From The Magazine

Wendy’s Next Generation

by Katie Lee December 13, 2023

— By Katie Lee — The QSR leader never stops innovating — from the current rollout of its new Global Next Gen restaurant design to the highly anticipated launch of its future high-capacity kitchen. It’s hard to imagine that quick-service restaurants once existed without drive-thrus, but someone had to start somewhere. In 1970, Wendy’s Founder Dave Thomas popularized the “Pick-Up Window” at a freestanding Wendy’s restaurant and that innovation became, essentially, one of the first modern drive-thrus. While the pick-up window wasn’t brand new, no one had made it work …

December 13, 2023

Cover Story From The Magazine retailers

In The Bag

by Katie Lee November 10, 2023

— Interview with Don Oakes — Built into every Sea Bags product are style, substance and sustainability — and now these unique, handmade bags from Maine are showcased in 50 U.S. stores and counting. Within the last 4 years, Sea Bags, the designer and manufacturer of stylish and durable bags, totes and accessories handmade from recycled sails, has opened 26 new stores, increased its employee count to 300 — all while keeping up with demand. In order to accommodate the sales demand, the brand expanded its manufacturing space from 10,000 …

November 10, 2023

Cover Story franchise development From The Magazine restaurants

Welcome to (the New) Moe’s

by Katie Lee September 27, 2023

— By Katie Lee — The Southwest-style brand is modernizing its brand positioning with a refresh that is a win-win for customers and franchisees alike. With more than 600 locations nationwide (and counting), Atlanta-based Moe’s Southwest Grill® remains focused on growth — and on flexibility. According to its chief brand officer, Tory Bartlett, Moe’s will continue expanding in new markets and in new formats to meet guests where they are. Thanks to the introduction of new prototypes, Moe’s is able to provide franchisees with flexibility to develop with competitive real …

September 27, 2023

construction and design Cover Story From The Magazine restaurants

Better Together

by Katie Lee August 16, 2023

— By Kristen Hartman — Co-branding the future of QSR — dos and don’ts. The concept of co-branding has resurfaced again as a way for brands to maximize their product and capitalize on the variety of opportunities it allows. The idea is exactly as it sounds: multiple brands partner with each other under one roof to provide a wider variety of products that are complementary to one another. This creates excitement and interest among consumers while allowing the brands to see savings on rent and other costs, all while streamlining …

August 16, 2023

construction and design Cover Story From The Magazine remodels restaurants software/technology

Variety Show

by Katie Lee February 23, 2023

— 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 of Panera these days is keeping its real estate and construction game pretty hot. Currently boasting more than 2,100 bakery-cafes (in 48 states and Ontario, Canada), Panera operates under the Panera Bread® or Saint Louis Bread Co.® names; roughly half of these cafes are company-owned. Never a brand to sit …

February 23, 2023

Cover Story From The Magazine retailers

Customer First

by Katie Lee January 12, 2023

— 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 a hugely successful soft launch of this concept earlier in the year in select locations, including Torrance, California; West Chester Township, Ohio; Lexington, Kentucky; and Cool Springs, Tennessee. The Conshohocken, Pennsylvania-based bridal retailer reopened 25 stores in 2022 and anticipates an estimated 30 new format stores will open in 2023 …

January 12, 2023

construction and design Cover Story franchise development From The Magazine restaurants

Out To Brunch

by Katie Lee December 7, 2022

— Interview with Jeff Sturgis — Another Broken Egg Cafe understands that people crave more in-person, meaningful experiences post-pandemic — and its new “New South” prototype meets people exactly where they want to be. Even before the pandemic, Another Broken Egg Cafe had a sense of where the industry was headed, and what its customers would want. In 2019, it launched a new prototype designed to elevate the in-person brunch experience, with an expanded outdoor patio, as well as a more robust off-premise dining business. The decisions …

December 7, 2022

construction and design Cover Story From The Magazine retailers

Macy’s New Markets

by Katie Lee November 9, 2022

— By Katie Lee — To meet today’s retail consumers where they are, Macy’s offers a new smaller store format, expanded digital conveniences, and sustainable operations. Macy’s, the venerable New York-based department store chain we all know and love, is more than its storied 150-year history, more than its omnipresence in malls all over America, more than its countless Christmas tree lightings and Thanksgiving Day parades in New York and The Miracle on 34th Street movie. It’s a steady leader during unsteady times, an agent of change in a …

November 9, 2022

Cover Story From The Magazine people restaurants

Leading Ladies

by Katie Lee October 7, 2022

— 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 of post-pandemic consumer trends, many brands are searching for innovative ideas that will keep up with the rapid change of pace. Four brands — Mongolian Concepts, Wetzel’s Pretzels, On the Border and Salata — are altering the very way their corporate suites think by diversifying their teams to place more …

October 7, 2022

Cover Story From The Magazine retailers

Keeping Up With Kohl’s

by Katie Lee August 30, 2022

— 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 might bring to mind giant power centers with huge parking fields, Kohl’s is betting on the trend that a smaller footprint can better meet the demands of today’s savvy shopper. Just because the physical space is smaller doesn’t mean big things aren’t happening. With more than 1,100 stores across the …

August 30, 2022

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