Latest news with #JamesO'Reilly
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ascent Hospitality Management, Franchisor for Perkins and Huddle House Restaurants, Closes Fiscal Year 2025 with Record-Breaking Achievements
Franchise development reaches new heights with over 100 new agreements signed, led by multiple landmark multi-unit deals ATLANTA, June 03, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ascent Hospitality Management®, the parent company of Huddle House® and Perkins American Food Co., recently closed its 2025 fiscal year with record-breaking performances across both brands. The year was spotlighted with the launch of the newest Perkins concept, Perkins Griddle & Go, which has already sealed deals for 46 units and sold out four New Jersey counties. The Ascent Development team signed over 100 new agreements in FY25 and continues to attract new and existing franchisees to their brands. "Our 2025 fiscal year was packed with exciting initiatives, most notably our Perkins Griddle & Go concept that has been driving an incredible amount of interest. Our development team, led by Peter Ortiz, has been expanding our presence across the country and making historic deals along the way," said James O'Reilly, CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management. "We welcomed several multi-unit owners, signing on for 10 units and more, to grow our brands at an impressive rate. As we continue to evolve our brands and expand their footprints, we are fortunate to have strong leadership and passionate franchise partners to take us to new heights and build on our legacy brands." Perkins Evolution Drives Unprecedented Growth A key highlight of the fiscal year is the Perkins Griddle & Go concept, a modern twist on the Perkins brand that caters to guests on the go with its convenience-centered service format. Perkins opened the flagship Perkins Griddle & Go in Canada in late 2024. Since the launch of Perkins Griddle & Go, the company has sold out four counties in New Jersey, including Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean County. Each of these counties was purchased by new franchisees, building excitement around bringing Perkins to a new generation. The first U.S. Perkins Griddle & Go is slated to open in Fort Monmouth across from the new Netflix Studios campus. The Ascent Development team also signed first-ever multi-unit franchise agreements in California and Texas, expanding the brand's presence in the United States. In addition to landmark agreements in new states, Perkins also signed a multi-unit agreement in Calgary, Alberta, marking the first Canadian expansion in many years. Another significant highlight and historic moment for Perkins was the unveiling of the latest restaurant design. The flagship restaurant, located in Orlando, is the first to boast the newest state-of-the-art look and service elements, including a completely revamped menu and new beverage options- frozen drinks, boba chillers, craft refreshers, and signature cocktails. The company celebrated the Central Florida restaurant with much fanfare through a multi-day event this past March. "Perkins truly is the hottest brand in restaurant franchising right now," said Peter Ortiz, Chief Development Officer with Ascent Hospitality Management. "We've made significant investments to elevate our brand, with new prototypes, new restaurant design, new menus, and a new leadership team that is driven to bring Perkins into the future – and it's working. Our brand is attracting the attention of multi-unit investors who are buying up entire territories. We fully expect to be sold out in the United States in the next three to five years." Huddle House Makes Historic Moves Huddle House also had its share of achievements in FY25. The brand signed more than 50 agreements, including deals with existing franchise partners. The most recent fiscal year was marked by the largest deal in Huddle House history in Houston, TX, with 20 locations planned for the area in the coming years. The company also signed multiple new agreements in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina, further expanding the brand's footprint in the Southeast. In addition to new signings, Huddle House opened new locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. "Interest continues to grow for the Huddle House brand, but more importantly, our franchisees are reinvesting. We have partners furthering their commitments by adding new locations to their portfolios to ensure our strong presence into the future," Ortiz said. "Overall, for Perkins and Huddle House, we've demonstrated during the past year that our strategy to elevate these great brands is working to attract multi-unit investors like never before. The momentum we're experiencing going into a new fiscal year is incredible, and we fully expect to have another year of remarkable growth as we continue to bring these brands to new heights." To learn more about Ascent Hospitality Management and its franchise opportunities, visit About Ascent Hospitality Management® Ascent Hospitality Management is a premier multi-brand restaurant company renowned for its leadership in nurturing and expanding legendary franchised brands. With a portfolio that includes over 600 Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co. locations open or in development nationwide, Ascent Hospitality Management leverages decades of expertise from its experienced leadership team. Committed to creating an exceptional workplace, fostering lifelong customer relationships, and becoming the franchisor of choice, Ascent Hospitality Management® is dedicated to driving growth and innovation in the restaurant industry. To learn more, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact Brianne Barbakoffbrianne@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Ascent Hospitality Management, Franchisor for Perkins and Huddle House Restaurants, Closes Fiscal Year 2025 with Record-Breaking Achievements
