Author

Katie Lee

Leslie’s Opens 1,000th Store to Mark 60th Anniversary

by Katie Lee April 12, 2023

Phoenix — Leslie’s, Inc., the largest direct-to-consumer brand in the U.S. pool and spa care industry, is turning 60. The company also has opened its 1,000th store. Leslie’s was founded in 1963 by Phil Leslie Jr. as a single location in Los Angeles. The retailer has grown to a 1,000-store chain across 37 states, providing pool owners and professionals with everything they need to keep pools and spas clean, safe and beautiful. The company opened its 1,000th store in early April in North Port, Fla. Leslie’s is well known for …

April 12, 2023

Energy Efficiency Leader Joins Budderfly as Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee April 12, 2023

Shelton, Conn. — Budderfly, a premier sustainability partner for businesses with repeatable footprints, has added energy services leader Scott Avirett as its new chief operating officer (COO). Avirett will lead the development and implementation of an integrated customer experience and delivery strategy to ensure operational excellence and meet rapidly growing demand for Budderfly’s sustainability services across North America. Avirett brings two decades of global experience in sustainable energy & infrastructure operations and general management to Budderfly. He previously built and led high-performance teams at Johnson Controls and Energy Systems Group …

April 12, 2023

construction and design green news News restaurants

Chipotle Pilots New Responsible Restaurant Design Alongside Sustainability Campaign

by Katie Lee April 11, 2023

Newport Beach, Calif. — Chipotle Mexican Grill has unveiled a new all-electric restaurant design that works to maximize energy efficiency in its equipment and systems and utilizes 100% renewable energy from wind power and solar through the purchase of certified renewable energy credits. The company recently opened restaurants with the new features in Gloucester, Va., and Jacksonville, Fla., with a third location opening later this summer in Castle Rock, Colo. The new restaurant design pilot will help Chipotle progress toward its science-based targets, established in alignment with Science Based Targets …

April 11, 2023

News retailers supply chain

Walmart Outlines Growth Strategy, Unveils Next Generation Supply Chain

by Katie Lee April 10, 2023

Tampa, Fla. — Walmart Inc. kicked off its 2-day 2023 Investment Community meeting in Tampa, Fla., where leadership highlighted how the company is investing to strengthen its business through its people and an unparalleled, next generation supply chain network of stores, clubs and fulfillment centers, and driving future global growth opportunities across its omnichannel ecosystem and high value initiatives. “We are in a unique position to serve our customers and members however they want to shop, which will fuel continued growth,” says Doug McMillon, Walmart’s president and chief executive officer. …

April 10, 2023

News parking lots people vendors

Let’s Pave Welcomes Vice President of Sales

by Katie Lee April 10, 2023

Oak Brook, Ill. — On April 4, Let’s Pave welcomed Chicago-based sales and marketing veteran Chris Walsh to the company as vice president of sales, reporting directly to CEO C.B. Kuzlik. As part of the executive leadership team, Walsh will help guide overall business strategy as well as directly oversee the company’s complete sales and marketing mix, including sales process and talent acquisition, business development, as well as the implementation of all enterprise-wide sales capture tools. Walsh has decades of sales and marketing experience in a variety of industries including …

April 10, 2023

energy management facilities management green news HVAC/R News vendors

Fexa Acquires Trakref

by Katie Lee April 10, 2023

New York City — Fexa, a highly configurable facilities management enterprise SaaS platform, has acquired Trakref to deliver on its mission of helping facilities and operations teams leverage technology to drive better business outcomes. The combined company will continue to make its unique products and services available independently to customers and partners across the grocery, healthcare, financial services, data center, real estate and food services industries as they rapidly innovate to deliver new, integrated capabilities. Fexa and Trakref will continue to value and pursue extensibility with other systems, platforms and …

April 10, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay to Open First Restaurants in Chicago

by Katie Lee April 6, 2023

Chicago — Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay is coming to the Windy City. Intelligration Capital BB, LLC (ICBB), the licensor and franchisor company for Bobby’s Burgers, has finalized the brand’s first franchise deal to propel the brand’s footprint across the neighborhoods of Chicagoland. Notably, the multi-unit agreement is introducing the ultimate burger experience to a new market while debuting Bobby’s Burgers’ first traditional, streetside restaurant model. The openings will bring an approachable Bobby Flay dining experience to all while maintaining a menu curated using only the highest quality ingredients. Well …

April 6, 2023

Industry Voices signage software/technology vendors

Digital Evolution

by Katie Lee April 5, 2023

— By John Moezzi — What to expect in 2023 digital signage for retail and restaurants. Another year has passed — since the pandemic started — and we continue to see an uptick in consumers in stores and restaurants. However, even for decades before the pandemic, there were debates between online and brick-and-mortar, where some think one abolishes the other, while others think they play well together. Perhaps, it’s important to know what they can do for each other. Let’s explore the trends for 2023 and how online and …

April 5, 2023

News retailers

Bealls Inc. Plans Significant Retail Portfolio Rebranding

by Katie Lee April 5, 2023

Bradenton, Fla. — Bealls, Inc. plans a significant rebranding of two of its largest retail chains. The company’s 600 Bealls Outlet and Burkes Outlet locations in 23 states are uniting to become “bealls”. Changing Burkes to bealls was made possible by the Bealls Inc. acquisition of the national name rights to “Bealls” in 2020 from Stage Stores Inc. The company feels that the Outlet name is dated and can lead to misconceptions about the origin and quality of their merchandise. Bealls, Inc. also operates a retail chain that exists only in the …

April 5, 2023

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

Smashburger Unveils Virtual Drive-Thru Design in Houston

by Katie Lee April 4, 2023

Denver — Smashburger, a leading fast-casual restaurant chain known for its smashed-to-order-burgers, has launched its first Virtual Drive-Thru located at the newest corporate-owned restaurant in Houston. An extension of the traditional drive-thru experience, the Virtual Drive-Thru allows customers to seamlessly place an order online or through the Smashburger app, then pull through the designated parking lane where their food will be delivered to the driver by a Smashburger team member. First introduced at the beginning of 2022, the Virtual Drive-Thru prototype, coupled with Smashburger’s refreshed kitchen design, reinforces the brand’s …

April 4, 2023

Newer Posts

Older Posts