Author

Katie Lee

Industry Voicessoftware/technologyvendors

Make the Switch

by Katie Lee

— By Sarah Clifton — Why smart operators are switching from spreadsheets to vendor management systems. If you’re managing staffing vendors across multiple retail or restaurant locations, you know it can be challenging. The beginning of the week can start with a flood of emails from various agencies. Next, you’re dealing with conflicting invoices. By mid-week, you’re reconciling timesheets that don’t match. And by the end of the week, you’re trying to figure out why labor costs are over budget — again. Does this sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many …

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construction and designNewsremodelsretailers

Aldi to Open 180 New U.S. Grocery Stores This Year

by Katie Lee

Batavia, Ill. — Aldi, a German discount, small-format grocer, plans to open 180 new stores across 31 states this year. By the end of the year, Aldi will operate approximately 2,800 U.S. grocery stores, including its first Maine location in Portland and 10 new stores in the metro Phoenix area. The grocer has operated stores in the United States for 50 years and has gained a loyal following in recent years as the demand for discount grocery items increases in the face of inflation. The company disclosed that 17 million …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Jersey Mike’s Founder to Lead UK/Ireland Expansion with Plan to Open 400 Stores

by Katie Lee

Manasquan, N.J. — Jersey Mike’s Subs, a leading franchisor of over 3,200 fast-casual sandwich shops, has signed a franchise agreement with JM Submarines UK LTD, led by Jersey Mike’s founder and chairman of the board, Peter Cancro, to open 400 stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Cancro founded Jersey Mike’s more than 50 years ago and remains a significant shareholder following the company’s sale to Blackstone last year. This agreement marks the first European expansion for the company, with plans to open the first location in 2026. “This marks …

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construction and designNewsretailers

REVOLVE Group Opens Permanent Store at The Grove in Los Angeles

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Global fashion retailer REVOLVE Group, Inc. has marked the official opening of its new store at The Grove in Los Angeles. REVOLVE is bringing its immersive retail experience to a prime location in Los Angeles with a new retail concept representing the next evolution of the brand’s commitment to immersive, elevated retail. Spanning 8,450 square feet, the two-story retail concept is designed to inspire discovery and connection. A strong, symmetrical entry sequence establishes an immediate sense of arrival, anchored by a sculptural spiral stair that serves as …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Rita’s® Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Surpasses 600 Locations in 2025

by Katie Lee

Philadelphia — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is entering 2026 with strong momentum following a record-setting year; the brand closed 2025 having surpassed 600 locations worldwide, reinforcing its position as the largest Italian Ice concept in the world and setting the stage for continued expansion in the year ahead. In 2025, Rita’s opened 35 new shops systemwide. U.S. openings increased 10% year-over-year, and new unit signings grew by nearly 10% year-over-year. This year, Rita’s expects to open approximately 45 additional shops. “Our focus in 2025 was building smarter, not …

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Tractor Supply Reaches Milestone with Opening of 2,400th Store

by Katie Lee

Brentwood, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has opened its 2,400th store location in Aiken, S.C. The new Aiken store, which opened on Jan. 9, was one of four Tractor Supply locations to host a grand opening within the first 2 weeks of 2026, setting the pace for the retailer’s expansion plans to open 100 new stores by the end of the year. Situated on the north side of town on Show Jump Circle, the new Aiken store features a 3,000-square-foot Garden …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Fatburger Returns to Japan with First of 4 New Locations

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger and 17 other restaurant concepts, has opened its newest Fatburger location in Okinawa in partnership with Green Micro Factory Inc., marking the brand’s highly anticipated return to Japan. The new location is the first of four Fatburger restaurants slated to open across Okinawa. “Fatburger’s strong legacy of serving quality, made-to-order burgers and other signature menu offerings has made the brand an international favorite,” says Jake Berchtold, COO of FAT Brands’ fast casual division. “We look forward to …

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America’s Tire Expands Retail Footprint into New Jersey

by Katie Lee

Burlington, N.J. — America’s Tire, a leading retailer of tires and wheels, has opened its first location in the state of New Jersey. The new tire store is located at 2501 Mount Holly Rd. in Burlington. (America’s Tire operates under the name Discount Tire in most of the U.S.) As a service to drivers, America’s Tire offers customers free tire repair and air pressure checks at its new Burlington location and reminds New Jersey drivers of tire safety tips, including the importance of properly inflated tires. “Our doors are officially …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Twin Hospitality Group Names New CEO, President

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Twin Peaks Restaurant, has appointed Andy Wiederhorn as chief executive officer, effective immediately, following the termination of CEO Kim Boerema. Additionally, Roger Gondek, currently chief operating officer of Twin Peaks Restaurant, will also assume the role of president of Twin Peaks Restaurant while continuing in his COO responsibilities. Wiederhorn, who was integral in spinning out Twin Peaks and Smokey Bones into Twin Hospitality Group Inc., has served as chairman of the board since August 2025. In this role, he has …

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kitchen equipmentNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Jack in the Box Completes Rollout of Qu to Over 2,100 Restaurants

by Katie Lee

Arlington, Va. — Jack in the Box Inc. has completed a systemwide deployment of Qu’s unified commerce platform across its over 2,100 restaurants, marking one of the fastest full-scale POS transformations in the quick-service industry. The modernization comes at a critical inflection point for QSRs, as brands face cost pressures and legacy technology systems that can’t keep up with today’s demands. Jack in the Box is using this moment to reshape its future. Through its “Jack on Track” plan and shift to an asset-light model, the company is simplifying its …

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