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Katie Lee

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The Kroger Co. to Acquire Giant Eagle for $1.65 Billion

by Katie Lee

Cincinnati and Pittsburgh — The Kroger Co. and Giant Eagle, Inc. have entered into a definitive agreement under which Kroger will acquire Giant Eagle, a leading family-owned food and pharmacy retailer with 197 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Indiana. The transaction has been unanimously approved by Kroger’s board of directors. The purchase price will be $1.65 billion, comprised of $1.25 billion in cash consideration and the assumption of approximately $400 million in outstanding liabilities. “Giant Eagle is a well-run, high-quality regional …

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Badger Technologies Names Retail Industry Veteran as Next CEO

by Katie Lee

Nicholasville, Ky. — Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil Inc., has appointed retail industry veteran John Gehre as chief executive officer. He brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning merchandising, inventory management, supply chain and store operations for top retailers, including Bass Pro Shops, Michaels, The Container Store and H-E-B. As CEO, Gehre will lead Badger Technologies’ next phase of growth, focused on accelerating innovation across the robotics and AI capabilities that power the company’s retail intelligence solutions, strengthening customer relationships and expanding adoption of its …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Smoothie King Sees 85% Growth Across Northeast and Midwest

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King has steadily increased its presence throughout the Northeast and Midwest by 85% over the last 5 years, with northern markets now accounting for approximately 358 Smoothie King locations — up from 193 in 2020. As part of the brand’s continued northern expansion, Smoothie King is opening its first-ever location in Penfield, N.Y., as part of a three-unit deal for the Western New York area. The new location will open on July 18. In the last 5 years, New York has emerged as a key growth market, …

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Lands’ End Names New CEO

by Katie Lee

Dodgeville, Wis. — The board of directors of Lands’ End, Inc. has appointed Charlie Cole as chief executive officer and a member of the board, effective July 13, 2026. He will succeed Andrew McLean, who will step down as CEO and a member of the board of directors. “Our responsibility as a board is to ensure Lands’ End has the right leader for every stage of its evolution,” says Josephine Linden, chair of the board of directors. “Charlie has spent his career transforming iconic consumer brands by combining disciplined operating …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Einstein Bros. Bagels to Add 300+ Locations by 2030

by Katie Lee

Denver — Einstein Bros. Bagels, America’s largest retail bagel chain, plans to open more than 300 new bakeries across the United States by 2030, powered by a brand-new store prototype. The brand’s “Elevate the Morning” store design prioritizes freshness, speed and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, in a format engineered to scale quickly without compromising the quality guests expect from Einstein Bros. The new design blends premium finishes, warm neighborhood character and thoughtful layouts that make every visit easy and enjoyable, with the fresh-baked bagel case placed front and center. “We’ve …

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construction and designNewsrestaurantsretailerssoftware/technology

Casey’s to Add 400 New Stores and Accelerate F&B Offerings

by Katie Lee

Ankeny, Iowa — Casey’s General Stores, Inc., a leading convenience store chain in the United States, has unveiled its new 3-year strategic plan. Since introducing its last strategic plan in 2023, the company has exceeded its strategic and financial targets, adding more than 500 stores and joining the S&P 500. Now it plans to add 400 additional stores, accelerate its F&B offerings and enhance operational efficiency. “Our success over the last 3 years reinforces what makes Casey’s unique: a differentiated model that brings together restaurant-quality food, best-in-class convenience and fuel …

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Spencer’s Relocates Original Store to Refreshed New Space at Cherry Hill Mall

by Katie Lee

Cherry Hill, N.J. — After more than six decades at Cherry Hill Mall, Spencer’s is opening the next chapter of its story with the relocation and grand opening of its original store. The new location officially opened on May 22, 2026. The Cherry Hill Mall has been part of Spencer’s story since the very beginning. In 1963, the company opened its first brick-and-mortar store at the mall, launching what would become one of the most recognizable stand-out retailers in North America. More than 60 years later, Spencer’s remains one of …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Playa Bowls Debuts First International Shop in Toronto

by Katie Lee

Toronto — Playa Bowls, the United States’ leading superfruit bowl shop with more than 400 locations across the United States, has opened its first international shop at The Well in downtown Toronto. The 1,700-square-foot flagship shop officially marks the brand’s entry into the Canadian market. The landmark opening represents a significant next chapter for the New Jersey-born franchise as it accelerates its growth beyond the U.S. through a master franchise agreement with Eat Up Canada Inc., the restaurant development group leading Playa Bowls’ expansion across Canada. “Opening our first international …

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construction and designdisaster recoveryfacilities managementHVAC/RIndustry Voicesjan/sanremodelsvendors

From Disaster to Renewal

by Katie Lee

— By Pam Johnson — The complete journey through mold, restoration and rebuilding. Disasters rarely arrive gently. They strike fast, often without warning, and even when we see them coming, the impact can be more devastating than anticipated. Hurricanes, floods, burst pipes, fires and structural failures leave behind more than broken materials and waterlogged rooms. They create hidden dangers that are silent, are invasive and create unseen damage until it’s too late. Behind soaked drywall, beneath buckled flooring and deep within air ducts, mold begins its quiet takeover. It grows …

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construction and designNewsretailers

CardVault by Tom Brady Expands to Kansas City

by Katie Lee

Boston — CardVault by Tom Brady, the first national retailer dedicated to sports cards, trading cards and authenticated memorabilia, has opened its newest location in Kansas City’s Power & Light District, a dynamic mixed-use downtown neighborhood that brings together residential living, offices, restaurants, entertainment and major live events for the people who live, work and visit downtown Kansas City. The store marks CardVault’s 16th retail location nationwide, as the brand continues its expansion across key U.S. markets. The new CardVault store will offer a premium, immersive experience for collectors of …

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