Author

Katie Lee

Industry Voicesrestaurants

Inflation’s Impact

by Katie Lee

— By Aliyah Kaye Crawley —   How is inflation affecting the restaurant industry?     Inflation impacts everyday decisions in restaurants: how they price their food, what type of service they provide, which menu items they can afford to serve, etc. The fiscal conservatism that comes with inflation can also negatively impact a restaurant’s overall brand image, if marketing and maintenance are allowed to slide. This was discussed in Retail & Restaurant Facility Business’ February 2021 article titled “Maintain Your Brand,” written by Trip Jobe of the strategic marketing …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Sunny Street Café Unveils Enhanced Restaurant Design

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — Sunny Street Café, the Columbus-based breakfast and lunch restaurant chain, reported double-digit growth in 2021 — despite the pandemic — and is debuting an energetic new design that provides an even brighter spot for guests to dine, with enhancements to the concept’s interior and exterior dining. The reworked layout comes equipped with a designated to-go area featuring built-in shelving for organizing delivery and third-party pickup, allowing for less disruption to the dine-in experience. In addition, the service area now showcases the café’s expanded beverage program, which includes …

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construction and designexterior services/landscapingIndustry Voiceslightingsoftware/technology

Immersive Entertainment 2.0

by Katie Lee

— By Chris Roy — The next level of tech experiences for retail and restaurant venues.   Before the pandemic, immersive entertainment was an emerging trend in the retail sector. After a year and a half of reduced experiences, consumers’ appetite for this type of entertainment is stronger than ever. To slake this appetite, retail entertainment stakeholders are seeking increasingly tech-oriented features at their properties. In fact, there is a call for technology that enables all-encompassing immersion with more nuance. We live in an increasingly digital world, and people expect …

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Industry Voices

Embracing a New Normal

by Katie Lee

— By Mark Kapczynski — Why we should never go back to a pre-COVID supply chain.   For the past decade, global supply chains have been running a seemingly normal path. However, when COVID hit the U.S. in March 2020, it exposed many of the vulnerabilities that have been affecting these networks. Even a year and half later, industries across the board are experiencing the impacts of supply chain disruptions. With massive labor shortages and continual shipping delays, there is an increasing desperation to return “back to normal.” Instead of …

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green newsNewsretailers

TJX Plans to Achieve Net Zero Emissions in its Own Operations by 2040

by Katie Lee

Framingham, Mass. — The TJX Companies, Inc., the leading off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the U.S. and worldwide, plans to expand and accelerate environmental goals as part of the company’s ongoing environmental sustainability strategy. As part of its global efforts, TJX is aiming to: Achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its operations by 2040. Source 100% renewable energy in its operations by 2030. Divert 85% of its operational waste from landfill by 2027. Shift 100% of the packaging for products developed in-house by its product design …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Church’s Chicken Names New VP of U.S. Franchise Development

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Church’s Chicken™, one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant chains in the world, has hired a franchise industry veteran, Frank Costello, for the position of vice president of U.S. franchise development. Costello joins the brand with years of impressive leadership and advisory experience, including being a former multi-brand franchisee, and will support the brand’s expansion goals as it seeks to become the global franchisor of choice. Most recently, he was senior director of franchise development for TBC Corp., owned by Michelin/Sumitomo Tire. “I’m honored and excited to join …

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Newspeopleretailers

The Athlete’s Foot Names New VP/GM of Europe, the Middle East and Africa

by Katie Lee

Stans, Switzerland — The Athlete’s Foot (TAF) has named Romano Cinelli, an international sports and lifestyle business veteran with more than two decades of experience, as its new vice president and general manager for TAF’s territories: Europe, Middle East and Africa. Romano will be in charge of managing daily business operations including marketing, merchandising, retail operations and brand partner management with ubiquitous names such as Nike/Jordan, Adidas, New Balance, Reebok, Puma, etc. in EMEA. Additionally, he will be responsible for developing and implementing growth strategies to drive future growth TAF’s …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Fatburger Rolls Out First Theme Park Location at Six Flags Great Adventure

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has opened Fatburger’s first theme park location at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J. The restaurant marks the second Fatburger in the state. “We have been exploring opportunities to make this growth move for some time and are pleased that we are able to make our foray into this space with such a strong partner as Six Flags,” says Jake Berchtold, chief operating officer of FAT Brands’ fast casual division. The first Fatburger opened in Los Angeles 70 years ago, …

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Newspeopleretailers

The Home Depot Names 2 New Executive Vice Presidents

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — The Home Depot®, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, has named Matt Carey to the newly formed role of executive vice president (EVP) of customer experience. Additionally, Fahim Siddiqui has been named executive vice president and chief information officer (CIO) of The Home Depot. “In his 14 years with The Home Depot, Matt has spearheaded an enormous technology transformation across our stores, supply chain, merchandising and digital presence,” says Ted Decker, CEO and president of The Home Depot. “Now more than ever, our customers expect to shop with …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Mo’ Bettahs Unveils All-New Prototype in Preparation for U.S. Growth

by Katie Lee

Salt Lake City — In preparation for rapid growth, Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Restaurant has launched a comprehensive rebrand that includes a brand-new prototype. The brand has 18 restaurants scheduled to open nationwide by the end of 2022, all of which will feature Mo’ Bettahs’ latest rebranding. This will bring the brand to more than 50 units throughout the western U.S. with 20+ units planned for 2023. Mo’ Bettahs debuted its updated design elements and branding — with a fresh new logo that alludes to the movements of the ocean …

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