Author

Katie Lee

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 …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
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 …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailers

Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers Promotes CFO to CEO

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — Dobbs Tire & Auto Centers, an automotive service provider and tire retailer, has successfully completed its CEO succession plan, with Derek Basile assuming the role of chief executive officer. He succeeds Frank Kneller, who will transition to executive chairman and continue to support Dobbs’ strategy and M&A initiatives. Basile joined Dobbs in early 2024 as chief financial officer and has played a key role in strengthening the company’s financial performance and strategic direction during a period of rapid growth. In 2025, Basile assumed additional responsibilities as chief …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

PopUp Bagels® Makes Midwest Debut with First Chicago Location

by Katie Lee

Chicago — PopUp Bagels is expanding across Illinois, with the first of 25 Chicago locations set to open in Lincoln Park. Expanding to the Chicago area marks a major milestone for PopUp Bagels as it expands the brand’s footprint to the Midwest for the first time. The brand, which debuted in Westport, Conn., in 2021, serves hot, whole bagels straight from the oven — never sliced, never toasted — designed to be torn apart and dipped into schmear. The Chicago locations will deliver the same bagel experience as those in …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailerssoftware/technology

The Home Depot Names EVP and Chief Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — The Home Depot® has named Dr. Franziska “Fran” Bell as executive vice president (EVP) and chief technology officer (CTO), effective April 6. As CTO, she will lead the strategy, development and alignment of technology, product management, data and artificial intelligence (AI) for The Home Depot. Most recently, Bell led AI transformation as chief data, AI and analytics officer for Ford Motor Company. Prior to Ford, she served as senior vice president of digital technology at BP and held executive roles at Uber and Toyota. As a globally recognized …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Zaxbys Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Zaxbys® has appointed Michael Dixon as its new chief financial officer, effective March 30. Dixon will report to Bernard Acoca, chief executive officer at Zaxbys. “Mike’s demonstrated success in accelerating and scaling financial performance across QSR organizations, maximizing unit economics and managing complex financial environments makes him a perfect fit for Zaxbys next chapter,” says Acoca. “As Zaxbys continues the brand’s national growth and expansion I am confident in our ability to grow to win with Mike’s leadership.” Dixon brings over 30 years of accomplished financial leadership experience …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsretailers

First-Ever Costco on Tribal Land in the U.S. Approved in Arizona

by Katie Lee

Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Ariz. — Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) and Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Mullin 360 signed a deal on March 11 to build a new Costco in Scottsdale, Ariz., which will be built on SRPMIC land. This will be the first Costco on tribal land in the United States. The new Costco will span 21.5 acres with a 162,000-square-foot building footprint and approximately 994 parking stalls. “We are incredibly proud to begin work on this new Costco location. Costco is one of the most popular and impactful …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
exterior services/landscapingIndustry Voicesparking lotsproperty managementsoftware/technologyvendors

A ‘Lot’ of Variables

by Katie Lee

— By Evan Tilley — Restaurant and retail solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Parking is the first and last interaction a customer has with a restaurant or retail establishment. A stress-free parking experience sets a positive tone before a customer even walks through the door, while a lack of parking spaces or unhelpful parking staff can create frustration, no matter how good the business may be. What works in terms of parking for restaurants and retail establishments can differ from location to location, and businesses often need to consider tailored parking …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Mike’s Red Tacos Names Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee

San Diego, Calif. — Mike’s Red Tacos, a San Diego-born beef Birria brand, has brought on Patrick Cunningham as chief development officer. The appointment comes on the heels of the company’s recent franchising strategy announcement and continued development momentum, with more than 200 franchise locations already in the pipeline. Cunningham previously served as chief development officer at Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay, and before that, vice president of U.S. development for Little Caesars. Cunningham also spent more than 20 years at Dunkin’ and Inspire Brands. He joins newly named company …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailers

Camera West Opens San Francisco Flagship in Union Square

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Camera West, a national specialty retailer known for its collector’s approach to fine photographic equipment, officially opens its San Francisco flagship this week at 120 Maiden Lane. The new location marks a significant expansion of the brand’s Bay Area presence and places Camera West at the center of San Francisco’s most storied shopping corridor. Founded in 2000, Camera West has grown into a network of destination retail stores with locations in Palm Springs, New York City’s SoHo neighborhood and San Francisco. The brand is not new to …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts