Chipotle, Mountain Mike’s, Hot Dog on a Stick
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July 9, 2026
An AI-powered weather forecasting tool, a solution designed to improve soil health, and a tech company that facilitates payments through biometrics. These are some of the ideas behind the companies that received the latest round of investments from Chipotle’s Cultivate Next venture fund. The fund was created in 2022 and doubled in 2024 to support companies that create solutions in agriculture, supply chains, sustainability, food systems, and restaurant technology. The companies also support Chipotle’s long-term goal of operating 7,000 restaurants in North America.
A Mountain Mike’s franchisee has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Rogue Fare LLC operates five restaurants in southern Oregon, though the parent company said the bankruptcy filing involves just one of those locations, in Medford. In a statement, the company said the situation is isolated and is not a reflection of the overall strength of Mountain Mike’s. The franchisee did not specify a reason for the filing, but listed assets between $0 and $50,000 and liabilities between $1 million and $10 million with over 340 creditors. Mountain Mike’s is one of the few pizza chains that grew in 2025 as the overall category declined. Its sales were up 2%, while its unit count was up 7.4%.
The new owner of Hot Dog on a Stick is planning to give the storied corn dog concept a fresh start. Hot Dog on a Stick was acquired out of the Fat Brands bankruptcy earlier this year by Las Vegas-based Amazing Brands, which also owns Pinkbox Donuts, Siegels Bagelmania, and Piero’s Italian Restaurant. CEO Stephen Siegel said the acquisition was personal. He has fond memories of the brand, which was founded in 1946 near the Santa Monica Pier, and his wife once worked there in the 1990s. Once boasting more than 100 units coast to coast, Hot Dog on a Stick has been reduced to 44 units, corporate and franchised. But Siegel plans to grow it again, starting with a flagship location in Las Vegas.
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About the Authors
Lisa Jennings
Executive Editor, Restaurant Business
Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Her experience includes other industry publications as well as the daily newspaper The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., where she was Food Editor. Her work has been cited in the Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, FoodBeast, The Huffington Post, Time.com and more.
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister
Managing Editor
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservice Media, with brands including Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business, and Foodservice Director. Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Technomic Top 500 report. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team.
Leigh Anne lives in New York City, but also claims Phoenix, Dallas and Cleveland as hometowns. Leigh Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, where she also studied European history.
Email Leigh Anne at [email protected]
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister’s experience:
Group Managing Editor, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
Group Managing Editor, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)
Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)
Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)
Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)
Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)
Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)
Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)
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Source: This story originated with Nation's Restaurant News.
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