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Nothing Bundt Cakes® Opens 800th Bakery

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Nothing Bundt Cakes reached a major milestone as it opened the doors to its 800th bakery on April 15. The 800th bakery opened at 2660 Oswell St. in East Bakersfield, Calif., and will be operated by owners Chiral and Dixit Desai, who also own multiple bakeries within the state. “This achievement reflects the work and passion of our bakery owners and teams, along with the fans who make us part of their everyday celebrations,” says Dolf Berle, CEO of Nothing Bundt Cakes. “At this stage of growth, what …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Primark to Open Flagship Store in Manhattan’s Herald Square in May

by Katie Lee

New York City — Primark, an international value fashion retailer, plans to open a flagship Herald Square store in Manhattan’s PENN DISTRICT on May 8. Located at 150 W 34th St., directly across from Penn Station, the new Manhattan flagship marks a defining moment for Primark in the U.S. and a major milestone in its U.S. expansion. The new store will stand alongside the brand’s flagship stores in other fashion capitals such as London, Milan, Madrid and Rome. Spanning more than 54,000 square feet of retail space, the Herald Square …

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construction and designCover Storyfacilities managementfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinekitchen equipmentremodelsrestaurantssoftware/technology

A Scalable Refresh

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — 2026 marks the full rollout of Gong cha 2.0, a comprehensive modernization of technology, operations and store design for the bubble tea leader. Gong cha is the world’s leading bubble tea brand with nearly 2,200 locations in 33 markets globally, including more than 240 stores in the U.S. across 23 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. But it still has plenty of room to grow — both in number of locations and in brand recognition — in the United States. With a solid foundation undergirding …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Dave’s Hot Chicken Opens Record 8 Restaurants in a Single Day

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dave’s Hot Chicken continues its rapid growth in 2026 with the opening of 8 new restaurants on April 16, expanding its footprint to more than 400 locations worldwide. The milestone highlights the brand’s disciplined approach to expansion and its ability to execute at scale while maintaining a consistent guest experience. The fast-casual concept, which originated in Los Angeles, is bringing its Nashville-style hot chicken to a diverse set of markets nationwide, including Fairlawn, Ohio; Oneonta, N.Y.; Edina, Minn.; Gastonia, N.C.; Arlington Heights, Ill.; Miami; Saratoga, Utah; and …

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Walmart to Remodel More Than 650 U.S. Stores in 2026

by Katie Lee

Bentonville, Ark. — Nationally, Walmart is planning remodels at more than 650 Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets this year, as well as opening 20 new stores in 2026 and early 2027. This investment is intended to create jobs, help strengthen local economies and make shopping faster and more convenient for its customers. In early 2024, Walmart committed to opening or converting more than 150 new locations while continuing to update the stores in its portfolio. This year’s investment includes: • More than 650 scheduled remodels to Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets • …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Mo’ Bettahs to Expand Into 3 New Markets

by Katie Lee

Salt Lake City — Mo’ Bettahs plans to enter three new markets — Phoenix, Indianapolis and Minneapolis — as the Hawaiian-style fast-casual brand accelerates its national expansion. Additionally, the company reported positive same-store sales growth for the 18th consecutive year, marking nearly two decades of sustained momentum. Mo’ Bettahs has nearly 80 restaurants nationwide. “Eighteen consecutive years of same-store sales growth is rare in this industry, and it doesn’t happen by accident,” says Rob Ertmann, CEO of Mo’ Bettahs. “It reflects disciplined execution, the quality and authenticity of our menu, …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

The Spice & Tea Exchange Signs 7 New Deals Across Oklahoma and Virginia

by Katie Lee

St. Augustine, Fla. — The Spice & Tea Exchange®, a specialty retail franchise, has signed seven new development deals across Oklahoma and Virginia, including two separate three-unit agreements in Virginia. The newly signed agreements include: • One development deal in Guthrie, Okla. • Two, three-unit development deals in Virginia: Fredericksburg, Charlottesville and Roanoke. • Lexington, plus two additional territories to be announced. These deals build upon the brand’s existing footprint in Sulphur, Okla., and Richmond and Williamsburg, Va., markets that have demonstrated strong consumer demand for The Spice & Tea …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™ Enter China with 600-Restaurant Agreement

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™, one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant brands in the world, plans to enter China, marking a major milestone in the company’s global growth and its 27th international market. The brand’s first restaurant in China is slated to open in Shanghai this summer, with additional locations — at least 600 — to follow. Texas Chicken has partnered with Deke Shengtang, a leading local operator with multiple QSR brands, signing a franchise agreement to develop 600 or more restaurants across China over the …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Rural King Celebrates 150th Store Opening

by Katie Lee

Mattoon, Ill. — Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, has openede its newest store in Sebring, Fla., marking its 150th location nationwide. Serving rural America since 1960, Rural King has grown into a trusted resource for the communities it serves. The new Sebring location offers a convenient destination for farm and home essentials, including livestock and pet supplies, workwear, power equipment, tools, automotive products and seasonal merchandise. “Opening our 150th store in Sebring is an incredible milestone for Rural King,” says Michael Ladd, chief operating officer …

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construction and designNewsretailers

CaratLane, a Leading Fine Jewelry Brand in India, Opens Second U.S. Store

by Katie Lee

Dallas — CaratLane, a Tata product and India’s leading omnichannel fine jewelry brand, has launched its second U.S. retail store in Frisco, Texas, near Dallas. The 1,200-square-foot boutique marks a significant milestone in the brand’s global journey, furthering its mission to make Indian jewelry accessible to Indians across the world. Frisco has emerged as one of the fastest-growing Indian hubs in the U.S., with a vibrant cultural community and rising demand for Indian products and experiences. Located within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the new store is strategically positioned to serve …

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