A&G Taking Offers Now on 49 David’s Bridal Leases

New York City — A&G Real Estate Partners is entertaining offers on 49 David’s Bridal leases across the United States — transactions that must be presented for bankruptcy court approval by June 30. “Interested retailers and landlords need to act

US LBM Names New EVP and Chief Information Officer

Atlanta — US LBM, a leading distributor of specialty building materials in the United States, has hired Andrew Campbell to join its executive leadership team as executive vice president and chief information officer. Campbell brings 30 years of experience to

sweetgreen Pilots Automation at New Store

Los Angeles — sweetgreen has opened its first restaurant powered by automation, accelerating the industry’s adoption of advanced technology and taking steps toward the future of dining. The pilot store, located in Naperville, Ill., debuts new technology called the sweetgreen

On The Border Bets on Bold

— By Katie Lee —   Rethinking its operations since the pandemic, On The Border rebrands with bold changes for its food and the guest experience.     When the COVID-19 pandemic upended the world’s economy 3 years ago, many

Weis Markets to Invest Over $160 Million in New Growth in 2023

Sunbury, Pa. — Weis Markets, Inc.’s chairman, president and CEO, Jonathan H. Weis, recently updated shareholders on the company’s plans to invest more than $160 million in its growth in 2023. Included in this plan will be record investments in

The Melting Pot to Open a Remodeled Restaurant Each Week Through 2023

Tampa, Fla. — The Melting Pot, the 94-unit fondue concept that provides a unique, experiential dining atmosphere, has been carefully considering its growth efforts in recent months, launching a campaign to remodel all restaurants and embracing what it has coined ‘Melting

Toys”R”Us® to Open in Mexico for the First Time in 2023

New York City — WHP Global, the parent company of Toys”R”Us, has partnered with leading omnichannel retailer El Puerto de Liverpool, SAB de CV to launch the toy brand in Mexico for the very first time. The partnership will bring

Caribou Coffee to Open More Than 300 New Franchise Locations

Minneapolis — Caribou Coffee®, a national premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands company, has signed several multi-unit development agreements to franchise more than 300 new locations domestically. Caribou Coffee expanded its franchise program in October 2021, marking the first time interested

Wetzel’s Pretzels to Debut New Street Concept, Twisted by Wetzel’s

Pasadena, Calif. — Wetzel’s Pretzels is introducing Twisted by Wetzel’s, a never-before-seen street concept that amplifies the iconic brand’s classic pretzels to satisfy today’s millennial and Gen Z generations. From savory to sweet, the menu features new creations that are

Designing the Details

— By Sarah Schanke —   Designer replicates Tujague’s iconic Mardi Gras flair down to the last detail.     Tujague’s, an iconic French Quarter fixture of the New Orleans cultural landscape, has been serving culinary delights to customers for

Smashburger Unveils Virtual Drive-Thru Design in Houston

Denver — Smashburger, a leading fast-casual restaurant chain known for its smashed-to-order-burgers, has launched its first Virtual Drive-Thru located at the newest corporate-owned restaurant in Houston. An extension of the traditional drive-thru experience, the Virtual Drive-Thru allows customers to seamlessly

Genesis Opens First Stand-Alone Retail Facility in California

Santa Monica, Calif. — Genesis is continuing its retail expansion with the opening of Genesis Santa Monica, the brand’s fifth standalone retail facility in the U.S. and first in California. Several more U.S. locations are currently under development with additional

Cold Case

— By Kevin Piel and Joe McMenamin — Choosing the best insulated-panel system is paramount in ensuring optimal climate-controlled operation in many different applications.   The days when grocery shopping was solely an in-person, on-site event that involved the maneuvering

Sizzler Enlists Restaurant Design Studio, TNI Design, For New Look

Los Angeles — Creative restaurant design studio TNI Design has been enlisted to redesign Sizzler locations around the country. TNI, an acronym for ‘The Next Idea,’ has completed its pilot design for Sizzler’s Corona, Calif., location. It serves as the

Variety Show

— Interview with Eduardo Luz —   Panera puts on a show with several new design formats catering to the needs of an increasingly digital and off-premise guest.   If variety is the spice of life, the many evolving iterations