Restaurant Updates: Marco’s, Red Lobster and Wendy’s

* Marco’s Pizza (Toledo, Ohio) plans 80-plus new stores in 2026. Following the debut of 60 added locales last year, the chain’s plans include further expansion in Mexico and the Caribbean, and growing nontraditional formats, including so-called ghost kitchens. Overall, the pizza purveyor has 1200 stores in 35 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Mexico.

* Red Lobster (Orlando) has hired two P.F. Chang execs. Brad Hill has joined the 580-unit seafood chain as CFO and VP, Transformation, and Kristen Briede as Chief Global Development Officer. “Red Lobster has made significant progress coming out of a challenging period, and we’re now shifting from stabilization to a disciplined, execution-led growth phase focused on optimizing the guest experience, driving operational excellence, accelerating real estate optimization and building a stronger platform for durable growth,” said CEO Damola Adamolekun, himself an alum of P.F. Chang’s. “Brad and Kristen are proven, high-impact leaders. Brad brings the operational finance leadership and transformation mindset to drive outcomes, and Kristen brings deep experience building best-in-class franchise, partnership and retail brand development engines.”

* The Wendy’s Co. (Dublin, Ohio) announced it will add 62 new franchise restaurants in Mexico. The burger-centric chain said AJ Group will open a total of 50 locales in Mexico City and the states of Mexico, Hidalgo and Morelos, while WS Pacific will develop 12 new Wendy’s restaurants across the states of Sinaloa and Durango. The chain currently has about 40 locales in Mexico; overall, it has 7000-plus restaurants worldwide.