Author

Katie Lee

energy managementHVAC/RIndustry Voiceskitchen equipmentlightingsoftware/technology

Equipped for Efficiency

by Katie Lee

— By Jason Roeder — Advancing restaurant and retail sustainability: the power of equipment data.   Last March, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed new rules that will impact every publicly traded multi-unit retailer or restaurant. If the regulations are adopted, these organizations will have to disclose their greenhouse-gas emissions, climate goals and the effect of climate risks on their businesses. This development adds a new level of urgency for these sectors, which are already working to reduce their carbon footprint. It’s far from easy; a previous study cited …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Opens 35 New Locations in Third Quarter

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe signed 48 franchise agreements and opened 35 new cafes in the third quarter of 2022. As a result, the company drove its year-to-date totals (through Q3) to 186 signed franchise agreements and 119 openings, expanding its footprint in prime markets while setting the stage for additional growth in the final quarter of 2022. The number of locations opened this year represents an increase of 25% compared to the number of cafes opened during the same timeframe a year ago. Through the first three quarters of …

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Newsretailers

Forever 21 Plans to Open 14 New Stores in U.S.

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Forever 21 plans to open 14 new stores across the U.S., starting with a new location at the Gran Plaza Outlets in Calexico, which opened this past August. The Calexico, Calif., store is the first in a series of Forever 21 openings across America scheduled through June 2023. “We’re seeing even more consumers returning to the in-store shopping experience,” says Winnie Park, CEO of Forever 21. “While our online business remains strong and a key component of our growth strategy, we love interacting with our consumers in-store. …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

California Pizza Kitchen Opens New Location at LAX

by Katie Lee

Costa Mesa, Calif. — California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the creator of California-style pizza, has opened a new franchise location at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The opening marks the brand’s second location within the airport as CPK continues to expand across U.S. markets. Located within Terminal 6 at LAX, the new restaurant is owned and operated by Greg Plummer, CEO and managing partner of Concord Collective, a minority-owned airport concession operator. “We are thrilled to partner with Concord Collective to provide a fresh, healthy, alternative dining option for the most …

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construction and designNewsretailerssoftware/technology

West Elm Launches Virtual Design Experience on Roblox

by Katie Lee

Brooklyn, N.Y. — Global design company West Elm, a member of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., the world’s largest digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, has launched its own virtual world, West Elm Home Design, on Roblox, a global platform bringing 52 million daily users together through shared experiences. The first major specialty home retailer to premiere on Roblox, West Elm’s debut into the metaverse offers a best-in-class virtual experience with high-fidelity design and unprecedented photorealism that will appeal to new and existing West Elm fans and design enthusiasts. The West Elm Home …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Johnny Rockets and Hurricane Wings Debut First Co-Branded Location

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has opened its first co-branded Johnny Rockets and Hurricane Wings. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., at the Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House, the restaurant combines Johnny Rockets’ classic menu with the all-new co-branded model of sister wing brand Hurricane Grill & Wings, Hurricane Wings. “Burgers and wings pair perfectly together, which we have witnessed firsthand at FAT Brands with the co-branding of Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express,” says Jake Berchtold, COO of FAT Brands’ fast-casual division. “The demand for that co-branded …

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construction and designNewsproperty managementremodelsretailers

Macerich Underway on Next Phase of its Renovation of Scottsdale Fashion Square

by Katie Lee

Santa Monica, Calif. — Macerich, one of the nation’s leading owners, operators and developers of one-of-a-kind retail and mixed-use properties in top markets, is underway on the next phase of ongoing reinvestment in its iconic Scottsdale Fashion Square located in Scottsdale, Ariz. Plans include an extensive interior and exterior renovation of the south wing, building on the successful first phase that launched the property’s spectacular luxury wing in 2018. New, complementary uses coming soon to Scottsdale Fashion Square include high-end fitness + wellness destination Life Time Scottsdale and the new …

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Cover StoryFrom The Magazinepeoplerestaurants

Leading Ladies

by Katie Lee

— By Paige Ward —   Women who lead from executive-level positions are bringing much needed diversity, strength and stability to a rebounding restaurant industry during uncertain times.     With the quick-service restaurant industry drastically shifting as a result of post-pandemic consumer trends, many brands are searching for innovative ideas that will keep up with the rapid change of pace. Four brands — Mongolian Concepts, Wetzel’s Pretzels, On the Border and Salata — are altering the very way their corporate suites think by diversifying their teams to place more …

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managementNewsproperty managementsoftware/technologyvendors

ChargeFUZE Mobile Phone Charging Stations to Roll Out in Westfield Shopping Centers

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — chargeFUZE will scale its innovative and autonomous out-of-home mobile phone charging stations into Westfield shopping centers in the U.S. The initiative is part of an effort to ensure that Westfield guests have the best experience possible and can take advantage of all digital and tech-forward initiatives onsite. chargeFUZE’s portable charging network is being rolled out across Westfield’s US shopping centers, allowing guests to charge their devices while ‘on the go.’ chargeFUZE’s technology will enable Westfield visitors to remain untethered and to charge any device from the comfort …

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Newspeopleretailerssoftware/technology

Target Names Chief Digital and Product Officer

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation has hired Prat Vemana as executive vice president, chief digital and product officer. Vemana will join Target on Oct. 31 as a member of Target’s leadership team, reporting to Cara Sylvester, chief guest experience officer. In this role, he will oversee Target’s digital business, including site merchandising, user experience, digital operations and product, and Target+, the retailer’s growing online third-party marketplace. Additionally, Vemana will provide key support for Target’s industry-leading product teams across the company by bringing a holistic view to the retailer’s overall product strategy. …

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