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Katie Lee

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Target to Add More Than 100 Disney Shops to Stores Ahead of Holiday Season

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target plans to expand to over 160 Disney shop-in-shop locations by the end of 2021. The Minneapolis-based retailer began opening Disney shops in select stores in 2019. The new stores will offer a collection of Disney items including toys and costumes ahead of the busy holiday shopping season. Target’s fiscal report for the second quarter of 2021 showed that toys have been a growing category for the company, according to CNBC. The news outlet also reports Target plans to join with FAO Schwarz to offer a 70-piece toy …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Taco Bell to Reinvent Drive-Thru Concept with Futuristic Restaurant in Suburban Minneapolis

by Katie Lee

Brooklyn Park, Minn. — Taco Bell is building a restaurant with a new drive-thru concept in Brooklyn Park, a suburb of Minneapolis. Construction is underway on the 3,000-square-foot, two-story restaurant. Completion is scheduled for summer 2022. Known as Defy, the new restaurant concept was developed in partnership with Minneapolis-based Vertical Works Inc., a design company that works with quick-serve restaurants, retailers and healthcare tenants. In 2020, Border Foods, one of the largest privately held Taco Bell franchisees in America, enlisted Vertical Works to create a new restaurant design. With Defy, …

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Newsretailers

WSJ Report: Amazon Plans New Department Store Chain

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Amazon, the Seattle-based e-commerce giant, is planning to open a chain of department stores to boost its sales in clothing, household items, electronics and other areas. The news comes from a Wall Street Journal report citing “people familiar with the matter.” The first stores are expected to open in Ohio and California and, at around 30,000 square feet, will be smaller than a typical department store. “It is unclear what brands Amazon will offer in the stores, although the company’s private-label goods are expected to feature prominently,” the …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Jack in the Box Relaunches Franchise Development Program, Will Open 64 New Restaurants

by Katie Lee

San Diego, Calif. — Jack in the Box Inc. has awarded 16 franchise development agreements year-to-date through the end of third quarter of fiscal year 2021 to build 64 new locations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Texas and Utah. The announcement follows the relaunch of Jack in the Box’s franchise development program earlier this year. “Relaunching the franchise opportunity has been exciting and was one of our main priorities going into 2021. Over the last year and a half, we’ve proven to be pandemic-resistant and we’re eager to grow with our …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurantsretailers

Savi Provisions Plans New Location in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Savi Provisions, neighborhood destination for locally-sourced gourmet foods, fine wines and spirits, is opening a new store in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at Concourse B. Located in the former Café Intermezzo space, this location will be operated by Crews Airport Concessions Operating Company. It is slated to open in mid-September. Founded in 2009 by Paul Nair, Savi Provisions aims to provide its airport customers the same high-end, affordable and healthy market experience as offered to its neighborhood locations, while fulfilling hasty travelers’ need for convenience and efficiency. “It’s …

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jan/sanNewspeoplevendors

Kaivac Hires New Vice President of Marketing

by Katie Lee

Hamilton, Ohio — Kaivac, developers of the No-Touch Cleaning® system and other smart cleaning machines, has appointed Keith Hartman to be the company’s vice president of marketing. He will be replacing long-time vice president of marketing, Tom Morrison, who is retiring at the end of this year. Hartman has a long history in the professional facility services industry, having spent 21 years working for Cintas. His many roles at Cintas included director of sales and operations, director of training and development, and senior marketing manager. “We are lucky to have …

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Industry Voiceskitchen exhaust/grease controlroofingvendors

Slippery Slope

by Katie Lee

— By Marian Nolletti — The dangers of rooftop grease.   Any type of grease from animal fats or vegetable fats on a rooftop can reduce the roof system’s resistance to UV rays and heat. Plus, it can cause premature deterioration of your roof, as well as increase the risk of fires and slips and falls. If all of that isn’t bad enough, it can also void most roof warranties and violate environmental regulations. Grease will destroy any roof system if left sitting on it. Common defects from it include …

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Cover StoryFrom The Magazinerestaurants

Convenience Through COVID

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Farmer Boys marks its 40th anniversary with a new post-pandemic appreciation for quality and convenience.   As Farmer Boys celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, the Riverside, California-based fast-casual concept recalls a memorable, milestone 2020 in which it opened four new restaurants, entered a new state (Arizona) and saw its total systemwide sales increase by $17 million — all during a global pandemic. Also in summer 2020, Farmer Boys’ senior vice president of operations transitioned to president and chief operating officer — during perhaps the …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Taco John’s Signs Biggest Franchise Agreement in Brand History

by Katie Lee

Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s International Inc., a leading quick-service Mexican franchise, has inked its biggest area development agreement to date with the largest Wendy’s franchisee, Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc. The group will build 50 new Taco John’s restaurants by March 31, 2026 with options to develop an additional 150 restaurants. “Taco John’s is the perfect fit for our company. While exploring concepts to expand our portfolio, we were quickly attracted to Taco John’s,” says Gary Rose, president and COO of Meritage Hospitality Group. “We are excited about the Mexican …

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franchise developmentNewsretailers

Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa Opens 20th Store in Texas

by Katie Lee

Clearwater, Fla. — Pinch A Penny Pool Patio Spa, the nation’s largest swimming pool retail, service and repair franchise, has opened its newest franchised location in Lake Arlington, Texas. The new store marks the brand’s fourth location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and 20th overall in the state of Texas. Behind the Lake Arlington opening is first-time franchising duo, Rob Stafford (pictured) and Tim Brandle, with a combined three decades of retail industry experience. The Lake Arlington store continues an aggressive development pipeline for the brand throughout Texas. Earlier …

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