latest Perkins concept, Griddle & Go. The company recently signed multi-unit franchise deals in Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean counties, selling out in all four markets. Perkins Griddle & Go is a new state-of-the-art café concept, and the Garden State boasts the most significant number of upcoming units for the brand. The first location is slated to open by October 2025 at the highly anticipated Netflix Studios campus in Fort Monmouth, which is being called 'The Hollywood of the East.' "Franchisees across the country have shown strong interest in Griddle & Go. We signed an impressive number of units in New Jersey, which will be home to our flagship U.S. restaurant,' said Peter Ortiz, Chief Development Officer for Ascent Hospitality Management. 'We are eager to bring this modern take on Perkins to more markets- new and existing- with the support of our franchise partners.' Designed for today's fast-paced consumers, Perkins Griddle & Go presents a modern interpretation of American hospitality that represents tradition while embracing the future. The concept features a streamlined design and an elevated café experience within a compact footprint, prioritizing convenience. The restaurant incorporates modern digital menus and self-order kiosks, catering to busy customers seeking a quick meal. For those with more time, a cozy café-style dining experience awaits. In addition to New Jersey, Perkins also signed development deals for Griddle & Go in California, Texas and Canada. The concept is positioning itself from coast to coast and in markets in between so that customers can enjoy this new dining experience. "Franchisees from all sorts of backgrounds are joining us in growing Perkins Griddle & Go. From experienced operators to those switching careers, many have one thing in common, and that's their shared passion for Perkins, which stems from being loyal customers who know and appreciate our brand," said Mike Ackley, Senior Director of Franchise Marketing and Development for Ascent Hospitality Management. "These are exciting times, and we are delighted to expand our presence with these dedicated individuals across the country." For more information about Perkins Griddle & Go and franchise opportunities, please visit About Perkins Griddle & Go Perkins American Food Company, formerly known as Perkins Restaurant & Bakery®, has been a beloved heritage brand since its founding in 1958. With a strong commitment to value, quality, and exceptional service, Perkins serves up a delightful array of American classics that cater to today's tastes. At Perkins American Food Company, we know life moves quickly, and finding time for a satisfying meal can be tough. That's why we created Perkins Griddle & Go —a fast-casual dining experience designed to serve guests delicious, high-quality meals at unbeatable prices, all while fitting seamlessly into your busy lifestyle. At Perkins Griddle & Go, guests can enjoy all their Perkins favorites—from Griddle Greats and signature pies to iconic Mammoth Muffins—along with exciting new additions like breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast. We also believe in indulgence, offering a variety of famous bakery treats to brighten your day. For more information about Perkins franchise opportunities, visit
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ascent Hospitality Management, Franchisor for Perkins and Huddle House Restaurants, Closes Fiscal Year 2025 with Record-Breaking Achievements
Franchise development reaches new heights with over 100 new agreements signed, led by multiple landmark multi-unit deals ATLANTA, June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascent Hospitality Management®, the parent company of Huddle House® and Perkins American Food Co., recently closed its 2025 fiscal year with record-breaking performances across both brands. The year was spotlighted with the launch of the newest Perkins concept, Perkins Griddle & Go, which has already sealed deals for 46 units and sold out four New Jersey counties. The Ascent Development team signed over 100 new agreements in FY25 and continues to attract new and existing franchisees to their brands. "Our 2025 fiscal year was packed with exciting initiatives, most notably our Perkins Griddle & Go concept that has been driving an incredible amount of interest. Our development team, led by Peter Ortiz, has been expanding our presence across the country and making historic deals along the way," said James O'Reilly, CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management. "We welcomed several multi-unit owners, signing on for 10 units and more, to grow our brands at an impressive rate. As we continue to evolve our brands and expand their footprints, we are fortunate to have strong leadership and passionate franchise partners to take us to new heights and build on our legacy brands." Perkins Evolution Drives Unprecedented Growth A key highlight of the fiscal year is the Perkins Griddle & Go concept, a modern twist on the Perkins brand that caters to guests on the go with its convenience-centered service format. Perkins opened the flagship Perkins Griddle & Go in Canada in late 2024. Since the launch of Perkins Griddle & Go, the company has sold out four counties in New Jersey, including Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean County. Each of these counties was purchased by new franchisees, building excitement around bringing Perkins to a new generation. The first U.S. Perkins Griddle & Go is slated to open in Fort Monmouth across from the new Netflix Studios campus. The Ascent Development team also signed first-ever multi-unit franchise agreements in California and Texas, expanding the brand's presence in the United States. In addition to landmark agreements in new states, Perkins also signed a multi-unit agreement in