Author

Katie Lee

kitchen equipmentNewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Playa Bowls and Bikky Team Up to Improve Data Access

by Katie Lee

New York City — Bikky, a customer data platform built exclusively for multi-unit restaurants, has partnered with with Playa Bowls, the nation’s leading acai shop, serving superfruit bowls, smoothies, juices and more with sustainability and community in mind. Playa Bowls started as a makeshift pop-up in Belmar, N.J., in front of a pizzeria. The brand expanded from a single blender and a small cart to more than 300 U.S. locations in just 11 years. With ambitious plans to add another 90 shops in 2025 and a need to improve its …

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green building/LEEDNewsplumbingProduct Spotlightvendors

PVI Releases Updated Version of Conquest® Water Heaters

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — PVI, a Watts brand, introduces enhanced Conquest® compact, condensing, semi-instantaneous, firetube water heaters that have improved thermal efficiency, optimized pump placement and superior return on investment (ROI). The new Conquest offers commercial facility owners and managers three key benefits: • Enhanced Thermal Efficiency: The upgraded straight firetube heat exchanger design increases the Conquest’s thermal efficiency to an impressive 98% across all inputs, making it one of the most energy-efficient models available. • Optimized Pump Placement: The pump is now strategically positioned at the front and side of …

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Newsretailers

DICK’S Sporting Goods to Acquire Foot Locker for $2.4 Billion, Keep Brand Intact

by Katie Lee

Pittsburgh and New York City — DICK’S Sporting Goods Inc. has entered into a definitive merger agreement with footwear and apparel retailer Foot Locker Inc. Under the agreement, sporting goods retailer DICK’S will acquire Foot Locker for an equity value of roughly $2.4 billion and an enterprise value of $2.5 billion. Foot Locker operates approximately 2,400 retail stores across 20 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Foot Locker’s portfolio of brands also includes Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS and atmos. DICK’S plans to operate Foot …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Twin Hospitality Group Inc. Appoints Chief Executive Officer

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Twin Peaks Restaurant, has appointed Kim Boerema as chief executive officer. Boerema will draw on his over 30 years of industry experience, scaling and optimizing high-volume, full-service restaurant operations, to continue driving forward the rapid growth trajectory of the ultimate sports lodge, Twin Peaks. Boerema most recently served as president and chief operating officer of Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse, where he helped to significantly scale the brand, taking it from a 10-unit concept to an approximately 30-unit concept in the …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Wayfair Accelerates Retail Expansion with New York Metro Location

by Katie Lee

Boston — Wayfair Inc., the destination for all things home, plans to open its next large-format retail store in Yonkers, N.Y., in early 2027. The news comes as the company celebrates the 1-year anniversary of its inaugural large-format store in Wilmette, Ill. — a milestone that underscores Wayfair’s growing success in physical retail and its evolving omnichannel strategy. The Yonkers announcement follows the previously revealed plans for Wayfair’s Atlanta store, slated to open in 2026. “Over the past year, we’ve seen firsthand how a thoughtfully designed physical store can deepen …

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energy managementfacilities managementgreen building/LEEDHVAC/RIndustry Voicessoftware/technologyvendors

Visible Results

by Katie Lee

— By Norm Pensky — How gyms can reduce costs and embrace sustainability. Today’s fitness market is increasingly competitive, with boutique workout classes and home exercise options pulling customers in new directions. Instead of chasing costly trends, gym owners can reduce costs and improve profitability by optimizing what’s within their control: energy efficiency. While high-end equipment and lavish amenities may attract attention, smarter energy management offers a more sustainable way to succeed in this crowded industry. Running a gym is energy-intensive. Climate control, lighting and equipment drive up electricity and …

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construction and designenergy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsHVAC/RIndustry Voicesretailersvendors

Navigating a Changing Climate

by Katie Lee

— By Kyle Klahre — The world of refrigeration is rapidly changing — here’s what grocers need to know. Refrigeration systems in the U.S. are rapidly evolving due to new government regulations affecting residential, commercial and industrial systems. To understand current changes, it’s helpful to look back at the history of refrigerant regulation. This regulatory journey can be traced back to the middle of the 1980s. The Baby Boomer and Generation X readers likely remember hearing NASA discovered a hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica. Well, the cause of …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Sweet Paris Debuts in Arkansas and Missouri with 4-Unit Agreement

by Katie Lee

Rogers, Ark. — Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café, a restaurant brand serving breakfast, lunch and dinner and specializing in sweet and savory crêpes, hot drinks and more, is expanding its national presence by entering two new states: Arkansas and Missouri. In a four-unit signed agreement, two restaurants will be opening in Arkansas metropolitan cities, and two restaurants will be opening in Kansas City, Mo. The first restaurant is slated to open in fall 2025, at Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers, Ark. Pinnacle Hills Promenade is a luxury retail lifestyle center …

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green building/LEEDgreen newsNewsretailerswaste management/recycling

REI Co-op Becomes First National Retailer to Achieve Zero Waste

by Katie Lee

Seattle — REI Co-op has released its 2024 Impact Report and financial results, closing the year with $3.53 billion in net sales, investing over $282 million back into the co-op community and ending the year in a cash flow neutral position. Also in 2024, REI became the first major U.S. retailer to achieve the industry definition of zero waste, diverting 90% of waste from landfills across its operations. “It was an enterprise effort to achieve this zero-waste milestone for the co-op,” says Andrew Dempsey, director of climate, REI Co-op. “But …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Brinker International Promotes Longtime Leader to EVP, COO and Chief People Officer

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Brinker International, Inc. has promoted longtime Brinker leader Aaron White to executive vice president, chief operating officer and chief people officer for its restaurant brands, Chili’s® Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy®. She has been with the company for 29 years. In this expanded role, White will oversee both operations strategy and personnel across the restaurant support center, Chili’s and Maggiano’s, with her leadership team focused on driving the company’s next level of operational improvements to improve the team member and guest experience. White began her Brinker …

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