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Katie Lee

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REI Co-op to Open Re/Supply Store in Oregon in August 2023

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Specialty outdoor retailer REI Co-op will open a Re/Supply store dedicated to used gear and apparel in Clackamas, Ore., in late August 2023. Located in Clackamas Town Center, the 16,113-square-foot store will open a few doors down from the co-op’s existing store that has served the outdoor community since 2007. The new location will join the co-op’s Re/Supply store in Manhattan Beach, Calif., which opened in 2020. “As a member-owned co-op, we have a responsibility to preserve the long-term health of the planet,” says Bob Cagle, REI regional …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Smokey Mo’s Welcomes New CFO

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas — Popular family-friendly Texas restaurant Smokey Mo’s TX BBQ has named Martin Hornsby as its new chief financial officer. “Bringing Martin to Smokey Mo’s will support more financial opportunities for franchising and corporate strategy,” says Craig Haley, president of Smokey Mo’s TX BBQ. “Smokey Mo’s is in the beginning stages of a substantial growth plan and we are very excited to add Martin’s financial and franchising expertise to our team.” Having worked as chief financial officer for companies such as Alamo Drafthouse and Sport Clips Haircuts, Hornsby’s experience, …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Buc-ee’s To Break Ground on First Virginia Location

by Katie Lee

Richmond, Va. — Buc-ee’s New Kent, LLC has purchased 27.686 acres in New Kent, Va., from Kent Farms Holdings Company, LLC for $6.5 million to build a new Buc-ee’s Super Center. Nathan Shor is the exclusive tenant representative for Buc-ee’s in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and also represented the seller in this transaction. Construction on the New Kent location is expected to be completed within 24 months. The new Buc-ee’s Super Center will be comprised of more than 75,000 square feet of retail space, 120 fueling positions, multiple EV chargers …

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Industry Voicesrestaurantsretailersvendors

Next Generation

by Katie Lee

— By Michael Spataro — Why intelligent automation will be key for successful workforce management in 2023 and beyond.   Throughout 2022, many businesses were left scrambling to fill shifts, properly serve customers and attract and retain hourly employees. In 2023, businesses in the retail, hospitality and restaurant industries will need to find new ways to manage their hourly workforce, find ways to streamline their labor operations and operate more effectively — while also delivering a better experience for their frontline employees and customers. The solution: intelligent automation powered by …

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Darden Restaurants Completes Acquisition of Ruth’s Hospitality Group

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Darden Restaurants, Inc. has completed its acquisition of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. The Ruth’s Chris Steak House brand now joins and complements Darden’s portfolio of differentiated brands that include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s and Bahama Breeze. Ruth’s Chris has 155 locations around the globe, including 81 company-owned or company-operated restaurants and 74 franchised restaurants. The $715 million acquisition was completed on June 14, 2023. Following the consummation of the merger, Ruth’s became an indirect, wholly …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Smashburger Appoints Interim President

by Katie Lee

Denver — Smashburger has appointed Jose Miñana Jr. as interim president in place of Carl Bachmann upon his departure from the company on June 30th. Miñana is the chief sustainability and public affairs officer for Smashburger’s parent company, Jollibee Foods Corporation, and will serve as the president until the permanent lead executive has been appointed. Miñana has over 25 years of experience working for the Jollibee Foods Corporation and has held multiple positions within the global restaurant company. Before being named the chief sustainability and public affairs officer in 2019, …

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Walmart Opens High-Tech Fulfillment Center Near Indianapolis

by Katie Lee

McCordsville, Ind. — Walmart has opened a new 2.2 million-square-foot fulfillment center 20 miles northeast of Indianapolis, in McCordsville. This next-generation facility is Walmart’s largest fulfillment center to date, and will enable the retailer to fulfill more orders, more quickly. “Indiana is proud to welcome this next generation Walmart fulfillment center, which represents a significant investment in our industry and our people,” says Ann Lathrop, chief strategy officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “Walmart has long been a good corporate partner in Indiana, and we’re excited to see their …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Great American Cookies Continues U.S. Expansion with First Alaska Location

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Great American Cookies, the Original Cookie Cake franchise, plans its first location in the state of Alaska. The new store will be located in Anchorage. “This year, Great American Cookies arrived in Arizona, New Mexico and Illinois,” says Allison Lauenstein, president of Great American Cookies. “Growing domestically has been a key growth pillar for us so we are pleased to be able to expand our footprint to four new states, including Alaska, in just a few months. We see Anchorage as a great market to make our …

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The Athlete’s Foot Names New VP of Marketing and Community Engagement

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — The Athlete’s Foot has named a new vice president of marketing and community engagement, Darius Billings. He has been with the company for 15 years, currently as the senior director of marketing of StAART at The Athlete’s Foot USA. Previously, Billings has had roles at Nike and AND1 Basketball, an American footwear and clothing company specializing in basketball shoes, clothing and sporting goods. In 2020, Billings was motivated by the Black Lives Matter Movement protests and economic disparities within the Black community to use his platform to do …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Paris Baguette on Track to Have 1,000 Units Open by 2030

by Katie Lee

Moonachie, N.J. — Paris Baguette, the bakery café concept with 4,000 units worldwide, currently has nearly 150 units open in the U.S. and is working toward reaching the 1,000 unit mark in the States by 2030. After a great end to 2022, the concept has kicked off 2023 by signing 40 franchise agreements and opening one restaurant per week in the first quarter. “We are very proud of the momentum we have. Last year we opened 24 stores. This year, we are more than halfway there in just 3 months,” …

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