Author

Katie Lee

Naples, Fla. — Naples Soap Company, a retail destination known for premium-quality skin and hair care products, has opened a 2,500-square-foot store at the Promenade at Sunset Walk in Kissimmee, Fla. This location is the largest store for the growing retailer and was designed with an all-new branded look featuring modern décor, acoustic lighting, decorative epoxy floors and free-flowing fixtures. “We created this new layout to truly heighten the customer experience. From the moment a customer strolls by our store, they’ll be drawn in by the tropical scents and eye-catching …

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San Diego — Jack in the Box Inc. has completed its previously announced acquisition of Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. for approximately $585 million. With the close of the acquisition, Jack in the Box and Del Taco are now positioned as stronger QSR players with greater scale and the ability to enhance the guest experience while pursuing profitable growth. “Today marks an important milestone in our company’s history as we officially welcome Del Taco to the Jack in the Box family,” says Darin Harris, CEO of Jack in the Box. “We …

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Atlanta — Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. has promoted Ersan Sayman to executive vice president of merchandising. Sayman will report to Lisa Laube, president, until her April 2022 retirement, after which Sayman will report to CEO Tom Taylor. Sayman, a 19-year veteran of the company, most recently served as senior vice president of merchandising. “Ersan is an extraordinary leader and has been instrumental in the tremendous growth of the company,” says Laube. “During his tenure at Floor & Decor, Ersan has excelled in every role, improving our product assortments, solidifying …

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East Rutherford, N.J. — Hudson, a Dufry company and a travel experience leader with more than 1,000 stores in airports, commuter hubs, landmarks and tourist destinations across North America, has entered into an agreement to operate and develop Starbucks locations in U.S. airports beginning this summer. Hudson’s first two Starbucks licensed stores are set to open beginning this summer at pre- and post-security locations in LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Terminal B, serving as the first Starbucks operating in the brand-new terminal. These first two stores will be operated by HG LGA …

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Westborough, Mass. — BJ’s Wholesale Club, a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States, is continuing its expansion by opening four new clubs as the first phase of its 2022 development plans. BJ’s newest clubs will be located in Warwick, R.I.; Lady Lake, Fla.; Canton, Mich.; and Greenburgh, N.Y. “We continue to accelerate our expansion and we’re excited to open these new locations,” says Bill Werner, executive vice president, strategy and development, BJ’s Wholesale Club. “We’re always looking for ways to bring the value and convenience …

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Denver — Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, a leading coffee franchise renowned for its premium sourcing, roasting and quality 100% Hawaiian coffees and international blends, unveils new prototypes that emphasize franchisee and customer flexibility, including double drive-thru lanes and streamlined order pickups. Debuting this year is the brand’s freestanding full café with drive-thru model, spanning approximately 1,650 to 1,800 square feet, that is slated to open in Hendersonville, Tenn., in late third quarter 2022. As an evolution of this model, that is gaining vast interest among prospective franchisees, the brand …

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Grand Rapids, Mich. — Midwestern retailer Meijer has launched a utility-scale solar project that will make significant strides toward its recently announced carbon reduction goal. Meijer signed a renewable energy power purchase agreement (VPPA) with developer Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions*, which states Meijer will purchase a portion of all energy generated by the project for the first 15 years of operation. The project broke ground in Navarro County, Texas, on 1,800 acres of land and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. “At Meijer, we are …

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— By Ahmed Abouelenein —   The benefits and drawbacks of introducing new technology into restaurant operations.   Restaurant industry professionals showcased an exceptional amount of resilience and resourcefulness in such a challenging time. One tool that has helped so many restaurant operators sustain, and even thrive, over the past 2 years is the adoption of smart technology. When used correctly and implemented appropriately, the benefits of technology can be business-changing. Technology offers the ability to increase productivity, address labor shortages, streamline operations and so much more. Being smart about …

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The Hummus & Pita Co., which marks its 10th anniversary this year, keeps its location count low and its bar for quality high.   — By Katie Lee —   With two years of pandemic-related upheaval in the rearview mirror, The Hummus & Pita Co. views 2022, the year of its 10th anniversary, as a chance to reset and refocus: a fresh slate to reenergize its Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food roots and not to stray from its core philosophy: “real food that’s real good.” And that goes for each …

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Irvine, Calif. — Philly’s Best, home of California’s most authentic Philly Cheesesteaks, is celebrating its 30-year anniversary. “What started out as a relentless craving for a taste of home turned into an incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m humbled as we celebrate 30 years of serving the most iconic Philly staple in all of its authentic glory to communities throughout California,” says Bob Levey, founder of Philly’s Best. “As we recognize in 2022 how far we have come, our monthlong anniversary celebration will center around our amazingly loyal guests who have …

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