Moonachie, N.J. — Paris Baguette, the renowned global bakery café franchise with over 170 locations across the U.S., has welcomed Norm Ginsberg to the team as its new vice president of operations. After 17 years with Bowlero, working his way up to key leadership positions, Ginsberg has developed a keen sense of what it means to always deliver the best possible experience through proper recruiting, training and operational systems. Ginsberg will oversee all operations aspects of Paris Baguette’s expanding network, focusing on maintaining the elevated guest experience, streamlining operations and …
construction and design
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has hired Ammy Harrison as senior vice president of non-traditional development and Maiyo Hood as vice president of international development. The new team growth underscores FAT Brands’ commitment to driving organic growth, especially non-traditional and international. Year-over-year, the brand continues to build upon its over 2,300-unit global footprint. Harrison brings nearly 25 years of industry experience with high-growth restaurant brands, including spearheading non-traditional growth at Papa John’s International, Inc. Prior to joining FAT Brands, Harrison also served as vice president of …
Columbus, Ohio — Fogo de Chão, the internationally renowned restaurant from Brazil, has signed a lease agreement to open its first Ohio location in Columbus. The new 7,245-square-foot restaurant is scheduled to open later this year in the Polaris Towne Center, one of the city’s largest retail and dining destinations. “We have long anticipated expanding our presence into the state of Ohio and are excited to share our authentic culinary experience from Brazil with the Columbus community soon,” says Barry McGowan, chief executive officer of Fogo de Chão. “This city’s …
Itasca, Ill. — Tony’s Fresh Market plans to reopen its Waukegan, Ill., store this week. The newly remodeled store is located at 1700 N. Lewis Ave. “This store was updated and redesigned to enhance the shopping experience and meet the needs of our local customers,” says Frank Ingraffia, chief executive officer of Tony’s Fresh Market. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to the Waukegan community and will provide an exceptional and expanded variety of fresh and authentic food options, friendly customer service and great prices in a refreshed and updated atmosphere. …
McDonough, Ga. — Chick-fil-A is opening its first elevated, drive-thru only restaurant in the south Atlanta suburb of McDonough today. Located at 2155 Jodeco Rd., the restaurant features four drive-thru lanes that run below an elevated kitchen that is twice the size of a typical Chick-fil-A kitchen. Food reaches the delivery team members via a custom meal transport system that uses conveyor belt technology. Patrons can either order onsite with a Chick-fil-A team member or order ahead on the Chick-fil-A app. The restaurant features dedicated lanes for both ordering methods, …
Atlanta — Floor & Decor, a leading high-growth retailer specializing in hard-surface flooring for homeowners and professionals, plans to open its first warehouse location in Rhode Island, located in Warwick, on August 29. The warehouse store and design center will be led by Mike Falco, the store’s chief executive merchant. “We’re thrilled to announce our first store location in Warwick, Rhode Island,” says Falco. “For more than two decades, Floor & Decor has had the opportunity to serve professionals and homeowners throughout the nation, and we are excited to expand …
New York City — Foot Locker, Inc. is marking the grand reopening of its iconic store on 34th Street in New York City, a pivotal milestone in its global retail revitalization. Set to open on August 22 at 112 W. 34th St., the newly redesigned store enhances consumer accessibility and redefines retail in the heart of Manhattan. This reimagined concept highlights Foot Locker’s commitment to sneaker and basketball culture through the introduction of Foot Locker ‘Home Court,’ a premier, multi-brand basketball shopping destination. Developed in partnership with Nike and Jordan …
A Fresh Spin on Tradition
— By Katie Lee — Carvel celebrates 90 years of soft serve ice cream with a new shoppe design and growth in new markets. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen by accident. However, the beloved ice cream brand Carvel may beg to differ. It was way back in 1934, in Hartsdale, New York, when founder Tom Carvel had a flat tire in his ice cream truck. Pulling over, he tried to salvage the product he had left and sold the slightly melted ice cream to people passing by. …
Salisbury, N.C. — With a $365 million capital investment, Food Lion has enhanced the customer shopping experience with remodeled stores in the greater Raleigh-Durham, N.C., area and Mecklenburg County, Va. On Aug. 21, Food Lion will hold ribbon-cutting events at 167 stores in the greater Raleigh-Durham market, which is among the fastest growing areas nationwide. Nearly all stores are introducing self-checkout lanes, allowing customers to choose between traditional cashier-assisted checkout or self-checkout options. Additionally, Food Lion continues to invest in training and developing associates to provide the best customer experience. …
San Jose, Calif. — T&T Supermarket Inc., Canada’s favorite Asian grocery retailer, will open its first store in California at the Westgate Center in San Jose in fall 2025. With two stores in the works in Washington, this marks T&T’s third store announcement in the Unites States. The 55,000-square-foot store is taking over space formerly occupied by Walmart. T&T operates more than 33 stores across Canada, and is a full-service unique shopping experience known for its vast selection of authentic Asian products, fresh produce, full service meat counter, live seafood …