construction and design

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — Pita Pit, a Mediterranean fast-casual brand specializing in made-to-order pita sandwiches, has rolled out a nationwide brand refresh. The refresh introduces new features, such as a modernized restaurant design and drive-thru business model, reimagined menu, technological upgrades and a new logo. Pita Pit’s rebrand is a key component in the company’s growth strategy. The new drive-thru model allows franchise partners more real estate options, as the smaller footprint of about 800 to 1,000 square feet can flex to fit into a variety of layouts that fit …

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— By Jaime Bettencourt — Creating destination stores for lasting connections. The meteoric rise of e-commerce has forced traditional brick-and-mortar retail to reckon with a new reality: physical stores must provide immersive in-store experiences. Retailers failing to integrate digital channels and offer the best of online shopping offline will struggle to stay competitive in this omnichannel environment. Major brands have learned the hard way that simply having a physical location won’t suffice, with some closing hundreds of underperforming stores because they weren’t offering customers experiences beyond mere product displays and …

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Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s has opened its newest location in Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Mich., adding to its existing four restaurants in the market. Owned and operated by North American travel retailer Paradies Lagardère, the GRR opening marks Freddy’s second airport location, having debuted its first airport unit in Oklahoma City in 2022. In addition, Freddy’s plans to open in the Salt Lake City International Airport by year-end and is continuing to identify growth opportunities in non-traditional spaces, including stadiums, college campuses, …

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Bentonville, Ark. — HFA Architecture + Engineering has hired veteran financial leader Lisa Hess (CMA, CSCA) as its new chief financial officer. She joins HFA from her prior role as CFO of Mackie Wolf Zientz & Mann, P.C., a mortgage banking law firm. Based in HFA’s Fort Worth, Texas, office, Hess brings more than 18 years of finance, accounting and management experience in sectors such as engineering, construction, law and technology. “Lisa boasts extraordinary management, organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills, and she is passionate about embracing change and positioning for …

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— By Herschel Pazornick — Turning to design and technology to streamline restaurant operations. There are numerous reasons restaurant operators prioritize streamlining operations. The main reason being that efficient and effective operations are crucial to long term success. Staying ahead of technology, incorporating the latest innovations and being mindful of space layout can lead to faster service and reduced wait times for customers. Here are a few ways operators can streamline operations: Keeping Design in Mind To optimize speed of service, kitchens should be designed mindfully to allow chefs to …

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Miami — Re-Bath, the nation’s largest complete bathroom remodeling franchise, has signed a franchise agreement in Florida that will cover Miami and all surrounding communities in Dade County. Re-Bath currently has 11 locations operating in Florida and is set to venture into even more new markets within the state, and throughout the East Coast. The over 100-unit chain plans to surpass 150 locations in 2024. “There is tremendous potential for growth in Florida, and my team and I are committed to bringing Re-Bath’s exceptional services to Miami and the surrounding …

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Dallas — Tangram Interiors, a curator of highly creative commercial interior environments headquartered in Southern California, partnered with Neiman Marcus Group in 2023 to complete an innovative, luxurious corporate hub at CityPlace Tower in Dallas. This groundbreaking project reflects Neiman Marcus Group’s commitment to prioritizing employee wellbeing and belonging. The company’s architecture and design partner, Gensler, approached Tangram Interiors with the goal of creating a high-end, personal and inclusive workspace to empower its associates. Neiman Marcus Group has long championed the importance of employee satisfaction and inclusivity, recognizing that these …

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Seattle — Starbucks has certified 6,091 Greener Stores, nearly doubling its portfolio in the past year, and a milestone achievement toward the company’s goal of certifying 10,000 Greener Stores globally by 2025. In markets around the world, Greener Stores’ energy and water savings and waste diversion help advance the company’s goal to reduce carbon emissions, water usage and landfill waste by 50% by 2030. The company has Greener Stores in 44 markets with new markets including India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Bahrain, Italy, …

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Oak Brook, Ill. — National parking lot contractor Let’s Pave, as well as its commercial roofing division, Let’s Roof, have recently launched the VIBE Women’s Empowerment Group. Established by Lana Halzel, business development manager, and Ashley Kuzlik, project coordinator, VIBE provides a platform for female colleagues to network, share experiences and support each other personally and professionally. “Paving and roofing are male-dominated industries,” says Halzel. “Let’s Pave and Let’s Roof have a unique advantage in that our team is 42% women and counting. The ladies in our organization bring valuable …

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Atlanta — H&M, the beloved global fashion retailer, reopened its Perimeter Mall store on March 21 after an extensive renovation. Located in Atlanta, the store has undergone an inspiring transformation, promising an elevated shopping experience for fashion lovers. The newly renovated H&M at Perimeter Mall will give shoppers in the Atlanta area access to the latest trends to allow customers to express themselves, all in a brand-new interior. The location will offer collections for women and men as well as a separate “store within a store” sections for accessories. The …

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