Fayetteville, Ark. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-through, has launched an aggressive multi-unit growth initiative to expand its presence in key markets across the United States. With a goal to reach 600 locations over the next 10 years, the brand is focusing its expansion initiative on Southern, Midwestern, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states in the near term. The announcement comes on the heels of seven recently signed multi-unit franchise agreements totaling 71 units. With 350 locations in development, Slim Chickens is slated to open its …
Mentor, Ohio — MC Group and Icon have merged to form one of the largest brand implementation companies in the United States. The combined organization now provides comprehensive signage, construction, energy and maintenance solutions to some of the nation’s largest and most recognized brands. “This has been an exciting process as we are strategically combining two of the largest players in our industry,” says Tim Eippert, MC Group’s chief executive officer. “Both MC Group and Icon have strong signage businesses at their core. We can expand on those complimentary capabilities …
Cincinnati — LSI Industries Inc., a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of outdoor and indoor lighting and graphics for commercial, industrial and multi-site retail applications, has been selected to produce and implement the interior graphics and signage program at a HEB Grocery Company (H-E-B) Houston location. H-E-B operates 400 stores in Texas and Mexico and has annual sales of $26 billion. The recent grand opening of this H-E-B location is the first in a rollout of “new urban” store designs that H-E-B is initiating. LSI Industries produced all of the store’s interior …
Chicago — A new wave of urban, experiential and independent retail concepts catering to changing consumer demands has led to the rise of 100 “Cool Streets” across the U.S. and Canada, according to a report released earlier this mo nth by global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield. The firm’s Cool Streets of North America report explores what’s driving the rise of the hottest retail districts across the U.S. and Canada. It outlines the top 20 Cool Streets in depth: Portland (whole city); Austin (whole city); Denver (whole city); …
Tampa, Fla. — Anna Schmidt Interior Design has been selected for work on Free the Cork Wine Bar, a wine tasting and small plates restaurant coming to Sparkman Wharf, Tampa’s transformational Water Street Tampa neighborhood. Free the Cork Wine Bar, scheduled to open spring 2020, is the new hotspot for Sparkman Wharf’s office tenants, visitors and the Tampa community as a whole. The restaurant is located on the ground floor of Sparkman Wharf. Overlooking views of a scenic park and dining garden, it will serve as a place for friends …
St. Louis — Confluent Development has completed its redevelopment of the historic Southwest Bank property in St. Louis’ Southwest Garden neighborhood. The project features retailers BMO Harris Bank, which remained operational throughout the redevelopment process, and Walgreens, which recently celebrated its grand opening. Confluent Development, a Denver-based real estate investment and development firm, serves as the project’s developer and owner. The infill project represents the first development of its kind in St. Louis by preserving the historical façade along the Kingshighway Boulevard portion of the project while redeveloping the remainder …
— By Del Williams — Taking convenience stores to the next level with IP network surveillance systems. Convenience stores and mini marts have traditionally installed surveillance cameras to deter crime and encourage safety, but too often these have provided images that lacked detail, particularly in low light conditions. Retrieving video has usually been tedious, requiring endless searching and scanning to find the desired footage. Sharing and archiving of the video has also been cumbersome, wasting precious technical and management resources. Now advanced digital IP video cameras and recorders are …
Ankeny, Iowa — Casey’s General Stores, Inc. has hired Tom Brennan as chief merchandising officer, reporting to CEO Darren Rebelez. Brennan will lead the development and implementation of the company’s overall merchandising and prepared foods strategy. He joins Casey’s from CKE Restaurants Holdings, where he oversaw operations. “Tom is a tremendous leader with deep experience across the convenience and quick-service restaurant industries that will benefit Casey’s already popular, fresh food program and enhance our merchandising strategy,” says Rebelez. Previously, Brennan was chief operating officer at CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., the …
East Rutherford, N.J. — Hudson Group, a Dufry company and leader in North American travel retail, has signed an agreement to acquire assets related to the operation of Brookstone stores in U.S. airports from Apex Digital, Inc. Hudson has also obtained the right to be the exclusive airport retailer to operate Brookstone stores through a license agreement with Bluestar Alliance, LLC, owner of the Brookstone brand and trademarks. Brookstone is an established American brand well known for its unique selection of innovative products in the travel, wellness, home and entertainment …
Minneapolis — Restaurant Technologies, a leading provider of cooking oil management and automated exhaust cleaning solutions, has recruited Tim Curran as senior vice president of operations. He joins the company from Binswanger Glass, where he served as CEO. In this new role, Curran will oversee Restaurant Technologies’ operations team and help lead the expansion of the company’s nationwide service and distribution network, which consists of 41 depots and more than 1,100 employees. “Tim Curran is a strong and innovative leader who will help Restaurant Technologies continue to expand our nationwide …