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Blackstone completes Jersey Mike’s Subs acquisition
A spokesperson for Manasquan, New Jersey-based sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s Subs told NJBIZ that Blackstone completed its acquisition of a majority stake in the company Jan. 16. They added the terms of the deal remain unchanged from the private equity behemoth’s November 2024 announcement. Blackstone did not immediately respond to a request for more information. […]
2025 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: Torrece Gregoire
Known as “Chef T” from her time on the Fox TV reality cooking competition series “Hell’s Kitchen,” Gregoire is chef-owner of her Bristol-based restaurant, Union 41, which opened in 2023. Before that, the Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts graduate was director of culinary operations at Draper Mercantile, based in Pulaski County, and served […]
2025 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: Benita Thompson-Byas
Thompson-Byas joined the company started by her brother Warren Thompson right at its launch in 1992. Over the past three decades, Thompson Hospitality has grown from a group of 31 Big Boy restaurants to become the nation’s largest minority-owned hospitality business. Thompson-Byas is in charge of the company’s partnership with Compass Group, including more than […]
Richmond water crisis shuts down many restaurants, businesses
Jan. 9 update: Richmond starts water testing, but city remains under boil water advisory “Dry January” became all too literal in Richmond, where most city residents and businesses were struggling with a water outage that started Monday afternoon and was still leaving much of a city with a population of more than 225,000 people without […]
Youngkin proposes eliminating tax on tips in Va. budget
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday a budget proposal to exempt service tips from Virginia’s state income tax, an idea that’s gained bipartisan support federally. In a statement, Youngkin said that Virginians who receive tips — hair stylists, restaurant workers, bellhops and other service industry professionals — would benefit from being able to claim deductions on […]
Gordon Ramsay to open restaurant at Caesars Virginia
Cantankerous celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay plans to open a restaurant called Ramsay’s Kitchen at the $750 million Caesars Virginia casino in Danville by the end of 2024, the casino resort announced Tuesday. “Caesars Virginia sets the standard for approachable luxury, and I’m so proud to open my first [Virginia] restaurant here inside this beautiful resort,” […]
Alexandria Restaurant Partners promotes CFO
Nazia Millwala has been promoted to chief financial officer for the Alexandria Restaurant Partners, the restaurant operator announced Monday. Millwala joined ARP in January 2022 as the vice president of finance, and she helped restructure ARP’s financial framework. In her new role, she will lead the company’s finances and people management as well as working […]
Va. tourism generated $33.3B for 2023
Virginia’s tourism industry generated $33.3 billion in visitor spending in 2023, an increase of nearly 10% over 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Monday. “The commonwealth’s record-breaking visitor spending numbers are a testament to our abundance of attractions and unique destinations,” Gov. Youngkin stated in a news release. Virginia’s tourism industry supported over 224,000 jobs[...]
100 People to Meet in 2024: Hosts
Nourishing and delighting us, these Virginians welcome us to their communities through food, hospitality and entertainment. Chris Albrecht Senior vice president and general manager, Caesars Virginia Danville In May, the temporary Caesars Virginia casino opened in Danville, led by General Manager Chris Albrecht. A Florida native, Albrecht has worked for Caesars Entertainment for 18 years […]
Hospitality | Tourism 2023: ERIC TERRY
With four decades of hospitality experience, Terry has advocated for the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association’s 1,500-plus industry members since joining as president in 2014. During the pandemic, Terry led the VRLTA in persuading state legislators to allocate $250 million in federal stimulus funds for industry relief. He also spearheaded support for legislation approved [&helli[...]
New federal per diem rates provide bump for hotels
The federal government’s fiscal 2024 per diem reimbursement rates — released Aug. 16 by the General Services Administration — will largely benefit Virginia’s hotels, but not necessarily its restaurants. The continental United States (CONUS) rates — dictating lodging allowances and meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) for federal employees while traveling — will be effective Oct. [&[...]
Five Guys moving HQ to Alexandria
Five Guys Enterprises LLC is moving its corporate headquarters from southern Fairfax County to Alexandria this month, a spokesperson confirmed Friday. The new main office for the family-owned hamburger chain will be in leased space at 1940 Duke St., starting July 17. Friday was the company’s last day at its Lorton headquarters at 10718 Richmond […]
