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Katie Lee

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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Golden Corral Names New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Raleigh, N.C. — Golden Corral®, America’s leading buffet chain, has appointed Trona Balkissoon as chief financial officer, effective March 26, 2026. Balkissoon steps into the role following the retirement of CFO Jim Laverty. Balkissoon brings more than 25 years of global experience with Nestlé, spanning both retail and foodservice channels. She joined Golden Corral in April 2025 as senior vice president of finance, after most recently serving as chief financial officer for Nestlé’s out-of-home division, where she oversaw operations throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Since joining the brand, …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Meta Establishes New York City Retail Flagship on Fifth Avenue

by Katie Lee

New York City — Meta Lab is opening a New York City flagship location at 697 Fifth Ave. Meta signed a 10-year lease agreement with Vornado Realty Trust for Meta Lab New York to occupy the entire five-level, 15,000-square-foot townhouse building adjacent to the base of the St. Regis Hotel. This marks the first flagship retail location for Meta in Manhattan, following its initial flagship store opening in Los Angeles in 2025. Meta Lab is a people-first experiential retail space that reimagines traditional shopping as a celebration of community, culture …

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Krispy Kreme to Drive Capital-Light Growth Through Refranchising

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Krispy Kreme, Inc. is continuing progress on its turnaround plan to deleverage the balance sheet and drive sustainable, profitable growth through refranchising, a key component of the plan. On March 23, 2026, Krispy Kreme completed a transaction with its joint venture partner, WKS Restaurant Group, to increase WKS’s ownership stake in the Western U.S. joint venture from 45% to 80% and expand the joint venture’s footprint. The total amount payable to the company in connection with the transaction is approximately $90 million with approximately $50 million of …

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