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Smoothie King Appoints New President

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King has named Gavin Felder as its new president. The expansion of Felder’s responsibilities reflects the company’s continued growth and momentum, as well as his pivotal role in helping shape its long term strategy. In addition to taking on the president role, Felder will maintain his current responsibilities as chief financial officer. As president and CFO, Felder will take on a larger role in the day-to-day management of the business while continuing to lead the company’s financial strategy, ensuring Smoothie King is well-positioned for its next chapter …

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Newspeopleretailers

Nordstrom Completes Acquisition by Nordstrom Family and Liverpool

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Nordstrom, Inc. has announced that Erik, Pete and Jamie Nordstrom, as well as other members of the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool, S.A.B. de C.V., have completed their all-cash acquisition of Nordstrom for $24.25 per share. Shareholders of the company will also be paid cash dividends of $0.25 per share and $0.1462 per share, reflecting the special cash dividend and a “stub period” quarterly dividend. With the completion of the transaction, Erik and Pete Nordstrom will lead the company as co-CEOs. Nordstrom common stock ceased trading …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Taco John’s Bolsters Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s®, a leading Mexican quick-service restaurant, enhances its leadership team with an internal promotion and new hires. Taco John’s welcomes Tom Perella as vice president of technology and Damian Hanft as vice president of human resources and promotes Kristin Nuss to general counsel and corporate secretary.   Nuss was promoted to general counsel and corporate secretary in January 2025. She joined Taco John’s in May 2021 as associate general counsel and director of franchise compliance and contracts. With over 25 years of experience in the legal field, …

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U-Haul Commemorates 80th Anniversary

by Katie Lee

Phoenix — U-Haul®, the iconic do-it-yourself moving and self-storage leader, is celebrating 80 years of empowering American families with residential mobility. Today, there are more than 24,000 rental locations across all 50 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces. “Moving can be a stressful life event, and for 80 years our job has been to make people’s lives easier through accessibility, affordability and support,” says Navy veteran and U-Haul Co. of Manhattan/Bronx president Jeff Sonberg. “We welcome the chance to care for every customer who needs U-Haul services.” U-Haul was founded …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Pokeworks Sells Out Houston and Signs 10-Unit Agreement in San Antonio

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Pokeworks, a fast-growing fast-casual poke brand has finalized a 10-unit deal in San Antonio and is selling out its available Houston territories. With a goal to open 10 stores in two years, Agustin Guzman will be developing the greater San Antonio market as well as the Rio Grande Valley. Guzman, a former Olympic swimmer and seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience across various industries, currently operates Pokeworks’ McAllen, Texas, location and is in the process of opening his second location in Mission, Texas. “I’ve experienced …

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BH Properties Names Managing Director, Retail Properties

by Katie Lee

Seattle — BH Properties, a vertically integrated, value-add real estate investment firm, has hired Janel Jensen as managing director, retail properties. With deep experience in the Pacific Northwest, Jensen will be based out of BH Properties’ Seattle office and will lead the strategic leasing, merchandising and positioning efforts for the company’s growing portfolio of retail and mixed-use assets across the Pacific Northwest and West Coast. Jensen brings more than a decade of experience shaping vibrant retail environments in both urban cores and suburban mixed-use developments and will play a key …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurantsretailers

Sweetgreen Making Arkansas Debut with 2 Units, Including at Walmart’s New Home Office

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Sweetgreen plans to open its first two locations in Arkansas — a significant step in its expansion across the southern United States. The brand will open in Fayetteville, Ark., later this year, with a second location to follow at Walmart’s new home office in Bentonville, Ark. “Northwest Arkansas is quickly becoming a hub for innovation and growth, and we’re excited to be part of it,” says Christopher Tarrant, chief development officer at Sweetgreen. “Opening on Walmart’s forward-thinking new home office campus and in Fayetteville, home of the …

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construction and designNewspeopleretailers

Books-A-Million Names Real Estate Leadership Promotions

by Katie Lee

Birmingham, Ala. — At Books-A-Million, Rick Franz has been promoted to executive vice president of real estate, while Jack Fleming has been promoted to vice president of real estate. The company has also welcomed Pete Turner to the team as real estate manager. Since joining Books-A-Million, Franz has made significant contributions to our stores and our team, bringing strategic insight and leadership to the real estate department. In his new role, Franz will continue to shape the future of Books-A-Million’s store positioning and growth. Fleming has been a valued member …

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kitchen equipmentNewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Playa Bowls and Bikky Team Up to Improve Data Access

by Katie Lee

New York City — Bikky, a customer data platform built exclusively for multi-unit restaurants, has partnered with with Playa Bowls, the nation’s leading acai shop, serving superfruit bowls, smoothies, juices and more with sustainability and community in mind. Playa Bowls started as a makeshift pop-up in Belmar, N.J., in front of a pizzeria. The brand expanded from a single blender and a small cart to more than 300 U.S. locations in just 11 years. With ambitious plans to add another 90 shops in 2025 and a need to improve its …

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PVI Releases Updated Version of Conquest® Water Heaters

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — PVI, a Watts brand, introduces enhanced Conquest® compact, condensing, semi-instantaneous, firetube water heaters that have improved thermal efficiency, optimized pump placement and superior return on investment (ROI). The new Conquest offers commercial facility owners and managers three key benefits: • Enhanced Thermal Efficiency: The upgraded straight firetube heat exchanger design increases the Conquest’s thermal efficiency to an impressive 98% across all inputs, making it one of the most energy-efficient models available. • Optimized Pump Placement: The pump is now strategically positioned at the front and side of …

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