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Katie Lee

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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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Marco’s Pizza Debuts in New Mexico with 9-Unit Area Development Agreement

by Katie Lee

Albuquerque, N.M. — Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, announces a 9-unit area development agreement in New Mexico. This marks a milestone for the brand as it breaks into a new state, with its nationwide footprint now spanning 35 states. Site selection is currently underway, with the first two locations slated to open in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho areas before the end of first quarter 2025. Seasoned franchisees Chris and Kristian Ornelas are the principal owners of the company developing the units. “When looking to invest …

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construction and designgreen building/LEEDNewsremodelsretailers

Food Lion Invests $365 Million to Renovate Stores in North Carolina and Virginia

by Katie Lee

Salisbury, N.C. — With a $365 million capital investment, Food Lion has enhanced the customer shopping experience with remodeled stores in the greater Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area and Mecklenburg County, Va. On Aug. 21, Food Lion will hold ribbon-cutting events at 167 stores in the greater Raleigh-Durham market, which is among the fastest growing areas nationwide. Nearly all stores are introducing self-checkout lanes, allowing customers to choose between traditional cashier-assisted checkout or self-checkout options. Additionally, Food Lion continues to invest in training and developing associates to provide the best customer experience. …

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