construction and design

Starbucks Coffee
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Starbucks to Open 400 Net-New U.S. Stores as Part of Overall Transformation Plan

by Katie Lee

Seattle — At its recent 2026 Investor Day, Starbucks Coffee Company highlighted progress in its “Back to Starbucks” transformation plan, showcasing new coffeehouse and menu innovation, and detailing a financial framework for delivering long term, sustainable growth. By fiscal 2028, the company expects to open 2,000 net new stores across its portfolio, including approximately 400 net new U.S. company-operated stores. “Starbucks is back,” says Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer. “We’re putting the customer at the center of everything we do and setting our partners up for success. We …

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construction and designNewsretailers

The Vitamin Shoppe Opens ‘Innovation Store’ on New York City’s Upper East Side

by Katie Lee

Secaucus, N.J. —The Vitamin Shoppe®, an omnichannel specialty retailer of nutritional products, has opened a new Innovation Store on the Upper East Side of New York City, located at 157 East 86th St. between Lexington and Third avenues. The new store brings The Vitamin Shoppe’s innovation-forward design format to one of the city’s most vibrant retail corridors. This location is the first to introduce Shoppe Advisor, The Vitamin Shoppe’s AI-powered, interactive discovery tool designed to enhance in-store education, engagement and personalization. Via a digital touchscreen, Shoppe Advisor provides instant access …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Bricks & Minifigs Surpasses 300th Store, Doubling Growth in Just 2 Years

by Katie Lee

Orem, Utah — Bricks & Minifigs, an authorized LEGO® reseller specializing in buying, trading and selling LEGO® products, surpassed 300 stores in 2025. Through its buy, sell and trade model, each location gives unused LEGO items a second life with new builders, demonstrating the company’s continued success as a franchise-driven, in-person retailer. Since 2023, Bricks & Minifigs has opened 150 stores, marking one of the most accelerated periods of growth in its history. “When I first joined Bricks & Minifigs as CEO in 2018, we had just 35 franchisees operating, …

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construction and designIndustry Voicesremodels

Great Adaptations

by Katie Lee

— By Gary Cohn — Is your retail or restaurant facility a candidate for adaptive reuse? With shifting consumer habits and an oversupply of traditional retail space in many markets, adaptive reuse has become a strategic solution for owners and operators in the retail and restaurant sectors. Repurposing an existing facility — whether it’s a former big box store, strip mall or standalone restaurant — can be faster, more cost-effective and more sustainable than ground-up development. But not every building is ready for a second act. A Property Condition Assessment …

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construction and designfacilities managementfranchise developmentkitchen equipmentNewsremodelsrestaurantssoftware/technology

Gong Cha 2.0: Bubble-Tea Leader Rolls Out New, Innovative, Efficient Store Model

by Katie Lee

Boston — Gong cha, a leading worldwide bubble tea brand, has unveiled its global Gong cha 2.0 initiative: a comprehensive digital, operational and design refresh to optimize profitability, efficiency and scalability for franchisees — as well as improve the guest experience. This global rollout combines two key technologies — Super Wu beverage automation and self-order kiosks — with a modernized store design to streamline operations, reduce labor demands and improve throughput without compromising quality or hospitality. “Gong cha 2.0 is engineered for today’s operators,” says Geoff Henry, president of Gong …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Krystal to Debut in Northeast with First-Ever New Jersey Location

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — After more than nine decades rooted in the South, Krystal is officially expanding north. The brand, known for its small, square Krystals served hot off the grill, will open its first-ever New Jersey restaurant at 2200 Route 22 East in Union. This marks Krystal’s debut in the Northeast and a major milestone in the brand’s 93-year history. The Union restaurant will open on March 2, 2026 and is led by brand partner Victor Cruz, a former New York Giants wide receiver, Super Bowl XLVI champion and sportscaster, who …

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construction and designNewsretailersstore closings

Amazon to Close Go and Fresh Physical Stores, Plans to Open 100 Whole Foods Locations

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Amazon has unveiled plans to close its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh physical stores, converting various locations into Whole Foods Market stores. The Seattle-based e-commerce giant states that it hasn’t “yet created a truly distinctive customer experience with the right economic model needed for large-scale expansion.” Customers can continue to shop Amazon Fresh online in available areas for delivery. At the same time, Amazon plans to open more than 100 new Whole Foods Market stores over the next few years, citing increased investment in “physical stores that are …

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construction and designNewsProduct Spotlightvendors

BILCO Celebrates 100th Year in Business

by Katie Lee

New Haven, Conn. — From its inception as a small iron shop to manufacturing the first metal basement door to worldwide expansion as the industry leader in specialty access products, BILCO’s first 100 years have demonstrated innovation and engineering excellence. As it enters its second century in business, the long term horizon for BILCO, based in New Haven, Conn., promises more of the same along with renewed emphasis on growth, modernization and expanded market presence. Quanex, a publicly traded manufacturing company serving OEMs in construction and other industries, acquired BILCO …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Dog Haus Marks 15 Years and a New Era of Growth

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dog Haus, an acclaimed burgers, brats and brews concept, is entering 2026 with strong momentum and a robust growth outlook. As the Southern California-based craft-casual brand celebrates its first 15 years, a full development pipeline signals its most prolific year of new openings to date. “2025 was our best year yet, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and transformative years in Dog Haus’ proud history,” says CEO Michael Montagano. “As we celebrate our first 15 years, we’re pairing our strong brand …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Boot Barn Opens 500th Store

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Boot Barn, the largest western and workwear retailer in the nation, has opened its 500th store, located in Huntington Beach, Calif. The milestone location represents a symbolic return to the area as the very first Boot Barn store opened its doors in Huntington Beach in 1978. From that single storefront, Boot Barn has expanded its nationwide presence to 500 stores in 49 states. “We’re proud and honored to be returning to our roots with the opening of our Huntington Beach store,” says John Hazen, CEO of Boot …

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