Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. — Waters Edge Wineries®, an innovative urban winery system, has signed a franchise agreement to open a Waters Edge Winery & Bistro in Sarasota, Fla. This new location will join 11 others already operating throughout California, Colorado, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. Local entrepreneurs Michael Hayja, Dr. Sean Castellucci and Christopher McKenna of Artisan Vinification, LLC, will own and manage the location in Sarasota, which is expected to open in spring 2020. “We are excited to debut our brand in the Sunshine State, and with the support of …
Boca Raton, Fla. — Joseph T. Lower, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Office Depot, Inc., intends to leave the company on January 10, 2020. He will assume the role of chief financial officer at AutoNation, Inc. “We are grateful to Joe for his leadership over the past 2 years in advancing our transformation efforts and wish him every success in the future,” says Gerry Smith, Office Depot’s chief executive officer. “Joe is supported by an outstanding finance organization that will continue to serve the company and its …
Chicago — Starbucks Coffee Co. has opened its Reserve Roastery in downtown Chicago. The 35,000-square-foot, five-story roastery opened to the public on November 15, 2019 and is the largest Starbucks location. The store is located on the Magnificent Mile in a space formerly occupied by Crate & Barrel. All of the coffee beans roasted at the facility are served and sold on site. There are three coffee bars at the roastery. Baristas make classic espresso beverages at the coffee bar on the main floor. An experiential bar can be found …
Dallas — MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes plans to provide its guests and franchise owners with a fresh and elevated dining experience. The “better burger” fast-casual franchise plans an interior and logo refresh that will roll out beginning in the first quarter of 2020. MOOYAH plans to open 14 new locations with the refreshed look next year; all existing locations will remodel by the end of 2024. The new prototype and design come at a critical point for the brand, as the company is actively ramping up franchising efforts in …
New York City — This month, Studs, a new ear piercing experience that enables consumers to express themselves through earscaping, launches nationwide online and in its first brick-and-mortar location in New York City’s Nolita neighborhood. The company plans to expand its physical retail presence to additional locations in 2020. Founded by Anna Harman and Lisa Bubbers, Studs was created to modernize the traditional “mall piercing” experience. By combining healthy ear piercing services with omnichannel retail operations and a wide assortment of accessibly-priced earrings, the company offers consumers a seamless path …
Latham, N.Y. — DWM Comprehensive Facility Solutions has promoted Bennett Van Wert to director, sales & development. He previously served as national sales manager. In his new role, Van Wert will be responsible for the development of processes and procedures to create sustainable growth with both new and existing clients. Van Wert joined DWM in 2017, bringing with him experience in account management and sales. His efforts at DWM have resulted in the growth of DWM, specifically within the Facilities Maintenance and Construction & Renovation divisions. Van Wert’s efforts have …
Atlanta — Moe’s Southwest Grill will be the first brand in the Mexican fast-casual space to open an all-digital/kiosk-only location. The first two restaurants are slated to open in Pittsburgh and Charlottesville, Va., in first quarter 2020. Each store will come equipped with four self-order kiosks and will feature Moe’s new brand design, which includes Moe’s new logo, colors, paint, furniture and more. The Pittsburgh location will be owned and operated by Moe’s multi-unit franchisee Mike Geiger, who has experienced recent success with his newest urban location, which added a …
Tampa, Fla. — Six Sprouts Farmers Market grocery stores in Florida have been awarded Manomet’s Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC), bringing the total number of Sprouts stores in the GSC to 90. The GSC recognizes Sprouts’ commitment to operational best practices that reduce a store’s environmental impact, reduce operating costs and save resources. The certification for the Florida stores is the latest sustainability milestone for Sprouts, one of the fastest-growing retailers in the country. “Sprouts Farmers Market takes sustainability seriously,” says Peter Cooke, director of retail sustainability for Manomet. “Sprouts believes …
— By Katie Lee — At Mamoun’s Falafel, it’s one big, happy (growing) family — with over 40 new franchises soon to join the fold. As one of the oldest falafel restaurants in New York City, Mamoun’s Falafel has long held the title of being the most authentic and flavorful falafel in the city. The first location opened in Greenwich Village in 1971 and has been family owned and operated for over 45 years. Founder Mamoun Chater, who had emigrated from Damascus, Syria, had little time for the …
Boston — Figs by Todd English, the casual dining concept founded by award-winning celebrity chef and restaurateur Todd English, is now franchising with the help of Fransmart, an industry-leading franchise development company, to bring its original thin crust pizza and authentic Italian cuisine across the globe. Originally launched in the historic Charlestown neighborhood in Boston, Figs already has a successful international footprint to build from, with four existing corporate locations throughout the United States and three in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Together with Fransmart, the concept is seeking …