A new custom-built condensing heat exchanger for the special steam system serving the central business district of downtown Grand Rapids has reduced the facility's carbon-dioxide emissions by 5 percent annually.

Deborah Johnson WoodGrand Rapids-based Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc. will convert its O'Charley's franchise at 1600 East Beltline NE to its first restaurant with a locally developed theme, this one to be called Twisted Rooster, a name based on traditional American fare with a twist. Executive Chef Mark Noseda developed a menu that includes Wasabi Wings; Twisted Macaroni and Cheese made with smoked chicken, sweet peas, asparagus, and cherry tomatoes; and a Twisted Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with crispy noodle slaw and cheddar cheese. Meritage Hospitality operates 73 restaurants in two brands, including four O'Charley's and 49 Wendy's in Michigan, and employs 2,200 people. The expected launch July 21 of Twisted Rooster, coupled with growth at the corporate headquarters, brings more than 65 new full- and part-time jobs to West Michigan, says Heather Halligan, marketing coordinator. Those positions are over and above the 25 existing positions from O'Charley's. Halligan says all of those employees retained their jobs. The new positions include a human resources assistant and accounting positions at the corporate headquarters, plus executive chef, restaurant manager, server and bartender jobs. "O'Charley's has been here six years and we have a lot of loyal customers," says Halligan. "We were nearing the end of our agreement with O'Charley's and needed to resign or move on."We felt we needed to make the change and reinvest in the community," she says. "And we'll support the community further by using locally grown foods."Halligan adds that Meritage has implemented an aggressive plan to expand to 150 stores by 2015. That includes converting all four Michigan O'Charley's to independent concepts by 2012. Source: Heather Halligan, Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc.Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

Deborah Johnson WoodOlga Benoit has catered her Haitian-style cuisine in the Grand Rapids area for the past 12 years, and now she's opening Chez Olga to bring her taste treats to the community on a larger scale. Benoit came to Grand Rapids as a refugee and used to operate Benoit's Family Fashions on Leonard Street. But it is her love of cooking and the catering she's done that sealed her decision to start the restaurant. Benoit has spent the last several weeks renovating the interior of 1441 Wealthy St. SE in the distinctive McKendree Silver Works building. That space has seen its share of restaurants come and go, but spokesperson Monica Sparks of Sparks Consulting says the renovation will open up the space and make it more inviting. "Customers are going to find a very festive but comfortable, relaxed feeling of, well, love, I guess is the best way to say it," Sparks says. "The recipes are time honored, passed down from generation to generation, straight from Haiti. Olga had to go to a lot of different vendors for spices, because she couldn't get the more uncommon ones at the larger food suppliers."Benoit's tagline, "Feel the Caribbean Heat," is represented in dishes such as the fried plantains appetizer with spicy coleslaw, Creole chicken, and red beans and rice. The menu also offers a couple of vegetarian and vegan dishes, and everything is under $10.The grand opening is July 9 and 10, with free food to those who have preregistered on the Chez Olga GR Facebook page. Chez Olga will be open Monday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Source: Monica Sparks, Sparks ConsultingDeborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected]. Development News tips can be sent to [email protected].

An article on GlobeSt.com reports that the state of Michigan has designated a tax-free Renewable Energy Renaissance Zone at the 120-acre Holland site of a proposed advanced battery manufacturing facility. According to excerpts from the story:The state-run Michigan Economic Development Corp. has designated the 120-acre site here, planned for a new $303 million advanced battery plant, as a Renewable Energy Renaissance Zone. The 15-year designation was created by the state for the company, LG Chem-Compact Power Inc. The zone will allow the company to operate free of virtually all state and local taxes. The firm expects to produce 15 million battery cells per year when the 650,000-square-foot plant is at full capacity.Read the complete story here.