Variety Show

— Interview with Eduardo Luz —   Panera puts on a show with several new design formats catering to the needs of an increasingly digital and off-premise guest.   If variety is the spice of life, the many evolving iterations

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Customer First

— By Katie Lee —   David’s Bridal exists for magical moments — and puts customers front and center its new store format.     In November 2022, David’s Bridal announced plans to debut a new store format systemwide, following

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Leading Ladies

— By Paige Ward —   Women who lead from executive-level positions are bringing much needed diversity, strength and stability to a rebounding restaurant industry during uncertain times.     With the quick-service restaurant industry drastically shifting as a result

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Keeping Up With Kohl’s

— By Katie Lee —   Kohl’s expands with smaller-format stores, including Sephora in-store shops; launches new digital conveniences; and reduces its environmental impact.     Kohl’s is going big …by strategically going small. While some traditional discount department stores

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It’s Grow Time

— Interview with Eric Shomof —   After a slowdown in franchising due to the pandemic, Los Angeles-based The Dolly Llama views 2022 as the “year of growth.”     The Dolly Llama is synonymous with L.A. It’s funky and

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Smart Solution

— By Meg Mason — How Lowe’s has reduced water use and its carbon footprint with smart irrigation.   Lowe’s is focused on reducing its environmental impact while also increasing the efficiency of its operations. To address these goals, Lowe’s

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At Your Service

— Interview with Jeff Crivello — Famous Dave’s expands its first line-service model and even adds a drive-thru as it grows through ghost kitchens, virtual brands, dual concepts, and strategic acquisitions of complementary brands.   Nearly 30 years after the

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In For A Sweet Treat

— Interview with Justin Reese —   Ghirardelli Chocolate Company enters its 170th year with major renovation plans for its iconic Ghirardelli Square flagship locations in San Francisco.     As experiential retail returns across the country, an elevated experience

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Quality Over Quantity

The Hummus & Pita Co., which marks its 10th anniversary this year, keeps its location count low and its bar for quality high.   — By Katie Lee —   With two years of pandemic-related upheaval in the rearview mirror,

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Winning Store Strategy

— Interview with Renae Gaudette —   Winmark Corporation’s 1,270+ stores have made their mark on the resale retail industry during unprecedented times — and continue to lead the way.     While traditional retail took a dive over the

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Speaking to the Next Generation

— By Katie Lee —   KFC eyes 2022 with a new, urban-oriented evolution of its prototype design, focused on customer convenience and digital efficiency.     When Retail & Restaurant Facility Business last featured KFC on its cover, the

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Power Play

— By Katie Lee —   Powering through the pandemic, Batteries Plus continues to see a boost in business through multi-unit franchising.     It goes without saying just how challenging the past 18 months have been for retailers, but

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Change In The Air

— 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

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Dog Days

— Interview with Neil Gill —   As the leader in dog daycare, Dogtopia is on track to open 50 new locations this year through robust retail franchising and a business model that focuses on overall wellness — for the

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Convenience Through COVID

— By Katie Lee — Farmer Boys marks its 40th anniversary with a new post-pandemic appreciation for quality and convenience.   As Farmer Boys celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, the Riverside, California-based fast-casual concept recalls a memorable, milestone 2020

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Pet Project

— By Katie Lee — How Cincinnati-based boutique retailer, Pet Wants, is both a growing cause and a growing company.   We’ve heard all about the pandemic’s doom-and-gloom effect on retail, but 2020 actually ended up being a boon to

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Modern Visionary

— Interview by Katie Lee — Burger King unveils a new visual design for a bold, modern future.   When Burger King, one of the founding titans of the fast food hamburger industry since 1954, creates a completely new visual

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Supplies & Demand

— Interview by Katie Lee —   Demand for pets — and pet supplies — soared during the pandemic. Here’s how Pet Supplies Plus is meeting the moment.     Raise your hand if you adopted a new pet during

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Driving Force

Just in time for its 50th anniversary, Schlotzsky’s rolls out two new prototypes with plans to build on lessons learned during COVID-19. — By Katie Lee —   At Schlotzsky’s, the drive-thru has always been a driving force of its

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Making the Cut

— Interview with Greg Smith —   Sport Clips Haircuts proves how essential its service is with a thriving franchise system of more than 1,800 stores and locations in all 50 states.   As many of us realized very soon

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Plans in Motion

— Interview with Tim Welsh, Chief Development Officer — QDOBA was already making key changes prior to the pandemic.   With a variety of smaller floor plans and a revamped digital suite already in the works pre-COVID, QDOBA Mexican Eats

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Edible + Adaptable

— Interview with Patricia Perry, Vice President, Franchise Development, Edible — Edible was ready when the pandemic hit.   When the pandemic hit, Edible was ready. It already had a dedicated delivery model, made possible by a robust fleet of

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Jersey Mike’s Great Ride

— By Katie Lee — Even during a pandemic, Jersey Mike’s continues to grow and evolve — adding 200 stores this year and fully funding the ongoing retrofits of its 1,800+ locations.   Ten years ago, Retail & Restaurant Facility

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Experiential to E-Commerce

— By Mandy Nowels —   Pivoting an experience-based brand online during quarantines and lockdowns: how The Spice & Tea Exchange quickly shifted focus from experiential to e-commerce.   By April of 2020, 97% of our spice and tea specialty

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Great Food Fuels Growth

— By Katie Lee — How Slim Chickens is not only surviving — but thriving — during COVID-19.   During the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, Slim Chickens was able to turn on a dime: transforming its parking lots into

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Here to Help

— Interview with Christina Cornell — The Home Depot, which remains open during COVID-19, prioritizes the safety of its employees and customers, while still getting the job done.   The Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement specialty retailer,

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Healthy Track Record

— By Katie Lee —   Tropical Smoothie Cafe has opened more than 100 restaurants each year for the past 3 years — and continues to grow on pace to reach 1,000 locations by 2021.   When Retail & Restaurant

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