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Katie Lee

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Kwik Stop Taps Watchfire for Digital Signs at 27 Convenience Stores

by Katie Lee

Danville, Ill. — Watchfire, a leading provider of exterior, interior and gas price LED displays for the convenience store industry, was selected by Kwik Stop to provide digital signs at 27 c-store locations in Nebraska and Colorado. To date, 23 locations have installed double-faced 4’x6’ 10mm outdoor digital signs and the remaining will be completed by summer. In addition, some locations have installed Watchfire’s Price WatcherTM gas price signs, which offer a bright fuel price display that can be changed efficiently and safely, day or night. The Watchfire displays replaced …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Focus Brands® Opened 400+ Locations Globally in 2022; Signed 650 New Franchise Deals

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Focus Brands®, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s®, has closed out fiscal year 2022 exceeding $3.9 billion in system-wide sales for the first time in its history. Nearly 650 new franchise deals were signed, and 400-plus stores opened globally. Key to Focus Brands’ growth strategy has been its transformation into a platform company. Finding portfolio-wide synergies and cost savings adds more fuel to the company’s individual brands. In 2023, Focus Brands is prioritizing the ‘Power of the Portfolio,’ …

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franchise developmentNewsretailers

The Vitamin Shoppe® Opens First New Franchise Location as Part of Expansion Strategy

by Katie Lee

Secaucus, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe, an omnichannel specialty retailer of nutritional products, has opened its first-ever, new franchise location, located in Valparaiso, Ind. The store, which opened on February 2, marks a key milestone in an expanding franchise program, the first of its kind in The Vitamin Shoppe’s 46-year history, which will grow the brand into numerous new markets around the United States. To date, the company has signed 58 franchise territories to 15 franchise partners, with 12 or more stores planned to open in 2023, in addition to …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Krystal Names New Vice President of Operations

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Krystal Restaurants LLC, the original home of the slider in the South, has hired seasoned restaurant and hospitality leader Jermaine Walker is its new vice president of operations. The legacy brand has been undergoing aggressive growth plans, having opened its first international location last year and continues on this trajectory with a new restaurant that opened in Alabama last month and more on the way. “I am honored to join Krystal and be part of their expansion efforts,” says Walker. “I’ve spent my career supporting companies in their …

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Newspeopleretailers

Kohl’s Appoints New CEO

by Katie Lee

Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s Corporation and its board of directors have unanimously appointed Tom Kingsbury as chief executive officer, effective February 2, 2023. Kingsbury has served as interim CEO since December 2, 2022. He will continue to serve on the company’s board. “Tom’s exceptional track record growing retail businesses and his deep knowledge of Kohl’s makes him the right choice for Kohl’s next CEO. Since joining the board, Tom has added valuable insight and perspective, and as interim CEO, he has demonstrated strong leadership and made a meaningful and …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

FAT Brands Added 362 Stores to Development Pipeline in 2022

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., a leading global franchising company that owns a number of restaurant brands, including Johnny Rockets, Fatburger, Round Table Pizza, Twin Peaks, Fazoli’s and 12 other concepts, has experienced a historic year of growth, opening 142 new stores in 2022 and adding a total of 362 stores to its development pipeline which spans 29 states and 17 countries. Leading the way in new store development amongst FAT Brands’ concepts was Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express with 86 stores, Fazoli’s with 61, Round Table …

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Newspeopleretailers

Gelson’s Promotes Several Executives, Including President/CEO

by Katie Lee

Encino, Calif. — Gelson’s has promoted John Bagan to president and CEO following the departure of Rob McDougall, who has retired from Gelson’s after 15 years with the Southern California-based brand. The new leadership position marks Bagan’s third promotion in 2 years, most recently moving from COO into the role of president in July 2022. As president and CEO, Bagan will assume greater responsibility for the company’s overall vision, business and growth strategy, as well as managing relationships with the board of directors and parent company Pan Pacific International Holdings …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Smoothie King to Open More Than 100 Stores in 2023

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King, the world’s largest smoothie chain and the first health and fitness QSR brand of its kind, signed franchise and area development agreements in 2022 to add over 160 stores to new and existing markets. More than half of the signed agreements are with existing franchisees. In addition to bolstering its development pipeline, Smoothie King opened 77 new stores in 2022 in key target markets, including Albany, N.Y.; Cleveland, Ohio; and Washington, D.C. Smoothie King is forecasted to open more than 100 locations in 2023. “Over the …

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Industry Voiceswaste management/recycling

Looking Back to Look Ahead

by Katie Lee

— By Michael Hess —   Learning from 2022: How to optimize your retail and restaurant waste management programs in 2023.     As 2022 comes to a close, it’s always important to look back and reflect on the year. You might have run into disruptors or issues that you’ll likely want to get ahead of or leave behind. But more importantly, what did you learn? What can you take with you to grow any facet of your restaurant or retail location in 2023? Let’s look ahead at a few …

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Newsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Presto Named Supplier of the Year for Innovation by Checkers & Rally’s

by Katie Lee

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., the largest drive-thru automation technology provider in the hospitality industry, has been awarded the Supplier of the Year Innovation Award for 2022 by iconic drive-thru restaurant chain Checkers & Rally’s. Presto has been recognized for successfully delivering and scaling its A.I.-powered voice assistant, Presto VoiceTM, at hundreds of Checkers & Rally’s drive-thru restaurants nationwide. Over the past year, Presto Voice has consistently demonstrated that drive-thru A.I.-driven voice automation can significantly lower labor costs while simultaneously driving up revenue. “We announced a rollout of …

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