Author

Katie Lee

managementNewspeopleproperty managementretailers

Levin Management Promotes Senior Property Manager to Portfolio Manager

by Katie Lee

North Plainfield, N.J. — Denise Ciaravino has been promoted to portfolio manager at Levin Management Corporation (LMC), according to Erika Toscani, vice president of property management. Ciaravino joined the North Plainfield, N.J.-based commercial real estate services firm in 2006 as property manager and was named senior property manager in 2009; for the past decade she has overseen the day-to-day operation of a shopping center portfolio totaling approximately 1 million square feet. In her new role as portfolio manager, Ciaravino will also be the single point of contact for a 9-property, …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Starbird Chicken Increases Footprint and Prepares to Launch National Franchise Program

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Starbird Chicken, a super-premium fast food concept, has achieved its third year of positive same store sales growth, with 2021 YTD same store sales coming in at +75% over 2019 and +36% over 2020. The brand increased its location footprint by 28% in the first half of 2021 and is slated to enter multiple undisclosed locations in the Bay Area and Los Angeles within the next 24 months. This growth comes on the heels of a successful 2020 despite the pandemic, where Starbird Chicken reported a 36% …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailerssoftware/technology

Fossil Group Appoints New Chief Digital Officer

by Katie Lee

Richardson, Texas — Fossil Group, Inc. continues to build on its industry-leading transformation to a digital-first retailer with the appointment of Holly Briedis to the company’s executive leadership team as executive vice president, chief digital officer. “The digital footprint of consumers continues to grow, and brands leaning into this evolution are the ones driving growth,” says Kosta Kartsotis, Fossil Group’s chairman and CEO. “Holly’s extensive leadership and expertise in driving customer-centered digital transformations for retail brands during her time with McKinsey & Company will help Fossil Group cement itself as …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Überrito Fresh Mex Launches Franchise Expansion Plan

by Katie Lee

Houston — Authentic fast-casual Mexican concept Überrito Fresh Mex, which first launched in 2014 in Houston’s Durham Park neighborhood, has revamped its restaurant model and, with the support of parent company MRI Heritage Brands, Inc., eyes a more ambitious franchise expansion program. “Almost everyone can relate to a freshly made burrito or taco because people are driven by an emotional connection to authentic Mexican food — it’s very strong and powerful,” says Pete Pascuzzi, CEO of MRI Heritage Brands, Inc. “We’ve remained true to who we are as a brand …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsretailers

Bloomingdale’s to Open Smaller-Footprint Bloomie’s Store in Metro Washington, D.C.

by Katie Lee

Fairfax, Va. — Bloomingdale’s plans to open its first Bloomie’s store at the Mosaic District shopping center in Fairfax on August 26. Bloomingdale’s is the latest retailer to unveil an updated store concept designed to reflect the changing wants and needs of shoppers following the COVID-19 pandemic. The new, smaller-footprint concept will span 22,000 square feet and feature an evolving mix of merchandise from top brands alongside tech-enabled stylist services and a restaurant. A standard Bloomingdale’s location spans approximately 200,000 square feet. Fresh deliveries from a mix of designers already …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailers

Dollar General Expands Healthcare Services with Newly Created Chief Medical Officer Role

by Katie Lee

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — Dollar General Corporation is expanding its healthcare offering to continue to meet more of its customers’ needs and establish itself as a health destination. This effort includes the appointment of Albert Wu, M.D. to the newly created position of vice president, chief medical officer. He joined the company on July 6 and reports to Jeff Owen, Dollar General’s chief operating officer. Dr. Wu will help to develop Dollar General’s new healthcare services efforts by establishing and strengthening relationships with current and prospective healthcare product and service providers …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

Shipley Do-Nuts Expands Executive Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts continues building its senior leadership team with the addition of Donna Josephson as chief marketing officer and Kerry Leo as vice president of technology. Josephson (pictured at right) previously held CMO titles at Corner Bakery, Fazoli’s and McAlister’s Deli. She also brings experience from Wendy’s International, Applebee’s International and Chick-fil-A. Leo has more than a decade of technology and operational leadership experience and joins Shipley from Church’s Chicken/Texas Chicken, where he served as senior director of information technology. Prior to Church’s Chicken, Leo served as director, …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

The Point of Sale Cloud Launches as Post-Pandemic Solution for Multi-Unit Restaurants

by Katie Lee

Cincinnati — The Point of Sale Cloud, an easy-to-use, fully integrated cloud platform for multi-unit restaurants, recently launched as a new competitive advantage for the restaurant industry. The Point of Sale Cloud allows restaurants to take control of their technology while streamlining the way restaurateurs manage all aspects of their business including customer facing transactions and back-of-the-house operations. As a response to the challenges faced by the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Point of Sale Cloud assists restaurants in deploying their own guest service experience for dine-in, delivery …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
HVAC/RIndustry Voicesrestaurantsvendors

Free & Fair Air

by Katie Lee

— By Ramez Naguib, P.E. — Effect of air filter rating on energy consumption in restaurants during COVID-19.   This we know: COVID-19 is primarily transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets, which are then released when someone with COVID-19 sneezes, coughs or talks. Infectious droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Current data do not support long range aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2, such as seen with measles or tuberculosis. Short-range inhalation of aerosols is a …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Industry Voicesroofingvendors

Data-Driven Decisions

by Katie Lee

— By Alexandria Pegnato and Tom Coble — Roof management enters the digital age.   Historically, when it came to managing a multi-site roof portfolio, a difficult choice had to be made. Does one commit a sizeable budget to being proactive by way of regular inspections and preventive maintenance? Or instead react to issues as they arise, saving money in the short term, but running the risk of increased spend and deteriorating roof performance over time? It was a difficult decision with no ideal option. Now as roofing enters the …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts