Atlanta — RaceTrac, one of America’s leading retail, fuel and convenience store destinations, has launched its new franchise program. RT Franchising, Inc. currently has franchise opportunities in the Central Florida cities of Clermont, Mt. Dora and DeLand. RaceTrac has more than 170 locations in Florida.
— By Ray Hatch — Turn changing regulations into new opportunities. As cities and states begin pushing harder toward their zero-waste goals, new regulations are being put into effect that will change the way businesses operate. For restaurants and food production, these new regulations are already being put into place across the country and can have staggering impacts on your workflows, production and profits. But it’s not all scary fines and penalties — in fact, if you do it right, you can take advantage of these changing regulations from something …
Topeka, Kan. — Payless ShoeSource will close all 2,100 of its stores in the United States and Puerto Rico as it moves toward liquidation. According to a statement by the company provided to USA Today, which first reported the news on Feb. 15, Payless expects all stores to remain open through March.
Pasadena, Calif. — Kitchen United, the virtual restaurant center for innovative brands building off-premise through pickup and delivery, has made a series of executive team hires to support its national rollout and expansion plans. Kitchen United plans to open 15 kitchen centers by the end of 2019.
New York City — Global coworking provider WeWork has closed on its $850 million purchase of the Lord & Taylor Building, a landmark Midtown Manhattan asset located at 424-434 Fifth Ave. in New York City.
Norfolk, Va. — On February 14, 2019, Jersey Mike’s Subs opened in Norfolk, Va., aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in the Main Navy Exchange food court. Franchise owners Martin Anderson and Clark Stallings, along with operating partner Tristan Lee, will celebrate with a fundraiser for The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.
— By Aaron Hartung — The vinyl flooring market is evolving: Here’s what you need to know in 2019. If you’ve read about the commercial vinyl flooring market lately, then you know demand for vinyl flooring products is growing at a good clip. The vinyl flooring market is expected to grow to nearly $50 billion within the next 5 years. And as the market for vinyl expands, it’s worth exploring how this evolution will impact the products themselves by taking a look at recent design and technology trends facility managers …
Atlanta — SRS Real Estate Partners has brokered two new leases for Hobby Lobby in empty Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us stores in greater Atlanta. The first location, the former Toys”R”Us/Babies”R”Us in the Akers Mill Shopping Center in Atlanta, is 58,907 square feet. The second location is in the North Point Market Center in Alpharetta. This location spans 50,275 square feet.
Greensboro, N.C. — Biscuitville Fresh Southern® has named Stephen Swoap creative director. In his role at Biscuitville, he will continue to evolve and elevate the look of the brand and oversee the execution of its visual identity across its media platforms along with experiential branding opportunities to enhance in-restaurant experiences for guests.
Manhattan Beach, Calif. — Skechers USA, Inc., a global footwear leader, has tripled its retail store presence in 5 years and has surpassed the 3,000-store mark with the opening of its new superstore in Shenyang, China — now the brand’s largest store at more than 32,000 square feet.