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Study: Rising Costs Force U.S. Restaurants to Raise Menu Prices, Delay Equipment Upgrades

by Katie Lee

SilverChef’s 2026 Hospitality Operator Report found that while many operators have a positive outlook for the next 12 months, one in four still can’t afford equipment upgrades due to costs Dallas — Rising costs and supply chain disruptions are forcing U.S. hospitality operators to reshape everything, from what they charge diners to the equipment they invest in, according to a new study from SilverChef USA, which provides flexible equipment financing for the hospitality industry. Over two-thirds (68%) of U.S. operators raised menu prices in the past 12 months, and nearly …

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85°C Bakery Cafe Reaches 100 U.S. Locations, Plans to Have 150 By 2030

by Katie Lee

Brea, Calif. — 85°C Bakery Cafe, a Taiwanese bakery-café brand, opened its 100th U.S. location this month at Parker Commons in Aurora, Colo. The opening also introduces the brand to Colorado for the first time. 85°C entered the U.S. market in 2008 and has grown through a differentiated bakery-café model spanning four core categories: breads and pastries, cakes, handcrafted coffee, and tea beverages. As 85°C reaches triple-digit locations and enters Colorado, the brand begins a new stage of growth and works toward 150 U.S. locations by 2030. Cheng-Hsueh Wu founded …

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Lowe’s Becomes First Home Improvement Retailer to Offer Drone Delivery

by Katie Lee

Mooresville, N.C. — Lowe’s has launched drone delivery, the newest fulfillment method for the retailer that delivers select home improvement items directly to DIY and Pro customers in as fast as 20 minutes. This pilot is now live at Lowe’s store in Matthews, N.C., and adds to same-day fulfillment options for customers, including buy online, pick up in store; curbside pickup and same-day delivery. The launch builds on Wing and DoorDash’s existing drone delivery operations in the Charlotte area, adding Lowe’s to the growing list of brands now available for …

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facilities managementNewspeoplesoftware/technologyvendors

Fexa Names Chief Technology & Product Officer

by Katie Lee

Jersey City, N.J. — Fexa, a leading facilities orchestration platform for multi-site operators, welcomes Josh Jabs as chief technology and product officer. Jabs will lead the product and engineering organization and report to CEO Kurt Smith. The role is new to Fexa. “When we looked at our recent growth, the size and pace of our business, and our incredible ambition to lead this industry in the AI era, adding a world-class CTPO was an obvious decision,” says Smith. “Josh was distinctive from my first call. He thinks about problems from …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Starbird Chicken to Expand into Washington with 17 New Restaurants

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Starbird Chicken is expanding its footprint into Washington through a new franchise partnership with Mehta Investment Group. The agreement includes plans to develop 17 locations across Washington state. The expansion marks a significant step in Starbird’s continued growth throughout the Pacific Northwest. The new franchise venture will be led by Vin Mehta and his son Rohit through Mehta Investment Group, a family-owned enterprise with experience across multiple industries and a strong track record of building successful operations. Vin Mehta, president of Mehta Investment Group, will guide the …

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Ollie’s Celebrates 700th Store Opening

by Katie Lee

Harrisburg, Pa. — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc., a fast-growing retailer of brand name closeout merchandise and excess inventory, has opened its 700th store, a major milestone in the company’s continued growth and expansion in the Midwest. The new store is located in Maplewood, Minn. “We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our 700th store in Maplewood, Minn.,” says Eric van der Valk, president and chief executive officer of Ollie’s. “Ollie’s offers real bargains on real brands in a thrilling, fun and quirky environment that is like no other …

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Smokey Mo’s Names VP of Franchise Development to Lead New Texas Growth

by Katie Lee

Cedar Park, Texas — Smokey Mo’s BBQ has named Von Dawson as its vice president of franchise development as the company continues building its footprint across Texas. He joins Smokey Mo’s from Dine Brands Global. In his new role, Dawson will focus on building the brand’s pipeline of qualified franchise partners and expanding its presence in new and existing markets across the state. His appointment comes as Smokey Mo’s continues strengthening the operational foundation behind its franchise growth, with an emphasis on restaurant-level performance, franchisee support and a model built …

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Rural King Opens First Store in New York

by Katie Lee

Mattoon, Ill. — Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, is opening its first store in the state of New York, located in Elmira. Grand opening festivities will take place Sept. 25-27, 2026. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, Rural King has established itself as a cornerstone of the communities it serves. The new Elmira location at 299 S. Main St. includes updates designed to enhance the shopping experience, including mobile and self-checkout options, while maintaining the personal touch that defines Rural King’s customer service. …

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everbowl Names Brand President and Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

San Diego — everbowl®, a superfood franchise with more than 100 locations nationwide, has named Anna Gabele as brand president and Natalie Trzcinski as chief operating officer, adding two veteran restaurant leaders to its executive team. Gabele brings more than 25 years of experience across product development, entrepreneurship, marketing and brand strategy. Before everbowl, she spent nearly 10 years at Jack in the Box. Trzcinski has more than two decades in multi-unit restaurant operations, including 12 years at Jack in the Box, most recently as senior director of training and …

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Harris Teeter Plans $253 Million Investment to Enhance Stores & Expand in Charlotte, NC

by Katie Lee

Matthews, N.C. — Harris Teeter plans to invest approximately $253 million over the next 3 years to refresh and modernize select stores across the Charlotte, N.C., area. The investment also includes the development of three new stores. The investment includes stores throughout the Charlotte metro area, with renovations and enhancements planned for locations such as Fort Mill and Rock Hill, S.C., and Matthews, Waxhaw, Concord and Huntersville, N.C., along with many other communities across the region. In addition, Harris Teeter plans to open three new stores in Fort Mill, S.C., …

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