East Lansing, Mich. — BIGGBY® COFFEE, a high-energy coffee concept with more than 360 units, has signed 43 new franchise agreements so far this year and is on track to reach the 500-unit mark by the end of 2024. In 2023, 31 new stores have opened so far. “Currently, we have 361 stores open and around another 140 in development for a total of close to 500,” says Tony DiPietro, vice president of emerging market development. “That 500 is a big deal because we have a goal to have 500 …
— By Walter Fluharty — Roofing is risky business — safety is everyone’s business. While we know safety is always important throughout the year, June celebrates National Safety Month to bring increased awareness on how to prevent injury and death anyplace, including the workplace. Roofing is the fourth most dangerous job in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The most common causes of injuries and deaths are fall-related incidents, which are also the most cited OSHA violations. Rooftop safety is serious business, but roofing companies aren’t …
— By Melissa Blanken — 3 ways energy costs are driving sustainability practices for smaller buildings. Utilities, grid operators, energy consumers and technology innovators all have roles to play in stabilizing the power grid and keeping the lights on for everyone, and a key part of the solution includes commercial buildings. Historically, energy efficiency programs have either focused on the residential sector or on larger buildings, creating a major gap in programs for small- to medium-sized commercial buildings. Existing buildings are responsible for almost 30% of global energy use and …
Minneapolis — Target Corporation has begun rolling out its new “Drive Up with Starbucks.” Guests can add a Starbucks menu item to a Drive Up order and have it delivered to their car at stores offering Target’s free Drive Up service. The service is beginning its chainwide rollout this summer and is slated to be available at all the 1,700-plus stores with Starbucks Cafés and Drive Up service by October. “Our guests have long told us Drive Up is a game-changer, adding convenience to their daily life, especially when they’re …
Farmington Hills, Mich. — Buddy’s Pizza, a Michigan-based operator of Detroit-style pizza, has named Chris Tussing its new chief executive officer. Prior to joining Buddy’s, Tussing was the chief marketing officer of Marco’s Pizza, where he helped it become the fastest-growing brand in the category, achieve $1 billion in annual sales and become the fifth-largest pizza brand. Throughout his 30-year career, Tussing has helped launch brands, as well as revitalize long-established but declining ones. He’s worked with several major Fortune 500 companies, like Clorox, Wrigley, Mars and Anheuser-Busch, as well …
Westchester, Ill. — Follett Higher Education, North America’s largest campus retailer, and The Container Store (TCS), the leading specialty retailer of organizing solutions, custom spaces and in-home services, has launched pop-up shops across 36 Follett college campus bookstores. As part of the partnership, campus stores will carry select products from The Container Store, providing more on-campus solutions to support students’ academic and living needs. “Our innovative partnership with The Container Store helps us expand on our mission to inspire, enable and celebrate the academic journey by ensuring students have the …
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Johnny Rockets and 16 other restaurant concepts, has inked a new development deal set to bring 20 new franchised Johnny Rockets locations to Texas in the next 10 years, with the first unit set to open in 2024. The new locations will open in partnership with Brame Holdings LLC. “Brame Holdings LLC continues to be a great growth partner in Texas across the FAT Brands portfolio,” says Taylor Wiederhorn, chief development officer of FAT Brands. “They are quickly …
Richmond, Va. — S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co. has been retained to provide leasing and management services for Village Marketplace in Midlothian, Va. Mary Yelinek will lead the management efforts on behalf of the new landlord, SUNCAP Real Estate Investments, who purchased the property in July. The 131,814-square-foot, Food Lion-anchored center features a dedicated turn lane, multiple points of ingress/egress and an average household income of $151,074 within a 3-mile radius. “We are thrilled to include Village Marketplace in our property portfolio and eagerly anticipate collaborating with the landlord and our …
Dallas and New York City — Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., parent company of the Pollo Tropical® restaurant brand, and Authentic Restaurant Brands (ARB), a portfolio company of Garnett Station Partners, LLC, a New York-based principal investment firm, have entered into a definitive agreement under which a wholly owned subsidiary of ARB will acquire Fiesta in an all-cash transaction. ARB’s current brands include Primanti Bros Restaurant & Bar, P.J. Whelihan’s Pub & Restaurant and Mambo Seafood. ARB is led by industry veterans including Chairman Alex Macedo and CEO Felipe Athayde. Upon …
San Francisco —Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has published its 2022 Impact Report highlighting progress towards industry-leading sustainability and social impact goals. This year’s Impact Report showcases Williams-Sonoma, Inc.’s commitment to sustainability, equity and worker wellbeing as key differentiators for the company’s business. The 2022 Impact Report details Williams-Sonoma, Inc.’s achievement in emissions reduction across both its operations and value chain, making significant progress towards the company’s Science-Based Target goals. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. reduced its operational emissions by 24%, and executed its first long term investment in renewable energy through a power purchase agreement …
