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Katie Lee

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Johnny Carino’s Debuts New Restaurant Prototype and Brand Evolution

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas — Johnny Carino’s, an Italian casual-dining brand founded in 1997, has unveiled its new prototype restaurant. The updated restaurant design introduces a modernized Italian dining experience and is scheduled to open March 25, 2026, in Laredo, Texas. The Laredo location serves as the brand’s next-generation restaurant, bringing a modern Italian dining experience to market with refreshed branding, design elements and an enhanced bar presence. The new concept reflects Johnny Carino’s strategic direction moving forward, emphasizing a polished everyday dining environment with greater focus on its beverage program and …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Meijer to Open Grocery Format Store in Michigan in May

by Katie Lee

Grand Rapids, Mich. — Meijer will open a new 47,000-square-foot grocery format store on May 6 in Rochester Hills, Mich. This is the third Meijer Grocery store in Michigan, complementing its other 125 well-known supercenters and market format stores throughout the state with the same quality customers have come to expect from the Midwest retailer. “This new Meijer Grocery location represents our continued investment in bringing value and convenience to customers right where they live and work,” says Maureen Mitchell, vice president of the East Michigan region for Meijer. “Designed …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Dog Haus to Debut in Mexico with 20 New Locations

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dog Haus is taking its biggest step onto the global stage yet, officially expanding beyond the U.S. and into Mexico for the first time in brand history. In partnership with HAK Capital & Brand Management, the Los Angeles-born concept will open at least 20 locations across the country over the next several years — marking a major international milestone as the brand accelerates its global growth strategy. The partnership will kick off with the opening of a flagship Dog Haus restaurant this summer in Mérida, Yucatán, aligning …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

K9 Resorts Signs 9-Unit Franchise Agreement in Oregon

by Katie Lee

Berkeley Heights, N.J. — K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel has signed a nine-unit franchise agreement in Oregon with Anchor Point Management Group. The agreement strengthens K9 Resorts’ 2026 development pipeline and reflects continued interest in the premium pet care category from established multi-unit operators. Establishing the brand’s presence in Oregon with multiple resorts, while simultaneously expanding its Washington footprint as part of a Pacific Northwest growth initiative, the agreement includes plans to develop nine K9 Resorts locations throughout the state. The group operates more than 500 units across 12 brands, …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Krystal Promotes Amanda Hyde to COO

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Krystal has promoted Amanda Hyde to chief operating officer. Hyde will report directly to SPB Hospitality’s chairman and CEO, G.J. Hart, and take on expanded responsibility for systemwide operations as the brand continues its growth strategy. Hyde brings more than two decades of restaurant industry experience spanning operations, brand leadership and multi-unit management. Since joining SPB Hospitality, she has played a central role in improving operational performance and supporting the company’s strategy to revitalize and expand the Krystal brand. “Amanda is a respected operator with deep knowledge of …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

IKEA to Open 10 New U.S. Stores in 2026

by Katie Lee

Conshohocken, Pa. — IKEA plans to open four additional U.S. stores in 2026 — in Chicago; Tulsa, Okla.; Fort Collins, Colo.; and Los Angeles — further building on the six locations previously announced and bringing the current total number to 10 new stores slated to open in 2026. “FY25 was a year of meaningful connection and growth despite a challenging external environment. We strengthened our ability to serve customers through new store formats, digital innovation and expanded rewards, all while reinforcing our commitment to communities and the environment,” says Rob …

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lightingNewssignagevendors

LSI Industries to Acquire Royston Group

by Katie Lee

Cincinnati — LSI Industries Inc., a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of commercial lighting and display solutions, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Royston Group, a leader in identity and equipment solutions for retail environments, from Industrial Opportunity Partners (IOP) for an aggregate purchase price of $325 million. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of LSI’s 2026 fiscal year. Atlanta-based Royston is a vertically integrated provider of custom store fixtures, internal/external signage and refrigerated/heated case displays. Through five facilities in four U.S. states, Royston …

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Industry Voiceslightingsignagevendors

The Silent Partner

by Katie Lee

— By Corey Perez — Why the world’s biggest brands trust us with their voice. There is a singular, electric moment in the life of a commercial development project. It happens just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, when the construction dust has settled and the final punch list is cleared. It is the moment the switch is flipped. Suddenly, a pylon ignites against the twilight. A channel letter set glows with a precise, brand-specific hue. In that instant, a building transforms into a destination. For the …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

HTeaO Strengthens Leadership Team with Appointments in Store Development and Operations

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — HTeaO, the nation’s leading iced tea franchise, has appointed two key executive leadership appointments: Jerry McClain as vice president of store development and Brian Aga as senior vice president of operations. These additions follow the recent appointment of a new chief financial officer, Chris Phillips. With more than 40 new store openings projected for 2026 and sustained double-digit growth, HTeaO continues to invest in leadership that supports franchise partners and protects the consistency of the brand experience. “As HTeaO continues to grow, building the right leadership …

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Newsretailersstore closings

Saks Global to Close Additional Stores as Part of Portfolio Optimization

by Katie Lee

New York City — Saks Global Enterprises LLC, a leading multi-brand luxury retailer, is advancing its planned optimization across its store portfolio by announcing the closure of an additional 12 Saks Fifth Avenue and 3 Neiman Marcus locations. This builds on initial closures announced last month. “This strategic optimization is part of our ongoing transformation and rooted in our long term view of our business,” says Geoffroy van Raemdonck, chief executive officer of Saks Global. “Our go-forward store portfolio will comprise the best performing and most desirable locations in markets …

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