Author

Katie Lee

Newsretailers

REI Co-op to Open 10 Stores in 2024

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op plans to open 10 new stores in 2024. Locations have been finalized for summer 2024 openings in Glendale, Ariz., and Rancho Mirage, Calif. A store in St. George, Utah, will open in fall 2025. The co-op will open in formerly occupied retail spaces at Arrowhead Promenade in Glendale, Ariz., The River in Rancho Mirage, Calif., and St. George Place in St. George, Utah. Each location will offer a full-service bike shop. The new Utah location will also feature a ski and snowboard shop. …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
energy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsHVAC/RIndustry Voiceskitchen equipmentrestaurantsvendors

Regulate & Renovate

by Katie Lee

— By David Bolaños — How regulations are reshaping restaurant refrigeration. In some respects, not much has changed. As always, restaurant owners want the optimal refrigeration system for their situations. Nothing new there. But planning a restaurant’s cooling/freezing strategy is more important than ever these days because of proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations regarding refrigerants. The details of the tighter regulations and the exact timing of their implementation are still to be determined, but they are coming. The new regulations might be in effect as soon as January 2025. …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

FSC Franchise Co. Enters 2024 with 40 Signings, 11 Openings and Newk’s Acquisition

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — FSC Franchise Co., the parent company of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Brass Tap, had a record year in 2023. In addition to acquiring Newk’s Eatery, a fast-casual café concept, the franchisor opened 10 Brass Tap locations and one Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, and it awarded another 36 and four, respectively. “We’ve been looking to add something to our platform for several years, and we think that Newk’s is the perfect complementary brand. It’s fast-casual with average unit volumes of $2.2 million, and it has the same geographical …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsretailers

Re-Bath Inks Multi-Unit Agreement for 5 New Markets, Expands into NYC Boroughs

by Katie Lee

New York City — Re-Bath, the nation’s largest complete bathroom remodeling franchise, has signed a multi-unit agreement in New York that will cover Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island. Re-Bath is actively expanding its presence along the East Coast and is set to venture into even more new markets within the state. Spearheading this massive growth across the Empire State are longtime New York residents, Robert Citrangola and Grace Campbell. While the duo is new to Re-Bath, they bring 30 years of combined franchise experience in the remodeling and …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

Sterling Hospitality, Operator of Marlow’s Tavern, Promotes 2 Leaders

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Sterling Hospitality has promoted two team members to new roles within the company. Ben Krawiecki has been elevated to the role of director of culinary and purchasing, and Mike Fickett has been promoted to director of support and client relations. “We couldn’t be more thrilled with Ben and Mike’s contribution to Sterling Hospitality and the growth of our concepts during their tenure across the board,” says John C. Metz, executive chef, CEO and co-founder of Sterling Hospitality. “Their relationships, attention to detail and hospitality will enhance our offerings …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsproperty managementretailers

Ghirardelli’s First-Ever New York Store to Open at the Empire State Building

by Katie Lee

New York City — Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. will welcome Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in a 2,758-square-foot retail space at the base of the world-famous Empire State Building this summer. “Ghirardelli Chocolate is excited to open our first shop in New York. We are proud of our 171-year history that started in San Francisco,” says a spokesperson for Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. “We can’t wait to welcome our guests in New York to create sweet memories with friends and family for many generations to come. Our shops are designed to showcase …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsrestaurants

Fogo de Chão Plans 20+ New Locations to Open in the Next 24 Months

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Fogo de Chão is starting off the year with a strong development pipeline with new locations planned through 2025. The addition of more than 20 new restaurants is slated to open through 2025. The development pipeline includes the following new lease signings and restaurant openings, with the brand’s 100th restaurant opening milestone on track to occur by the end of 2024: Previously announced 2024 openings include: • Brooklyn, N.Y. • Richmond, Va. • Miami, Fla. – Dadeland • Bridgewater, N.J. • Seattle • Orlando, Fla. – Vineland Pointe …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailers

Blvck Paris Opens First-Ever Mall-Based Store in U.S.

by Katie Lee

Santa Clara, Calif. — Blvck Paris, a lifestyle apparel and accessories brand, has expanded to the Los Angeles area with its very first mall store. Blvck Paris opened in late November 2023 at The Westfield Valley Fair. The opening marks the second official location in the U.S. for the brand. Blvck Paris, founded in 2017 by French designer Julian O’Hayon, is known for its luxurious “all black” clothing, accessories and leather goods that caters to both men and women. The brand, which previously popped up in Taipei, Japan, and New …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Black Bear Diner Plans for 14 New Openings in 2024

by Katie Lee

Redding, Calif. — Black Bear Diner, one of the fastest-growing restaurant franchises in the country, has announced its plans for growth in 2024 with 14 planned new diner openings. The company will open at least nine new franchise-owned diners and five new corporate-owned diners. In addition to growth plans with current franchise partners for openings in California, Texas and Arizona, Black Bear Diner has also welcomed two new franchise partners to its system: LVP Foodservice and Gursavri Group. LVP plans four 2024 openings in Kansas, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado; Gursavri …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Industry Voicesrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

In-Person Experience

by Katie Lee

— By Russ Spencer — Why restaurant technology doesn’t have to come at the cost of guest experience. The restaurant industry has slowly been shifting its business model over the past decade but was drastically accelerated in 2020, with the culprit being none other than the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants were forced to change how they operate and interact with customers due to social distancing requirements surrounding the virus, with some forced to close their doors for good. Now, 3 years on, restaurants are open with little to no restrictions, but …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts