Bentonville, Ark. — On Jan. 17, Walmart unveiled its New Home Office campus in Northwest Arkansas, a 350-acre sustainably designed workplace that establishes a new standard for corporate headquarters, one that prioritizes worker well-being, environmental stewardship and public accessibility. The state-of-the art campus represents a multibillion-dollar investment in associate experience environmental leadership and community development, featuring mass timber construction, smart building technology, offices designed to be powered by renewable energy and seamless integration with Downtown Bentonville. The phased opening approach will continue throughout 2025, with the inaugural celebration marking the …
construction and design
Pomona, Calif. — Apex Imaging Services welcomes former Target and Bureau Veritas executive Blake Brosa to its leadership team. He joins Apex with nearly 20 years of AEC management and business development leadership experience. Previously, Brosa spent 6 years with Target Corporation in various property development roles and the last decade with Bureau Veritas, where he oversaw sales, marketing, strategy and client experience. “Retailers are seeking single-source solutions and partners that can truly deliver at scale,” says Brosa. “I was immediately impressed by Apex’s differentiated self-perform capabilities, investment in its …
New York City — Sensei, a global leader in autonomous retail technology, recently debuted its groundbreaking autonomous supermarket at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, which took place in New York City from Jan. 12-14. Sensei introduces real-time basket technology and an autonomous experience with assisted sales — transforming customer convenience and operational efficiency. “Sensei’s technology goes beyond eliminating checkout lines — it enhances the entire shopping journey while providing retailers with invaluable real-time data to optimize their operations,” says Vasco Portugal, CEO and co-founder of Sensei. “We’re excited to bring …
New York City — Just Salad has opened its first-ever drive-thru location, marking a major milestone in the brand’s mission to bring healthy food options to more communities. Located in Livingston, N.J., in The Shoppes at the Livingston Circle, this store is the first of multiple Just Salad drive-thru locations expected to open throughout 2025. “This new location reflects our belief that fast food can be redefined — it can be fresh, it can be sustainable, and it can still be convenient,” says Nick Kenner, founder and CEO at Just …
Toronto — Firehouse Subs® plans to debut in Brazil with ambitious growth plans, building on its international expansion. The brand plans to open more than 500 restaurants in 10 years across the country. The first restaurant is expected to launch in 2025 and will mark Firehouse Subs’ debut in South America. The expansion into Brazil is part of a joint venture supported by parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI), one of the world’s largest QSR companies, in partnership with Iuri Miranda, former CEO and board member of Zamp S.A., master …
Guangzhou, China — At the dawn of a new year, fast-fashion brand URBAN REVIVO (UR) is celebrating significant milestones in its international market expansion throughout 2024 and unveiling ambitious plans for further global outreach in 2025. Building on a successful entry into Southeast Asian markets, URBAN REVIVO now sets its sights on major fashion capitals worldwide. In a pivotal year, URBAN REVIVO opened nine new stores across key Southeast Asian markets including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. This expansion brings the total number of the brand’s stores in …
Willis, Texas — Smalls Sliders, the industry-disrupting cheeseburger slider brand, is hosting an opening celebration on Jan. 4 for its first Texas location, situated in the suburban Houston town of Willis. “The excitement of bringing Smalls Sliders to Texas is something I’m proud to be part of, and there’s no better place to start than Willis,” says Preston Cunningham, local franchisee and operator. “This community has a unique charm and a welcoming spirit that makes it the perfect home for our first Texas Can. The city has grown tremendously over …
Manasquan, N.J. — Jersey Mike’s Subs held a 12-store opening celebration to mark the company’s 3,000th location on Dec. 18. In 2024 alone, Jersey Mike’s will have opened a record-breaking 322 locations. “Congratulations to all our owners and teams for all they have accomplished with their commitment and hard work,” says Peter Cancro, founder and CEO, Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. “Reaching 3,000 stores is a celebration of all who have helped build Jersey Mike’s into a brand that resonates on a national level due to our powerful giving culture.” …
Las Vegas — Vestar, a Phoenix-based privately held shopping center owner and manager, will provide comprehensive management services for Vista Commons, a 100,000-square-foot grocery-anchored shopping center located in the West Summerlin area of Las Vegas. Vestar, which will offer property management as well as construction management, will manage Vista Commons on behalf of an institutional client, for whom it manages nearly 3.5 million square feet. Vista Commons is 100% occupied with a diverse mix of tenants including Albertsons, Wells Fargo, State Farm, Subway, Bank of America and Dunkin Donuts. The …
Atlanta — With a commitment to bringing the authentic taste of New Orleans to coffee enthusiasts nationwide, PJ’s Coffee is paving the way in the Atlanta metropolitan area with 12 locations in development to open in the next 7 years. “Our expansion into Atlanta represents a game-changing opportunity to share PJ’s unique flavors with a vibrant community that values Southern hospitality and exceptional coffee,” says Lory Schwartz, franchise development manager of PJ’s Coffee. “The city’s dynamic economy, strong coffee culture and affinity for innovation make it the perfect place for …