From The Magazine

It’s Grow Time

by Katie Lee July 28, 2022

— 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 hip and Instagrammable…sports a really cool name…and offers a cool, unique vibe — and even cooler desserts. With delectable culinary influences that range from France and Belgium to Hong Kong, the one-of-a-kind concept can’t be pinned down to any one region — even in L.A. This year, The Dolly Llama …

July 28, 2022

Cover Story From The Magazine restaurants retailers vendors

Smart Solution

by Katie Lee May 19, 2022

— 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 installed HydroPoint smart irrigation controllers to optimize landscape irrigation at more than 900 of its stores. Each year, the controllers reduce water use at these facilities by about 650 million gallons, saving Lowe’s an estimated $5 million in total water costs.1 Because water treatment and pumping use a lot of …

May 19, 2022

Cover Story From The Magazine restaurants

At Your Service

by Katie Lee April 27, 2022

— 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 first Famous Dave’s opened in Hayward, Wisconsin, BBQ Holdings, Inc. continues to innovate and invigorate. Testing new prototype designs — including its first drive-thru model — and acquiring complementary brands are just two of the ways in which Famous Dave’s propels its impressive growth trajectory. In mid-March, Retail & Restaurant …

April 27, 2022

construction and design Cover Story From The Magazine remodels retailers

In For A Sweet Treat

by Katie Lee March 31, 2022

— 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 like no other is currently undergoing a makeover at Ghirardelli Chocolate’s historic shops in San Francisco. The three flagship locations — the Ghirardelli Chocolate Experience Store, the Original Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop, and Ghirardelli On-the-Go — will undergo phased renovations this spring and summer. R&R: Before we discuss …

March 31, 2022

construction and design Cover Story franchise development From The Magazine restaurants

Quality Over Quantity

by Katie Lee March 4, 2022

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, The Hummus & Pita Co. views 2022, the year of its 10th anniversary, as a chance to reset and refocus: a fresh slate to reenergize its Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food roots and not to stray from its core philosophy: “real food that’s real good.” And that goes for each …

March 4, 2022

Cover Story franchise development From The Magazine retailers

Winning Store Strategy

by Katie Lee January 27, 2022

— 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 last 18 months, Winmark – the Resale Company® — the definitive leader in the resale retail arena — saw a marked uptick in demand for quality used clothing, fitness, sporting goods, music gear and baby items. As the parent company to Once Upon A Child®, Plato’s Closet®, Play It Again …

January 27, 2022

construction and design Cover Story From The Magazine remodels restaurants

Speaking to the Next Generation

by Katie Lee January 4, 2022

— 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 year was 2018 and a new design called ‘American Showman’ was rolling out, marking a new era of expansion for KFC following 10 years of downsizing. At the time, the company’s U.S. development goal was to become a 5,000-unit franchise once more. Now, 3 years and a global pandemic later, …

January 4, 2022

Cover Story From The Magazine retailers

Power Play

by Katie Lee November 29, 2021

— 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 Batteries Plus continues to power through. The Hartland, Wisconsin-based franchisor of 700+ stores stayed open, remained fully stocked, and offered stability and support infrastructure for its franchisees throughout the pandemic. Now with a renewed focus on signing multi-unit operators, Batteries Plus plans to open 30 new stores this year and …

November 29, 2021

construction and design Cover Story From The Magazine restaurants

Change In The Air

by Katie Lee November 4, 2021

— 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, …

November 4, 2021

Cover Story franchise development From The Magazine retailers

Dog Days

by Katie Lee October 4, 2021

— 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 dogs and their humans. As the saying goes, “Pets are people too.” And lucky are the dogs who get to experience day care at Phoenix-based Dogtopia, which currently operates 166 locations across 35 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, when …

October 4, 2021

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