Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s International Inc., a leading quick-service Mexican franchise, announced that same-store sales are up at the brand for the third month in a row. From May through August, comp sales were up by an average of 6.85% each month. “The way our system has been able to maneuver and grow through this pandemic is incredible and speaks to the recession-resistant nature of our franchise model,” says Brooks Speirs, vice president for franchise development at the legacy brand. Taco John’s has celebrated nearly half a dozen openings …
— By Jon Dommisse — Six ways the pandemic is transforming restroom design. The global pandemic of COVID-19 is fast-tracking infection control technologies and products in public restrooms. While cleanliness has always been a goal in designing restrooms, coronavirus has underscored the need for hygienic, sterile and safe environments. Companies, educational institutions and municipalities are all now evaluating new procedures and products for their restroom facilities. “Businesses are looking at short term and long term fixes for operating safely,” says Michelle Kempen WRID, WELL AP, ASID, with Kahler Slater, …
Columbus, Ohio — As part of its sustainability efforts, Washington Prime Group Inc. has completed the solar panel system at Weberstown Mall in Stockton, Calif. The system is comprised of 3,456 photovoltaic (PV) modules, spanning more than 76,645 square feet, offsetting approximately 37,400 tons of CO2 equivalent over 25 years. Under the terms of the agreement, Safari Energy developed, financed and built the project, with Washington Prime Group to purchase all the electricity generated by the system from Safari. The rooftop solar system at Weberstown Mall allows the company to …
Irvine, Calif. — Juice It Up!, one of the nation’s leading handcrafted smoothie, açaí bowl and raw juice chains, has appointed Carlo Verdugo as director of operations and business development. An industry veteran with nearly two decades of franchise experience, Verdugo has served in various leadership roles for national chains including Jack in the Box and nearly a decade with Jamba, where he served as the senior director of global growth. As Juice It Up!’s director of operations and business development, Verdugo will lead a variety of initiatives supporting Juice …
Cheshire, Conn. — Park Assist® has been awarded the Parking Guidance System (PGS) contract at Whole Foods Market’s headquarters and flagship store in Austin, Texas. The multinational supermarket chain, founded in 1980, quickly rose in popularity thanks to its focus on quality, sustainability, and natural and organic foods. The parking installation is set to go live by the end of 2020. Whole Foods’ headquarters and flagship store see an extremely high traffic volume, causing parking shortages within the underground garage. Employee parking is often overfilled, and team members are left …
Lake Forest, Calif. — Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s second-largest Mexican quick-service restaurant*, has appointed Erin Levzow to the new position of vice president, marketing technology. Levzow brings a wide breadth of experience in marketing, marketing technology, mobile apps and ordering technology, as well as building loyalty and rewards programs, across multiple industries. “As the technology space becomes more critical for customer engagement every year, we continue to plan and execute against building competitive and innovative systems for our brand,” says Tim Hackbardt, chief marketing officer of Del Taco. …
Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has appointed Juan Guerrero as senior vice president (SVP), chief supply chain officer, effective immediately. He will report directly to John Hartmann, COO and president of buybuy BABY, and be responsible for leading the transformation and optimization of the company’s global supply chain network. Guerrero will lead Bed Bath & Beyond’s work to reconstruct and modernize supply chain operations as it further improves the omni-always shopping experience for customers. This will include supporting strategic sourcing and the introduction of an array of …
Milwaukee — Seattle-style teriyaki restaurant Teriyaki Madness is planning its first foray into Wisconsin, with five new locations set to open by the end of 2020, plus a sixth in Illinois. The first shop will open at 920 S. Moorland Rd. in Brookfield in mid-September, with additional shops set to open in Hales Corners, Wauwatosa, Germantown and Pewaukee, Wis., and another to open across the Illinois border in Rolling Meadows later this year. Milwaukee-based FirstPathway Partners is responsible for bringing the restaurants to the area, which will be operated through …
Plano, Texas — Brookfield Property Group and Simon Property Group have agreed to acquire the retail and operating assets of J.C. Penney Co. for $1.75 billion at a bankruptcy auction. As part of the sale agreement, the three companies will form a property holding company (PropCos), which will include 161 of the J.C. Penney real estate assets and all of its owned distribution centers. The Plano, Texas-based retailer’s Ad Hoc Group of First Lien Lenders will own PropCos. J.C. Penney filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in mid-May and restructured 90% …
Atlanta — A new food hall is coming to Colony Square, the 50-year-old mixed-use destination undergoing a massive $400 million transformation at the corner of 14th and Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta. The food hall will open this spring and is being carefully crafted to align with the way people want to dine post-pandemic. Politan Group will operate the food hall known as Politan Row at Colony Square, according to project developer North American Properties (NAP). The founder and CEO of Politan Group, Will Donaldson, launched the company in 2014 …