Author

Katie Lee

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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disaster recoveryNewsretailers

The Home Depot Foundation Invests $5.5 Million in Disaster Preparedness Ahead of Storm Season

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — As hurricane season approaches, The Home Depot Foundation is directly supporting efforts to help communities better prepare for, withstand and recover from natural disasters by investing more than $5.5 million in grants to nonprofit partners. These grants, along with mitigation training for those partners supporting rebuilding efforts, will aid communities through every stage of the disaster response cycle. Beyond philanthropy, The Home Depot activates its Disaster Response Command Center for significant disasters, providing continuous, daily communication between teams, impacted stores and suppliers. The Command Center organizes more than …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Playa Bowls Enhances Leadership to Support North American Expansion

by Katie Lee

Belmar, N.J. — Playa Bowls, the nation’s leading superfruit and acai bowl brand, is expanding its leadership team with a series of key appointments and promotions as it prepares to grow beyond 400 shops nationwide. Jayson Tipp, formerly chief development officer, has been named chief growth officer, expanding his role to oversee development, technology and digital marketing while leading the brand’s enterprise growth strategy. In his stead, Playa Bowls has appointed Patrick Turek as chief development officer. In this role, Turek will lead franchise development, real estate, design and construction, …

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construction and designenergy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsmanagementNewsproperty managementretailers

Tanger Releases 2025 Impact Report

by Katie Lee

Greensboro, N.C. — Tanger®, a leading owner and operator of outlet and other open-air retail shopping destinations, has released its 2025 Impact Report for the annual period ending December 31, 2025, marking a decade of reporting on the company’s sustainability and corporate responsibility initiatives. Additionally, the Institute for Market Transformation has named Tanger a 2026 Green Lease Leader at the Silver level. Launched in 2014, Green Lease Leaders recognizes landlords, tenants and teams who modernize their leases to spur collaborative action on energy and water efficiency, shared cost-savings, air quality …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Wendy’s Appoints New President and CEO

by Katie Lee

Dublin, Ohio — The Wendy’s Company’s board of directors has appointed Robert D. “Bob” Wright as Wendy’s new president and chief executive officer, effective May 21, 2026. Most recently with Potbelly, Wright also joins the Wendy’s board of directors. Prior to his current post, Wright served as president and chief executive officer of Potbelly Corporation. Prior experience includes multiple senior leadership roles at Wendy’s, including as executive vice president, chief operations officer, as well as leadership positions at Charleys Philly Steaks, Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. and Domino’s Pizza, Inc. “Following …

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Newspeopleretailers

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Names New Leadership in the Pottery Barn Brands

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has promoted Jennifer Kellor to president of Pottery Barn. “Over the course of her 29-year tenure, Jen has demonstrated an exceptional track record of driving growth and incubating brands,” says laura Alber, president and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. “Jen’s deep brand leadership, merchandising, design, e-commerce and marketing expertise has led the Pottery Barn children’s home furnishings businesses to over $1.1 billion in annual revenues.” Since joining the company as an assistant buyer for the Pottery Barn catalog, Kellor has played an instrumental role in the …

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green newsNewsparking lotsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Bojangles Installs First EV Charging Station

by Katie Lee

Savannah, Ga. — As electric vehicle (EV) adoption continues to grow nationwide, Bojangles is reimagining the future of the roadside stop, debuting its first EV charging station at 4401 Ogeechee Rd. in Savannah, Ga. The Savannah location marks the first milestone in a larger initiative to bring EV charging infrastructure to Bojangles restaurants across the country. Developed in partnership with XLR8 America, a leader in EV charging and sustainable infrastructure, and Energy and Environmental Design Services, the new hub signals Bojangles’ evolution beyond traditional quick-service dining and positions the brand …

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construction and designenergy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsHVAC/RIndustry Voiceslightingretailers

More Money, More Problems

by Katie Lee

— By Nellie Day — California buildouts get a power upgrade — and a new set of challenges. The two items development teams are always trying to manage — time and cost — are getting a whole lot harder to control due to California’s updated Title 24 Energy Code. This code, which is updated every 3 years, sets efficiency standards for building systems like HVAC, lighting and electrical infrastructure across the state. The latest version took effect Jan. 1, 2026, and requires all newly permitted projects to include higher-efficiency systems, …

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Newspeopleretailerssupply chain

Target Names EVP, Chief Global Supply Chain and Logistics Officer

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation has named Jeff England as executive vice president, chief global supply chain and logistics officer, effective May 31. England will report to Lisa Roath, Target’s chief operating officer, and will be responsible for accelerating Target’s supply chain plans to improve its shopping experience. “Guests come to Target for great style, design and value — and they trust we’ll be in stock and ready for them every time they shop,” says Michael Fiddelke, chief executive officer of Target. “Elevating that guest experience is one of our top …

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