Author

Katie Lee

New York — WHP Global, parent company of Toys”R”Us®, is gearing up for the grand opening of a new two-story Toys”R”Us flagship store inside American Dream, the unmatched entertainment/retail center in Bergen County, N.J. The first U.S. Toys”R”Us flagship store will feature a modern two-level retail concept that spans 20,000 square feet. The flagship will be reminiscent of the beloved toy store customers know and love, with interactive experiences and product demonstrations, and new branded elements like Geoffrey’s Café and ice cream parlor, two-story slide and more. Located within steps …

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Los Angeles — Blaze Pizza, a leading fast-casual franchise pizza concept, has signed a new franchise development agreement that will significantly expand the brand’s South Florida footprint, bringing nine new units to the greater Miami market. Spearheading this development are seasoned multi-unit operators Asif Ghaffar and Tahir Mahmood of BLD Restaurant Group, who are expanding their existing portfolio. Blaze Pizza currently has 25 locations throughout the Sunshine State and a strong development pipeline that will further propel its expansion statewide over the next several years. Local franchisees Ghaffar and Mahmood …

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Monterrey, Mexico — As Ace Hardware continues to grow globally, Ace Hardware International Holdings, Ltd., a subsidiary of Ace Hardware Corporation, opened its first store in Monterrey, Mexico, on October 28, 2021, with plans to open 13 additional stores by the end of 2022. The store is the first under Ace’s new turnkey franchise model announced in 2020. Ace now operates in approximately 70 countries and has opened more than 900 stores globally in the past 5 years. The new Ace Hardware store occupies more than 14,000 square feet, with …

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Los Angeles — The Dolly Llama, the waffle and artisanal ice cream destination with three locations currently open in L.A. and three more in development, has signed a 4-unit franchise deal that includes the brand’s entry into Nevada. One Nevada unit is planned for Reno, and another in Lake Tahoe; The Dolly Llama also plans two units in Sacramento. The brand aims to open all four locations in early 2022, along with the existing units currently in development in Bethlehem, Pa., Jacksonville, Fla., and Dallas. “This year has been a …

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Midland, Mich. — In collaboration with Meijer, Dow has enabled a new paving technique using recycled plastic bags to create a more durable parking lot for the retailer’s Holland, Mich., supercenter. This recycled polymer modified asphalt (RPMA) parking lot is a three-phase pilot project that used approximately 12,500 pounds of post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR), which is the equivalent weight of 944,000 plastic grocery bags. This project brings recycled plastic bags full circle, and also represents a long term collaboration between two Michigan companies working toward a more sustainable future. “Meijer …

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Atlanta — As part of its strategic plan to accelerate new restaurant openings and new consumer markets for Krystal Restaurants, the brand has named a dedicated vice president of real estate & construction. Dan James assumed the role on November 15, 2021 and has immediately taken charge of real estate acquisitions, lease negotiations, buildouts and other matters related to corporate and franchise physical restaurant space. “Making Krystal one of the most attractive franchise opportunities in the industry is key to our expansion strategy,” says CEO Thomas Stager. “Dan brings keen …

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— By Katie Lee —   Powering through the pandemic, Batteries Plus continues to see a boost in business through multi-unit franchising.     It goes without saying just how challenging the past 18 months have been for retailers, but Batteries Plus continues to power through. The Hartland, Wisconsin-based franchisor of 700+ stores stayed open, remained fully stocked, and offered stability and support infrastructure for its franchisees throughout the pandemic. Now with a renewed focus on signing multi-unit operators, Batteries Plus plans to open 30 new stores this year and …

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— By Todd S. Kentzel, R.A. — New speakeasy beats pandemic-era odds to become a summer of ‘21 restaurant success story.   Architetra p.c. , an architectural firm based in Paoli, Pennsylvania, has announced  a collaboration, more than 2 years in the making has come to fruition with the grand opening of Nucky’s Kitchen & Speakeasy in Ventnor, New Jersey, on May 25, 2021. Amidst the backdrop of a global pandemic, a proven team of collaborators led by Joseph Lombardi, co-owner of Architetra, forged forward to create a unique dining …

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Scottsdale, Ariz. — PXG, a global research and development company dedicated to creating the world’s finest golf equipment and apparel, has officially opened its 10th store in the United States. PXG Oak Brook is the company’s second location in the Chicago area and a key part of its initiative to establish 24 stores by the end of 2022. “The Chicago area is one of the top golf markets in the U.S. and that, combined with the success of our first Chicago store, led us to open a second location in …

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Richfield, Wis. — Hy-Brid Lifts, a low-level access equipment leader, has transitioned JJ Beimborn from service manager to Midwest territory sales manager. His new role will include promoting the growing Hy-Brid Lifts product line, establishing and maintaining customer relationships and supporting customers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. “I’m looking forward to expanding the customer relationships I have built over the last several years as the Hy-Brid Lifts service manager,” says Beimborn. “I’m also excited to share the many benefits of our products and continue growing our …

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