Calgary, Alberta, marking the first Canadian expansion in many years. Another significant highlight and historic moment for Perkins was the unveiling of the latest restaurant design. The flagship restaurant, located in Orlando, is the first to boast the newest state-of-the-art look and service elements, including a completely revamped menu and new beverage options- frozen drinks, boba chillers, craft refreshers, and signature cocktails. The company celebrated the Central Florida restaurant with much fanfare through a multi-day event this past March. "Perkins truly is the hottest brand in restaurant franchising right now," said Peter Ortiz, Chief Development Officer with Ascent Hospitality Management. "We've made significant investments to elevate our brand, with new prototypes, new restaurant design, new menus, and a new leadership team that is driven to bring Perkins into the future – and it's working. Our brand is attracting the attention of multi-unit investors who are buying up entire territories. We fully expect to be sold out in the United States in the next three to five years." Huddle House Makes Historic Moves Huddle House also had its share of achievements in FY25. The brand signed more than 50 agreements, including deals with existing franchise partners. The most recent fiscal year was marked by the largest deal in Huddle House history in Houston, TX, with 20 locations planned for the area in the coming years. The company also signed multiple new agreements in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina, further expanding the brand's footprint in the Southeast. In addition to new signings, Huddle House opened new locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. "Interest continues to grow for the Huddle House brand, but more importantly, our franchisees are reinvesting. We have partners furthering their commitments by adding new locations to their portfolios to ensure our strong presence into the future," Ortiz said. "Overall, for Perkins and Huddle House, we've demonstrated during the past year that our strategy to elevate these great brands is working to attract multi-unit investors like never before. The momentum we're experiencing going into a new fiscal year is incredible, and we fully expect to have another year of remarkable growth as we continue to bring these brands to new heights." To learn more about Ascent Hospitality Management and its franchise opportunities, visit About Ascent Hospitality Management® Ascent Hospitality Management is a premier multi-brand restaurant company renowned for its leadership in nurturing and expanding legendary franchised brands. With a portfolio that includes over 600 Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co. locations open or in development nationwide, Ascent Hospitality Management leverages decades of expertise from its experienced leadership team. Committed to creating an exceptional workplace, fostering lifelong customer relationships, and becoming the franchisor of choice, Ascent Hospitality Management® is dedicated to driving growth and innovation in the restaurant industry. To learn more, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact Brianne Barbakoffbrianne@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Ascent Hospitality Management, Franchisor for Perkins and Huddle House Restaurants, Closes Fiscal Year 2025 with Record-Breaking Achievements
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ascent Hospitality Management ®, the parent company of Huddle House ® and Perkins American Food Co., recently closed its 2025 fiscal year with record-breaking performances across both brands. The year was spotlighted with the launch of the newest Perkins concept, Perkins Griddle & Go, which has already sealed deals for 46 units and sold out four New Jersey counties. The Ascent Development team signed over 100 new agreements in FY25 and continues to attract new and existing franchisees to their brands. "Our 2025 fiscal year was packed with exciting initiatives, most notably our Perkins Griddle & Go concept that has been driving an incredible amount of interest. Our development team, led by Peter Ortiz, has been expanding our presence across the country and making historic deals along the way,' said James O'Reilly, CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management. 'We welcomed several multi-unit owners, signing on for 10 units and more, to grow our brands at an impressive rate. As we continue to evolve our brands and expand their footprints, we are fortunate to have strong leadership and passionate franchise partners to take us to new heights and build on our legacy brands.' Perkins Evolution Drives Unprecedented Growth A key highlight of the fiscal year is the Perkins Griddle & Go concept, a modern twist on the Perkins brand that caters to guests on the go with its convenience-centered service format. Perkins opened the flagship Perkins Griddle & Go in Canada in late 2024. Since the launch of Perkins Griddle & Go, the company has sold out four counties in New Jersey, including Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean County. Each of these counties was purchased by new franchisees, building excitement around bringing Perkins to a new generation. The first U.S. Perkins Griddle & Go is slated to open in Fort Monmouth across from the new Netflix Studios campus. The Ascent Development team also signed first-ever multi-unit franchise agreements in California and Texas, expanding the brand's presence in the United States. In addition to landmark agreements in new states, Perkins also signed a multi-unit agreement in Calgary, Alberta, marking the first Canadian expansion in many years. Another significant highlight and historic moment for Perkins was the unveiling of the latest restaurant design. The flagship restaurant, located in Orlando, is the first to boast the newest state-of-the-art look and service elements, including a completely revamped menu and new beverage options- frozen drinks, boba chillers, craft refreshers, and signature cocktails. The company celebrated the Central Florida restaurant with much fanfare through a multi-day event this past March. 