Author

Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Applebee’s recently signed an agreement with the world’s largest restaurant franchise operator, Flynn Group, with the goal to open 25 new Applebee’s restaurants in the U.S. over the next 7 years. This expansion goal is part of Applebee’s development strategy to return the brand to net new unit openings. “After 44 years as the neighborhood dining destination in America, this agreement reinforces the confidence in the Applebee’s brand from our largest franchisee — and the largest franchise operator in the world — Flynn Group,” says Tony Moralejo, …

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Birmingham, Ala. — Hibbett, Inc., an athletic-inspired fashion retailer, has entered into a definitive merger agreement in which JD Sports Fashion plc will acquire Hibbett for $1.1 billion. Following the closing of the transaction, Hibbett will join the JD Sports family of athletic footwear and fashion retail brands and will cease to be a publicly traded company. Mike Longo will continue to serve as president and chief executive officer, while Jared Briskin will take on the role of chief operating officer of Hibbett. Hibbett will maintain its corporate headquarters in …

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Cincinnati — LSI Industries Inc., a leading U.S. based manufacturer of commercial lighting and display solutions, has completed its acquisition of privately held EMI Industries for an all-cash purchase price of $50 million. EMI is one of the largest privately held retail fixture and food equipment companies in the North America. Florida-based EMI is an award-winning metal and millwork manufacturer of standard and customized fixtures, displays and food equipment for the convenience store, grocery and restaurant industries. For more than 40 years, EMI has worked closely with customers to develop …

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Broomfield, Colo. — Noodles & Company, a national fast-casual chain known for its globally inspired noodle bowls, has signed a deal with DND Group Inc. to immediately acquire six restaurant locations and open a total of 10 new restaurants to the Portland, Ore., area. The first location will open in 2025. Dara Dejbakhsh, president and CEO at DND Group Inc., is a long-time restaurant operator with over 43 years of experience in the restaurant and franchising industry. Founded in 2007, DND Group Inc. operates 56 restaurants across nine states. Its …

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Boston — Wayfair Inc. has set the grand opening date for its very first large-format, brick-and-mortar store on May 23, 2024. The 150,000-square-foot store, located in Edens Plaza in Wilmette, Ill., is a one-stop-shop for all things home — including furniture, home décor, housewares and home improvement products, for any style space or budget. The inaugural Wayfair store also has an onsite restaurant, The Porch. Wayfair is a destination for all things home, in one inspiring place. The Wayfair family of brands includes Wayfair, AllModern, Birch Lane, Joss & Main, …

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Atlanta — Smalls Sliders has appointed industry veteran Julie Hauser-Blanner as its chief operating officer. In her new role, Hauser-Blanner will oversee all aspects of the brand’s daily operations, driving strategic initiatives to elevate efficiency, scalability and overall performance. With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years in multi-unit, multi-brand, global hospitality and restaurant companies, Hauser-Blanner brings a wealth of experience to the brand’s growing executive leadership team. Having most recently served as chief franchise officer at European Wax Center, Hauser-Blanner was responsible for all growth, strategy and support functions …

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Columbus, Ohio — Fashion retailer Express Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to close 107 of its 602 stores. The Columbus, Ohio-based company’s portfolio includes apparel brands such as Bonobos, Express and UpWest Express. As part of the proceedings, 95 stores under the company’s Express banner will be shuttered alongside all 12 of its UpWest Express locations. The closing sales at affected stores are scheduled to begin on April 23, 2024. Express concurrently announced that it has received a non-binding letter of intent from a consortium …

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Charlotte, N.C. — Bojangles, the North Carolina-born restaurant chain specializing in Southern-style chicken, biscuits, breakfast and tea, has signed a 30-unit agreement that will bring the concept to Los Angeles for the first time. The agreement, spearheaded by seasoned entrepreneur Lorenzo Boucetta and Poulet Brothers, LLC, is expected to introduce Bojangles to Los Angeles County in early 2025. Boucetta’s lifetime of experience in the hospitality industry and his background in real estate development, e-commerce and technology make him the perfect fit to lead the brand’s break into the Los Angeles …

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Charlotte, N.C. — Wegmans Food Markets Inc., a Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer, plans to open a 110,000-square-foot store in Charlotte, N.C. Located along North Community House Road, the grocery store will be situated within Ballantyne, Northwood Investors’ 2,000-acre master-planned development on the south side of Charlotte adjacent to the South Carolina border. Wegmans aims to open the new store by the third quarter of 2026. The store will feature all traditional Wegmans departments, including produce, seafood, meat, bakery, deli, cheese and wine and beer. Additional offerings will include Meals2Go and catering, …

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Dallas — Freshslice Pizza, an innovative Canadian pizza franchise, will debut in the U.S. with its first two locations slated for the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth, with over 100 stores in Canada, Freshslice entered the U.S market in January. Local DFW resident and entrepreneur Trenton Parks is the first franchise partner in the U.S. to invest in Freshslice. “We are thrilled to welcome Trenton into the Freshslice family, bringing our style of fresh pizza to the great state of Texas,” says Ray Russell, …

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