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Katie Lee

construction and designNewsremodelsretailers

James Avery to Debut New Store Experience

by Katie Lee

Kerrville, Texas — As retailers rethink the role of physical stores in a more connected, convenience-driven marketplace, James Avery Artisan Jewelry® is introducing a new retail experience designed around what cannot be fully replicated online: personal service, product discovery, customization and a sense of place. The family-owned jewelry retailer will debut its new store experience at Schertz Station in Schertz, Texas, near the brand’s Hill Country roots and along the fast-growing I-35 corridor between San Antonio and New Braunfels. The location gives James Avery a close-to-home market to introduce a …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Yum Brands Agrees to Sell Pizza Hut in Two Separate Transactions Totaling $2.7 Billion

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands Inc., the Louisville-based operator of the Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC franchises, has entered into an agreement to sell the Pizza Hut chain across two separate transactions with a combined value of $2.7 billion. LongRange Capital, a private equity firm based in Stamford, Conn., has agreed to purchase Pizza Hut outside of mainland China for approximately $1.5 billion. The company is financing its acquisition using funds from UBS Investment Bank. Yum China Holdings Inc., which is based in Shanghai and was spun off from …

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Newspeopleretailerssupply chain

Kohl’s Names New Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s has named Elliott Rodgers as its new chief operating officer, reporting to CEO Michael J. Bender. In this role, Rodgers, who brings more than 20 years of strong cross-functional leadership experience, will be responsible for Kohl’s enterprise operations, including its nearly 1,200 stores, global supply chain and distribution centers, procurement and loss prevention. He will assume the role on Sept. 9, 2026. “We are thrilled to welcome Elliott to our senior leadership team as we continue our transformational efforts to drive the business forward,” says …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

KFC Launches its Next Chapter Globally, Including New Restaurant Design

by Katie Lee

Plano, Texas — As the global appetite for chicken grows, KFC is answering the call by challenging the sameness across quick-service chicken. In addition to evolving its food and beverage offerings, KFC is offering a new restaurant design. In the coming weeks, this global rollout is expected to expand across Australia and the U.S., with additional markets following through 2026. Beginning this summer, the brand is set to open a new generation of spaces designed for hospitality, not just efficiency — with environments that feel more dynamic and adapt throughout …

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facilities managementNewssoftware/technologyvendors

Vixxo Facility Solutions Wins ConnexFM 2026 Supplier of the Year Award

by Katie Lee

Scottsdale, Ariz. — Vixxo Facility Solutions was named the 2026 ConnexFM Supplier of the Year after receiving multiple client nominations telling a consistent story of partnership. “Vixxo exemplifies what this award is all about, a supplier that raises the bar for the entire industry,” says Bill Yanek, CEO of ConnexFM. “Their commitment to innovation, accountability and execution is exactly the kind of excellence we are proud to recognize.” That recognition reflects real results in the field. Each nomination described the same experience: a partner that shows up, solves problems and …

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construction and designNewsrestaurantsretailers

Sprouts Farmers Market to Open Buddy Brew Coffee Cafes Inside 10 Stores

by Katie Lee

Phoenix — Sprouts Farmers Market has formed a new partnership with Buddy Brew Coffee, a Tampa, Fla.‑based specialty coffee company, to open 10 Buddy Brew Coffee cafes this summer inside select Sprouts stores across the Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida region. Launching inside select Sprouts stores across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Sarasota counties, the cafes expand Sprouts’ in‑store coffee program, building on successful launches with local coffee roasters in Southern California (Klatch Coffee) and Arizona (PRESS Coffee). The partnership introduces Buddy Brew Coffee to Pinellas and Pasco counties for the …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

PJ’s Coffee Signs 7-Unit C-Store Agreement in Kentucky

by Katie Lee

Lexington, Ky. — PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans has signed a 7-unit license agreement with Steve Estepp, founder of Estepp Energy and Coffee Dudes LLC, to expand the New Orleans-born coffee brand throughout convenience stores in Central Kentucky. A locally owned and family-operated business, Estepp Energy has built a strong reputation throughout Kentucky’s convenience store industry over the past 50 years by emphasizing operational excellence, customer service and strategic growth. Today, the company operates more than 13 convenience stores across Central Kentucky and continues expanding its portfolio with complementary brands …

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facilities managementNewsProduct Spotlightproperty managementsecurity/loss preventionsoftware/technologyvendors

Interface Systems Introduces Digital Keys to Simplify Access Control

by Katie Lee

St. Louis, Mo. — Interface Systems, a leading provider of AI-powered security and expert remote video monitoring for restaurants, retailers and commercial businesses, has launched Digital Keys, a mobile credential solution for Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) access control systems. Digital Keys enables businesses to replace traditional cards, fobs and physical keys with secure mobile credentials stored directly in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Designed for retailers, quick-service restaurants and other distributed enterprises, Digital Keys simplifies access management by allowing administrators to issue, update, schedule and revoke employee, contractor and vendor …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Ollie’s Opens First Store in New Mexico

by Katie Lee

Harrisburg, Pa. — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Inc. is entering its 36th state with the June 10 grand opening of its first store in New Mexico, located in Clovis. As America’s fastest growing retailer of closeouts and excess inventory, Ollie’s sells brand name merchandise at prices up to 70% below the fancy stores every day. The new Ollie’s is located in Rockridge Plaza, in the old Big Lots location. “Our first location in New Mexico represents the next big step in our westward expansion,” says Eric van der Valk, president and …

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construction and designIndustry Voicesretailers

From Click to Brick

by Katie Lee

— By Tom Lekometros — Successfully transitioning online retail brands into brick-and-mortar stores takes design strategy. Transforming an online retail business into a brick-and-mortar store is a considerable step that comes with a great deal of strategy, planning and preparation to achieve success. Despite the popularity and seeming dominance of online shopping, more than 80% of retail sales still occur in physical stores, according to Capital One Shopping Research. While most consumers still prefer the in-person shopping experience, many devoted online shoppers visit physical stores to see, test or experience …

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