'Perkins truly is the hottest brand in restaurant franchising right now,' said Peter Ortiz, Chief Development Officer with Ascent Hospitality Management. 'We've made significant investments to elevate our brand, with new prototypes, new restaurant design, new menus, and a new leadership team that is driven to bring Perkins into the future – and it's working. Our brand is attracting the attention of multi-unit investors who are buying up entire territories. We fully expect to be sold out in the United States in the next three to five years.' Huddle House Makes Historic Moves Huddle House also had its share of achievements in FY25. The brand signed more than 50 agreements, including deals with existing franchise partners. The most recent fiscal year was marked by the largest deal in Huddle House history in Houston, TX, with 20 locations planned for the area in the coming years. The company also signed multiple new agreements in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina, further expanding the brand's footprint in the Southeast. In addition to new signings, Huddle House opened new locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. 'Interest continues to grow for the Huddle House brand, but more importantly, our franchisees are reinvesting. We have partners furthering their commitments by adding new locations to their portfolios to ensure our strong presence into the future,' Ortiz said. 'Overall, for Perkins and Huddle House, we've demonstrated during the past year that our strategy to elevate these great brands is working to attract multi-unit investors like never before. The momentum we're experiencing going into a new fiscal year is incredible, and we fully expect to have another year of remarkable growth as we continue to bring these brands to new heights.' To learn more about Ascent Hospitality Management and its franchise opportunities, visit Ascent Hospitality Management is a premier multi-brand restaurant company renowned for its leadership in nurturing and expanding legendary franchised brands. With a portfolio that includes over 600 Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co. locations open or in development nationwide, Ascent Hospitality Management leverages decades of expertise from its experienced leadership team. Committed to creating an exceptional workplace, fostering lifelong customer relationships, and becoming the franchisor of choice, Ascent Hospitality Management ® is dedicated to driving growth and innovation in the restaurant industry. To learn more, visit
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Huddle House Announces A Brand Renovation for A New Generation of Guests
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2025-- Huddle House , the iconic family dining brand known for its freshly prepared, home-style dishes served All Day, Your Way for 60 years, is undergoing a transformative evolution to better serve its loyal guests. Under the leadership of CEO James O'Reilly and Chief Operating Officer Blain Shortreed, the brand unveils a reimagined brand identity and positioning based on months of guest research, new menu innovation improving on the quality of core products for current guests and developing new products for new guests, and a trio of new restaurant prototypes to accelerate the brand's geographic expansion. 'As we celebrate 60 incredible years, we lay the foundation for the next 60 in a big way, stepping confidently into our evolution,' said James O'Reilly , CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management, the parent company of Huddle House. 'This new chapter, driven by extensive customer research and a refined brand positioning, reflects our commitment to meet the needs of today's diners while staying true to our core values.' Huddle House introduces a redesigned logo that modernizes the iconic 'HH"—a nod to the signature imprint on every fresh-cooked waffle—blending 60 years of heritage with a contemporary edge. Paired with the new tagline, 'Bring it In,' Huddle House reaffirms its role as a welcoming hometown gathering spot, delivering high-quality food, personalized service, and unbeatable value. This transformation is a full reimagining of the guest experience, designed to elevate what current fans love while also appealing to a broader, younger audience. Transforming the Huddle House Experience: New Restaurant Designs At the heart of Huddle House's transformation is a bold redesign of Huddle House restaurants, crafted to maintain the brand's welcoming heart while attracting new and younger guests. Studio 11 Design leads this redesign, balancing Huddle House's timelessness with contemporary dining expectations. In addition to a totally redesigned and improved new small-town mainline restaurant, Huddle House has also developed two new restaurant concepts designed to accelerate growth in urban, suburban, and non-traditional settings. The QSR conversion format focuses on drive-thru and walk-up ordering, catering to busy urban and suburban areas with a menu packed with Huddle House classics and portable options like sandwiches, burgers, burritos, and waffle tacos. This prototype will be piloted with a select group of franchisees. The Huddle House Non-traditional format targets high-traffic locations such as airports, colleges, malls, and travel centers. The Non-traditional concept is designed for convenience, with portable, off-premise dining options in a smaller space of 500 to 1,200 square feet. 