Lancaster, Texas — Walmart plans to build two new high-tech facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to support the retailer’s growing supply chain network: a 1.5 million-square-foot automated fulfillment center, set to open in 2023, and a 730,000-square-foot automated grocery distribution center, set to open in 2024. When built, the new facilities will be among Walmart’s largest automated fulfillment and distribution centers. The facilities will play a critical role in Walmart’s supply chain to deliver on the retailer’s promise to get customers the items they want when they want them. …
construction and design
Maitland, Fla. — Cuhaci & Peterson is planning an expansion in the Southwest with the opening of a new office in downtown Phoenix in the Luhrs Tower, which provides easy access to Valley Metro Rail, walk/bike access and a dedicated parking garage on-site. The move, which is slated to open in January 2022, helps strengthen the firm’s West Coast footprint. “We’ve been looking at expansion in the Phoenix area for some time and this move makes sense for both our company and the clients we serve. We’re extremely excited to …
Nashville, Tenn. — Captain D’s, the nation’s leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, has experienced a surge in franchise development throughout 2021, reporting 18 new agreements signed to develop 43 locations in key markets nationwide over the next several years. Half of those agreements are with existing franchisees. Motivated by impressive AUVs and strong sales comps system-wide, Captain D’s franchisees continue to invest in the brand and expand its footprint in their markets, reflecting the viability of its franchise model and attracting new operators to the system. “Captain D’s momentum has been …
— Interview with Tana Davila — Upgrades to P.F. Chang’s ambiance, design and decor drive traffic and sales — even during the pandemic. This month [September 2021], P.F. Chang’s opened a new flagship in Hawaii, following a 6-month renovation to upgrade its design, decor and ambiance to flagship level. The new look is part of P.F. Chang’s overall brand refresh currently underway. The company is on track to refresh all U.S. restaurants by the end of next year. Editor Katie Lee recently interviewed P.F. Chang’s marketing chief, Tana Davila, …
Fairview Heights, Ill. — Cole Loftus joins the team at IMPACT Strategies in the newly created position of market development manager. In his new role, Loftus will continue in IMPACT’s core purpose of developing industry relationships by identifying, qualifying and developing project pursuit opportunities across the firm’s multiple markets which include Missouri, Illinois and Ohio/Northern Kentucky. “The addition of Cole to our team will help us continue to grow as a company, while still providing excellence in construction to our clients,” says Nick Walker, vice president, project development and strategy …
Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts, the iconic Houston-born do-nut shop brand, celebrated its 85th anniversary with a groundbreaking on Oct. 28 for its new 60,000-square-foot corporate headquarters at Cullen and Gulf Freeway in Houston. The site is well-known to Houstonians as the location of the old Finger Furniture flagship showroom and, before that, Buff Stadium, home to minor league baseball’s Houston Buffalos from 1928-1961. The state-of-the-art facility, slated to open in the last quarter of 2022, will feature a full working flagship Shipley Do-Nut shop with an interior drive-thru going right …
Houston — Grinders Coffee Bar and CBD Apothecary is preparing to become the go-to upscale destination for exploring natural cannabis derivatives and Hemp-infused coffee, mocktails/cocktails, pastries and more in a “lounge” type environment when it reopens to the Houston community as Wild. With the help of Dallas-based architecture and design firm Harrison, Wild will open as a boutique dispensary, coffee shop and bar in a lounge environment. Harrison’s work for Wild spans from identity exploration and concept development to extensive branding such as logo, packaging, merchandising and building design. The …
Downers Grove, Ill. — Fresh Thyme Market, a full-service specialty retailer with 70 stores in 10 states throughout the Midwest, will open a new concept store on Nov. 10 at City Foundry in St. Louis. The Fresh Thyme Market at City Foundry STL store will be located at 3701 Foundry Way. “We’re thrilled to finally announce when we’ll be opening our doors and welcoming the St. Louis community to our beautiful new flagship store,” says Jane Wilcox, store director. “Our team provides shoppers with an unparalleled grocery experience from the …
San Diego — Jack in the Box Inc., one of the nation’s leading QSR chains, has awarded seven development agreements in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021 to open 47 new restaurants. In total, Jack in the Box has awarded 23 development agreements in fiscal year 2021 to build 111 stores over the course of the next several years. The agreements will help the brand grow in existing markets including Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, as well as new ones such as Salt Lake City and Louisville, Ky., indicating …
— By James “Gino” Ginopoulos — As a result of the pandemic, retailers and restaurants are getting a new look. Even prior to the pandemic, many industries were looking for ways to adapt to changes in their markets to maintain a competitive edge. However, like many things, the pandemic accelerated that need to adapt and evolve in order to overcome the challenges stemming from the virus. While certain positive advancements have been made since the onset of the pandemic, like the creation of various vaccines, developers and owners are …