Author

Katie Lee

franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Hummus & Pita Co. to Enter West Coast Market with Los Angeles Flagship

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — The Hummus & Pita Co., one of the fastest-growing Mediterranean concepts in the U.S., plans a flagship location for all of California with a grand opening slated for late June in Los Angeles. Located in North Hollywood’s NOHO West Shopping Center, the new locations kicks off a five-unit franchise deal signed with well-known Southern California multi-concept operator, Dan Markel. Markel has already identified his second California location in Toluca Lake, a celebrity enclave in Los Angeles. Other potential locations are currently being scouted in Studio City, Burbank, …

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franchise developmentNewsretailers

Pet Wants Added 22 Franchise Locations in 2020, Plans 47 More in 2021

by Katie Lee

Cincinnati — Pet Wants, the Cincinnati-based high-quality pet food and supplies franchise, has enjoyed record-setting sales for the 10th consecutive month. January and February sales increased year-over-year by 35% and 26%, respectively. March is now the second highest sales month in Pet Wants’ history, only falling short to December 2020. Pet Wants, which is part of the Strategic Franchising family, provides pet owners with premium, fresh pet food, free of animal by-products and non-nutritious fillers. “The pet industry exploded in 2020, and we were all curious to see if that …

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Cover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazineretailers

Supplies & Demand

by Katie Lee

— Interview by Katie Lee —   Demand for pets — and pet supplies — soared during the pandemic. Here’s how Pet Supplies Plus is meeting the moment.     Raise your hand if you adopted a new pet during the pandemic! If you’re like many Americans, you took advantage of the extra time at home, and not traveling, to bond with a new four-legged friend — and you needed pet supplies. The pet industry boomed over the past 12 months, and Pet Supplies Plus (PSP) is the first to …

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Newsrestaurants

Chicago’s Famed Rainbow Cone Opens Second Brick-and-Mortar Location

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Chicago’s famed Rainbow Cone will celebrate the grand opening of its second brick-and-mortar location on May 5th in Lombard, Ill. For nearly 100 years, the Original Rainbow Cone has served ice cream featuring extraordinary flavors and textures, including the world-famous 5-flavor combination of chocolate, strawberry, palmer house, pistachio and orange sherbet, sliced — not scooped. The Lombard location will feature Rainbow Cone’s vibrant colors in the interior, creating a welcoming space for friends and family to gather. The exterior will consist of pink and white polka dots, allowing …

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Newsretailers

Topgolf Opens Fourth Georgia Venue

by Katie Lee

Buford, Ga. — Topgolf Entertainment Group plans has opened its fourth Georgia venue in Buford. The property anchors Exchange at Gwinnett, a mixed-use development by locally based Fuqua Development near Mall of Georgia. The Exchange at Gwinnett has more than 465,000 square feet of retail and restaurants, office space, hotel space and residential units. Other than Topgolf, The Exchange will include retailers such as Five Guys, Starbucks Coffee, Four Fat Cows, Chipotle and Sprouts Farmers Market. Topgolf Buford is a two-floor venue with 72 climate-controlled hitting bays. Other amenities include …

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Industry Voicesjan/san

A Fresh Start

by Katie Lee

— By Melissa Hard — Restaurant cleaning in a post-COVID era.   As the saying goes, every cloud — even a very dark cloud like COVID-19 — has its silver lining. This is undoubtedly true in the restaurant and hospitality industries, which have taken it on the chin — as bad if not worse than any other business sector. However, the industry can view this regrettable situation as a chance to reevaluate many of their operating practices, starting with those related to cleaning. Speaking to someone who started in the …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

I Heart Mac & Cheese Continues to Expand Coast to Coast

by Katie Lee

Boca Raton, Fla. — I Heart Mac & Cheese, a fast-casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls and grilled cheese sandwiches, has signed 12 franchise agreements with seven new franchisees throughout the first quarter of 2021. In addition, the brand has opened three restaurants in Indiana, Georgia and New York, with 30 additional openings planned by the end of the year. “I Heart Mac & Cheese is a unique and attractive franchise concept that is really resonating with aspiring entrepreneurs — including those from many diverse backgrounds …

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construction and designmanagementNewsretailers

Midwood to Open $100 Million Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City, CA

by Katie Lee

Studio City, Calif. — Midwood Investment & Development is nearing completion on The Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge, a $100 million retail redevelopment of land formerly occupied by a meeting and convention center in Studio City, Calif. A rolling opening for the 90,000-square-foot property is scheduled to begin in June. The Shops at Sportsmen’s Lodge will be anchored by Erewhon, a Los Angeles-based market and café known for its selection of organic, healthy foods. Other tenants will include Civil Coffee, Free People Movement, Madison Reed, Myodetox, Roberta’s Pizza, SALT Optics, Tocaya, …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Construction on Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy! Restaurant Resumes in Nashville

by Katie Lee

Johnson City, Tenn. — FACE Hospitality, subsidiary of FACE Amusement Group, has resumed construction on its highly anticipated Chicken Guy! Restaurant in Nashville, Tenn. Located off Second Avenue and Commerce Street in downtown Nashville, the restaurant was one of several structures damaged in the explosion that shook Music City on Christmas Day 2020, bringing the project to a sudden halt. Construction has now resumed on the new franchise, which is slated to open this summer, continuing the one-of-a-kind partnership between FACE, famed chef, restaurateur and television personality Guy Fieri, and …

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facilities managementNewspeoplevendors

RWS Facility Services Hires New Vice President of Facility Services

by Katie Lee

Chadds Ford, Pa. — RWS Facility Services (RWS), a provider of comprehensive managed facility services, has appointed Tom LaMartina to the role of vice president of facility managed services. In this role, LaMartina will be responsible for overseeing the RWS sales and service organization that provides support services to facilities in manufacturing, distribution, pharma and commercial offices in the company’s growing national footprint of facility services clients. LaMartina joins RWS after 7 years at ISS Facility Services, most recently as senior vice president for the specialized services division. He previously …

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