Sunday, October 26, 2025
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Katie Lee

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ITW Food Equipment Group Appoints New VP of US FEG Dealer Sales Organization

by Katie Lee

Glenview, Ill. — ITW Food Equipment Group has appointed Ray Peden as its new vice president of U.S. FEG dealer sales organization. He will lead the ITW FEG dealer sales team in generating organic growth by providing dealer support and strengthening partner relationships, as well as maintaining a critical focus on key customers. Peden and the sales team will also be responsible for driving growth through their product application expertise across the ITW FEG premium brands, including Hobart, Traulsen, Baxter, Vulcan and Wolf. “We are excited to welcome Ray to …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Rural King Opens First-Ever South Carolina Location

by Katie Lee

Mattoon, Ill. — Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, has opened its first South Carolina store in Spartanburg. The new location, located at 205 W. Blackstock Rd., uses innovative features designed to enhance the shopping experience, including mobile and self-checkouts. “Spartanburg is the perfect place for Rural King’s first store in South Carolina,” says Steve Barbarick, Rural King CEO. “We look forward to becoming part of the fabric of this rural community by creating jobs, supporting local families and offering the products our customers count on …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Captain D’s Opens First Location in the UK

by Katie Lee

Broadstairs, Kent (UK) — Captain D’s will open its first-ever UK restaurant at Westwood Cross Shopping Centre in Broadstairs, Kent, on Oct. 20. At the new location, Captain D’s will bring its refreshed restaurant design, UK-tailored menu and international expansion strategy to life. This opening is part of a 20-unit master franchise agreement with local partner CD’s Holdings.  The Broadstairs restaurant is the first to showcase Captain D’s modernized UK design, featuring a fresh new color palette, playful seafood and chicken icons and a vibrant, family-friendly vibe. It’s contemporary, fun …

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construction and designNewsretailers

The Paper Store’s Sister Brand, Uncharted, Opens First Store on East Coast

by Katie Lee

Clifton, N.J. — The Paper Store, a beloved Northeast retailer, is reopening its Clifton, N.J., store under a new banner, Uncharted. The sister brand’s first New Jersey location is designed to bring a fresh, immersive retail experience to the community, blending top brands with interactive moments that go beyond a traditional shopping trip. Uncharted will begin grand opening events on Oct. 18. The store will feature an updated look and new store elements, aligning with the two New York and four Chicago-area locations. Uncharted offers a curated, brand-forward selection of …

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Showing the Love

by Katie Lee

— Interview by Katie Lee — How Love’s Travel Stops grows its business by listening to customers and keeping their comfort and convenience top of mind. When a company is run with love, it shows. Love’s Travel Stops is more than just the namesake of its founders, Tom and Judy Love, who opened a single filling station in 1964 in Watonga, Oklahoma. Today, this staple of the highway for over six decades remains family-owned and operated. What it has not done is remain complacent: In the modern era, Love’s is …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Smoothie King Opens First Stores in Utah and Minnesota; Also Expands in DFW Airport

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King is fueling its national growth with a series of milestone openings this fall, including debuts in two new states and new growth in one of the country’s busiest airports. The brand has officially opened its first-ever Utah location in Washington and its first-ever Minnesota location in Woodbury, marking Smoothie King’s entry into both states. At the same time, Smoothie King is strengthening its presence in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) with two new locations in Terminal A and Terminal D, joining its existing Terminal A store. …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Sola Salons Opens its Largest Flagship Location

by Katie Lee

Denver — Sola Salons, the world’s largest studio suite franchise, has marked the Oct. 4 grand opening of its largest location to date in Northeast Minneapolis. Located at 2626 NE 2nd St., the new facility spans 29,903 square feet and houses 101 studios and 114 chairs, making it a landmark destination for entrepreneurial beauty professionals in the Twin Cities. The scale of the new Sola Salons Minneapolis facility distinguishes it as the largest Sola Salons location ever built, and it has already generated excitement, with 70% of the studios pre-leased …

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Galleria Fort Lauderdale Names Retail Veteran as Senior GM

by Katie Lee

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Galleria Fort Lauderdale, one of South Florida’s premier shopping destinations, has named retail veteran Jim Heilmann as senior general manager. In this role, Heilmann will guide the center’s operations, marketing efforts, community engagement and tenant relations, with a focus on elevating the guest experience and driving long term value for the property. Heilmann’s expertise spans leadership positions at some of the nation’s top retail and entertainment destinations. He most recently served as vice president of operations for experiential entertainment district AREA15 in Las Vegas, where he …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Swig Names New President and Chief of Franchise Partnerships

by Katie Lee

Sandy, Utah — Swig, the creator of the dirty soda beverage category, is ramping up its nationwide growth by promoting Todd Smith to president, following his tenure as chief commercial officer, and appointing franchise sales veteran Shannon Swenson as chief, franchise partnerships. “We’re at a major moment for dirty soda,” says Alex Dunn, CEO of Swig. “People crave playful, personalized drinks, and Swig is here to deliver — coast to coast. Todd’s vision, Shannon’s franchising prowess and the talent of Swig’s leaders and team members alike are the perfect combination …

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Matternet Pilots Drone Delivery in L.A. With Dave’s Hot Chicken

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Matternet, the developer of the world’s leading urban drone delivery system, is partnering with Dave’s Hot Chicken to launch a drone delivery pilot, a first for the fast-casual leader. The service will debut in Northridge, a Los Angeles suburb, where eligible residents will be able to order Dave’s Hot Chicken through the Dave’s app and receive it directly to their homes via Matternet’s autonomous M2 drones — arriving hot, fresh and fast. “Each day, more than 10 million food deliveries move through our cities in 2-ton cars, …

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