Author

Katie Lee

— Interview with Sean Gillespie — R&R: Where are you based? How long have you been in business? Sean Gillespie: We are headquartered in Villa Rica, Georgia, approximately 30 miles west of Atlanta. We have divisional offices in Destin/Ft. Walton, Florida; Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; and Tampa, Florida, and have been in business since 1995. R&R: What is your title, and how long have you been with HCC? Gillespie: Director | Strategic Alliances/Marketing and I’ve been with HCC for 8 years. R&R: What trades/services do you offer …

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Chicago — Parts Town Unlimited, a global leader in the high-tech distribution of genuine OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts for commercial foodservice, residential appliances and HVAC equipment, has signed a full building lease in Pendergrass, Ga. Parts Town Unlimited will occupy the 538,450-square-foot facility by the end of this year. The new facility will expand the company’s global fulfillment network to the Southeast, joining existing global fulfillment centers in Chicago, Phoenix and Munich (Germany). Additionally, this facility is the company’s first LEED-certified global fulfillment center. LEED is a globally recognized …

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Louisville, Ky., and Stamford, Conn. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has completed the sale of Pizza Hut — excluding Mainland China — to LongRange Capital for approximately $1.5 billion, with the opportunity for Yum! to receive an additional earn-out of $75 million by 2030 based on future performance. LongRange Capital is a Stamford, Conn.-based private equity firm. Together with the previously announced sale of Pizza Hut in Mainland China to Yum China Holdings, Inc., which closed on August 7, 2026, the LongRange transaction completes Yum!’s sale of Pizza Hut through two …

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Oak Brook, Ill. — Ace Hardware, the world’s largest hardware cooperative, has marked its 100th new store opening of 2026 and remains on pace to open more than 170 new stores by year-end. The growth reflects strong demand from existing Ace retailers expanding their businesses, independent operators converting to the Ace brand and new entrepreneurs joining the cooperative. “There is a special pride that comes with owning an Ace Hardware store because a great hardware store is more than a place to buy products. It’s part of the fabric of …

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Detroit — Little Caesars®, the third-largest pizza chain in the world, is building on its commitment to serving military communities with four new locations planned across U.S. Navy installations. The expansion follows the brand’s first military base opening at Pearl Harbor in 2025 and marks another step in its continued non-traditional growth. “Military communities are an important part of Little Caesars and our commitment to supporting those who serve,” says Sally Rampersad, director of non-traditional and development services for Little Caesars. “Since 2006, the Little Caesars Veterans program has helped …

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Carnesville, Ga. — Walmart, Inc. plans to build a high-tech, next-generation fulfillment center in Carnesville, Ga., creating 1,000 new jobs and bringing $1.3 billion in investment to Franklin County. The new 1.5 million-square-foot automated facility will be located at the Franklin 85 Logistics Center in Carnesville. Walmart’s next-generation fulfillment centers are located in strategic markets to expand same-day and next-day shipping capabilities across the United States. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026. “This massive investment from Walmart in a rural part of our state will not only create …

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St. Petersburg, Fla. — WOWorks, the parent company of better-for-you restaurant brands Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos and Zoup! Eatery, has opened 23 new restaurants so far this year, with 15 additional locations currently in development. This brings WOWorks’ total footprint to nearly 240 restaurants nationwide and puts the company on pace for nearly 40 new stores by year’s end. New restaurants have launched across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast — including Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia and Texas — as …

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Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s has named Ryan M. Waymire as chief merchandising officer, reporting to CEO Michael J. Bender, effective Sept. 28. Waymire has 25 years of experience at large retailers including Walmart, Amazon and Target, most recently serving as senior vice president of fashion at Walmart U.S. In his new role, Waymire will be responsible for Kohl’s overall merchandise strategy and all merchandising functions, including buying, omnichannel merchandising, product design and development, allocation and planning, sourcing and product portfolio strategy. “I am thrilled to have Ryan join the …

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Woodbury, Minn. — Moe’s Southwest Grill is bringing its bold flavors and signature hospitality to the Twin Cities area with the opening of its first traditional restaurant in the market. Slated to open by late September in Woodbury, Minn., the new location marks a milestone in the brand’s regional expansion and introduces local guests to the full Moe’s restaurant experience. While Moe’s currently serves travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the new 2,605-square-foot Woodbury restaurant is the brand’s first brick-and-mortar location in the Twin Cities area. “The Twin Cities area …

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San Francisco — Gap Inc. has appointed Michael Francis as president and chief executive officer of Old Navy, effective Nov. 2, 2026. Francis will succeed Haio Barbeito, who will transition from his operating role into an advisory capacity. Francis joined Gap Inc. in March 2026 as chief customer officer, Old Navy, and head of marketing shared services. Past roles include strategic advisor to Walmart’s c-suite and board for a decade; marketing and operating roles at DreamWorks Animation and JCPenney; and a 26-year career at Target, where he served as executive …

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