Author

Katie Lee

franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Smoothie King Sees Highest Single-Quarter Growth in 6 Years

by Katie Lee

Dallas — During the third quarter, Smoothie King has reported 38 new store commitments and 28 new store openings across 16 states, marking the highest number of store openings in a single quarter in 6 years and the second highest in its history. Key milestones this quarter included expansions into two new states (New Hampshire and Delaware); the grand opening of a new Austin, Texas, location (the first in the area in 3 years); a flagship store opening at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport; and the opening of two new stores …

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True Value Files for Bankruptcy, Enters Into $153 Million Sales Agreement

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Hardware retailer True Value Co. LLC has initiated voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The Chicago-based retailer has also entered into an agreement to sell substantially all of its business operations to Do it Best Corp., another entity within the home improvement retail sector and former rival. According to Reuters, Do it Best will serve as the stalking horse bidder for True Value with an acquisition price set at $153 million in cash and the assumption of $45 million …

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Newsrestaurants

Darden Restaurants Completes Acquisition of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Darden Restaurants, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $605 million. The transaction was approved by a majority of Chuy’s Holdings stockholders on Oct. 10, 2024. This follows the merger agreement that was announced on July 17, 2024. With the acquisition now complete, Chuy’s joins Darden’s portfolio of differentiated brands which also includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s and Bahama …

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franchise developmentNewsretailers

Batteries Plus Signs 16 New Franchise Locations in Third Quarter

by Katie Lee

Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus, the nation’s leading specialty battery franchise, continues its growth trajectory with significant progress in the third quarter. The company signed five new franchise owners, securing the development of 16 new locations in Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio and Texas. In addition to new franchise agreements, Batteries Plus opened five new storefronts this quarter, with openings in North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and two in Florida. “Our continued success reflects the strength of our franchise opportunity and the trust entrepreneurs have in our brand,” says Joe Malmuth, chief …

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green newskitchen equipmentNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendorswaste management/recycling

Better Earth Acquires Sustainability SaaS Company, Betterbin

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Better Earth, a leader in sustainable foodservice packaging solutions, has acquired Betterbin, a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that optimizes recycling and composting education for consumers, retailers and businesses. This acquisition bolsters Better Earth’s mission to create a regenerative circular economy by providing seamless, tech-driven solutions that divert food packaging waste from landfills, improve compliance with solid waste regulations and meet local sustainability goals. With only around 5% of plastics currently being recycled in the United States, the need for smarter waste solutions is more urgent than …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Zaxbys to Debut in Maryland with First 3 Locations on the Eastern Shore

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Zaxbys™, a rapidly expanding Georgia-based QSR franchise, will make its debut in the state of Maryland next year. A newly signed territory agreement will open three locations along Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The first Zaxbys in Maryland is slated to open in Cambridge in late 2025, with additional locations in Easton and West Ocean City/Berlin to follow. The first Maryland Zaxbys location will be built near Walmart in Cambridge, with a modern farmhouse design. Another location is planned near a new hospital development in Easton, and the third will …

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energy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsNewsretailersvendors

Walmart Invests in Multi-State Community Solar Portfolio Developed by Solar Landscape

by Katie Lee

Asbury Park, N.J. — Solar Landscape, a leading commercial and community solar developer, has teamed up with Walmart, which plans to invest in 74 Solar Landscape community solar projects in Maryland and Illinois as part of a 3 million-square-foot clean energy portfolio. The commercial rooftop projects are currently under construction and expected to energize in 2024 and 2025. They will create nearly 43 megawatts (DC) of solar capacity for the surrounding communities — enough power to serve the equivalent of over 3,600 homes. Approximately half of the portfolio is designed …

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construction and designCover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinerestaurants

Onward & Upward

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a Newport Beach, California-based family-style pizza chain for more than 45 years, continues to scale the heights toward the peak of franchise success. Born out of the Bay Area in 1978, Mountain Mike’s Pizza started franchising in 1981 and grew steadily and regionally over the ensuing decades. More recently, Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, former multi-unit Burger King franchisees and Stanford alumni who frequented the chain in college, came along and shook things up. In 2017, the pair acquired the company …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Killer Burger to Open First Location Outside the Pacific Northwest, in Texas

by Katie Lee

Portland, Ore. — Killer Burger, a fast-growing better burger concept, plans to enter the state of Texas with its first location in San Antonio. The franchised location is expected to open in November, and will be owned and operated by Killer Burger founder — and now also a franchisee — Thomas “TJ” Southard. This marks the brand’s first location outside of the Pacific Northwest. Southard is adding “franchisee” to his roles of founder, board member and majority shareholder as part of his broader plan to help Killer Burger attract and …

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Primark to Open First Store in Manhattan

by Katie Lee

New York City — Primark, an international clothing retailer that offers quality fashion at value prices, has signed a lease for its first storefront in Manhattan. To be located in Herald Square in the revitalized Penn District, the new store will serve as a flagship location for Primark. Located directly across the street from Penn Station, the most highly trafficked train station in the country, the new store will be situated in a prime location to attract commuter foot traffic, enabling Primark to reach more shoppers in the region than …

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