New York City — Blink Fitness, a premium-quality, value-based fitness concept, has launched a focused franchise initiative targeting key U.S. markets. The strategy targets six regions, including Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas-Fort Worth; Phoenix; Raleigh, N.C.; Las Vegas and Kansas City. The announcement comes on the heels of a 20-unit franchise development agreement in the greater Sacramento area with Yadav Enterprises, Inc. and its president and founder Anil Yadav. Highly regarded in the franchise industry, Yadav Enterprises, Inc. operates more than 350 restaurants covering six brands; Jack in the Box, Denny’s, El …
Greensboro, N.C. — Craig Hanson has been named vice president of operations at Biscuitville Fresh Southern®. Hanson comes to Biscuitville with more than 15 years of experience with medium- and large-sized quick-service and fast-casual brands. His experience expands to brands that include MOD Pizza, Dunkin Brands, YUM Brands, Pizza Hut and Papa John’s to name a few. What has made him so successful in helping to steer the operational aspect of these brands is his belief that success ultimately comes from its people and culture. “Craig is a veteran of …
Winston-Salem, N.C. — In early 2020, Krispy Kreme plans to open a first-of-its-kind flagship in Manhattan’s Times Square. The shop will serve more guests annually than any other Krispy Kreme location in the world. Within the shop’s 4,500-square-foot retail space, Krispy Kreme will bring its iconic doughnut theater experience to life on the world stage. From the mixing of raw ingredients to the iconic glaze waterfall, Krispy Kreme Times Square Flagship will showcase the end-to-end doughnut making process, creating a wondrously delightful customer experience. The shop will also feature the …
Chillicothe, Ohio — Chillicothe, Ohio-based Petland Inc. has opened its first store in Saudi Arabia. In 2016, Petland began the expansion process into the Middle East North Africa region with the signing of a master franchise agreement that includes rights to develop stores in United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Lebanon, Kuwait and Bahrain. Petland has 135 locations in international markets, including stores in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, China, El Salvador and South Africa. The Saudi Arabian store, located in Jeddah, opened May 26, 2019 and features a complete line of …
East Moline, Ill. — Greg Stak has been named vice president of sales at H.C. Duke & Son, LLC / Electro Freeze. He most recently held senior sales management positions for Vollrath Company at Stoelting Foodservice and in the Vollrath Foodservice Sales division. Stak’s experience includes working within a distributor network, national and regional dealers, as well as with major national chains. Stak is responsible for Electro Freeze customer service, marketing and sales. He will be developing new customers and promoting Electro Freeze products through established relationships and digital resources. “Greg’s …
Seattle — LevelTen Energy has closed a three-project renewable energy portfolio purchased by Starbucks, comprising wind and solar farms in North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas. The power purchase agreement portfolio will provide clean power to the electricity grids that serve more than 3,000 U.S. Starbucks stores and communities by 2021, when all three projects are online. The portfolio was purchased from developers ALLETE Clean Energy, Apex Clean Energy, BayWa r.e. and Cypress Creek Renewables. Custom-built for Starbucks using LevelTen Energy’s technology-enabled procurement platform, the portfolio aggregates three strategically-located power purchase …
— Interview with Anthony Vross — R&R: Where are you based and how long has Simon Roofing been in business? Anthony Vross: Simon Roofing is a family-owned commercial roofing company being operated today by third- and fourth-generation family members. Founded more than 100 years ago, our company is headquartered in Youngstown, Ohio. R&R: What is your title and how long have you been with Simon? Vross: Co-owner, 41 years. R&R: What trades/services do you offer retailers and restaurants? Vross: Simon Roofing’s customer list includes many large retailers and restaurants who …
— Interview with Sean Gillespie — R&R: Where are you based and how long has the company been in business? Sean Gillespie: Harrison Contracting Company began in 1995 and recently celebrated 20 years in business. Our main national office is based in Villa Rica, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. We also have offices in Destin and Tampa, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. R&R: What trades/services do you offer retailers and restaurants? Gillespie: We are a commercial painting contractor serving both new construction and repaint/reimage projects across all of our office …
Santee, Calif. — BLAIR SIGN PROGRAMS, a leading design/build sign and graphics company, has created a new “Comprehensive Sign Program” developed especially for new urban commercial retail and mixed-use projects. “The new urban realities require a new approach for comprehensive sign programs designed for commercial retail and mixed-use projects. It is no longer enough for a sign program to be only an exposition of static, traditional sign types. Our clients need solutions to the ‘clicks vs. bricks’ challenge in today’s retail environments,” says Scott Blair, founder of Blair Sign Programs. …
Irvine, Calif. — KTGY Architecture + Planning recently received a “special award of excellence” from the judges of the 2019 Gold Nugget Awards for its rebuilding and restoration of Anaheim White House Restaurant in Anaheim, Calif. The builder was Placa Construction Inc. Following a devastating fire, the KTGY team worked with historic restoration consultants and property owner to rebuild and restore the 1909 Colonial-style mansion and side house. A second architectural team rebuilt the kitchen and interior dining room. Careful consideration had to be made during the process as the …