Author

Katie Lee

construction and designNewsrestaurants

Taco Bell Opens New Drive-Thru Prototype in Brooklyn Park, MN

by Katie Lee

Brooklyn Park, Minn. — Taco Bell has opened its new and innovative drive-thru prototype in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park. Coined Taco Bell Defy, the two-story restaurant features four drive-thru lanes. A proprietary vertical lift transports food items straight from the kitchen to guests. The drive-thru experience at Taco Bell Defy is designed to be 2 minutes or less. The restaurant was built in partnership with longtime franchisee Border Foods. Minneapolis-based Vertical Works Inc. handled the design of the concept. The project was first announced last year.     …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Batteries Plus Rolls Out Rebrand to Spotlight Brand Evolution

by Katie Lee

Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and phone repair franchise, is evolving its customer experience across multiple touchpoints. The rebranding — called “Project VOLT” — was a result of comprehensive merchandising testing which brought to light the opportunity to update and transform stores. The enhancements revolutionize the concept’s online and in-store customer experience and more accurately represent consumers’ preferences when it comes to a retail shopping experience. Now, when customers walk through the doors, a modernized, refreshed look will help them …

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86 Repairs Releases Annual Report of Restaurant R&M Data

by Katie Lee

Chicago — On June 7, 86 Repairs, the repair and maintenance (R&M) management platform built for the restaurant industry, released The State of Repairs. The annual report offers restaurant operators invaluable insight into repairs and maintenance data. Today’s restaurant operator is pressed for time and resources from all directions, juggling the customer experience, high employee turnover and navigating changes in the supply chain. Repairs might only become a priority once a critical repair need has forced them to stop service. And routine maintenance can fall through the cracks because of …

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franchise developmentNewsretailers

High Tide Reaches 125-Store Milestone

by Katie Lee

Calgary, AB (Canada) — High Tide Inc., a leading retail-focused cannabis company with bricks-and-mortar as well as global e-commerce assets, has opened its 125th branded retail location across Canada, and 65th in Ontario. (High Tide marked its 100-store milestone on September 30, 2021.) The 125th store is located in Blackfalds, Alberta, in a retail plaza anchored by national discount and grocery retailers. “I am pleased to announce that High Tide has reached the milestone of 125 retail cannabis stores with this expansion into another new community. As a fast-growing and …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Tim Hortons® U.S. Unveils a New Generation of Its Restaurants

by Katie Lee

New York City — Tim Hortons® is launching two new next generation restaurant designs in the U.S.: a 900-square-foot drive-thru only model and a 1,600-square-foot restaurant with a 24-seat dining room. The first drive-thru only model will open this summer in Cross Lanes, W.Va., with at least 8 more opening throughout 2022 across Ohio, Michigan and New York. The new restaurant model offers guests an improved customer experience, while maintaining Tim Hortons’® warm and welcoming feel of your neighborhood coffeeshop. Modern and timeless, the new restaurants are designed for an …

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Blue Culture Tees Opens First Brick-and-Mortar Store

by Katie Lee

Fond Du Lac, Wis. — Blue Culture Tees has opened its very first brick-and-mortar store. This summer, residents of Fond du Lac, Wis., can visit the new location to browse and purchase high-quality, pop-culture-themed clothing, accessories and more. The grand opening took place on June 4, 2022. Blue Culture Tees is also a company that is passionate about giving back and caring for the environment. For each purchase made, a portion of the proceeds is donated to The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization dedicated to removing plastics and garbage from …

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construction and designNewsretailers

MBH Architects Renovates & Expands Waterworks’ Midtown Manhattan Showroom

by Katie Lee

New York City — Alameda, Calif.-based design firm MBH Architects has completed Waterworks’ newly renovated showroom in midtown Manhattan, in the heart of New York City. Following the successful transformation of the Flatiron location in 2017, MBH Architects was tasked with transforming the existing two-story 8,500-square-foot space into a three-story, 12,500-square-foot-flagship masterpiece. Designed with the luxury feel and elegance of a museum, the new space showcases the brand’s sleek tubs, faucets, fittings and mirrors in the most affluent and sumptuous space. The original two-story showroom’s staircase was relocated to create a focal point …

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construction and designNewsretailers

7-Eleven’s Latest Evolution Store Opens in Dallas

by Katie Lee

Irving, Texas — 7-Eleven, Inc. has opened its fifth Evolution Store in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and ninth in the country. Located at the corner of Preston and Alpha roads in Dallas, this new location offers customizable beverage options, a premium cigar humidor and the latest digital innovations in addition to Laredo Taco Company®, a popular south Texas restaurant concept. Laredo Taco Company is famous for its authentic tacos served on fresh-made flour tortillas as well as its signature salsa bar. Unlike other Laredo Taco Company restaurants, this location features …

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HVAC/RIndustry Voices

Current Data

by Katie Lee

— By Ramez Naguib, P.E. — Mitigating COVID-19 spread in restaurants using CFD analysis.   The world is having an unprecedented time due to the pandemic. Currently, more than 93 million people have been infected, and over 2 million people have passed away since 2020. SARS-CoV-2 has forced people to change their lifestyles and patterns. Under the pandemic, buildings are no longer safe shelters. The infected transmit infectious viruses to other occupants by direct contact or indirect contact (i.e., indoor airflow).i COVID-19 outbreaks were associated with droplet transmission that was …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

BRIX Holdings, LLC Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Dallas — BRIX Holdings, LLC, a Dallas-based multi-brand restaurant management and franchising company, has appointed Pamela Hunt as its chief financial officer. Hunt has more than 20 years of experience as a financial and operational leader for global organizations. In her new position, Hunt will oversee the BRIX Holdings’ finance organization and all financial activities including accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury and tax for the BRIX Holdings’ portfolio companies, which includes Friendly’s Restaurants, Orange Leaf, Red Mango, Smoothie Factory and other brands. Hunt was most recently vice president of …

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