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ascent Hospitality Management ®, the parent company of Huddle House ® and Perkins American Food Co., recently closed its 2025 fiscal year with record-breaking performances across both brands. The year was spotlighted with the launch of the newest Perkins concept, Perkins Griddle & Go, which has already sealed deals for 46 units and sold out four New Jersey counties. The Ascent Development team signed over 100 new agreements in FY25 and continues to attract new and existing franchisees to their brands. "Our 2025 fiscal year was packed with exciting initiatives, most notably our Perkins Griddle & Go concept that has been driving an incredible amount of interest. Our development team, led by Peter Ortiz, has been expanding our presence across the country and making historic deals along the way,' said James O'Reilly, CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management. 'We welcomed several multi-unit owners, signing on for 10 units and more, to grow our brands at an impressive rate. As we continue to evolve our brands and expand their footprints, we are fortunate to have strong leadership and passionate franchise partners to take us to new heights and build on our legacy brands.' Perkins Evolution Drives Unprecedented Growth A key highlight of the fiscal year is the Perkins Griddle & Go concept, a modern twist on the Perkins brand that caters to guests on the go with its convenience-centered service format. Perkins opened the flagship Perkins Griddle & Go in Canada in late 2024. Since the launch of Perkins Griddle & Go, the company has sold out four counties in New Jersey, including Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean County. Each of these counties was purchased by new franchisees, building excitement around bringing Perkins to a new generation. The first U.S. Perkins Griddle & Go is slated to open in Fort Monmouth across from the new Netflix Studios campus. The Ascent Development team also signed first-ever multi-unit franchise agreements in California and Texas, expanding the brand's presence in the United States. In addition to landmark agreements in new states, Perkins also signed a multi-unit agreement in Calgary, Alberta, marking the first Canadian expansion in many years. Another significant highlight and historic moment for Perkins was the unveiling of the latest restaurant design. The flagship restaurant, located in Orlando, is the first to boast the newest state-of-the-art look and service elements, including a completely revamped menu and new beverage options- frozen drinks, boba chillers, craft refreshers, and signature cocktails. The company celebrated the Central Florida restaurant with much fanfare through a multi-day event this past March. 'Perkins truly is the hottest brand in restaurant franchising right now,' said Peter Ortiz, Chief Development Officer with Ascent Hospitality Management. 'We've made significant investments to elevate our brand, with new prototypes, new restaurant design, new menus, and a new leadership team that is driven to bring Perkins into the future – and it's working. Our brand is attracting the attention of multi-unit investors who are buying up entire territories. We fully expect to be sold out in the United States in the next three to five years.' Huddle House Makes Historic Moves Huddle House also had its share of achievements in FY25. The brand signed more than 50 agreements, including deals with existing franchise partners. The most recent fiscal year was marked by the largest deal in Huddle House history in Houston, TX, with 20 locations planned for the area in the coming years. The company also signed multiple new agreements in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina, further expanding the brand's footprint in the Southeast. In addition to new signings, Huddle House opened new locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. 'Interest continues to grow for the Huddle House brand, but more importantly, our franchisees are reinvesting. We have partners furthering their commitments by adding new locations to their portfolios to ensure our strong presence into the future,' Ortiz said. 'Overall, for Perkins and Huddle House, we've demonstrated during the past year that our strategy to elevate these great brands is working to attract multi-unit investors like never before. The momentum we're experiencing going into a new fiscal year is incredible, and we fully expect to have another year of remarkable growth as we continue to bring these brands to new heights.' To learn more about Ascent Hospitality Management and its franchise opportunities, visit Ascent Hospitality Management is a premier multi-brand restaurant company renowned for its leadership in nurturing and expanding legendary franchised brands. With a portfolio that includes over 600 Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co. locations open or in development nationwide, Ascent Hospitality Management leverages decades of expertise from its experienced leadership team. Committed to creating an exceptional workplace, fostering lifelong customer relationships, and becoming the franchisor of choice, Ascent Hospitality Management ® is dedicated to driving growth and innovation in the restaurant industry. To learn more, visit
Western Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Pembroke to Ireland interconnector live in energy security boost
The Greenlink interconnector is now operational, connecting the National Grid and EirGrid networks. The 504MW interconnector, consisting of two high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea cables and associated converter stations, is now transferring power between the UK and Ireland. The new link is set to boost both countries' energy security, resilience, and ability to harness clean power. The interconnector connects at substations on National Grid's and EirGrid's networks. The connection to the high voltage network in Wales and England was made possible by a series of upgrades to National Grid's 400kV Pembroke substation. National Grid installed a new gas-insulated switchgear bay inside its existing air-insulated substation, a hybrid solution that accommodated Greenlink's connection in a cost and space efficient way. The connection apparatus is mostly free of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), thanks to the use of an alternative, greener insulating and switching gas. (Image: National Grid)This aligns with National Grid's ambition to reduce SF6 emissions from its network by 50 per cent by 2030. At the Irish end of Greenlink's 200km span – 160km of which is under the sea – the interconnector connects into EirGrid's Great Island substation in County Wexford. Converter stations are located adjacent to the substations at each end of the interconnector converting its direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) for use when imported onto each country's grid, with the reverse process taking place to export power over the link. James O'Reilly, CEO of Greenlink Interconnector Limited, said: "The successful completion of the Greenlink Interconnector marks a significant milestone as one of the first privately developed and funded energy projects between the UK and Ireland. "By enabling the transfer of green energy across borders, Greenlink strengthens energy security, enhances sustainability, and fosters greater connectivity with the wider European market." John Twomey, director of customer connections at National Grid, said: "As demands on our electricity grids evolve, interconnectors provide immense value by strengthening security of electricity supplies and improving our collective ability to exploit the renewable power produced across borders. "Connecting Greenlink to our network ensures we can contribute to, and benefit from, that boost in capacity and resilience as we continue to upgrade our wider network to support Britain's ambitious clean energy targets." The interconnector is owned by Greenlink, and operated by EirGrid.
