Restaurant franchise owner reportedly bringing Church's Chicken to Falls
NIAGARA FALLS — A local restauranteur under investigation for wage theft plans on bringing another fast food chain downtown.
Franchisee Muhammed Shoaib is opening a Church's Texas Chicken location on the ground floor of the Hyatt Place Hotel at 310 Rainbow Blvd., according to Buffalo Business First. It would replace the Cantina Falls Mexican Restaurant which opened in 2020.
He reportedly signed a 10-year lease for the 3,100 square-foot space with Hamister Hotels, which owns the Hyatt Place location. The Church's location is expected to be open for the summer tourist season following a $500,000 to renovation. It will have an indoor capacity of 50 to 80 people, and have 20 people staffing it.
Founded in San Antonio and based in Atlanta, the chain mainly serves fried chicken offerings. The Niagara Falls location would be the chain's first in New York state, with 767 locations in operation nationwide.
Shoaib did not return requests for comment.
Other potential future sites could be on Buffalo's Delaware Avenue and in Wheatfield.
He already operates Church's locations in Niagara Falls, Ont., and St. Catherines among his restaurants on both sides of the border, which include Moe's Southwest Grill, Papa Johns, A&W, and Crumbl Cookies.
His latest developments in Niagara Falls have drawn scrutiny, as he received $433,750 in Niagara County Industrial Development Agency tax incentives for A&W and Moe's locations on Rainbow Boulevard. That drew criticism from state lawmakers claiming he was exploiting a loophole in state law to get benefits in areas deemed 'highly distressed' for tourism-destination projects.'
This Church's Texas Chicken location, like the two previously mentioned locations, is in Census Tract 211 which has 37.4% of its population living below the poverty line.
Investigative Post also reported he had received $50,000 in Niagara Falls city grants in 2023 from the city's share of the American Rescue Plan for the two locations.
In January, the State Department of Labor started investigating claims from former Shoaib employees that they were not properly paid overtime or had their tips withheld.
That investigation came as the NCIDA in February granted him another $246,603 in incentives to turn the old Haunted House of Wax at 222 Rainbow Blvd. into a fast food franchise hub. The $2.55 million project is planned to finish by June, would hire 40 new positions and feature Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's Carvel Ice Cream, Subway, and a Mediterranean food eatery.
IDA officials had told the Gazette and Investigative Post they would wait and see what comes of the investigation before determining a course of action.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Centurion One Capital Hosts Most Exclusive LA Summit to Date at Iconic Beverly Hills Hotel
Los Angeles, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 11, 2025) - Centurion One Capital is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its 6th Annual LA Summit, held from June 2nd to June 5th at the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel. This year's summit marked the firm's most dynamic gathering to date, uniting a group of influential CEOs, visionary founders, global investors, and strategic partners for four days of purposeful engagement, powerful conversations, and premier hospitality. Set against the backdrop of the famed "Pink Palace," the summit featured an elevated program of high-impact networking, thought leadership, and immersive experiences designed to foster lasting relationships and spark long-term value creation. From the moment guests arrived on the red carpet to the final toast, every detail was crafted to deliver substance with style. "Each year, our goal is to raise the bar," said Kia Besharat, Executive Chairman of Centurion One Capital. "This year's guest list was our most high caliber yet, and the outcomes speak for themselves - partnerships were struck, powerful conversations took shape, and strong momentum was built in more ways than one." Event highlights included: Welcome reception on the rooftop of the Waldorf Astoria, where guests gathered for cocktails, culinary bites, and sweeping views of the city skyline. The atmosphere was refined, the service impeccable, a perfect prelude to an extraordinary week. VIP lunch at Avra Beverly Hills sponsored by ARES Capital Markets Group, where guests enjoyed Mediterranean cuisine and networking in a relaxed setting. A high-adrenaline private shooting session at The Range LA sponsored by Card One International, curated for an elite subset of participants in a high-performance, tactical setting. A private luxury suite experience at Dodger Stadium hosted by Lucosky Brookman, bringing together guests for an exciting night of networking culminating in a Dodgers win against the Mets. CEO / Founder dinner at Hotel Bel-Air hosted by Lucosky Brookman. Set in a sophisticated and serene environment, this intimate gathering brought together influential leaders for insightful dialogue, strategic connections, and a memorable dining experience in one of Los Angeles' most distinguished settings. Grand Havana Room hosted by Specialty Car Collection where guests enjoyed premium cigars and engaged in conversations over hand-crafted cocktails. Guests were also delighted by the VIP transportation that was arranged, which included a fleet of vehicles that included the iconic Ferrari F40, Lamborghini Urus, and more. A VIP finale dinner with a full buyout of The Penthouse at Mastro's Steakhouse Beverly Hills, closing the summit on a high note with an evening of live entertainment, fine dining, celebration and connection. Centurion One Capital would like to extend its sincere thanks to all guests, panelists, and sponsors who made the summit an outstanding success. Looking Ahead:Following the success of this year's event, Centurion One Capital is pleased to announce the return of its 3rd Annual Bahamas Summit, taking place at the Rosewood Baha Mar Hotel on Tuesday, October 28th and Wednesday, October 29th, 2025. More details to be announced in the coming weeks. For companies interested in presenting or for more information, please contact Shamira Kavanagh, Vice President, Operations and Events at events@ For more information about Centurion One Capital, please visit About Centurion One CapitalCenturion One Capital ("Centurion One") is the premier independent Investment Banking firm dedicated to fueling the growth and success of growth companies in North America. With an unwavering commitment to delivering comprehensive financial solutions and strategic guidance, Centurion One is a trusted strategic partner and catalyst to propel issuers to unlock their full potential. Our team comprises seasoned professionals who combine extensive financial expertise with deep knowledge of various sectors. We take a proactive and results-driven approach, working closely with our clients to develop tailored strategies and execute transactions that maximize value and drive long-term success. Centurion One - Empowering Growth. Driving Innovation. Partnering for Success. To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Social Security cost-of-living adjustment may be 2.5% in 2026, new estimate shows
The cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security could be 2.5% in 2026, based on the latest inflation data, new estimates show. That's up from last month's estimate of 2.4%, said Mary Johnson, an independent Social Security and Medicare policy analyst who forecasts 2026 COLA using monthly inflation data. A 2.5% increase would be the same gain beneficiaries received this year, but there's still time for the 2026 estimate to rise because the full impacts of President Donald Trump's tariffs are still unknown. "This estimate may rise with four more months of data still to come in before the 2026 COLA will be announced in October," Johnson said. Even though May inflation remained tame, most economists predict Trump's tariffs will raise inflation, which in turn, boosts the COLA. "Another month goes by with little evidence of tariffs, but the longer-term inflation challenge they pose remains," said Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Ken Kim, senior economist at KPMG, sees inflation peaking above 4% annually in the fall. That would be sharply higher than the 2.4% annual increase in the May consumer price index, a measure of average changes in goods and services costs. The average monthly Social Security check in May reached a record high $1,948.17. Based on that, a 2.5% increase would raise the monthly benefit by about $40.70. Roughly 75 million Americans, or about a fifth of the population, receive Social Security benefits. COLA is an annual adjustment to benefits meant to keep beneficiaries' purchasing power from being eroded by inflation. The final COLA for the following year is typically announced in October by the Social Security Administration. COLA is based on the percentage increase in the consumer price index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers from July through September of the last year as compared to the same three months of the current year. CPI-W tracks the overall inflation rate but can differ slightly. In May, annual CPI-W rose 2.2%, compared with the 2.4% rise in overall consumer prices. Medora Lee is a money, markets, and personal finance reporter at USA TODAY. You can reach her at mjlee@ and subscribe to our free Daily Money newsletter for personal finance tips and business news every Monday through Friday morning. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Social Security COLA may be 2.5% in 2026, but tariffs could lift it Sign in to access your portfolio
Eater
2 hours ago
- Eater
The Inside Scoop on Yala: A Greek Ice Cream Shop Is Coming to Georgetown
Artisanal ice cream is not new to D.C., but Chrys Kefalas is confident his new shop, Yala Greek Ice Cream, will serve ice cream the city has never tasted before. (3143 N Street NW) 'There's something unique about ice cream from Rhodes,' Kefalas shared about the style of ice cream he plans on churning from the Greek island his family is from. 'It is the best, and I am willing to put it up against any other ice cream anywhere.' What gives this ice cream the edge over competitors? Kefalas credits both the creamy yet light texture and flavor, which comes down to technique and ingredient sourcing. The focus is not in the mixings in the ice cream, he says, but rather the base made with farm-fresh cream and 'premium ingredients' sourced from the Mediterranean and select producers around the world. A 'carefully balanced milk and cream-to-sugar ratio' is meant to keep the frozen dessert light and not overly sweet, according to Kefalas. Yala in Greek loosely translates to milk (pronounced more like gála) but also honors the term 'let's go' in Arabic, as a nod to the inherent influence of ingredients that the Middle East shares with Greece, like pistachios, mint, and phyllo. As for the ice cream flavors, they range from Greek classics like baklava and cherry studded with chocolate chunks to familiar American favorites like rocky road and cookies and cream. A strawberry vegan sorbet and several frozen Greek yogurt options (which Kefalas stresses taste vastly different from standard frozen yogurt) will also be available. Kefalas recently brought his staff to the place that influenced his new Georgetown shop, which happens to open on National Ice Cream Day (Sunday, July 20). Calling in from the Greek isle of Rhodes at 1 a.m., Kefalas was there with his team this spring to experience its ice cream for themselves — and enjoy the beaches and warm weather before tourist season picks up. Growing up in a Greek American household, Kefalas would travel to Rhodes in the summers with his family. 'My first memory of this ice cream is having it with my parents and grandmother in Rhodes,' says Kefalas. 'I remember having this great ice cream and when I would come back to the States, nothing compared.' To honor the familial connection, a cartoon of his papou (grandfather) will be adorned throughout Yala's decor and much of the shop's ethos is dedicated to Kefalas' grandfather, who was usually absent on his summer trips to Rhodes. 'He didn't make many trips back to Greece because he was working in restaurants trying to provide for my family and create a better life for us,' Kefalas said about why he wanted to incorporate his grandfather's memory in the shop. 'He was the soul of our family. And he taught me a lot about treating everybody like family, welcoming everyone, taking great pride and making things the best.' Kefalas' late grandfather started and ran the Baltimore seafood restaurant Costas Inn, while also helping out at his brother's Jimmy's Famous Seafood. Both restaurants are still open and operating today, serving as a testament to his grandfather's hospitality, standards, and determination. While his grandson has now made D.C. his home with husband and local radio star Tommy McFly, Kefalas hopes to follow in his grandfather's culinary success noting, 'The one type of food that represents my papou best is ice cream. It's about bringing joy to people, and I think we have the opportunity to do that with Yala Greek ice cream.' See More: Coming Attractions DC Restaurant News DC Restaurant Openings
