Author

Katie Lee

Industry Voicesparking lotsvendors

A Lot To Look At

by Katie Lee

— By Jason Srain — How to use your parking lot to make a great first impression.   According to a Princeton study published by the Association for Psychological Science, first impressions are made within the first 7 seconds of meeting. That does not leave much time to showcase your business, impress customers or charm potential investors. So what can you do to make a better first impression? You can start by fixing up your parking lot. Like long lines, dated waiting rooms and bad customer service, a poorly maintained …

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construction and designIndustry Voicesremodelsrestaurants

Cooking Up Value

by Katie Lee

— By Bruno Hanelt —   Unlocking hidden value and difference-making savings in restaurant (re)construction projects.   Restaurant owners and operators looking to expand to new spaces are facing some structural market headwinds right now that makes completing reconstruction and buildout projects on-time and on-budget extremely challenging. The combination of inflation, steeply rising prices for construction materials, and increasingly common (and costly) supply chain disruptions can make planning and budgeting for commercial development projects an exercise in frustration. Even in this uniquely challenging moment, however, experienced commercial construction companies can …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Popeyes Marks 50th Anniversary; Plans to Open 200 New Restaurants

by Katie Lee

Miami — Popeyes® has turned 50. The southern brand was founded in 1972 by Al Copeland in New Orleans. Continuing its growth trajectory, the company also plans to open more than 200 restaurants in 2022 across the U.S. and Canada. “At Popeyes, we believe when guests bite into our crunchy signature chicken, they are automatically transported back to the original kitchen in the New Orleans suburb of Arabi. Year after year, Popeyes dedicated itself to ensuring the love, time, and traditions that went into making its fried chicken in 1972 …

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franchise developmentNewspeopleretailers

Batteries Plus Names Director of Exit Strategy Support for Franchisees

by Katie Lee

Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus has hired Hugh Robertson as director of exit strategy support. In his new role, Robertson will educate, advise and assist Batteries Plus franchisees with their exit strategies — offering full support for owners from the time of purchase to the date of successful sale. Having spent more than 25 years in the franchising industry, Robertson joins the team with a breadth of experience including expertise in small to medium size business transfer, franchise consulting and franchise operations. In the short term, Robertson will be focused …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Fresh Brothers Names Former CKE COO as its New CEO

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Los Angeles-based Fresh Brothers has named former CKE Restaurants, Inc. executive Ron Coolbaugh as its new CEO. With extensive experience in global growth, Coolbaugh will oversee Fresh Brothers as it continues to expand with plans to move into new markets beyond Southern California. Coolbaugh started with CKE, the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, as a high school student in the mid-1980s. For the next three decades he continued to rise through key roles in management and led much of the company’s international footprint, culminating in …

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Newsretailers

Amazon Opens Second Amazon Style Store, First in Ohio

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — Amazon has opened a new Amazon Style store at Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio. This will be the first Amazon Style location in the state and the second for the company; the first opened May 25 in the Los Angeles area. “We’re delighted to be part of the Columbus community and offer customers a new and innovative way to shop their favorite looks from Amazon in person,” says Monica Ravi, director of operations for Amazon Style. “We’re also eager to welcome hundreds of new employees to …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express Plan 10-Store Development Deal in Puerto Rico

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fatburger, Buffalo’s Express and 15 other restaurant concepts, has inked a new development deal to open 10 new franchised locations in Puerto Rico. Franchisee Conceptos Restaurants LLC is leading the deal to bring Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express to the island with the restaurants set to open over the next 5 years. “2022 has been a strong year of growth for Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express with new development deals in Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, and now, Puerto Rico, and we …

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Newsretailers

Fashion Retailer Aritzia to Open Flagship Store on Magnificent Mile in Downtown Chicago

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Aritzia, a women’s fashion boutique retailer based in Vancouver, plans to open a flagship store on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, bucking a trend of retailers leaving the famous stretch of North Michigan Avenue. The Magnificent Mile spans 13 city blocks in downtown Chicago and houses 460 stores, 275 restaurants and 60 hotels. The retailer, which sells apparel under brands such as Wilfred, Babaton and TNA, will occupy a 46,000-square-foot space at 555 N. Michigan Ave. in 2023. The location formerly housed Gap’s three-story flagship store before the retailer closed …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Denny’s Joins “Pathways” Program to Support Black Franchise Ownership

by Katie Lee

Spartanburg, S.C. — Denny’s has announced its commitment to the Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership program created by the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA). Denny’s and MFHA have enjoyed a successful 25-year alliance and, as a new Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership partner, Denny’s will help MFHA reach its goal of creating 100 Black-owned franchises by 2023. The Pathways to Black Franchise Ownership program aims to make systemic change and drive greater wealth in the Black community by empowering African American entrepreneurs to operate high-performing franchise businesses. Research from …

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Industry Voicessecurity/loss preventionsoftware/technologyvendors

Now Is the Time

by Katie Lee

— By Doug Groves — Is your retail business insured for a cyber attack?   A critical piece of information for retail businesses and franchisees to consider is the exclusion of cyber liability from standard insurance policies. In fact, most don’t even sell or offer cyber coverage. As reports of cyber incidents increase by the day, now is the time for every business owner to review their insurance coverage with their provider. The upside of this 21st century risk is the growing availability of tailored coverages and policies offering protection …

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