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IT’SUGAR Revamps & Relocates Store at Woodfield Mall Near Chicago

by Katie Lee

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — IT’SUGAR, one of the largest specialty candy retailers in the U.S., has relocated its current location in the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Ill., to an upgraded 5,600-square-foot storefront — nearly double the size of the previous location. The Woodfield Mall location is the fifth IT’SUGAR store in the Chicago market. “IT’SUGAR is more than a candy store,” says Jonathan Schwartz, vice president real estate of IT’SUGAR. “We deliver a candy experience unlike any other, bringing your favorite brands to life with bright colors, hilariously entertaining displays …

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construction and designfranchise developmentgreen building/LEEDNewsrestaurants

Canada-based CRAFT Restaurant & Beer Market to Open First U.S. Location

by Katie Lee

Vancouver, B.C. — CRAFT Restaurant & Beer Market plans to open its first U.S. location at Preston Center in Dallas in early 2026. This marks the company’s highly anticipated entry into the American market, building on its success across Canada. The flagship U.S. location will feature more than 100 beers on tap — including local Texas brews — along with cocktails, wine and a globally inspired menu of scratch-made dishes. In 2019, PJ L’Heureux, founder of CRAFT, partnered with Tom Gaglardi, owner of the Dallas Stars and the highly successful …

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construction and designgreen building/LEEDgreen newsNewsretailers

Walmart Unveils New 350-Acre Campus in Bentonville, Arkansas

by Katie Lee

Bentonville, Ark. — On Jan. 17, Walmart unveiled its New Home Office campus in Northwest Arkansas, a 350-acre sustainably designed workplace that establishes a new standard for corporate headquarters, one that prioritizes worker well-being, environmental stewardship and public accessibility. The state-of-the art campus represents a multibillion-dollar investment in associate experience environmental leadership and community development, featuring mass timber construction, smart building technology, offices designed to be powered by renewable energy and seamless integration with Downtown Bentonville. The phased opening approach will continue throughout 2025, with the inaugural celebration marking the …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Yum! Brands Promotes Taco Bell President to CEO of KFC Division

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has promoted Scott Mezvinsky to KFC division chief executive officer, reporting to Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs, effective March 1, 2025. Mezvinsky, a 20-year veteran of the company who currently serves as president of Taco Bell North America and international, will succeed Sabir Sami, who is stepping down as KFC CEO at the end of February. Mezvinsky will assume global responsibility for driving the brand strategy and performance of KFC. “Scott is one of Yum! Brands’ most respected leaders, with more than 20 years …

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construction and designmanagementNewspeoplesoftware/technologyvendors

Apex Imaging Services Builds on World Class Team, Hires Bureau Veritas Executive

by Katie Lee

Pomona, Calif. — Apex Imaging Services welcomes former Target and Bureau Veritas executive Blake Brosa to its leadership team. He joins Apex with nearly 20 years of AEC management and business development leadership experience. Previously, Brosa spent 6 years with Target Corporation in various property development roles and the last decade with Bureau Veritas, where he oversaw sales, marketing, strategy and client experience. “Retailers are seeking single-source solutions and partners that can truly deliver at scale,” says Brosa. “I was immediately impressed by Apex’s differentiated self-perform capabilities, investment in its …

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Newspeopleretailers

Target Makes Several Changes and Promotions Across Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation has made a number of changes across its leadership team to position Target for success in 2025 and beyond. Mark Schindele, executive vice president and chief stores officer, will be retiring after 25 years with Target. Adrienne Costanzo, senior vice president, store operations, will be Target’s next chief stores officer. Since joining the company in 1999, Schindele has served in multiple roles spanning merchandising and operations. Over the past 5 years as chief stores officer, he led the stores organization through the pandemic and during the …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

GoTo Foods Names New Chief Brand Officer of Cinnabon

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — GoTo Foods, parent company of the Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s® brands, has appointed Urvi Patel as the chief brand officer of Cinnabon. As chief brand officer, Patel will be responsible for providing executive-level guidance on brand strategy, managing marketing efforts and developing key operational strategies to drive financial growth and ensure franchise success for the brand. “Urvi’s appointment as Cinnabon’s new chief brand officer presents significant opportunities for the iconic brand,” says Shelly Harris, chief operating officer at GoTo Foods. …

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JOANN Files for Second Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

by Katie Lee

New York City — Fabrics and crafts retailer JOANN, which operates roughly 800 stores in 49 states, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, marking its second filing within a year. JOANN first filed for bankruptcy in March 2024. According to a statement issued by the company, JOANN has faced “significant and lasting challenges in the retail environment,” as well as “constrained inventory levels.” The retailer’s current debt totals $615 million, according to CNN. The company is now planning to sell all its assets, with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners — …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Krispy Krunchy Chicken Names Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Krispy Krunchy Chicken®, one of the fastest-growing hot food concepts in the convenience store business with over 3,200 locations, has appointed Jim Zielke as its chief financial officer. Zielke will report to CEO Jim Norberg. Zielke most recently served as the chief financial officer for the Peruvian-inspired restaurant brand Viva Chicken Holdings, LLC, where he oversaw finance, human resources, legal and IT departments for the company. He brings over 30 years of experience in the industry. “Jim has a wealth of knowledge and experience from the chicken and …

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construction and designNewsretailerssoftware/technologyvendors

Sensei Debuts World’s Largest Autonomous Supermarket

by Katie Lee

New York City — Sensei, a global leader in autonomous retail technology, recently debuted its groundbreaking autonomous supermarket at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, which took place in New York City from Jan. 12-14. Sensei introduces real-time basket technology and an autonomous experience with assisted sales — transforming customer convenience and operational efficiency. “Sensei’s technology goes beyond eliminating checkout lines — it enhances the entire shopping journey while providing retailers with invaluable real-time data to optimize their operations,” says Vasco Portugal, CEO and co-founder of Sensei. “We’re excited to bring …

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