Sunday, July 13, 2025
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Katie Lee

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Print the Wall

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Darin Ross — Building a wall for Walmart has never been faster, cheaper or safer — thanks to 3D concrete printing. When Walmart makes waves, it can create a tsunami. The mega-retailer, which has more than 10,000 stores around the globe, continues to be a leader in sustainability, productivity and innovation. Recently, Walmart teamed up with Alquist 3D, in partnership with Atlanta-based FMGI as general contractor, to complete their second 3DCP (3D Concrete Printing) build. The new 5,000-square-foot expansion at Walmart Supercenter #5197 outside Huntsville, Alabama, set …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Pure Green Aims to Have 100 Locations Open by 2026

by Katie Lee

Sunrise, Fla. — Pure Green, a functional wellness brand on a mission to build healthier communities through clean, nutrient-dense smoothies, açaí bowls, cold-pressed juices and wellness shots, is rapidly expanding its footprint and closing in on a major milestone: 100 open locations by early 2026. In just 6 months, the juice bar has grown from 43 to 70 open units — a 63% increase — and is on track to open three to five new stores each month through the end of the year. Founded in New York City in …

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Ulta Beauty Acquires Leading British Beauty Retailer Space NK from Manzanita Capital

by Katie Lee

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty, Inc. has acquired Space NK Limited, a leading British beauty retailer, from Manzanita Capital, a beauty sector specialist investor with a long term investment horizon. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Space NK is a curator of some of the world’s most innovative beauty brands and a go-to destination for beauty discovery in its 83 stores in the UK and Ireland and online. Space NK will operate as a standalone subsidiary of Ulta Beauty and will continue to be led by its existing …

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R&R Brands Launches to Elevate Hospitality and Entertainment

by Katie Lee

Baton Rouge, La. — R&R Brands has officially launched as a parent company and embedded operating partner powering a portfolio of nearly 50 restaurant and entertainment locations across seven states. Built by operators, for operators, R&R exists to scale brands with real alignment and zero spin. The R&R Brands portfolio currently includes Party Fowl, Cody’s Original Roadhouse, Santa Fe Cattle Co., multiple franchise locations of Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and Celebrity Theatres. Uniquely structured as both franchisor and franchisee — while also owning and operating brands directly — R&R brings a …

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construction and designIndustry Voicesremodelsrestaurantsstore closings

Rethinking Real Estate

by Katie Lee

— By David Conklin — Retail-to-restaurant conversions have proven to be a profitable real estate strategy for Golden Corral. The rising costs of new development present an opportunity for retail and restaurant brands to rethink their expansion strategies. One of the most effective ways to fuel growth while mitigating high development costs is by repurposing second-generation spaces — previously occupied retail locations — into thriving restaurant concepts. Golden Corral is leading the charge, targeting these spaces as prime opportunities for conversion and rapid expansion. Why Second-Generation Retail Spaces Work for …

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RaceTrac Partners with Sensolus for Smart Tracking Services

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Sensolus, a global provider of industrial IoT solutions, has formed a partnership with leading convenience store retailer RaceTrac to deploy tracking technologies for critical parts transported between store locations and distribution centers, helping to deliver on RaceTrac’s focus on efficiency and exceptional customer service. RaceTrac partnership with IoT solutions provider Sensolus to deploy tracking technologies for critical parts transported between store locations and distribution centers, helping deliver on RaceTrac’s focus on efficiency and exceptional customer service. By digitally tracking reusable totes containing spare parts for fuel pumps, Sensolus …

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Paradies Lagardère Expands Footprint with Retail/F&B Contracts at 2 Key Airports

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Paradies Lagardère, a leading North American airport restaurateur and retailer, has finalized new food and beverage and retail contracts at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). “We are truly humbled by the trust that our airport partners have placed in us, and we are honored to continue growing these relationships,” says Gregg Paradies, president and CEO. “These new opportunities allow us to do what we’re most passionate about, which is partnering with local artisans and entrepreneurs to create a genuine sense of …

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Fresh Kitchen Unveils Plans for Largest-Ever Location in South Tampa

by Katie Lee

Tampa Bay, Fla. — Fresh Kitchen plans to open a brand-new flagship location in early 2026. The new restaurant is taking over the former Ducky’s Sports Lounge space at 1719 W. Kennedy Blvd. in South Tampa, Fla., and will be the largest Fresh Kitchen yet — doubling the size of a typical location and paving the way for future innovation and growth. Fresh Kitchen lost its original South Howard location to an early morning fire in July 2024, just 1 month shy of celebrating its 10th anniversary. In the months …

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Newspeopleretailers

Rack Room Shoes Promotes & Realigns Strategic Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Rack Room Shoes, a leading footwear retailer, has made significant promotions within its leadership team, reflecting the company’s strategy to align its operations for continued growth. Rack Room Shoes has realigned its merchandising and digital strategies to navigate the evolving retail landscape. The organizational changes are being implemented to drive further growth and innovation while continuing to build on the company’s legacy. • Brian Burnett, senior vice president, general merchandise manager, has been promoted to senior vice president, chief merchandise officer (CMO). In this expanded role, he …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

PJ’s Coffee Opens First Location in Virginia

by Katie Lee

Alexandria, Va. — New Orleans-based PJ’s Coffee opened its first Virginia location, in Alexandria, on July 8. Located on the ground floor of the 400-unit South Alex apartment complex, the standalone café brings a taste of the French Quarter to Virginia with its signature beignets, small-batch roasted coffee and seasonal sips. Alexandria’s PJ’s Coffee marks the brand’s 15th state and seventh location in Maryland. The Alexandria location is locally owned and operated by the husband-and-wife entrepreneurs Ronald and Sofiya Ali Parker, both longtime residents of the Alexandria-Burgundy Village area. Phyllis …

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