Author

Katie Lee

construction and designNewsretailers

BJ’s Wholesale Club Accelerates Growth with New Locations in Kentucky, Florida and Indiana

by Katie Lee

Marlborough, Mass. — BJ’s Wholesale Club is planning its next wave of new club growth with locations in Kentucky, Florida and Indiana set to open this fiscal year. The new clubs are part of the company’s ongoing strategy to open 25-30 new clubs every 2 years. The new clubs will be located in: • Frankfort, Ky. • Ocala, Fla. • Lecanto, Fla. • Port St. Lucie, Fla. • Portage, Ind. This expansion strengthens BJ’s presence in the Florida market up to 46 clubs and grows BJ’s footprint in the recently …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Giordano’s to Debut Washington, D.C., Location

by Katie Lee

Washington, D.C. — Giordano’s, the legendary Chicago-based pizzeria known for its iconic stuffed deep-dish pizza, will officially open its first Washington, D.C., location on June 9. Located at 600 14th St. NW in the city’s bustling Lafayette Square neighborhood, the restaurant will bring its world-famous Chicago pizza to the heart of the nation’s capital. The new 7,400-square-foot restaurant features seating for more than 180 guests, including a 130-seat dining room, 16-seat bar area, a 20-seat seasonal patio and a 20-seat private dining area named The Lincoln Room. The restaurant plans …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Dog Haus Adds to Executive Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dog Haus is following up the announcement of a 50-unit development deal with the appointment of Chris Rigassio as president and chief development officer, and Garen Khodaverdian as chief operating officer. Beyond their franchisee deal and leadership roles, they also joined the brand’s partnership, alongside company founders Hagop Giragossian, Quasim Riaz and André Vener, as well as CEO Michael Montagano. Reporting directly to Montagano, the seasoned franchise leaders will oversee the brand’s planned 1,500-unit expansion across new and existing markets — beginning immediately with their first location …

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construction and designNewsretailers

OLIVE YOUNG Debuts in the U.S. with First Store in Pasadena, Calif.

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — OLIVE YOUNG, a leading beauty and lifestyle retailer from Korea, has officially opened OLIVE YOUNG Pasadena, its first brick-and-mortar store in the United States. The company also launched a U.S.-exclusive online store, expanding access to customers nationwide. Located at 58 W. Colorado Blvd., the 8,647-square-foot OLIVE YOUNG Pasadena marks a significant milestone in the brand’s global expansion. Inspired by the fast-moving beauty culture and retail energy of Seoul, the store offers a highly curated assortment of trending K-beauty, wellness and globally popular brands across skincare, makeup, hair …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Xponential Fitness Signs 127-Unit Development Deal in 6 States

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Xponential Fitness has signed a multi-unit franchise deal with Riser Fitness to develop 127 new Club Pilates studios over the next 5 years. Riser Fitness has also obtained the rights to develop all remaining, non-contracted studio locations in six states, including California, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Riser Fitness, a family-owned operator, maintains more than 110 studios across eight states with a growing international footprint. Most recently, the company debuted its first Club Pilates studio in Mexico City and will begin a 40-unit development plan alongside …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Your Pie Targets Southeast Growth with Redesigned Restaurant Format

by Katie Lee

Alpharetta, Ga. — Your Pie, a pizza brand known for its customizable brick-oven pizzas and open-kitchen dining experience, is targeting scalable growth across the Southeast, with a focus on metro Atlanta, the Chattanooga-Knoxville-Nashville corridor and Columbia, S.C. “Focusing on the Southeast markets is big for Your Pie right now, especially with the growing population and demand for something new in those areas,” says Ken Caldwell, CEO and head of development of Your Pie. “We believe that these markets resonate exceptionally well with our brand and will give us the opportunity …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurantsretailers

New York Butcher Shoppe Nears 50 Locations as National Expansion Accelerates

by Katie Lee

Greenville, S.C. — New York Butcher Shoppe, a neighborhood butcher and specialty market, is making strides in its franchise development goals for 2026. The news follows a recent announcement of a strategic investment partnership with The Foundry Group, which brings hands‑on operational expertise to strengthen the company’s foundation and support scalable, nationwide franchise growth. New York Butcher Shoppe currently operates 42 units across 10 states and is advancing toward its 50th location, set to open by the end of the year. The brand’s development pipeline is robust, with nine new …

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facilities managementgreen building/LEEDjan/sankitchen equipmentNewsplumbingProduct Spotlightvendors

Chicago Faucets Launches Multi-Feed Soap Dispensing System for High-Traffic Restrooms

by Katie Lee

Des Plaines, Ill. — Chicago Faucets introduces the E-Tronic® 80 SoapBank™, a Multi-Feed Soap Dispensing System. The centralized bulk soap delivery solution is designed for high-traffic commercial and institutional restrooms. Engineered for applications including airports, retail, stadiums, education campuses and public venues, the system helps architects, plumbing engineers, designers and facility owners simplify maintenance while supporting cohesive touchless design. Unlike individual cartridge-based dispensers that require frequent replacement and ongoing maintenance, the E-Tronic® 80 system uses a centralized bulk soap reservoir capable of supplying multiple dispensers from a single refill point. …

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construction and designIndustry VoicesProduct Spotlightretailersvendors

Design on Display

by Katie Lee

— By Liz Snyder — How glass wall systems are emerging as a strategic investment for retailers. Today, the most successful retail stores aren’t designed solely for transactions; they are experiential and foster emotional connection. A well-designed store engages customers and attracts prospective shoppers, even when staff are busy. To do so, many retailers are incorporating hospitality-inspired elements, such as cafés, restaurants and communal gathering areas, into their layout design, transforming furniture and retail stores into lifestyle destinations. Floor plans that prioritize openness, natural light and seamless flow enhance the …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Sweetgreen Appoints SVP, Chief Strategy Officer

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Sweetgreen, Inc. has appointed Cindy Olsen as the company’s senior vice president, chief strategy officer, a newly created role reporting to CEO Jonathan Neman, effective immediately. Olsen joins Sweetgreen from Chipotle Mexican Grill. “Cindy is known for her ability to drive profitable growth through a disciplined approach to strategic decision-making,” says Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO of Sweetgreen. “She is the perfect addition to the executive team at this juncture in our transformation, with deep consumer and restaurant industry experience and a track record of bringing rigor …

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