Author

Katie Lee

facilities managementIndustry ContentVendor Spotlightvendors

CLM Midwest: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Rose Lollino, Vice President, CLM Midwest —   R&R: Where are you based and how long has the company been in business? Rose Lollino: CLM Midwest’s corporate office is located in River Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago located 5 minutes from O’Hare Airport. We have been in the retail maintenance industry since 2002 and have been expanding into new territories consistently year over year. R&R: How long have you been with the company? Lollino: As the vice president, I have worn many hats since the inception …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsretailers

FRONTIER Building Completes New Burlington Store Near Miami

by Katie Lee

Miami — FRONTIER Building, an experience-focused national general construction, construction management and design-build contractor, has completed the construction of the new Burlington in Doral, Fla., near Miami International Mall. The project is part of a redevelopment of a Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores that will also include a future Total Wine & More. FRONTIER demolished and redesigned the existing façade entry for the new Burlington, as well as managed the interior buildout of the more than 42,000-square-foot department store. FRONTIER also added 258 new parking spaces. “We’re …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsrestaurants

New Ramen Restaurant, Clever Ramen, to Open this Spring

by Katie Lee

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Born and Raised Hospitality, the restaurant group behind popular Phoenix restaurants Clever Koi, Across The Pond and Fellow Osteria, and architecture firm Aline Architecture Concepts have teamed up to design a new fast-casual ramen restaurant, Clever Ramen, opening this spring in Scottsdale, Ariz. Clever Ramen was created with the idea of using raw materials that encapsulate warmth and life to the space. The fast-casual restaurant will feature a menu of customized ramen noodle bowls, steamed bao buns and seasoned fries. The restaurant features a curved plywood ceiling …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailers

Brian Black Tea Chooses Pacific Commons as its First-to-Market Location

by Katie Lee

Fremont, Calif. — Pacific Commons, a regional lifestyle center in Fremont, Calif., has been selected as the area’s first location for Taiwanese tea and milk tea purveyor Brian Black Tea. The new 1,435-square-foot store, expected to open this fall, will be located at The Block near Mas Fuego. “When a retailer like Brian Black Tea selects our shopping center as its first-to-market location, it says volumes about the quality of the tenants and shopping environment at Pacific Commons,” says Sherrie Martinez, marketing director for the shopping center. “We offer a …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
facilities managementkitchen equipmentNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Restaurant Tech Disruptor 86 Repairs Raises $2 Million to Optimize R&M

by Katie Lee

Chicago — 86 Repairs, an innovative platform that streamlines and optimizes equipment repair and maintenance for restaurants, has closed a $2 million round of seed funding from multiple investors. The investment will be used to accelerate the company’s aggressive growth and product development, which offers collective intelligence and robust data insights previously untapped in the foodservice equipment and supply industry. “86 Repairs harnesses the power of technology to create a real and innovative solution for the restaurant industry. We’re impressed with 86’s ability to tackle R&M and other back-of-house pain …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Halal Guys to Double its Midwest Presence

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — The Halal Guys recently signed a franchise deal to open its first locations in Ohio, more than doubling its presence in the Midwest and building on successful locations in Illinois. Franchisee group Smart Choice Food LLC will open seven locations in the greater Columbus area, with plans to open the first locations this year. Smart Choice Food LLC is eager to bring the quintessential New York City street cart food experience to Ohio diners. “The economy in Columbus was on the upswing prior to COVID-19, but it …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailers

WHP Global Buys Controlling Stake in Toys ‘R’ Us Parent Company, Plans Partial U.S. Reopening

by Katie Lee

New York City — WHP Global, a New York City-based firm that acquires global consumer brands, has purchased a controlling stake in Tru Kids Inc., the parent company of Toys ‘R’ Us. WHP Global joins a group of institutional shareholders that includes funds managed by Solus Alternative Asset Management and Ares Management Corp. Going forward, WHP will manage Tru Kids’ global business and direct its strategic expansion, which according to CNBC will include the reopening of some U.S. stores. Neither the network nor the companies involved in the deal specified …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop Inks First Multi-Unit Franchising Deal

by Katie Lee

New York City — Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, a fast-growing dumpling automat concept, has signed its first franchising deal to bring five locations to Connecticut. The brand is poised to disrupt the quick-service restaurant industry with its innovative automat technology and contactless format. Even before the first location opens its doors in New York, potential franchisees are eager to sign on to the concept. The franchisee’s first location will be in New Haven, where Yale is located, as the concept is perfect for college cities and residents will be able to …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailers

Ulta Beauty Plans CEO Transition; Also Promotes Internally to COO Position

by Katie Lee

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty plans leadership changes to drive continuity and continued momentum, all effective in June. Dave Kimbell, president, will succeed Mary Dillon as chief executive officer and will be nominated to stand for election to the company’s board of directors at the 2021 annual stockholders meeting. Dillon will transition to the role of executive chair of the board of directors. Kecia Steelman, currently chief store operations officer, will be elevated to the role of chief operating officer. “It has been the honor of my career to lead …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Antioch Pizza Shop Plans Strategic Franchise Expansion Plan

by Katie Lee

Antioch, Ill. — Antioch Pizza Shop has announced a strategic franchising initiative that will accelerate its expansion plans in target markets. With seven locations open and three more in development in Illinois and Wisconsin, Antioch Pizza Shop has set its sights on targeted franchise growth, zeroing in on key markets throughout the Midwest and Southeast. “We’ve seen how our dedication to the communities we serve has bred success, and we think it’s time for people from all over the Midwest and Southeast to experience what makes Antioch Pizza Shop special,” …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts