— Interview with Angie Adams — R&R: Where are you based and how long has the company been in business? Angie Adams: Our corporate headquarters is located in Houston, Texas. Linron Company has been in business since 1993, 28 years. R&R: What is your name and title, and how long have you been with the company? Adams: My name is Angie Adams, I am the executive vice president of sales & marketing and have been with Linron Company since 2014 (7 years). R&R: What trades/services do you offer retailers …
Katie Lee
Charlotte, N.C. — Clean Juice®, a national USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise, has signed its 100th franchise ownership group in 6 years of franchising. This coveted milestone was captured by Dr. Glenn and Kathleen Leavitt of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and several family members. The Leavitt family will open its doors to the Idaho Falls community in late summer 2022. “This is an exciting milestone in Clean Juice’s historic rise from a concept conceived in our family kitchen to one of the fastest-growing, all organic fast-casual brands in the nation,” says …
Milwaukee, Wis. — On February 15, Kohl’s unveiled the list of the 400 stores that will be adding Sephora at Kohl’s shops this year. From Alaska to Maine, the 400 stores will span 36 states, eight of which are brand new homes to Sephora at Kohl’s. The addition of 400 stores brings the Sephora at Kohl’s location total to 600 and puts the partnership on track to meet its 850-store goal by 2023. “We’re thrilled to be bringing Sephora at Kohl’s closer to millions more of our customers nationwide through …
Boston — Squadle, a workflow automation company that enables multi-unit operators to simplify complex operations and streamline food safety, is partnering with Aloha Poke Co., the nation’s premier fast-casual poke restaurant concept. Aloha Poke is deploying Squadle Food Safety in nine of its company-owned restaurants across the upper Midwest. Squadle will ensure that Aloha Poke maintains operational consistency across all its stores with focus on ensuring the highest level of food safety standards as the brand continues to expand nationwide. Squadle Digital Food Safety gives Aloha Poke a quick and …
Danbury, Conn. — Ethan Allen, a leading global interior design company and a renowned manufacturer and retailer of quality home furnishings, has opened its seventh location in Connecticut: a new Design Center in Westport. The Design Center showcases Ethan Allen’s unique vision of American style while putting the value of Ethan Allen’s complimentary interior design service, enhanced by 3D digital design tools, at the fore. Clients will have space to work with professional interior designers at fully equipped workstations, viewing both detailed 3D floor plans and before-and-after images of their …
Atlanta — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, opened 30 new restaurants in key target markets throughout 2021, resulting in a 17% increase in unit count year-over-year. The openings included market debuts with multiple locations in Indianapolis, Western Virginia and South Florida. The brand also signed franchise agreements with both new and existing franchisees to develop 32 new restaurants over the next several years in target states. These will be part of the plan to open over 50 new restaurants in 2022. In addition to …
Leawood, Kan. — AMC Theatres, the largest theatrical exhibitor in the United States and in the world, has made a critical hire as it prepares to expand its business into the multibillion-dollar retail popcorn industry. Ellen Copaken, formally of Frito-Lay and Hostess Brands, will join AMC as the vice president, growth strategy, beginning February 18. In this newly created role, Copaken will lead AMC’s implementation of growth ideas related to the sale to consumers of popcorn outside AMC’s historic in-theatre channel. She will report to Mark Pearson, chief strategy officer, …
— Interview with Matthew K. Harding — Retail Outlook: In changeable times, tenants focus on customer service and convenience. North Plainfield, N.J. — Within a changeable environment impacted by ongoing COVID-19 concerns, labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and rising inflation, brick-and-mortar retail tenants are cutting through the noise to focus on what they can control: providing top-notch service and convenience for customers. And coming off a strong year, they are optimistic about what 2022 will bring, according to Levin Management Corporation (LMC), which recently released the findings of …
Troy, Ohio — Founded in 1897, Hobart is marking its 125th anniversary in 2022. Hobart manufactures and services innovative cooking, dishwashing, food preparation, weighing and wrapping equipment used in the foodservice and food retail industry. From the first-ever introduction of motorized mixers, coffee grinders and dishwashers in the late 1800s and early 1900s to the advanced, WiFi-enabled devices of today, Hobart continues to support the needs of commercial and institutional kitchens, groceries, bakeries and delis worldwide. “Reaching a milestone of 125 years in business is more than just celebrating our …
— Interview with Tom Dunn — R&R: Where are you based and how long has the company been in business? Tom Dunn: Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions is the U.S. franchise system for UK-based Filta Group Holdings PLC and has been based in Orlando, Florida, since our inception here in North America in 2002. R&R: What is your name and title, and how long have you been with the company? Dunn: Tom Dunn, CEO of The Filta Group, Inc. I’ve been with Filta since 2009. R&R: What trades/services do you …