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Katie Lee

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First Topgolf in Iowa to Open on Sept. 6

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Modern golf entertainment leader Topgolf will open its first venue in Iowa, Topgolf Des Moines, on Sept. 6. This is Topgolf’s 101st global outdoor venue. Located at 7655 Mills Civic Pkwy. within the West Des Moines city limits, the new venue will feature 72 outdoor climate-controlled hitting bays spanning two levels. Each bay will have lounge-type furniture or high-top tables. It will be equipped with Topgolf’s Toptracer technology, which traces each golf ball’s flight path, distance and other cool metrics. The new Iowa location will also feature a …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Chick-fil-A Opens First Elevated, Drive-Thru Only Restaurant in McDonough, GA

by Katie Lee

McDonough, Ga. — Chick-fil-A is opening its first elevated, drive-thru only restaurant in the south Atlanta suburb of McDonough today. Located at 2155 Jodeco Rd., the restaurant features four drive-thru lanes that run below an elevated kitchen that is twice the size of a typical Chick-fil-A kitchen. Food reaches the delivery team members via a custom meal transport system that uses conveyor belt technology. Patrons can either order onsite with a Chick-fil-A team member or order ahead on the Chick-fil-A app. The restaurant features dedicated lanes for both ordering methods, …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Floor & Decor to Open First Rhode Island Store

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Floor & Decor, a leading high-growth retailer specializing in hard-surface flooring for homeowners and professionals, plans to open its first warehouse location in Rhode Island, located in Warwick, on August 29. The warehouse store and design center will be led by Mike Falco, the store’s chief executive merchant. “We’re thrilled to announce our first store location in Warwick, Rhode Island,” says Falco. “For more than two decades, Floor & Decor has had the opportunity to serve professionals and homeowners throughout the nation, and we are excited to expand …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Tony Roma’s Appoints First Female CEO

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Tony Roma’s, the world’s largest casual-dining concept renowned for its ribs, has appointed Mohaimina ‘Mina’ Haque as chief executive officer. She is the first female CEO to helm the 52-year-old brand. Mina Haque, Esq., is a seasoned attorney and founder of The Law Office of Mohaimina Haque, PLLC. Since 2021, she has served as Tony Roma’s outside counsel, managing global legal matters and providing strategic guidance. An Official Member of the Forbes Business Council, Mina’s deep expertise in business and franchise law has been pivotal in driving …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Foot Locker Unveils Reimagined Store Concept in NYC

by Katie Lee

New York City — Foot Locker, Inc. is marking the grand reopening of its iconic store on 34th Street in New York City, a pivotal milestone in its global retail revitalization. Set to open on August 22 at 112 W. 34th St., the newly redesigned store enhances consumer accessibility and redefines retail in the heart of Manhattan. This reimagined concept highlights Foot Locker’s commitment to sneaker and basketball culture through the introduction of Foot Locker ‘Home Court,’ a premier, multi-brand basketball shopping destination. Developed in partnership with Nike and Jordan …

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Industry Voicesmanagementrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

The Race to Digitize

by Katie Lee

— By Mani Kulasooriya — How e-commerce can help restaurants fight rising costs and challenges. Restaurant operators are often running an uphill marathon. From hiring and schedules to inventory management and food ordering, back-end operations can present neverending challenges. To make matters worse, according to the National Restaurant Association’s “2024 State of the Restaurant Industry” report, 97% of operators now cite rising food and labor costs as pressing issues. Fortunately, foodservice has entered a new leg of the race. E-commerce is emerging as a secret weapon to streamline operations and …

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construction and designCover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinekitchen equipmentremodelsrestaurants

A Fresh Spin on Tradition

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Carvel celebrates 90 years of soft serve ice cream with a new shoppe design and growth in new markets. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen by accident. However, the beloved ice cream brand Carvel may beg to differ. It was way back in 1934, in Hartsdale, New York, when founder Tom Carvel had a flat tire in his ice cream truck. Pulling over, he tried to salvage the product he had left and sold the slightly melted ice cream to people passing by. …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Debuts First Food Truck

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the leading global specialty coffee and tea house, will be launching its first permanent food truck location at the Los Angeles Zoo. Local entrepreneur Benjamin Dreicer and operating partner Genadi Orlov signed the franchise agreement. With more than two decades of experience in the retail real estate sector, Dreicer has developed a comprehensive understanding of the restaurant space and honed his skills in strategic site selection. As he grows with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Dreicer is interested in looking …

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Newsretailers

Parent Company of Circle K Agrees to Acquire 270 GetGo Convenience Stores, Makes ‘Friendly’ Takeover Bid for 7-Eleven Owner

by Katie Lee

Laval, Quebec & Cranberry Township, Pa. — Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., the Canadian parent company of Circle K, has agreed to acquire GetGo Café + Markets from Giant Eagle Inc., a supermarket chain based in Pennsylvania. GetGo operates 270 gas station and convenience store locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. The company staffs approximately 3,500 employees. “We are excited to welcome GetGo into the Couche-Tard family,” says Brian Hannasch, president and CEO of Couche-Tard. “We look forward to growing together as we learn from and continue GetGo’s innovative …

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energy managementfacilities managementNewsProduct Spotlightretailerssoftware/technologyvendors

ENTOUCH Expands Demand Response Program with 24 Hour Fitness

by Katie Lee

Richardson, Texas — ENTOUCH, a leader in energy management and smart building technology, has expanded its demand response program in partnership with 24 Hour Fitness, the 40-year leader in health and fitness. This milestone highlights the effectiveness of ENTOUCH’s cutting-edge solutions in reducing energy usage, driving profitability and supporting sustainability initiatives for multisite operators. In 2023, 24 Hour Fitness implemented ENTOUCH’s demand response program across an initial 100 locations in California and Texas. The initiative proved highly successful, saving 35 MW of energy and significantly contributing to the reduction of …

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