Houston — Airport hospitality group OTG is unveiling Starbucks’ first airport Pick Up concept, with three initial locations opening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in IAH Terminal E this fall. Starbucks Pick Up will be exclusively designed for mobile orders — quick pickup without the wait — offering convenience, comfort and guaranteed immediacy to meet the needs of digitally savvy, ‘on-the-go’ travelers. Tailored for the airport environment, all stores will reflect Starbucks’ signature design DNA, featuring warm wood tones, fresh green accents and botanical art pieces inspired by the coffee’s …
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Vestar and ASU Partner to Launch First-Ever ‘Cool Pavement Project’ at a Commercial Shopping Center
Phoenix — Vestar, one of the leading privately held shopping center owners and managers in the western United States, has joined forces with Arizona State University’s (ASU) Southwest Integrated Field Laboratory (SW-IFL) to launch the first-ever ‘Cool Pavement Project’ at a commercial retail center. The partnership comes on the heels of this summer’s record-breaking heat and aims to help mitigate elevated temperatures in communities dense with impervious and solar-absorbing materials — known as the ‘Urban Heat Island Effect.’ As stewards of the communities it serves in, Vestar is invested in …
Detroit — Sullivan’s Steakhouse has opened the doors of its newest restaurant in Detroit. Located at 1128 Washington Blvd., inside the newly transformed Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, the 9,300-square-foot restaurant space is the brand’s first location in Michigan and 15th in the United States. The one-of-a-kind steakhouse offers guests bone-in and hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and signature cocktails with the sounds of live, local jazz music in a friendly, familiar atmosphere. “Detroit is a such a unique city with rich traditions and a storied history. It cannot be matched and …
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Automotive retailer AutoNation, Inc. has appointed Jeff Parent as its new chief operating officer (COO). With extensive experience in senior executive roles spanning sales, supply chain management and business strategy, Parent brings a wealth of expertise to lead the company’s operational and strategic initiatives. His start date is expected to be Oct. 16, 2023. As COO, Parent will play a pivotal role in AutoNation’s continuous efforts to drive growth, enhance operational efficiency and provide exceptional customer experiences across its extensive network of locations. “Jeff Parent is …
Dallas — French-founded and French-owned la Madeleine has appointed seasoned industry executive Mark Ramage as senior director of franchise development, effective immediately. The newly appointed executive wants to attract experienced restaurant operators and investors to the brand, with the ambitious goal to sign and develop 50-100 new locations in the next 5 years. Ramage has more than 20 years of experience in the franchise development industry, with success spearheading development strategy, sales and real estate across multiple franchise restaurant and quick service brands. He has held leadership titles at a …
Tucson, Ariz. — Bass Pro Shops plans to open a new destination retail store in Tucson, Ariz., in late 2024. The opening of the Outdoor World will mark the third Bass Pro Shops location in Arizona, as it continues to expand its presence in the Southwest. “We are very excited about this opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the sportsmen and women of southern Arizona,” says Johnny Morris, conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops. “This new store will make it easier for the people and families who love to …
Oakland, N.J. — Amerlux, an award-winning design-and-manufacture lighting company, has announced that its president and CEO, Chuck Campagna, has been appointed as the head of the Building Solutions Americas Business Unit (BSABU) at parent company Delta Electronics, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions. Campagna has achieved record growth at Amerlux since becoming the company’s top executive in 1999. He will maintain his current position at Amerlux while leading Delta’s BSABU. “With his vision, strong interpersonal skills and dedication, we are confident that BSABU will serve as a …
Lansing, Mich. — Erin Kaylor , a franchise veteran and finance leader, is joining BIGGBY® COFFEE as chief financial officer. As the brand approaches important growth milestones with over 360 units open and another 140 in development, Kaylor will serve a crucial role in supporting the entire system through its next stage of development. “I’m a CPA and an accountant by trade, but the vast majority of my career was spent in the finance organization of McDonald’s,” says Kaylor. “This new role fits very nicely because I have a lot …
North Brunswick, N.J. — This month, Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey (GSCSNJ) have unveiled a new Girl Scout DreamLab, a cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind space for girls to discover, create and collaborate. The GSCSNJ team becomes the third council in the nation and the first on the East Coast to open a DreamLab. (Earlier this year, DreamLabs opened in Denver and Gonzales, La.) A DreamLab is a state-of-the-art space designed to empower girls and provide endless opportunities for exploration. From engaging in STEM projects to podcasting, performing on stage …
Atlanta — Smalls Sliders, a fast-growing cheeseburger slider concept, has crossed 100 units under development. This milestone is also notable because the brand only just recently reopened franchising opportunities in early 2023. Smalls Sliders currently has nine locations open in Louisiana, with a solid pipeline of new locations set to open in states including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and Texas. Smalls Sliders has consistently signed multi-unit agreements with prominent franchise groups and multi-brand operators alike, ultimately propelling the brand to cross the triple-digit unit mark. Leading …