2023 Year in Review: Coffee concepts put jolt into food and beverage landscape
Coffee shops flowed into central Indiana this year, highlighted by 10 companies that launched new locations. Plus, there were a slew of restaurant openings and closings.
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Ten entertainment and dining debuts on deck for 2024
Broadway shows, a music festival and surrealism at the Lume are new attractions planned for Indianapolis in the new year.
The 15 most-downloaded IBJ Podcast episodes of 2023
A couple of themes you’ll notice: Entrepreneurs make for popular protests and Pete the Planner is a popular guest. At the top of the list is host Mason King’s interview with restaurateur Mike Cunningham, founder of Cunningham Restaurant Group.
UPDATE: Taco Bell Cantina franchisee schedules opening despite lawsuit
A lawsuit claims the planned Cantina is too close—within one-tenth of a mile—to Circle Centre Mall’s Taco Bell, setting up unfair competition in violation the Indiana Deceptive Franchise Practices Act.
IBJ Podcast: ‘We’re survivors’—how the founders of Clancy’s Hamburgers and Grindstone Charley’s evolved to The Fountain Room
The story of Clancy’s Hospitality in many ways is the story of the central Indiana restaurant industry.
IBJ Podcast: How Westfield resident Joey Chestnut makes a good living in competitive eating
Chestnut is the first to admit that competitive eating is a little weird, but he has a natural affinity for it, and it allows him to make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.
Ash & Elm Cider Co. planning expansion into Carmel with restaurant, tasting room
Ash & Elm’s planned 3,500-square-foot location, part of a multi-phase development by Carmel-based Old Town Cos., will be the company’s second restaurant and tasting room when it opens in spring 2024.
Mix Food Hall closes at Kroger stores in Carmel, Fishers
Mix Food Hall locations, which offered menu items from several restaurants and filled them through online ordering, have shut down less than a year after opening in Hamilton County.
Las Vegas concept that exited Broad Ripple plans to take over former Hard Rock Cafe location
Tanya Davis plans to open a new version of Vegas Lounge & Bar on the first floor of the historic Morrison Opera Place building at 47-49 S. Meridian St.
Steakhouse planned at former LouVino location in Fishers Nickel Plate District
The 4,200-square-foot Cooper & Cow Steakhouse & Bourbon Lounge is scheduled to open in December at 8626 E. 116th St.
Alcohol-free businesses provide the drinks without the hangover
Booze-free bars and nonalcoholic retail bottle shops are found mostly on the coasts, but a handful have taken root in the Midwest.
Five concepts selected for Melon Kitchen accelerator at 16 Tech
The entrepreneurs will receive $5,000 grants and training in business plans, menu preparation, pitching to investors and other subjects.
Gray Brothers Cafeteria seeking franchisees for carry-out locations
The family-owned Mooresville restaurant that has become synonymous with comfort food in central Indiana wants to branch out into franchising. It projects startup costs for carry-out locations to be between $391,000 and $738,000.
Seafood arrives swiftly at Broad Ripple’s new Bardales market
Bardales Seafood was founded last year as a wholesale supplier to central Indiana restaurants. The business opened a Broad Ripple shop earlier this month to sell specialty fish to the public.
Soul-food landmark Kountry Kitchen set to reopen
Indianapolis restaurant Kountry Kitchen Soul Food Place, which closed in January 2020 after a fire destroyed its building, is scheduled to reopen Thursday in a brand new building in the Kennedy-King neighborhood.
Carmel-based Mesh Systems helps Kraft Heinz develop high-tech sauce dispenser
Carmel-based Mesh Systems worked with the multinational food company on the Heinz Remix, a high-tech machine that allows customers to create customized sauce combinations. In part because of the project, Mesh recently added a 10,000-square-foot lab space.
Loco’s owners plan restaurants in Cummins building, former BrewDog site
Loco Restaurant Group Inc. is branching out to a quick-service concept, plus an eatery focused on American cuisine.
Chipotle robots might soon construct your salads and bowls
Curt Garner, Chipotle’s chief customer and technology officer, said the goal is not to replace workers but to meet the rising demands of serving customers who order online in addition to those who come into the store.
Federal judge dismisses false advertising claims against Wendy’s, McDonald’s
U.S. District Judge Hector Gonzalez said the plaintiff failed to prove that a reasonable customer would be misled by the ads.
North of 96th roundup: Wawa continues Indiana expansion with plans for Westfield store
Multiple retailers, restaurants and other businesses have recently opened or are planning new locations in the north suburbs of Indianapolis. Here’s a rundown: