Author

Katie Lee

— By Andy Anderson — The business case for prioritizing environmental responsibility. While the retail industry plays an indispensable role in our society, bringing valuable — and often essential — products and services to consumers, and serving as a major source of employment and economic growth, it also takes a significant toll on the environment. In fact, the industry accounts for roughly 25% of global emissions, with much of these emissions occurring in the retail value chain. From the energy-intensive demands of brick-and-mortar stores to the packaging and transportation waste …

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Reno, Nev. — Melting Pot, the 92-unit fondue franchise that has built a brand around providing a one-of-a-kind experiential dining atmosphere, has signed a franchise agreement in Reno, Nev. — returning to Reno 20 years after the last location closed. It also marks Melting Pot’s re-entry into the state of Nevada. “It was in the early 2000s when Melting Pot left Nevada,” says franchisee Bruce Witmer. “We had previously had family dinners there and really enjoyed it. Since it closed, we would go to Sacramento to eat at Melting Pot. …

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Englewood, N.J. — Japanese variety retailer Daiso is expanding with its first location to open in Florida (second signed in the state). Daiso will open in Northdale Promenade in Tampa, Fla., in the first quarter of 2025. Katz’s David Eggnatz represented Daiso, and Brian Hector of Kite Realty represented landlord Kite Realty in the deal. “We are excited to be working with a strong company that is thorough in their expansion goals throughout Florida with a great outlook on future growth,” says Eggnatz, vice president of Katz & Associates. “This …

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Phoenix — GoTo Foods, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s®, has expanded Moe’s Southwest Grill into Arizona with a five-unit franchise agreement that will bring locations to the greater Phoenix area. Behind the deal are serial entrepreneurs and father-son team, Tony and Namit Mangat. “As proud Arizona residents, my son and I are excited for the opportunity to be the first to bring Moe’s Southwest Grill to the state,” says Tony Mangat. “We’ve wanted to make the jump into the …

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Nashville, Tenn. — REI Co-op’s newest distribution center in Lebanon, Tenn., has earned the prestigious LEED v4 Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This achievement marks the first certified facility of its kind in Tennessee and the largest LEED Platinum industrial building in the Southeast. REI joins an elite group of only 10 warehouse facilities in the country to achieve this rating. REI’s Lebanon distribution center attainment of LEED v4 Platinum certification in the industrial sector demonstrates the co-op’s commitment to addressing the climate crisis through responsible and …

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Philadelphia — Voomi Supply, a fast-growing e-commerce retailer of HVAC, plumbing, electrical and industrial supplies, has named RJ Cilley as its new chief executive officer. Cilley’s appointment at Voomi marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to expand its market presence and technological capabilities. Cilley previously served as the chief operating officer at Saks, where he was an integral part of the executive leadership team; while at Saks, he significantly contributed to the re-platforming of www.Saks.com, the launch of its marketplace and spearheading significant advancements through the …

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New Hartford, N.Y. — Yumpingo®, a leader in customer experience services for restaurants, has forged a partnership with ParTech, Inc. and PAR’s leading loyalty solution, PAR Punchh®. Together, they aim to transform customer experiences, enhance loyalty and drive growth through innovative platform integration. By combining Punchh’s loyalty solutions with Yumpingo’s customer experience management, restaurant brands gain powerful tools to engage guests and deliver exceptional service. “By merging our loyalty solutions with Yumpingo’s real-time guest feedback, we empower brands to deliver deeply personalized and impactful experiences that not only enhance customer …

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Spartanburg, S.C. — Denny’s Inc. has appointed two new executive leaders: Monigo G. Saygbay-Hallie, Ph.D. joins as executive vice president, chief people officer for Denny’s Corporation, effective August 5, and Patty Trevino joins as Denny’s senior vice president, chief brand officer, effective August 12.  Saygbay-Hallie will lead people initiatives across Denny’s and Keke’s Breakfast Café. She brings more than 20 years of restaurant and retail experience in leading teams and developing talent. She most recently served as chief people officer at Checkers & Rally’s Drive-In restaurants. Before Checkers, she served …

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— By Jeff Kiesel — Serving up fresh, automated oil solutions to replace stale, deep-fried thinking. Oil management has historically been a struggle for restaurants and commercial kitchens. While oil plays a crucial role in food preparation, traditional oil handling can result in unsafe and dirty kitchens, frustrated staff, lower food quality and unnecessary waste. Now, new automated cooking oil management tools are allowing restaurants to embrace digital transformation and provide improved control of kitchen chaos. For those who get JIBs (joint interest billing) of oil delivered and grease removal …

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New York City — NEOM Wellbeing, the UK’s award-winning wellbeing brand renowned for its 100% natural fragrances, has officially opened its first U.S. retail store in New York City. The debut “Wellbeing Hub” is located on Bleecker Street in the West Village. Expanding from its UK roots, as well as across a portfolio of freestanding Wellbeing Hubs, the British-born brand will add the ‘city that never sleeps’ to its growing roster. The 481-square-foot Wellbeing Hub, located at 395 Bleecker St., has been designed as a sanctuary to escape the city, …

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