Author

Katie Lee

franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Scooter’s Coffee Opens 700th Drive-Thru Location

by Katie Lee

Elkhart, Ind. — Scooter’s Coffee®, best known for its fast drive-thru and specialty coffee, is opening its 700th unit, located at 616 W. Bristol Street, Elkhart, Ind. The new location is part of the company’s new strategic growth phase in the Midwest and nationwide. “Opening our 700th location and celebrating this milestone with the great community in Elkhart is really exciting for Scooter’s Coffee,” says Joe Thornton, president of Scooter’s Coffee. “We look forward to sharing our amazing brand and love for all things coffee to new customers.” The drive-thru …

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Newspeopleretailers

Shoe Carnival Promotes Chief Accounting Officer to CFO

by Katie Lee

Evansville, Ind. — Shoe Carnival, Inc., a leading retailer of footwear and accessories for the family, has named Patrick Edwards as the company’s senior vice president, chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer. Edwards had served as chief accounting officer and secretary since 2021 and had served as vice president and controller since he joined the company in 2019. Prior to joining Shoe Carnival, Edwards served in increasing roles of responsibility in finance and accounting during his 18-year career with Vectren Corporation, a publicly traded utility holding company, including serving as …

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Cover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinerestaurants

Welcome to (the New) Moe’s

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — The Southwest-style brand is modernizing its brand positioning with a refresh that is a win-win for customers and franchisees alike. With more than 600 locations nationwide (and counting), Atlanta-based Moe’s Southwest Grill® remains focused on growth — and on flexibility. According to its chief brand officer, Tory Bartlett, Moe’s will continue expanding in new markets and in new formats to meet guests where they are. Thanks to the introduction of new prototypes, Moe’s is able to provide franchisees with flexibility to develop with competitive real …

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energy managementIndustry Voices

Reduce the Rise

by Katie Lee

— By Tom Roberts — How energy efficiency measures can help mitigate the risk of rising energy costs. As many retailers and restaurants are feeling the impact of rising inflation, increasing labor costs and other supply chain challenges, making any reduction in energy costs can be an immensely helpful step toward better budget management. But, reducing your organization’s energy spend isn’t the only reason to be concerned with improving energy efficiency. In fact, organizations with sustainability goals should consider efficiency efforts as the first step in their carbon reduction journey. …

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NewsProduct Spotlightretailerssoftware/technologyvendors

Runit Systems Introduces Next-Level Features in its POS for Specialty Retailers

by Katie Lee

New York City — Runit Systems, a leading provider of innovative retail management systems, has released Sellit 6.0, its newest POS module, which includes features designed to revolutionize the retail experience. With a focus on enhancing operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, these features reinforce Runit’s commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for the apparel, footwear, sporting goods and luxury retail sectors. The new module ensures uninterrupted sales operations even during internet outages. This safeguard empowers retailers to maintain seamless operations, granting access to critical functions like inventory management, customer receipt histories …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

FAT Brands Acquires Smokey Bones Barbecue Chain for $30 Million

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has acquired the Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill restaurant chain from an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The $30 million acquisition marks the company’s first foray into barbecue and expands FAT Brands’ portfolio of polished dining chains, which currently includes Twin Peaks. The purchase is expected to bring 61 new corporate locations under FAT Brands’ umbrella. “We continue to be selective and opportunistic in our acquisition strategy, targeting brands that are both scalable and synergistic with our existing platform,” …

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Newsretailers

Wawa Plans to Build at Least 40 Stores Across Kentucky Markets

by Katie Lee

Wawa, Pa. — Wawa, a privately held, family-owned chain of more than 1,000 convenience retail stores currently operating in six states and Washington, D.C., plans to expand into the state of Kentucky for the first time, with 40 new stores across various markets. The approximately 40 stores across the region are projected to open over the next 8-10 years with the first groundbreakings beginning in mid-2024. So far, Wawa has more than 15 sites under contract across Boone, Bullitt, Fayette, Hardin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Oldham, Scott, Shelby and Warren counties, Ky. …

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construction and designNewsproperty managementrestaurantssoftware/technology

OTG Debuts Starbucks’ First Airport Pick Up Concept

by Katie Lee

Houston — Airport hospitality group OTG is unveiling Starbucks’ first airport Pick Up concept, with three initial locations opening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in IAH Terminal E this fall. Starbucks Pick Up will be exclusively designed for mobile orders — quick pickup without the wait — offering convenience, comfort and guaranteed immediacy to meet the needs of digitally savvy, ‘on-the-go’ travelers. Tailored for the airport environment, all stores will reflect Starbucks’ signature design DNA, featuring warm wood tones, fresh green accents and botanical art pieces inspired by the coffee’s …

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exterior services/landscapinggreen building/LEEDgreen newsmanagementNewsparking lotsproperty managementvendors

Vestar and ASU Partner to Launch First-Ever ‘Cool Pavement Project’ at a Commercial Shopping Center

by Katie Lee

Phoenix — Vestar, one of the leading privately held shopping center owners and managers in the western United States, has joined forces with Arizona State University’s (ASU) Southwest Integrated Field Laboratory (SW-IFL) to launch the first-ever ‘Cool Pavement Project’ at a commercial retail center. The partnership comes on the heels of this summer’s record-breaking heat and aims to help mitigate elevated temperatures in communities dense with impervious and solar-absorbing materials — known as the ‘Urban Heat Island Effect.’ As stewards of the communities it serves in, Vestar is invested in …

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Newsrestaurants

Sullivan’s Steakhouse Opens First Michigan Restaurant in Detroit

by Katie Lee

Detroit — Sullivan’s Steakhouse has opened the doors of its newest restaurant in Detroit. Located at 1128 Washington Blvd., inside the newly transformed Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, the 9,300-square-foot restaurant space is the brand’s first location in Michigan and 15th in the United States. The one-of-a-kind steakhouse offers guests bone-in and hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and signature cocktails with the sounds of live, local jazz music in a friendly, familiar atmosphere. “Detroit is a such a unique city with rich traditions and a storied history. It cannot be matched and …

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