'The new store design will serve as the blueprint for our future locations, while the Non-traditional model allows us to enter new markets with a smaller footprint and reduced operational costs, all while meeting the demand for faster service,' said Blain Shortreed , President for Huddle House. 'We want to be able to plug and play beyond the Southeast and target a wider range of communities.' Menu Innovation After 18 months of rigorous development and testing, Huddle House is currently rolling out significant upgrades to its core offerings—a key pillar of its transformation. Guests can now enjoy the new soft and buttery Southern Country Biscuit, all-new crispy and juicy Chicken Tenders, the new Huddle Smashburger, a reimagined Huddle burger with a soft buttery potato bun, and all-new crispy crinkle fries. These enhancements, part of the brand's 'Innovate - Elevate - Communicate' strategy, underscore Huddle House's commitment to quality and flavor. Leading the development and communication of these initiatives is Huddle House's new VP of Marketing, Stephanie Mattingly, who will spearhead the marketing of these and future menu innovations. 'We're thrilled to share these improvements to our core products with our guests,' Mattingly says. 'It's about celebrating what makes Huddle House special while inviting everyone to taste the exciting future of our brand.' Guests and Data Agree: Huddle House Leads the Pack The proof is in the numbers. Full-year 2024 Blackbox guest feedback data reveals Huddle House outperformed all peer competitors in the family dining category on overall guest sentiment. This is a testament to the brand's focus on exceptional experiences and strong franchise partnerships. Fresh off a record-breaking year with the highest number of new franchise development signings in its history, Huddle House is riding this wave of guest love to accelerate its growth trajectory into 2025 and beyond. 'We're elevating every touchpoint for our guests, from the food on their plates to the way they feel when they walk through our doors,' says Blain Shortreed, Chief Operating Officer of Ascent Hospitality Management, who oversees operations for both Huddle House and Perkins. 'Our company and franchise teams have worked tirelessly to make Huddle House a standout in family dining, and these results show we're delivering.' To learn more about franchising opportunities with Huddle House, visit . For locations and menu, visit or follow them on social @HuddleHouse. About Huddle House All Day, Your Way. Huddle House shares that spirit of hometown togetherness, creating that warm atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Huddle House has been serving freshly prepared, quality home-style food since 1964. We're the champions of enjoying big without spending big because at Huddle House, flavor, fun, and value always go hand in hand. Huddle House Inc. is an Ascent Hospitality Management brand with nearly 300 locations open or in development. It has been named one of the Top 200+ Franchises by Franchise Times , ranked among Thrillist's list of ' Regional Breakfast Chains that Should Be Everywhere ,' and named a Top 500 Chain Restaurant by Restaurant Business . Facebook: Instagram: View source version on CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Brianne Barbakoff [email protected] 305.631.2283 KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA GEORGIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RETAIL RESTAURANT/BAR FOOD/BEVERAGE SOURCE: Perkins American Food Co. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 05/06/2025 08:34 AM/DISC: 05/06/2025 08:33 AM
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ascent Hospitality names Blain Shortreed as COO
Ascent Hospitality Management, parent company of family dining brands Huddle House and Perkins American Food, has appointed Blain Shortreed as its new chief operating officer (COO). Shortreed will be responsible for overseeing operations, strategic growth and franchisee success for both dining brands. Shortreed brings leadership experience in the restaurant industry, having previously served in significant roles within franchisee and franchisor organisations. Before this, he was CEO of fast-food restaurant company Long John Silver's with responsibilities including improving product quality, simplifying operations and launching a remodel programme that continues to roll out across the US. Ascent Hospitality Management chief executive officer James O'Reilly stated: "Blain's proven track record in franchise operations and restaurant leadership makes him an invaluable asset to Ascent as we continue advancing both Huddle House and Perkins. 'His expertise in optimising business performance, streamlining operations and supporting franchisee development will play a pivotal role in achieving our long-term vision." Since his move to Huddle House as brand president, Shortreed has restructured the leadership team and driven the brand forward, even amid market challenges. His Innovate - Elevate - Communicate strategy has set Huddle House on a path to achieve an average unit volume of $1m and expand to 500 locations by 2029. Shortreed's oversight will extend to Perkins, which has recently undergone a significant transformation with a refreshed brand identity, a modernised restaurant design and the launch of Griddle and Go, a new concept aimed at enhancing customer experiences. Shortreed stated: "With two incredible brands and dedicated franchise partners, I am excited to take on this expanded role and continue building on the strong foundation at Huddle House and Perkins. 'The teams at both brands are deeply committed to innovation, best-in-class operations and franchisee success. I look forward to working alongside them as we accelerate growth and strengthen our presence in the family dining segment." "Ascent Hospitality names Blain Shortreed as COO" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
