Author

Katie Lee

Newspeopleretailers

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Names New President of Rejuvenation

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has promoted Aujsha Taylor to president of Rejuvenation, the company’s premier lighting and hardware brand. Taylor has been with Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since 2003 and stepped into the leadership role for Rejuvenation in 2020. Under her leadership, Rejuvenation’s revenue has more than doubled, driven by expanded merchandise categories and growth of the brand’s retail footprint to 13 stores, including Nashville, Tenn. (pictured), and Salt Lake City locations that opened in 2025, with plans to open a 14th retail location in Dallas in 2026. “Aujsha’s promotion to …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Huey Magoo’s Expands in Texas with New 15-Unit Agreement

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Huey Magoo’s has signed a development agreement in Texas, continuing its rapid national expansion. The development of 15 new restaurants in the Lone Star State will span Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery counties. Overall, Huey Magoo’s is on track to reach 100 locations in 2026. The latest agreement brings on the SMR Capital Group. Led by its managing partner, Muhammad Ali Akbar, and its operating partner, Jason Gilbert, the group offers a blend of multi-unit operating expertise, franchise growth leadership, and real estate-backed investment experience. …

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energy managementHVAC/RIndustry Voicessoftware/technologyvendors

Warming Up Winter

by Katie Lee

— By Jay Fiske — Achieving winter savings through effective energy management. [EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally published in winter 2025 as part of the December/January magazine issue.] It’s cold outside, and the temperature may drop even further. According to The Weather Channel, “from the Northern Plains to the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast, the last 2 weeks of January are typically the coldest times of the year.” This frigid weather puts pressure on multi-unit retail facility managers (FMs), who juggle two conflicting priorities: (1) providing shoppers with an exceptional in-store …

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Newsretailers

Saks Global Secures $500 Million in Exit Financing, Expects to Emerge from Chapter 11 This Summer

by Katie Lee

New York City — Saks Global Enterprises LLC, a leading multi-brand luxury retail company, has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with an ad hoc group of its senior secured bondholders under which these capital partners have committed to provide $500 million in exit financing upon the company’s emergence from Chapter 11. “Achieving this important milestone underscores the progress we are making on our transformation and reflects our capital partners’ confidence in our go-forward vision, guided by our relentless devotion to the luxury customer,” says Geoffroy van Raemdonck, CEO of …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Playa Bowls to Make International Debut with First Shop in Canada

by Katie Lee

Toronto — Playa Bowls, the U.S.’s leading superfruit bowl shop with nearly 400 locations, is officially bringing its tropical vibe north of the border. Eat Up Canada, Inc., the restaurant development group leading Playa Bowls’ Canada expansion, has signed a lease for the brand’s first Canadian shop in downtown Toronto. The shop will mark Playa Bowls’ international debut when it opens this spring. The new shop is part of Playa Bowls’ master franchise agreement with Eat Up Canada, led by George Heos and Alex Gerzon. The pair previously built a …

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Newspeopleretailers

Bed Bath & Beyond to Acquire The Container Store

by Katie Lee

Murray, Utah — In a letter to shareholders from Marcus Lemonis, executive chairman and CEO of Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc., Lemonis outlined the strategic decision of Bed Bath & Beyond to acquire The Container Store, Elfa and Closet Works. The closing of this acquisition is expected to be in July 2026. “This transaction will fill critical gaps in both our retail and home services strategy,” Lemonis explains. “As we build our company platform, any additional assets including talent must serve a clear purpose to our company’s long term strategy.” …

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Newsretailers

Canadian Retailer Pet Valu® Marks 50th Anniversary

by Katie Lee

Markham, Ontario (Canada) — Canadian specialty pet retailer Pet Valu is marking its 50th anniversary. Pet Valu opened the doors of its first store in Toronto in 1976, with a commitment to helping pets live healthy, happy and active lives. Today, Pet Valu has grown to more than 800 locally owned and operated stores across Canada and this commitment remains the same. “Pet Valu has had the privilege of being part of so many memorable moments over the past 50 years,” says Greg Ramier, CEO at Pet Valu. “As we …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

CRAFT Restaurant & Beer Market Opens First U.S Location

by Katie Lee

Dallas — CRAFT Restaurant & Beer Market has officially opened its first U.S. location in Dallas’ Preston Center, bringing a 500-seat, high-energy dining and social destination featuring over 100 taps, a chef-driven menu and one of the area’s first rooftop patios. The restaurant opened on April 1. CRAFT’s expansion into Texas marks a major milestone for the brand as it brings its community-driven hospitality model to the U.S. market. “Dallas is an exciting market for us, and opening here represents an important next step for the brand,” says founder PJL’Heureux. …

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News

WAC Group Appoints Director of Commercial Lighting Systems

by Katie Lee

Port Washington, N.Y. — WAC Group has named Greg Barrett as its new director of commercial lighting systems. This announcement is released as the organization recently launched WAC Architectural, its new commercial specification-grade lighting brand. Barrett is an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in lighting and control systems, grounded in both design and technology. In his new position, he will play a key role in shaping product strategy, education and marketing, helping to drive innovation and bridge the gap between complex technologies and design-driven applications. He has …

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Industry Voiceskitchen equipmentkitchen exhaust/grease controlrestaurantsvendors

Seasonal Impact

by Katie Lee

[EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally published in December, in the December 2025/January 2026 issue of Retail & Restaurant Facility Business.] — Interview with Nathan Willard — HOODZ’s Nathan Willard talks preventative maintenance: steps your facility should take to clean & maintain kitchen exhaust systems this holiday season. R&R: Why is kitchen exhaust cleaning especially important during the busy holiday season? Nathan Willard: During the holidays, families are not only eating together in the comfort of their own homes; they are also sharing meals at local restaurants. While kitchen exhaust cleaning …

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