Author

Katie Lee

kitchen equipmentNewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Toast Survey: How U.S. Restaurants are Handling Inflation, Labor, AI & Revenue Growth

by Katie Lee

Boston — Toast has released its 2026 Voice of the Restaurant Industry Survey. Each year, Toast polls hundreds of restaurant operators to get a pulse check on the industry. How are restaurants faring in 2026? What are the biggest pain points? Where do they see opportunity, and how has that changed since last year? What was clear from its 2026 survey — which took place from April 3, 2026, to April 20, 2026 — of 676 restaurant operators and decision-makers is that restaurants are durable, and they’re doubling down on …

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Industry Contentjan/sankitchen equipmentplumbingProduct Spotlightrestaurantsrestroom cleaningThe Goldbook of Retail & Restaurant Facility BusinessVendor Spotlightvendors

Chicago Faucets: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Nathan Klein — R&R: Where are you based, and how long has the company been in business? Nathan Klein: Chicago Faucets is based in Des Plaines, Illinois, and my home office is Columbus, Ohio. We have been in business since 1901; we have built a reputation for manufacturing durable, high-performance commercial faucets designed for demanding commercial environments. R&R: What is your title? How long have you been with the company? Klein: I am the business development manager for Chicago Faucets. I am responsible for driving new partnerships …

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Target to Launch Target Beauty Studio in Over 600 Stores

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation is bringing its new Target Beauty Studio, a reimagined beauty destination, to stores in September. Launching Sept. 10 in more than 600 Target stores nationwide and on Target.com, Target Beauty Studio combines Target’s expertise in curating the latest beauty trends with an elevated, discovery-led shopping experience. “When guests shop for beauty, they want to pick up their standbys while also exploring what’s new and trending, and Target Beauty Studio is designed with that mix in mind,” says Amanda Nusz, senior vice president of merchandising, essentials and …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Gong cha to Open First U.S. Airport Location

by Katie Lee

Boston — Gong cha, the global bubble tea brand with nearly 2,200 locations across 33 international markets, is expanding into the airport sector with a new location planned for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The store is expected to open by the end of 2026 and represents the brand’s first airport location in the U.S., signaling a major step forward in Gong cha’s non-traditional growth strategy. The location will be operated in partnership with Kind Hospitality, an experienced airport and hospitality operator led by Nava Singam, president and CEO. The …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Primark Expands U.S. Footprint with Georgia Debut Planned for September

by Katie Lee

New York City — Primark, an international fashion retailer, will open its first store in Georgia on Sept. 8. Primark will open at Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville, bringing Primark to 47 total U.S. locations. Located in a suburb of Atlanta, the Sugarloaf Mills store will boast more than 26,000 square feet of retail selling space. Soon to follow, Primark will open its second Georgia location in Augusta. “Our expansion into the state of Georgia is something we’re extremely excited about,” says Kevin Tulip, president of Primark US. “We know that …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill Signs 21 Franchise Agreements

by Katie Lee

West Palm Beach, Fla. — During the first 6 months of the year, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill signed 20 domestic franchise agreements — including four multi-unit development agreements — totaling 30 future restaurants across high-growth markets, while also securing its first-ever franchise agreement in Massachusetts. The brand currently has 92 restaurants open across 22 states and internationally. Development activity included six locations for Nassau County, N.Y.; five locations for Dallas; three locations for Naples, Fla.; five locations spanning Omaha, Neb., and Sioux Falls, S.D.; two locations for Bakersfield, Calif.; …

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The Vitamin Shoppe Names Senior Vice President, Merchandising

by Katie Lee

Secaucus, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe®, a leading specialty retailer of health and wellness products, has promoted Jack Gayton to senior vice president, merchandising, effective immediately. Gayton will report directly to CEO Sharon Leite. Gayton assumes the top merchandising role from Muriel Gonzalez, president of The Vitamin Shoppe, who announced her retirement after an extraordinary retail career spanning more than four decades. Since joining The Vitamin Shoppe in 2020, Gonzalez has played a defining role in advancing the company’s merchant-led specialty retail strategy by reimagining its product vision, accelerating the …

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Little Caesars Teams Up with Coco Robotics to Power Autonomous Pizza Deliveries

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Coco Robotics, a leader in autonomous delivery, has collaborated with Little Caesars, the third-largest pizza chain in the world, to bring autonomous robot deliveries to locations throughout Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami, with Little Caesars deliveries coming soon to Coco’s recently expanded operations in downtown San Jose, Calif. Coco’s robots are currently serving participating Little Caesars locations, marking the beginning of a broader rollout to bring autonomous delivery to more Little Caesars guests. Orders placed through participating Little Caesars locations on DoorDash and Uber Eats may be …

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Target Opens in Former Regency Theatres Site in California

by Katie Lee

Perris, Calif. — Wood Investments Companies, Inc. (WICo), a fully integrated commercial real estate investment and development firm specializing in retail, has opened a new 149,655‑square‑foot Target at Plaza de Perris in Perris, Calif. The store officially opened on July 26, marking a significant milestone for the center and the surrounding Inland Empire communities. Target now occupies the former Regency Theatres building, which Wood Investments Companies demolished to make way for the retailer’s new store. Plaza de Perris totals nearly 300,000 square feet and is anchored by Burlington, Food 4 …

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construction and designNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

California Pizza Kitchen Partners With T-ROC Global to Expand Automated Retail Kiosks

by Katie Lee

Costa Mesa, Calif., and Coral Gables, Fla. — California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) has teamed up with T-ROC Global, a leading provider of technology-enabled retail solutions, to dramatically expand access to CPK through a new generation of automated retail experiences. Through the partnership, T-ROC will implement and operate up to 1,000 CPK automated retail machines nationwide over the next 3 years, bringing the brand to high-traffic locations where a traditional restaurant may be impractical, but consumers are often underserved with elevated food options. From airports and universities to hospitals, hotels, office …

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