Riverside, Calif. — Farmer Boys®, a farm fresh fast-casual concept, has added restaurant industry veteran Dave Wetzel as its new senior vice president of operations. In this role, Wetzel is responsible for overseeing both company and franchise restaurant operations. He will play a key role in defining the strategic direction for the brand and overseeing field execution. “Farmer Boys is already known for its exceptional customer service, so I’m looking forward to joining the team to help enhance everyday operations at both the restaurant and corporate level,” says Wetzel. “Our …
Tampa, Fla. — MaintenX International, one of the nation’s largest providers of self-performing facility maintenance, has experienced several important milestones that were achieved in 2019, including the addition of a new division and a new office. “Each year for more than 40 years we’ve had something to celebrate,” says Bill Schaphorst, vice president of business development at MaintenX. “This year is certainly no different.” 2019 brought tremendous growth for MaintenX. The company added its waterproofing division to help support customer needs, and dozens of new employees from coast to coast. …
Bethesda, Md. — Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of the RLJ Companies and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), has announced a joint venture with the Boston-based restaurant group Legal Sea Foods to open smaller-scale versions of the famed restaurant within airports across the country. “I am very excited about the RLJ Companies joining with Legal Sea Foods and its CEO and president, Roger S. Berkowitz, to expand the Legal Sea Foods dining experience to millions more airport travelers,” Johnson says. “Berkowitz’s family founded Legal Sea Foods, whose roots …
Fort Worth, Texas — Pier 1 Imports Inc., a home goods retailer based in Fort Worth, Texas, intends to shutter up to 450 stores, which represents nearly half of its current store count of 936. The retailer also plans to close a select number of distribution centers and reduce its corporate expenses, which includes corporate layoffs. Pier 1 says that its efforts will help right-size the company’s omnichannel operations and allow it to move forward with an “appropriately sized store footprint.” Pier 1 has hired a third-party liquidator to help …
Minnetonka, Minn. — Famous Dave’s opened the first of its smaller footprint prototype restaurants in Uptown Minneapolis on December 20, 2019. The new restaurant is approximately 3,000 square feet — compared to the average 6,500 to 7,000 square feet — and features a bar-centric environment and compact dining area. Famous Dave’s parent holding company, BBQ Holdings, Inc. which recently opened its Clark Crew BBQ restaurant concept with its partner Clark Championship Products LLC, is looking to open five to 10 of these smaller footprint restaurants by the end of 2020. …
Topeka, Kan. — Overland Park, Kan.-based Darland Construction Co. has completed the conversion of a former Kmart store in Topeka, Kan., into Wanamaker Hills Shopping Center. The 108,546-square-foot retail property is now home to Ulta, Old Navy, DSW, Five Below and Petco. Equity Investment Group (EIG), a Fort Wayne, Ind.-based developer, bought the property in 2014 and worked with Darland Construction to renovate the structure, secured permits for signage and landscaping and negotiated leases. Schwerdt Design Group was the project architect. Ulta Beauty, Petco and Five Below are already open. …
Kansas City, Mo. — Full-service commercial real estate firm Block & Company, Inc. Realtors has completed the first phase of its Kmart redevelopment project in Merriam, Kan., with the opening of a new Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. The more than 4,000-square-foot building is now one of Freddy’s largest locations in the United States. Block & Company handled the construction management of the project on behalf of the property ownership group. Construction details of the new Freddy’s included an almost complete tear-down of the existing building. Various structural elements and …
Saginaw, Mich. — Duro-Last, Inc. has welcomed Andrea Fisher as the director of marketing and Dan Ervin as the director of national accounts. Fisher will oversee and execute the branding and marketing initiatives for all John R. Burt Enterprises’ companies. As the director of national accounts, Ervin will oversee the continued growth and development of Duro-Last’s network of multi-location national account partners. Most recently, Fisher was marketing director of the Michigan-based industrial manufacturing organization MERRILL Technologies Group, Inc. Previously, Ervin co-founded Envision Real Estate Software where, for over 10 years, …
— By TJ Durham — Four keys to successful property management. Often flying under the radar, a trusted property manager is among the most valuable assets a retail owner can have in its corner. The role goes far deeper than landscape and curb appeal — it also includes managing the finances and operations of the asset, creating a budget and working within that budget to hire contractors for routine maintenance, fit-outs and overseeing basic improvements on the property. The ability to rely on a professional who can seamlessly maximize …
Los Angeles — Following closely on the heels of a successful entry into San Diego, Patxi’s Pizza, a full-service restaurant chain, has continued its expansion in Southern California with a new location in Los Angeles. The outpost is now open downtown at L.A. Live in place of Lawry’s Carvery. It will serve as the brand’s flagship location. The flagship Los Angeles restaurant features indoor and outdoor patio seating for more than 160 guests and an Express Window for late-night takeout. “Of course, we’re thrilled to be opening the first Los …