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Portillo’s Appoints New Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Portillo’s, the fast-casual restaurant brand known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, has named Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling as chief development officer. She joins Portillo’s from Miller’s Ale House. In this role, Pecoraro-Striepling will lead Portillo’s restaurant development strategy, including real estate and site selection, prototype design and construction. She will play a key role in advancing Portillo’s long term expansion as the company continues to grow its footprint while preserving the brand’s unique guest experience and operational excellence. “Jennifer brings the experience, strategic vision and people-first leadership we need …

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Johnny Carino’s Debuts New Restaurant Prototype and Brand Evolution

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas — Johnny Carino’s, an Italian casual-dining brand founded in 1997, has unveiled its new prototype restaurant. The updated restaurant design introduces a modernized Italian dining experience and is scheduled to open March 25, 2026, in Laredo, Texas. The Laredo location serves as the brand’s next-generation restaurant, bringing a modern Italian dining experience to market with refreshed branding, design elements and an enhanced bar presence. The new concept reflects Johnny Carino’s strategic direction moving forward, emphasizing a polished everyday dining environment with greater focus on its beverage program and …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Meijer to Open Grocery Format Store in Michigan in May

by Katie Lee

Grand Rapids, Mich. — Meijer will open a new 47,000-square-foot grocery format store on May 6 in Rochester Hills, Mich. This is the third Meijer Grocery store in Michigan, complementing its other 125 well-known supercenters and market format stores throughout the state with the same quality customers have come to expect from the Midwest retailer. “This new Meijer Grocery location represents our continued investment in bringing value and convenience to customers right where they live and work,” says Maureen Mitchell, vice president of the East Michigan region for Meijer. “Designed …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Dog Haus to Debut in Mexico with 20 New Locations

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dog Haus is taking its biggest step onto the global stage yet, officially expanding beyond the U.S. and into Mexico for the first time in brand history. In partnership with HAK Capital & Brand Management, the Los Angeles-born concept will open at least 20 locations across the country over the next several years — marking a major international milestone as the brand accelerates its global growth strategy. The partnership will kick off with the opening of a flagship Dog Haus restaurant this summer in Mérida, Yucatán, aligning …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

K9 Resorts Signs 9-Unit Franchise Agreement in Oregon

by Katie Lee

Berkeley Heights, N.J. — K9 Resorts Luxury Pet Hotel has signed a nine-unit franchise agreement in Oregon with Anchor Point Management Group. The agreement strengthens K9 Resorts’ 2026 development pipeline and reflects continued interest in the premium pet care category from established multi-unit operators. Establishing the brand’s presence in Oregon with multiple resorts, while simultaneously expanding its Washington footprint as part of a Pacific Northwest growth initiative, the agreement includes plans to develop nine K9 Resorts locations throughout the state. The group operates more than 500 units across 12 brands, …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

IKEA to Open 10 New U.S. Stores in 2026

by Katie Lee

Conshohocken, Pa. — IKEA plans to open four additional U.S. stores in 2026 — in Chicago; Tulsa, Okla.; Fort Collins, Colo.; and Los Angeles — further building on the six locations previously announced and bringing the current total number to 10 new stores slated to open in 2026. “FY25 was a year of meaningful connection and growth despite a challenging external environment. We strengthened our ability to serve customers through new store formats, digital innovation and expanded rewards, all while reinforcing our commitment to communities and the environment,” says Rob …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Starbird to Debut in Texas with 36-Unit Franchise Deal

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Starbird, the Bay Area-based super-premium fast-casual brand, is launching its first Texas locations through a 36-unit franchise agreement with Mac Haik Restaurant Group. The partnership will bring locations to Houston, Austin and San Antonio beginning in 2027, marking a pivotal milestone in the 10-year-old brand’s broader national expansion strategy. The agreement represents the largest development deal in Starbird’s history and a significant step in the brand’s long term growth strategy as it enters its second decade. “This agreement reflects the strength of our business model and the …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Greenrow Opens First Retail Store, Located in New York’s SoHo Neighborhood

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — GreenRow, portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma, Inc., has opened the brand’s first-ever brick-and-mortar store, prominently located in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood. The new flagship store marks a major milestone for the brand taking GreenRow’s mission-driven approach to thoughtfully designed and responsibly crafted home furnishings into a physical retail experience. Located at 47 Howard St. in New York City, the new GreenRow SoHo store is designed to feel like a lived-in home rather than a traditional showroom — inviting customers to slow down, explore and experience GreenRow’s commitment …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Marco’s Pizza Targets 80+ New Store Openings in 2026

by Katie Lee

Toledo, Ohio — Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza brands, kicks off 2026 with deliberate development plans following a year of strategic expansion and systemwide investment. In 2025, Marco’s opened more than 60 new stores and this year, it plans to surpass 80 new store openings while continuing to accelerate growth across new domestic markets, international territories and non-traditional venues. Complementing its expansion, Marco’s is rolling out advanced digital tools, operational enhancements and menu innovations, strengthening franchisee support and setting the stage for sustainable, long term operations. In …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Princess Polly Plans New U.S. Store Openings

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — a.k.a. Brands Holding Corp., a portfolio of next-generation fashion brands, has fully executed leases for eight new Princess Polly stores across the U.S. and expects to announce additional locations throughout the year. New locations set to open in the second half of 2026 include Houston; Frisco, Texas; Orlando, Fla.; and Edina, Minn., with locations in Jacksonville, Fla.; Nashville, Tenn.; Boca Raton, Fla.; and Charlotte, N.C., opening in early 2027. Princess Polly has strategically grown its U.S. retail footprint in recent years, and this next wave of openings …

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