Author

Katie Lee

Protecting People — & Property

by Katie Lee January 26, 2023

— By Casey Hoffhines — The importance and functionality of parking lot bollards to protect your stores, restaurants and customers. Parking bollards are short, protective posts that are embedded into the ground and serve as a parking lot safety barrier that protects pedestrians and building infrastructures from car accidents. A paving contractor will strategically place parking lot bollards in areas that are likely to sustain damage from vehicles. So, what are bollards and where did it all begin? They made their way through history by making their first appearance …

January 26, 2023

construction and design management News property management

Klein Enterprises Redevelops Valley Plaza Shopping Center in Maryland

by Katie Lee January 26, 2023

Baltimore, Md. — Klein Enterprises, a vertically integrated investor, developer and operator of diversified real estate holdings, has completed the redevelopment of the Valley Plaza shopping center in Hagerstown, Md. Enhancements to the center include an all new-façade, new pylon signage, a resurfaced parking lot and lighting upgrades. Several new national retailers have signed leases with the shopping center, including the first Maryland locations for Boot Barn (opening Feb. 1, 2023) and Grocery Outlet (which opened in summer 2022). The 190,900-square-foot shopping center is home to multiple retail and dining …

January 26, 2023

construction and design News restaurants

Papa John’s Unveils New Design for International Restaurants

by Katie Lee January 25, 2023

Atlanta — Papa John’s has unveiled a new design for international restaurants. Premium ingredients are highlighted throughout the new restaurant through colors, lighting and décor that showcases Papa John’s new visual brand identity. In a streamlined and flexible environment, Papa John’s team members will be equipped to more efficiently create quality food and serve it in the seamless, personalized ways that today’s customers prefer. Following the rollout of a more modern design for Papa John’s restaurants in North America that began last year, this new design for international restaurants will …

January 25, 2023

News people retailers

Dollar Tree, Inc. Names Chairman and CEO

by Katie Lee January 25, 2023

Chesapeake, Va. — Mike Witynski, who has been in leadership positions at Dollar Tree since 2010 and served as CEO since 2020, is stepping down from the Dollar Tree board and leaving the company. Dollar Tree, Inc. has named a new executive chairman, Rick Dreiling, who will expand his role to assume the position of chief executive officer, effective January 29. “The opportunity to work with the talented and dedicated team at Dollar Tree has been the most rewarding of my career,” says Witynski. “During this especially dynamic period, we …

January 25, 2023

News people restaurants

BIGGBY® COFFEE Names Former Starbucks Veteran as New Chief Marketing Officer

by Katie Lee January 24, 2023

Lansing, Mich. — BIGGBY® COFFEE, the 340-unit coffee concept, has welcomed industry veteran Michele Waits as chief marketing officer. Waits has 25 years in brand management and more than 11 years in coffee marketing as a vice president for Starbucks. In addition to Starbucks, Waits has worked with brands such as Gerber and illycaffè. “Michele brings a remarkable professional history to the BIGGBY® COFFEE team,” says Michael McFall, co-founder and co-CEO. “As we work to drive the brand forward, her insights will empower the marketing team to connect with our …

January 24, 2023

management News people property management retailers

Trademark Names New General Manager for Annapolis Town Center

by Katie Lee January 24, 2023

Annapolis, Md. — Annapolis Town Center, a premier shopping lifestyle destination, has added Christi Swanson as its new general manager. Swanson will manage all aspects of Annapolis Town Center, including marketing, operations, business development, events and property upgrades. Swanson is a retail industry expert with almost 20 years of experience holding various roles in guest experience, marketing and property management. Her expertise is helping emerging retailers find their footing and flourish within their target customer base. “With Christi’s leadership, Annapolis Town Center will continue to evolve,” says Maranda Auzenne, CRRP, …

January 24, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Condado Tacos Plans 12 New Restaurants in 2023, Including Opening in 8 New Markets

by Katie Lee January 23, 2023

Columbus, Ohio — Condado Tacos, an award-winning taco joint, plans 12 new restaurants that will open in 2023, with 8 of these located in new markets. This fast-growing taco restaurant company will open new restaurants in St. Louis, Mo., Buffalo, N.Y., Charleston, S.C., Greenville, S.C, Birmingham, Ala., Huntsville, Ala., Knoxville, Tenn., and Louisville, Ky., as well as at least 4 new locations in existing markets. Condado Tacos has created its own niche as a full-service taco restaurant company and fits perfectly into the NextGen Casual category of exciting restaurant growth …

January 23, 2023

management News people retailers

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Appoints New CEO, URW Airports

by Katie Lee January 23, 2023

Los Angeles — Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has appointed Dany Nasr as CEO URW Airports, leading the continued growth of its portfolio of airport and transit retail programs. “Dany’s extensive airport experience in North America and across the globe will strongly benefit our clients, partners and the communities we serve,” says Dominic Lowe, chief operating officer of URW U.S. “He’s a proven leader who will successfully deliver our pipeline of dynamic projects and create new business partnerships in the U.S. and Europe for our airports and transit hub platform.” Nasr joins URW …

January 23, 2023

News restaurants software/technology vendors

Presto Voice A.I. to Significantly Expand at Del Taco Drive-Thru Restaurants

by Katie Lee January 20, 2023

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., the largest drive-thru automation technology provider in the hospitality industry, is expanding its partnership with Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. to provide automated voice ordering at several drive-thru restaurants nationwide. Its artificial intelligence (A.I.) powered solution, Presto Voice™, is already operating 24/7 at select Del Taco locations where it is significantly helping operations by improving labor productivity, increasing suggestive selling and boosting guest and staff experience. Del Taco has 600+ locations nationwide. “With Del Taco’s desire to build a drive-thru that improves operational efficiency …

January 20, 2023

construction and design News people restaurants

Focus Brands Bolsters Leadership Team with 3 New Additions

by Katie Lee January 19, 2023

Atlanta — Focus Brands®, parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s®, has appointed three senior leaders across two areas of the business. Effective immediately, the following executives will be leading these key business functions within the company: Chris Newman, Senior Vice President, Real Estate Jim Cannon, Senior Vice President, Design & Construction Julie Younglove-Webb, Chief Brand Officer, Auntie Anne’s “One of the most important investments a leader can make is in recruiting the best talent and assembling the right teams,” says Jim …

January 19, 2023

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