Author

Katie Lee

construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

PJ’s Coffee Signs 7-Unit C-Store Agreement in Kentucky

by Katie Lee

Lexington, Ky. — PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans has signed a 7-unit license agreement with Steve Estepp, founder of Estepp Energy and Coffee Dudes LLC, to expand the New Orleans-born coffee brand throughout convenience stores in Central Kentucky. A locally owned and family-operated business, Estepp Energy has built a strong reputation throughout Kentucky’s convenience store industry over the past 50 years by emphasizing operational excellence, customer service and strategic growth. Today, the company operates more than 13 convenience stores across Central Kentucky and continues expanding its portfolio with complementary brands …

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facilities managementNewsProduct Spotlightproperty managementsecurity/loss preventionsoftware/technologyvendors

Interface Systems Introduces Digital Keys to Simplify Access Control

by Katie Lee

St. Louis, Mo. — Interface Systems, a leading provider of AI-powered security and expert remote video monitoring for restaurants, retailers and commercial businesses, has launched Digital Keys, a mobile credential solution for Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) access control systems. Digital Keys enables businesses to replace traditional cards, fobs and physical keys with secure mobile credentials stored directly in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Designed for retailers, quick-service restaurants and other distributed enterprises, Digital Keys simplifies access management by allowing administrators to issue, update, schedule and revoke employee, contractor and vendor …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Ollie’s Opens First Store in New Mexico

by Katie Lee

Harrisburg, Pa. — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Inc. is entering its 36th state with the June 10 grand opening of its first store in New Mexico, located in Clovis. As America’s fastest growing retailer of closeouts and excess inventory, Ollie’s sells brand name merchandise at prices up to 70% below the fancy stores every day. The new Ollie’s is located in Rockridge Plaza, in the old Big Lots location. “Our first location in New Mexico represents the next big step in our westward expansion,” says Eric van der Valk, president and …

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construction and designIndustry Voicesretailers

From Click to Brick

by Katie Lee

— By Tom Lekometros — Successfully transitioning online retail brands into brick-and-mortar stores takes design strategy. Transforming an online retail business into a brick-and-mortar store is a considerable step that comes with a great deal of strategy, planning and preparation to achieve success. Despite the popularity and seeming dominance of online shopping, more than 80% of retail sales still occur in physical stores, according to Capital One Shopping Research. While most consumers still prefer the in-person shopping experience, many devoted online shoppers visit physical stores to see, test or experience …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Chicago-born Portillo’s Plans to Open Landmark Michigan Avenue Restaurant

by Katie Lee

Oak Brook, Ill. — More than six decades after opening as a small hot dog stand in suburban Chicago, Portillo’s is headed to Chicago’s famed Michigan Avenue with a new flagship restaurant. The Chicago-born fast-casual restaurant — known for its Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs and legendary chocolate cake — plans to open the new restaurant at 304 North Michigan Ave., just south of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. “Chicago is where the Portillo’s story began, and opening in the heart of the city is not only an incredibly proud moment …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Abercrombie & Fitch Expands Retail Presence in SoHo

by Katie Lee

New Albany, Ohio — Abercrombie & Fitch, a division of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., has opened its new SoHo store in New York City. Located at 520 Broadway between Spring and Broome streets, the store reflects the brand’s 134-year-old history in New York, from its original South Street storefront in the 1890s to its past iconic Madison Avenue location, to its Fifth Avenue store today. The store also debuts Abercrombie & Fitch’s first “Heritage Meets Modern” design concept. “We are proud to open our doors in the heart of one …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Felice Opens New Flagship Location in New York City’s Flatiron District

by Katie Lee

New York City — Felice has opened its new flagship restaurant in the Flatiron District, bringing the family-run Italian brand to one of Manhattan’s most design- and culture-driven neighborhoods. Located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 26th Street, the space is designed to feel embedded in the neighborhood from the start, less like a new opening, more like a place that has always been there. Since 2007, the restaurant brand has grown to 14 locations across New York, Connecticut, Florida and beyond, building its identity around rooms that feel …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Meta Lab @ Best Buy to Open in More Than 50 Stores

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — In partnership with Meta, Best Buy is bringing Meta Lab @ Best Buy to more than 50 of its stores this summer. These 900-square-foot experiential spaces give customers a hands-on way to explore Meta’s AI glasses and VR headsets through interactive demos and displays, smart mirrors, personalized fittings and more. “Our customers are passionate about experiencing what’s next and they turn to Best Buy to bring it to life,” says Patrick McGinnis, chief merchandising officer at Best Buy. “Meta Lab @ Best Buy is an experience customers can’t …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

White Castle to Open in Texas for First Time in 105-Year History

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — White Castle®, America’s first fast-food hamburger chain with a storied 105-year history, broke ground on June 2 on its first-ever Texas location at Grandscape in The Colony, Texas. The expected grand opening is late fall 2026. The 3,430-square-foot restaurant will feature a double drive-thru with both canopy and patio seating. Cuhaci Peterson partnered with White Castle on the store design. “As a family-owned business, we’ve wanted to get to Texas for a long time, and today we’re making it official. The Crave is here to stay,” says …

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disaster recoveryHVAC/RIndustry Voicesplumbingproperty managementrestaurantsroofingsnow and ice managementvendors

How Water Finds a Way

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Austin Duchaine & Shawn Hester — Breaking down the most common water-related issues experienced by restaurants — and how to prevent, mitigate and recover. For independent restaurants operating in aging buildings, a hidden water leak can quickly escalate from a maintenance issue to a financial crisis. Older plumbing systems, grease-clogged drains and HVAC condensation failures increase the risk of sudden shutdowns, especially in older retail centers and standalone locations. When a restaurant is forced to close for even a few days, the financial impact compounds fast, creating …

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