Author

Katie Lee

franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Papa Johns Franchisee to Add 50 New Stores in North America by 2028

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Papa John’s International, Inc. plans to open 50 new restaurants by 2028 in partnership with franchisee Nadeem Bajwa and his company, The Bajco Group, which has grown over the past 20 years to become one of Papa Johns largest domestic franchisees. Furthering Bajwa’s goal to own 500 Papa Johns restaurants, the new agreement will expand the Papa Johns footprint in The Bajco Group’s existing markets across the Midwest and in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Florida, adding to the more than 200 restaurants the franchisee and his team currently operate. …

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franchise developmentNewsretailers

Batteries Plus Secures Signings for 22 New Franchise Locations to Close First Quarter

by Katie Lee

Hartland, Wis. — Over the past several months, the Batteries Plus team signed 22 new territories across Michigan, Texas, Virginia, Ohio and Arizona. In addition to these latest additions to the franchise pipeline, Batteries Plus celebrated the opening of eight storefronts during first quarter, spanning Connecticut, Nevada, California, Colorado, New York and Florida. “The proven nature of our franchise opportunity continues to speak for itself; attracting a continuous stream of entrepreneurs wanting to be a part of a community-oriented, people-driven, profitable concept,” says Joe Malmuth, chief development officer for Batteries …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Opens Second Airport Location

by Katie Lee

Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s has opened its newest location in Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Mich., adding to its existing four restaurants in the market. Owned and operated by North American travel retailer Paradies Lagardère, the GRR opening marks Freddy’s second airport location, having debuted its first airport unit in Oklahoma City in 2022. In addition, Freddy’s plans to open in the Salt Lake City International Airport by year-end and is continuing to identify growth opportunities in non-traditional spaces, including stadiums, college campuses, …

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HVAC/RNewspeopleplumbingvendors

Total Comfort Group Promotes Christian Tunis to Client Success Manager

by Katie Lee

Eatontown, N.J. — Total Comfort Group, a national industry leader in HVAC/R, electrical and plumbing systems, has promoted Christian Tunis to client success manager. In his new role, Tunis will leverage his extensive experience and expertise to drive exceptional client satisfaction and retention as the company continues to grow nationally. A valued employee since 2018, Tunis previously served as senior account manager. “We are thrilled to promote Christian Tunis to the role of client success manager,” says Daniel Eberenz, vice president of operations. “His proven track record of leadership and …

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Newsretailersstore closings

Christy Sports Exits New Mexico Region, Will Close 6 Locations

by Katie Lee

Lakewood, Colo. — Christy Sports, a premier outdoor rental and retail service provider, will close all store locations in New Mexico, effective upon the conclusion of the 23/24 winter ski season. Christy Sports currently operates six total stores in New Mexico, including four locations in Taos Ski Valley under the banners of Cottam’s, Alpine Xtreme and Bootdoctor’s, one location in downtown Taos under Cottam’s and one seasonal location in Santa Fe under Cottam’s. The company made the decision to exit New Mexico to prioritize investment in more profitable regions. Christy …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Fazoli’s Kicks Off International Growth with 25-Unit Canadian Development Deal

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fazoli’s and 17 other restaurant concepts, has inked a new development deal with franchisee Briwin Restaurants Inc. to bring 25 Fazoli’s locations to Canada over the next 10 years. The first units are expected to open in 2025 in the province of Alberta. “Fazoli’s has enjoyed tremendous success expanding domestically, operating in 26 states with over 200 locations, and is now well positioned to make its international debut,” says Taylor Wiederhorn, chief development officer of FAT Brands. “At …

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UNIQLO to Open First Stores in Texas and Expand in California

by Katie Lee

New York — UNIQLO will open its first stores in Texas in Houston and Dallas, and extend its West Coast presence, including new cities San Diego and Sacramento, Calif., this fall/winter. In total, the brand will open 11 new stores across Texas and California, a significant portion of the 20+ new store openings planned for North America in 2024. The upcoming openings will build on UNIQLO’s ambitious store growth plan to reach 200 stores in North America by 2027. “We are thrilled to be coming to Texas,” says Yoshihide Shindo, …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Just Salad Names New Director of Real Estate

by Katie Lee

New York City — Just Salad, the fast-casual restaurant chain with a mission to make everyday health and sustainability possible, has appointed Andrew Marsallo as the company’s director of real estate. He will be responsible for managing Just Salad’s rapidly growing real estate pipeline, with a particular focus on the chain’s growth in both existing and new markets. Marsallo joins the company from Shake Shack. “We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Marsallo to the Just Salad team as our new director of real estate,” says Nick Kenner, founder and CEO …

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Cover StoryFrom The Magazineretailers

Cooperative Growth

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Jason Hipskind — With a retail cooperative model similar to franchising, Ace Hardware is uniquely able to continue its historic expansion with more than 200 new stores planned in 2024. Globally, Ace Hardware has opened more than 1,100 stores in the last 5 years — quite the impressive feat considering nearly half of that timeframe included a global pandemic. But as an essential business, the more than 100-year-old retail cooperative continued to open new stores, evolve its product offerings, expand its omnichannel presence, and refresh its physical …

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99 Cents Only to Close All 371 Store Locations

by Katie Lee

Commerce, Calif. — 99 Cents Only Stores LLC plans to close all 371 of its stores and wind down its business operations. The company has entered into an agreement with Hilco Global to liquidate all merchandise and dispose of fixtures, furnishings and equipment at the stores. Sales under this agreement began on April 5. 99 Cents Only was founded in 1982 as a deep-discount retailer where every item cost less than a dollar. The company is headquartered in the southeast Los Angeles suburb of Commerce, and currently operates stores in …

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