Author

Katie Lee

Industry Voicesrestaurantsretailers

Following OSHA’s Lead

by Katie Lee

— By Troy Tepp — What restaurants and retailers can learn from common OSHA violations to protect their employees and business.   Each October, OSHA — the Occupational Safety and Health Administration — releases its annual review of the 10 most frequent violations of the past year. The list provides business owners and managers a reason to slow down and think about the safety of their business — even when the days get too busy. Rather than fear violations or surprise visits, business leaders should embrace the information as a …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Potbelly Continues Growth in Florida with 16 New Units in Development

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Potbelly Corporation, the iconic neighborhood sandwich shop, has finalized a 16-unit shop development agreement in two Florida markets. This agreement includes 14 shops in Broward County and two shops in Gainesville. “We are enthused to begin a partnership with Rami Boaziz and Stellar Hospitality, which we believe will be great stewards of the brand,” says Bob Wright, president and chief executive officer. “We look forward to expanding the Potbelly brand in the Florida market with a Shop Development Area Agreement (SDAA) for 16 new shops, following our previous …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Toys”R”Us® to Open in Mexico for the First Time in 2023

by Katie Lee

New York City — WHP Global, the parent company of Toys”R”Us, has partnered with leading omnichannel retailer El Puerto de Liverpool, SAB de CV to launch the toy brand in Mexico for the very first time. The partnership will bring Toys”R”Us to Mexican customers through standalone flagship stores and e-commerce. Toys”R”Us has experienced significant growth since its acquisition by WHP Global in 2021, doubling its footprint by 50% in 2022 with the national rollout in the U.S. at all Macy’s stores and recent launches in India, United Kingdom and Australia. …

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green newskitchen exhaust/grease controlNewsrestaurantsvendorswaste management/recycling

Restaurant Technologies Breaks Own Sustainability Record

by Katie Lee

Mendota Heights, Minn. — Restaurant Technologies (RT) released its sustainability numbers from 2022, helping over 36,000 customers nationwide reach their ESG goals and create a cleaner, more livable planet. In 2022, RT recycled nearly 290 million pounds of used cooking oil, which eliminated 16 million plastic oil jugs, saved 7.4 million cubic feet of landfill space, and reduced about 67 million pounds (66.6 million) of GHG CO2e emissions. In partnership with renewable energy organizations such as Chevron Renewable Energy Group, RT converts 100% of used cooking oil from its customers …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Caribou Coffee to Open More Than 300 New Franchise Locations

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Caribou Coffee®, a national premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands company, has signed several multi-unit development agreements to franchise more than 300 new locations domestically. Caribou Coffee expanded its franchise program in October 2021, marking the first time interested candidates had an opportunity to own and operate traditional franchise locations in the United States. In March 2022, Caribou Coffee announced the signing of its first multi-unit development agreement with Mike Mariola Restaurants to franchise locations in Ohio. Mariola and his team opened their first Caribou Coffee location on November …

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Academy Sports + Outdoors Plans to Open 13-15 New Stores This Year

by Katie Lee

Katy, Texas — Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc., a leading full-line sporting goods and outdoor recreation retailer, plans to continue its expansion efforts with the goal of opening 13 to 15 stores this year, and a total of 120 to 140 new stores by the end of 2027. To that end, Academy will open its first location in Peoria, Ill., this summer. The new 60,000-square-foot store will be Academy’s second location in Illinois, located at Grand Prairie Plaza. Originally founded in 1938 as a family business in Texas, Academy has …

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Subway Continues Double-Digit Global Sales Growth

by Katie Lee

Miami — In first quarter 2023, Subway saw positive traffic and double-digit growth in global restaurant same-store sales, driven by its continued focus on menu innovation, modernization of restaurants and improvements to the overall guest experience, including digital. Kicking off the second quarter, in April, the brand also achieved its highest weekly average unit volume (AUV) in the U.S. since 2010. Q1 global results, compared to the same period in 2022: 12.1% increase in same-store sales. 11.4% increase in digital sales. Q1 North America results, compared to the same period …

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Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Files Voluntary Chapter 11 Petitions

by Katie Lee

Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., along with certain of its subsidiaries, has filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey to implement an orderly wind down of its businesses. The 360 Bed Bath & Beyond and 120 buybuy BABY stores and websites will remain operational as the company begins its efforts to effectuate the closure of its retail locations. The company has received a commitment of approximately $240 million in …

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Newspeoplevendors

CrossCom Promotes Executive Vice President, Sales

by Katie Lee

Buffalo Grove, Ill. — CrossCom, an industry leader in supporting technology solutions for retailers, restaurant, grocery and hospitality customers, has promoted Paul Russell to the position of executive vice president, sales. He has been in a VP role on the CrossCom sales team for almost 7 years. Prior to joining CrossCom, Paul spent 15 years in operational and sales leadership roles for companies providing retail technology services. “What makes Paul a great role model is his determination and drive to match our solutions to a customer’s needs in a way …

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Ingka Group to Invest $2.2 Billion in New IKEA Locations, Omnichannel Growth Across U.S.

by Katie Lee

Leiden, Netherlands — Ingka Group has announced plans to invest $2.2 billion over the course of the next 3 years on new IKEA retail locations and omnichannel growth across the United States. The Leiden, Netherlands-based company is the largest owner of IKEA stores globally, representing more than 90% of IKEA retail sales with more than 370 stores and 100 home décor planning studios open across 31 countries. The initial phase of investment will include opening eight stores in IKEA’s traditional format and nine “Plan and Order” points, which are smaller …

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