Kunihide Toyoda to Reopen Crust in Lexington

News Summary

Kunihide Toyoda, known for his influential role in the Lexington dining scene, is set to reopen Crust in early 2025. Originally launched as Smashing Tomato, it has gone through several transformations and will now feature a revamped menu with delicious wood-fired pizza and pasta at the Beaumont Center. Amid challenges in the restaurant industry, Toyoda is confident in his team’s abilities and is also scouting new locations for his other establishments within the Bella Restaurant Group.

Exciting News for Lexington Food Lovers: Kunihide Toyoda is Back with Crust!

Lexington, hold onto your taste buds! The culinary mastermind behind some of your favorite local eateries, Kunihide Toyoda, is gearing up to sprinkle a little magic back into the dining scene. Known for his fantastic work with the Bella Notte Restaurant Group, Toyoda is set to launch the much-anticipated reopening of Crust in early 2025!

A Man of Many Flavors

You might be wondering, just who is this Kunihide Toyoda? Well, his journey in the restaurant industry spans nearly 40 years. He started his career at Jerrico, the parent company behind renowned names like Long John Silver’s and Jerry’s. You could say he knows a thing or two about what makes a dining experience memorable!

Back in 1990, Toyoda’s leadership kicked off a major adventure when he helped orchestrate the purchase of five original Fazoli’s for a cool $3 million. That move turned out to be golden, as under his guidance, the chain expanded to over 400 restaurants in just a decade. Just imagine the amount of pasta served!

Branching Out

But Toyoda didn’t stop there. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the birth of eateries like Bella Notte, Nothing But Burgers, and Smashing Tomato, all cherished spots in the community that showcase his flair for creating delightful dining spaces.

In 2006, he decided to devote his energy entirely to the Bella Restaurant Group. It was a smart move—his restaurants like Bella Café and Grille quickly gained a loyal following! Now, he’s setting his sights on one of his earlier projects, Crust, to bring it back in a brand new light.

Get Ready for Crust’s Triumphant Return

Crust, which has a bit of a history, originally opened as Smashing Tomato in 2011. It was rebranded in 2014 as Crust, only to transform again into Bella Forno in 2019, integrating some tasty menu items from Bella Notte. Unfortunately, like many, it faced challenges during the pandemic and had to close its doors in October 2020 due to COVID-19 complications and lease issues. But good things take time, and now it’s ready to rise from the ashes!

The new Crust will plant its roots at the Beaumont Center, taking over the former Whiskey Bear location. With a revamped menu featuring delicious wood-fired pizza and pasta, Toyoda is ready to attract both old fans and new foodies alike!

Challenges on the Horizon

Despite his extensive experience, Toyoda isn’t blind to the hurdles of launching a new restaurant. The ongoing issues of competition and rising inflation are definitely on his radar. However, his confidence in building a strong team is evident. He places immense emphasis on recruiting, developing, and retaining talented staff that aligns with values of trust, respect, and a steadfast commitment to excellence.

What’s Next for Bella Restaurant Group?

But wait, there’s more! Toyoda isn’t just stopping at Crust. He’s actively scouting for **new locations** for Bella Café & Grille, Smashing Tomato, and Bella Notte. His aim? To add another restaurant to his illustrious portfolio in 2025, making the Lexington dining scene even more vibrant!

The Impact of a Culinary Visionary

Toyoda’s mark on Lexington’s dining culture extends far beyond just tasty food. Interior designer Julie Rainey has openly praised him for his exceptional insights into restaurant concepts, citing how his refined tastes have truly enriched the local culinary landscape.

A Look Back at Fazoli’s

As for Fazoli’s, as of September 2023, it still has 211 locations across the U.S., although the company has faced some operational challenges. Once founded in 1988, it became a staple for fast-casual Italian-American dining and has been through various ownership transitions, currently secured by FAT Brands Inc.

The future certainly looks bright for Kunihide Toyoda and the Bella Notte Restaurant Group. With the exciting reopening of Crust on the horizon, diners in Lexington should get ready for an experience that promises to be as delicious as it is memorable!

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Additional Resources

• Kentucky.com: Know Your Kentucky
• Wikipedia: Fazoli’s
• MSN: Lexington Restaurant Legend
• Google Search: Kunihide Toyoda
• The Sun: Fazoli’s Shut Down Abruptly
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant Industry
• Lane Report: Fazoli’s Celebrates Founders
• Google News: Fazoli’s
• Mashed: The Untold Truth of Fazoli’s
• Google Scholar: Restaurant Entrepreneurship