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Katie Lee

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Puptqe to Open First Georgia Location in Alpharetta Area

by Katie Lee

Alpharetta, Ga. — Puptqe, an award-winning pet retailer, is expanding into Georgia with its first location planned for the Alpharetta area. The new store will feature Puptqe’s dog boutique along with its membership, private parties, community gatherings and interactive activities for dogs and their owners. “Puptqe was built around celebrating the relationship we have with our dogs and the memories we create with them,” says Courtney Honda, president and co-founder of Puptqe. The new location will introduce Puptqe to the Georgia market and will be locally operated. Puptqe opened its …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Papa Johns Names Global Chief Development Officer & SVP, International

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Papa Johns International, Inc. has made some changes to its leadership team to further support the company’s ongoing strategic transformation. John Matter, who serves as senior vice president, general counsel and interim head of North American development, has been named to the newly created position of global chief development officer and assistant corporate secretary, which will be responsible for leading growth and development strategy, including global expansion, franchise development, strategic partnerships and other opportunities to create shareholder value. Matter has more than 25 years of legal and …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Ross Stores to Open 110 Locations in 2026

by Katie Lee

Dublin, Calif. — During the months of June and July, Ross Stores, Inc. opened 47 new stores nationwide — including 35 Ross Dress for Less® and 12 dd’s DISCOUNTS® locations across 15 states and territories. With these new openings, the company is on track to open approximately 110 stores this year. “Each new opening allows us to deliver compelling value to even more customers while creating new jobs and making a positive impact in the local communities,” says Richard Lietz, executive vice president, property development. “Building on the strong new …

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Portillo’s Names New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Portillo’s, a fast-casual restaurant concept known for serving Chicago-style favorites for more than 60 years, has appointed Kevin Kalicak as chief financial officer and treasurer, effective Sept. 7, 2026. Kalicak joins Portillo’s bringing decades of financial leadership within the restaurant industry, serving in various roles with Darden Restaurants for more than 25 years. As CFO of Portillo’s, he will oversee the company’s finance organization, including financial planning and analysis, accounting, investor relations, internal audit, tax, supply chain and other corporate financial functions. “Kevin is a proven financial leader …

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Spencer Spirit Holdings, Inc. to Acquire Hot Topic, Inc., Expanding to More Than 3,000 Stores

by Katie Lee

City of Industry, Calif., and Egg Harbor Township, N.J. — Spencer Spirit Holdings, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement with Sycamore Partners to acquire Hot Topic, Inc. and its portfolio of brands: Hot Topic, BoxLunch and Her Universe. The transaction unites six highly complementary retail concepts under one umbrella, expanding the combined company’s total footprint to more than 3,000 stores across North America. Together, the combined entity creates a bicoastal retail ecosystem rooted in culture and entertainment. By combining deep consumer insights across distinct fan-centric segments, each of the brands …

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Mr Gatti’s Pizza Plans Full Ownership Transition as CEO Retires

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — Mr Gatti’s Pizza, a fast-growing pizza and family entertainment brand, has said that entrepreneur and longtime franchisee G. Brint Ryan has acquired the remaining ownership interest in the company, becoming the primary owner of the Mr Gatti’s brand. The announcement also marks the beginning of CEO Jim Phillips’ planned retirement following more than a decade leading the company. Ryan first became a co-owner of Mr Gatti’s in December 2025. With the completion of this transaction, he assumes primary ownership of the franchisor and will oversee the …

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Destination XL Group, Inc. Names Current Chairman as Interim CEO

by Katie Lee

Canton, Mass. — Lionel Conacher, chairman of the board of directors of Destination XL Group, Inc., has been named interim chief executive officer, effective Aug. 12, 2026. Conacher will continue in his role as chairman of the DXL board. His appointment follows the previously announced retirement of Harvey Kanter, effective Aug. 11, 2026. Kanter will also step down from the board at that time. “Our board will conduct a thorough search to identify the right leader to execute on our strategic priorities and capture the opportunities ahead in a dynamic …

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Beyond the Empty Lot

by Katie Lee

— By Amanda Anderson — Why parking lot maintenance matters. An empty lot is full of potential. It is a blank slate that, with the right planning, becomes an investment in the community. Before a business ever opens its doors, countless hours go into permits, site plans, city approvals and construction. But once the dirt and gravel are transformed into pavement and plant beds, the work isn’t over. All that effort can be undermined if the property isn’t maintained. A well‑built establishment deserves the same level of care long after …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Dog Haus Opens First International Restaurant

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dog Haus has officially entered Mexico with the opening of its first restaurant in Mérida, Yucatán, marking its first permanent international restaurant. The restaurant is the first of three Dog Haus locations planned for Mexico in 2026. The Mérida restaurant welcomed its first guests in June. The opening represents a major milestone for the Pasadena, Calif.-based brand and also marks the first step in Dog Haus’ expansion across Mexico. Additional restaurants are planned for Mexico City and Tijuana before the end of 2026, with Monterrey and Riviera …

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Best Buy Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Best Buy Co., Inc. has named Anne Bramman as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Aug. 19. She will succeed Matt Bilunas, who stepped down at the end of July. Bramman joins Best Buy with more than 30 years of leadership experience across finance, operations, strategy and transformation. In her new role, she will lead Best Buy’s global finance organization and help drive the company’s strategic priorities in partnership with incoming CEO Jason Bonfig and the rest of the leadership team. “Anne brings an impressive and …

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