Plano, Texas — JCPenney recently unveiled its brand-new store, a completely reimagined format just outside of Dallas in Hurst, Texas, that represents the company’s strategy to put the customer at the center of its business. As a brand-defining store, it is experiential at its core, and a direct result of what today’s shoppers want from a retailer. The store is built around data and insights learned from more than a year of extensive customer research. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do,” says JCPenney’s chief executive officer, …
Minneapolis — Moe’s Southwest Grill®, a fast-casual restaurant franchise that serves southwestern food, opened its first restaurant in the state of Minnesota on October 18. The restaurant is located between Terminals E and F in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport. The new location is owned and operated by existing multi-unit franchisee HMS Host, the world’s largest provider of food and beverage services for travelers. The Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport location marks the fourth Moe’s Southwest Grill opening for the group, and the first since 2013. Other Moe’s non-traditional restaurants owned by HMS …
— By Keith Gipson — Using a building’s thermal mass for efficient energy management. Efficient energy usage has been, and continues to be, one of the hottest topics in the building management industry. Each year, businesses spend tens of billions of dollars on power consumption operating lights, computer equipment, process equipment and HVAC. HVAC typically accounts for the highest percentage of the utility costs for most commercial buildings. Data from the hospitality industry, for example, indicates that hotels spend in excess of $2,000 per room on energy costs annually …
New York City — Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a global brand owner, marketing and entertainment company, has emerged as the successful bidder to purchase the intellectual property of Barneys New York (Barneys). Through this acquisition, which closed on November 1, ABG will enhance its luxury footprint and further establish its position as a leader in contemporary fashion. “We are thrilled that our offer for Barneys has been accepted,” says Jamie Salter, founder, chairman and CEO of Authentic Brands Group. “Barneys is one of the most recognizable and iconic names in …
Philadelphia — Global commercial real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has welcomed food, beverage and hospitality industry veteran Chef Michael Traud, J.D., Ed.D., to its national Specialty F&B, Entertainment & Hospitality Consulting team. In his new role as specialty food & beverage project management director, Traud will focus on food hall development, operations and programming, strategic restaurant curation, and music and special events procurement for real estate owner and investor clients across the U.S. He will be based in Philadelphia and will work directly with consulting team leaders Phil …
Latham, N.Y. — DWM Construction & Renovation has promoted Andrew Carnes to field project manager and on-site trainer. Carnes previously served as project manager, where he was responsible for overseeing and completing projects on time and to customers’ satisfaction. Carnes joined DWM in 2017 with 11 years of construction project management experience. “Since joining DWM, Carnes has been instrumental in the expansion of DWM’s Construction & Renovation Division,” says Ryan Knapp, director, Construction & Renovation. “Carnes’s experience and solutions-focused mindset have assisted in the division’s growth into new markets.” In …
Chicago — Pinstripes, Inc., a best-in-class experiential dining and entertainment concept, has formed a partnership with Simon Property Group that includes new leases for three future locations within the Simon portfolio, in addition to its existing Clearfork development in Fort Worth, Texas (pictured), and a minority equity investment in Pinstripes. The parties have also identified several potential Pinstripes locations at various Simon assets throughout the United States, all to be announced at a later date. Pinstripes currently has 10 locations throughout the U.S., with three new openings slated for 2019 …
Brooklyn, N.Y. — The first Wegmans Food Market in New York City opened on October 27, 2019 in Brooklyn. The beloved suburban grocer, which has almost a cult-like following, debuted to a long line of fans waiting in the rain for the grand opening. The 74,000-square-foot store is located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Named “America’s Favorite Supermarket” in a 2018 Market Force study of more than 12,800 shoppers nationwide, Wegmans is a 103-year-old family company widely recognized for its fresh, high-quality ingredients, restaurant foods, consistent low prices and incredible …
— Interview by Katie Lee — At Blink Fitness, it’s not just another gym — it’s a better approach to customers, to franchisees and to facility operations overall. As Thomas Flaherty of Blink Fitness likes to say: “There’s always a better way for everything. Find it!” In Blink, the founders seem to have created that “better way.” From understanding why people join gyms — because it makes them feel good — to utilizing technology to keep customers happy and labor demands low, the New York City-based concept differentiates itself …
Chicago — Aloha Poke Co., a fast-casual brand that 3 years ago pioneered Poke concept restaurants in the Midwest, plans to expand through franchising. Solidified already in five U.S. markets as the top spot for innovative poke bowls inspired by the popular Hawaiian diced, marinated seafood dish, Aloha Poke is targeting its next growth wave in a concentrated set of markets. The goal is to have 100 locations open and in development by 2022. At the onset of franchising, the brand will focus growth in areas where existing locations have …