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Katie Lee

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Club Pilates Signs 70-Unit Development Deal

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Club Pilates has teamed up with entrepreneur Saber Ammori, leading to the signing of a multi-unit development agreement for 70 locations in addition to Ammori’s open studios and studios in development. Currently, Ammori owns and operates 14 Club Pilates units in the New York City area. As part of this deal, Ammori and Cohere Capital have formed Renew Fitness to operate and develop the existing and future locations. The franchisee group’s total number of potential studios will jump to 84, making Renew Fitness one of Club Pilates’ …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

QDOBA Plans Over 100 Franchised Restaurants Across Southeast and Western U.S.

by Katie Lee

San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats has signed two new development agreements to open 50 new restaurants in Atlanta and Nashville. A recent acquisition and expanded development commitment from B Wild Investments, LLC is further accelerating franchise-led growth. “We’re thrilled to partner with proven franchise operators who share our people-first culture, exceptional standards for guest service and commitment to disciplined growth,” says Jeremy Vitaro, chief development officer, QDOBA. QDOBA and its franchise partners currently operate over 865 restaurants, with plans to double the brand’s footprint to approximately 2,000 restaurants within …

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construction and designNewsretailers

The Container Store and Bed Bath & Beyond Launch First Co-Branded Retail Experience

by Katie Lee

Coppell, Texas — In May, The Container Store and Bed Bath & Beyond opened its first co-branded retail location in Fort Worth, Texas. This milestone marks the next step in bringing together two iconic brands to deliver a more connected, value-driven home shopping experience. The new store concept combines the best of The Container Store’s organizing solutions, design services and expertise with the best of Bed Bath & Beyond’s home essentials. The result is a more complete home destination that combines organization, essentials, décor and services in one convenient shopping …

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Menu Order AI Appoints Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Needham, Mass. — Menu Order AI has appointed Krishna Kumar as fractional chief operating officer (COO), strengthening the company’s leadership team as it expands its AI-powered platform for restaurants and consumers. He brings decades of experience leading artificial intelligence, software development, enterprise technology and global product initiatives. “Krishna’s operational expertise and deep understanding of artificial intelligence make him an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” says Melissa Butler, founder and CEO of Menu Order AI. “As we continue expanding our restaurant partnerships and consumer platform, his leadership will help accelerate …

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construction and designCover Storyfacilities managementfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinekitchen equipmentrestaurantssoftware/technology

The Best Kind of Delicious

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Smoothie King unveils its next chapter with a new brand campaign and in-store transformation, celebrating over 50 years of balancing nutrients and flavor. In 1973, Smoothie King introduced a bold new F&B category to the world, literally coining the term “smoothie.” Since then, the king of smoothies has grown to more than 1,200 U.S. locations — and more than 200 new store commitments — with over 1,500 available trade areas in its development pipeline. Now underway on a new brand evolution, Smoothie King is setting …

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AEO Inc. Announces CFO Transition

by Katie Lee

Pittsburgh — After 25 years, Mike Mathias, executive vice president – chief financial officer of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., will transition to full-time non-executive strategic advisor to Jay Schottenstein, executive chairman of the board and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 3, 2026. AEO’s new CFO, Ravi Thanawala, joins the company from Papa Johns. He will succeed Mathias as executive vice president – chief financial officer, also effective Aug. 3. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Mathias will collaborate closely with Thanawala through the remainder of AEO’s 2026 fiscal year and …

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Morgan Li Hires New Senior Sales Executive

by Katie Lee

Chicago Heights, Ill. — Morgan Li, a leading manufacturer of custom retail fixtures, branded environments, graphics and commercial furnishings, has added Neal Wright as senior sales executive. Based in Nashville, Tenn., Wright will support retailers and brands nationwide as they develop and execute store environment programs, fixture rollouts and customer experience initiatives. Wright brings more than two decades of experience helping retailers and consumer brands deliver successful in-store environments. Throughout his career, he has partnered with some of the industry’s most recognized fixture, merchandising and point-of-purchase organizations, including Lozier Corporation, …

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Papa Johns Chief Financial Officer Departs; Company Names Interim CFO

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Papa John’s International, Inc. has appointed Chris Collins, senior vice president of corporate finance and principal accounting officer, to the additional position of interim chief financial officer, effective immediately. Collins succeeds Ravi Thanawala, who is leaving Papa Johns to assume a chief financial officer position at another public company. Thanawala will be available to Papa Johns in an advisory capacity until July 31, 2026, to support a smooth transition. Papa Johns has commenced a search for a permanent CFO. Collins is a seasoned finance professional with more …

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The Kroger Co. to Acquire Giant Eagle for $1.65 Billion

by Katie Lee

Cincinnati and Pittsburgh — The Kroger Co. and Giant Eagle, Inc. have entered into a definitive agreement under which Kroger will acquire Giant Eagle, a leading family-owned food and pharmacy retailer with 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. The transaction has been unanimously approved by Kroger’s board of directors. The purchase price will be $1.65 billion, comprised of $1.25 billion in cash consideration and the assumption of approximately $400 million in outstanding liabilities. “Giant Eagle is a well-run, high-quality regional …

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Badger Technologies Names Retail Industry Veteran as Next CEO

by Katie Lee

Nicholasville, Ky. — Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil Inc., has appointed retail industry veteran John Gehre as chief executive officer. He brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning merchandising, inventory management, supply chain and store operations for top retailers, including Bass Pro Shops, Michaels, The Container Store and H-E-B. As CEO, Gehre will lead Badger Technologies’ next phase of growth, focused on accelerating innovation across the robotics and AI capabilities that power the company’s retail intelligence solutions, strengthening customer relationships and expanding adoption of its …

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