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Katie Lee

construction and designNewsretailers

IKEA Opens First Store in New Zealand

by Katie Lee

Malmö, Sweden — Two years and three months after the groundbreaking ceremony in Sylvia Park, Auckland, IKEA has officially opened its first store in New Zealand. New Zealand is the first new market for the largest IKEA retailer since 2021, when a store opened in Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia. “We’re thrilled to bring IKEA all the way to New Zealand, the country that’s geographically the furthest from our Swedish beginnings. That distance makes this opening special,” says Tolga Öncü, Ingka retail manager (COO), Ingka Group | IKEA. “Coming to New …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Teriyaki Madness Names Chief Restaurant Officer Amid Record Growth

by Katie Lee

Denver — Teriyaki Madness has recruited industry leader Scott Shotter, most recently of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, as chief restaurant officer. In his new role, Shotter will oversee all aspects of restaurant operations across corporate and franchised locations, advancing the systems and strategies that fuel the brand’s nationwide expansion. This appointment comes as the brand prepares to open 45 new shops and hit 20% systemwide growth this year. With more than 35 years of restaurant leadership experience, Shotter has led operational excellence of some of the industry’s most recognizable brands. Prior …

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construction and designCover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazineremodelsrestaurants

Zaxbys Charts a Bold Course

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Nearing 1,000 locations nationwide, Zaxbys is evolving from a regional Southern favorite to a national QSR staple. As it celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, Zaxbys® has ushered in a new era with a comprehensive refresh. This includes the introduction of its ‘Modern Farmhouse’ restaurant design, as well as an updated visual identity, branding and packaging. Together, these updates reflect a modernized, cohesive look and feel, signaling the next chapter in Zaxbys’ evolution while maintaining the bold flavors and Southern hospitality that guests love.  And …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Belk Debuts Smaller-Format Belk Market Concept in Texas and Florida

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — This month, Belk is opening two new stores in Texas and Florida, debuting a new store concept for the 136-year-old retailer. Belk Market locations offer a carefully curated assortment of top national and private label brands in a smaller footprint. The new stores are located at The Grove at Wesley Chapel in Wesley Chapel, Fla., and The Centre at Preston Ridge in Frisco, Texas. “We know our customers come to us for the brands and products they trust, and we’re always looking for new ways to match …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

KFC Opens Flagship Store in Rome, Marking Milestone in European Expansion

by Katie Lee

Lausanne, Switzerland — KFC Europe is opening one of its most iconic European flagship stores, located at the heart of historical Rome near the renowned Trevi Fountain. This landmark launch is a testament to KFC’s continued growth throughout Europe. As one of the fastest growing retail brands in the world, KFC opens a new restaurant somewhere around the world once every 3.5 hours. The choice of Rome as the site for one of the first Western European flagship stores was a natural choice and reflects the brand’s rapid growth across …

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American Signature, Inc. Files Voluntary Petitions for Chapter 11 Relief

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — American Signature, Inc. (ASI), one of the nation’s leading home furnishings retailers and the parent company of Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture, has filed voluntary petitions for chapter 11 relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. ASI expects to enter into a stalking horse asset purchase agreement with ASI Purchaser LLC under which, subject to court approval, ASI Purchaser LLC will acquire substantially all of the company’s assets and assume certain related liabilities. Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture …

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facilities managementfranchise developmentNewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Taco John’s Boosts Franchisee Relations with Bikky

by Katie Lee

New York City — Bikky, a customer data platform built exclusively for multi-unit restaurants, has partnered with Taco John’s®, one of the largest QSR Mexican restaurant brands in the country. The brand started out in the mid-1960s as a small Cheyenne, Wyo., taco stand. Two local businessmen wanted to share the taco stand’s unique flavors with the world and bought the franchise rights in 1969. From there, Taco John’s restaurants began popping up in the Midwest. “We have franchisees that have been with us for 50 years and they know …

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construction and designenergy managementHVAC/RIndustry Voicesrestaurantsvendors

The Silent Upgrade

by Katie Lee

— By Marc Mascarello — How hidden air diffusers are changing commercial interiors. Walk into a beautifully designed restaurant or retail space, and your eyes are drawn to the details — the layered lighting, the textures and materials, the sense of flow and spatial balance. But when HVAC components like air vents or grilles jump into view, they can interrupt that visual harmony in an instant. Mechanical systems are essential to occupant comfort, yet they’re often considered late in the design process or treated as background elements to work around. …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Shake Shack Announces Chief Financial Officer Transition

by Katie Lee

New York City — Katherine Fogertey, chief financial officer of Shake Shack Inc., will step down on March 4, 2026. Beginning immediately, Fogertey will move into a senior advisor role to support a smooth handoff and ensure continuity across all financial functions during the transition. The company plans to launch a search for a new chief financial officer immediately. As part of this transition, the company is establishing an Office of the CFO, composed of a tenured team of experienced leaders across financial planning, accounting, treasury, data science and investor …

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DICK’S Sporting Goods Names President, Foot Locker International

by Katie Lee

Pittsburgh — DICK’S Sporting Goods has appointed Matthew Barnes as president of Foot Locker International, effective Dec. 3, 2025. Barnes will lead the Foot Locker business’ international operations with a focus on driving strategic growth, accelerating business momentum and executing targeted turnaround strategies. In his position at Foot Locker, now part of DICK’S Sporting Goods following its acquisition in September 2025, Barnes will oversee the Foot Locker stores, e-commerce and digital businesses across Europe, Asia and Australia and its licensed store presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Barnes …

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