Joanna Fantozzi - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

1 min

Look Who’s Franchising Now: Winter 2025 Edition

📖 Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since August 2021, has over seven years in the restaurant industry. Her journey includes roles at Insider and The Daily Meal. She holds degrees from The College of New Jersey and the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Joanna's work also appears in The New York Times and Forbes. As a moderator at industry events like MUFSO, her insights impact food and cultural discourse.

2 min

DoorDash pilots Zesty — an AI-powered app for personalized restaurant recommendations

📲 DoorDash is piloting "Zesty," an AI-powered app for personalized restaurant discovery, in San Francisco and New York City. Available on iOS, it allows users to search with specific prompts, such as "cozy pasta spots on the Lower East Side under $100" and integrates data from DoorDash, Google Maps, and TikTok. Announced by founder Andy Fang, Zesty is part of DoorDash's September suite of innovations, including delivery robots and smart scales.

2 min

Todd English partners with chef Olivia Ostrow for global kosher hospitality group

🍴 Celebrity chefs Todd English and Olivia Ostrow are launching a global kosher hospitality group under Ostrow Global Inc. 🌍 Debuting December 18 in Miami at Maison Ostrow, the project includes restaurants in Miami, New York, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Paris, and London. The first dinner supports Sharsheret, aiding Jewish women facing cancer. The brand aims to elevate kosher cuisine globally, with future expansion plans for a French-English kosher brasserie in New York City. 🍽️

2 min

Arizona taco chain indefinitely closes all locations after ICE raid

🚨 Taco Giro, a Tucson, Arizona-based restaurant chain, temporarily closed eight locations following a Dec. 5 ICE raid. The operation led to the arrest of 46 individuals, mainly employees. Cesar Rodriguez, operations director, stated 10% of staff were detained. ICE cited labor, tax, and immigration violations. Mass protests during the raid resulted in two civilian arrests and non-lethal force usage. By Dec. 9, three locations reopened, but five remain closed. Rep. Adelita Grijalva claimed she was pepper sprayed during protests.

2 min

Hai Hospitality opens Japanese cocktail bar and restaurant in Charlotte

🍴 Hai Hospitality will open Uchibā, a Japanese cocktail bar and restaurant, in Charlotte's Plaza Midwood in early 2026. The 2,200-square-foot venue will have a 24-seat bar, a 38-seat dining room, and a 1,500-square-foot rooftop for 60 guests. Chef Shaun King will lead the kitchen, inspired by Japanese flavors. Uchibā adds to locations in Dallas (2018) and Austin (2023). The design is by Hai Design Studio and Mother Studio.

1 min

Could a $25 minimum wage be coming to Washington, D.C.?

📖 Joanna Fantozzi, a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since August 2021, has over seven years of experience in hospitality journalism. Her career includes roles at Informa, Insider, and The Daily Meal. Joanna holds degrees from The College of New Jersey and CUNY. She has moderated industry events like MUFSO and Restaurants Rise and contributed to major publications. Her expertise covers restaurant news and cultural issues.

1 min

Vivili Hospitality Group expands with three new Phoenix restaurants

📚 Joanna Fantozzi, a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, has over 7 years in the restaurant and hospitality industry. From August 2021, she’s held her current role at Informa Restaurant & Food Group, having progressed from Assistant Editor since October 2018. Joanna holds a bachelor's degree from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree from CUNY. Her work is featured in The New York Times and Forbes, focusing on restaurant news and cultural issues.

5 min

How and why restaurants should give back

💰 In 2023, 79% of Americans expect companies to support charities. Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign, raising $121 million last year, influences 85% of consumers to prefer supportive brands. CORE has granted over $5 million to families since 2004. Meals on Wheels delivers 251 million meals annually, targeting senior citizens. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation raised $300 million for pediatric cancer research. Southern Smoke Foundation has raised $15 million since 2017. World Central Kitchen, led by chef José Andrés, provides global disaster relief meals.

2 min

Chef Winston Matsuuchi opens Japanese-American gastropub in Las Vegas

🍴 Chef Winston Matsuuchi opened GastroPub Nisei Bar & Grill on November 4 in Las Vegas’ Chinatown. The 4,800-square-foot venue combines a Japanese izakaya with an American gastropub, offering dishes like kalbi tacos and wagyu sliders. Interiors feature modern Vegas aesthetics, with neon accents and mural art. The bar serves cocktails such as Matcha Colada and offers Japanese whisky, beer, and sake. Open daily from noon to midnight, it caters to both daytime and late-night guests.

1 min

Wicked sequel inspires pink and green restaurant promotions across restaurant industry

📑 Joanna Fantozzi, a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News, brings over 7 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry. She joined Informa's Restaurants and Food Group in October 2018 and has held roles including Senior Editor since August 2021. Joanna holds a bachelor's from The College of New Jersey and a master’s from CUNY. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Forbes, and Vice, focusing on industry news and cultural issues.

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