News

Williams-Sonoma Named to Barron’s List of 100 Most Sustainable Companies

by Katie Lee March 13, 2023

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma, Inc., a digital-first, design-led and sustainable home retailer, has been recognized by Barron’s as one of the 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023. The annual list honors the top 100 of the country’s 1,000 largest publicly traded companies for their achievements and efforts related to various environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has been recognized by Barron’s every year since the inception of the list 6 years ago and is the only exclusive home-furnishings retailer to be included. “Our commitment to sustainability is one …

March 13, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

WaBa Grill to Expand in Arizona with 10 New Units

by Katie Lee March 13, 2023

Anaheim Hills, Calif. — WaBa Grill, one of the nation’s leading healthy rice bowl chains, has recently inked a multi-unit development deal that will significantly expand its presence in Arizona. Signed by longtime WaBa Grill franchisee Jerry Bajwa of Bajwa Group of Companies, the new Arizona development deal paves the way for 10 WaBa Grill locations to open throughout Maricopa and Pima counties within the next 7 years. Bajwa, who currently owns and operates 19 successful WaBa Grill restaurants in Southern California, plus the brand’s lone Arizona location in Tempe, …

March 13, 2023

News retailers

BJ’s Wholesale Club to Add 5 New Clubs in 2023, Including its First in Alabama

by Katie Lee March 13, 2023

Marlborough, Mass. — BJ’s Wholesale Club, a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, is adding five clubs to its growing portfolio across the United States. The expansion includes plans for a new club in Madison, Ala., increasing BJ’s retail footprint to 20 states. BJ’s will also open clubs in Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; Johnson City, N.Y.; Lewis Center, Ohio; and North Jacksonville, Fla. These clubs add to BJ’s 2023 roster of openings, following the retailer’s newest locations in Davenport, Fla., and McDonough, Ga., as well as the recent announcement of BJ’s …

March 13, 2023

News restaurants signage software/technology vendors

Palmer Digital Group to Digitize Menu Boards for High-End QSR Chain

by Katie Lee March 10, 2023

Aurora, Ill. — Palmer Digital Group, a full-service supplier and installer of custom indoor and outdoor digital kiosks, display enclosures and drive-thru digital menu boards, has been selected by The Patio, a high-end QSR specializing in barbeque, sandwiches and salads, to digitize interior and exterior menu board systems at its six Chicago-area locations. PDG’s menu board solutions will completely modernize the in-store and drive-thru customer experience while accelerating the appearance of price adjustments, new menu additions, limited time offers and more across storewide menu board systems. PDG’s solution for The …

March 10, 2023

News retailers

Dick’s Sporting Goods to Open 75-100 New House of Sport Stores Over Next 5 Years

by Katie Lee March 9, 2023

Pittsburgh — Dick’s Sporting Goods plans to open as many as “75 to 100” new House of Sport stores over the next 5 years, according to Lauren Hobart, CEO of the Pittsburgh-based retailer. House of Sport is a retail concept that provides interaction and experiences including putting greens, rock walls, batting cages and turf baseball fields, along with sports-related apparel and equipment for sale. There are currently three House of Sports stores in Rochester, N.Y.; Knoxville, Tenn.; and Minnetonka, Minn. “House of Sport will be a significant part of our …

March 9, 2023

construction and design News restaurants

First KAO Bar & Grill, a Container Restaurant, to Open in April

by Katie Lee March 9, 2023

Miami — Co-founder Matias Pagano and The KAO Group — the minds behind South America’s Sushi Club concepts, as well as KAO Sushi & Grill in Coral Gables, Fla., and J&J Fresh Kitchen in Boca Raton, Fla. — are set to open the first KAO Bar & Grill concept in Hallandale Beach this April. The two-story restaurant will be the area’s first container project, adding a contemporary and vibrant spin to the neighborhood with colorful hand-painted murals by artist Falopapas and flavorful Argentine grill-inspired cuisine. The entire two-story, 5,000-square-foot restaurant, …

March 9, 2023

franchise development News retailers

Pet Supplies Plus Acquires 20 Loyal Companion Pet Stores

by Katie Lee March 8, 2023

Livonia, Mich. — Pet Supplies Plus, the largest independent pet retailer in North America with over 660 stores in 41 states, and Wag N’ Wash, the emerging grooming, self-wash and natural pet food franchise, are expanding in the Northeastern United States through their latest acquisition of 20 Loyal Companion pet stores from their parent company, Independent Pet Partners. Of these 20 stores located in Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire and Virginia, 10 will be Pet Supplies Plus stores and 10 will be Wag N’ Wash stores. “This is an incredible …

March 8, 2023

News people restaurants

Church’s Texas Chicken Names New EVP, Global Chief Marketing Officer

by Katie Lee March 8, 2023

Atlanta — Quick-service chicken restaurant chain Church’s Texas Chicken® has hired Natalia Franco as executive vice president, global chief marketing officer role on March 6, bringing more than 30 years of executive leadership experience to the brand. In her new role, Franco is responsible for providing a strategic vision for the brand and creatively leading marketing ideation, brand execution and digital prowess across the organization to drive brand awareness and positioning, resulting in continued growth and stronger franchise relationships. “I’m thrilled to join this iconic brand as it continues on …

March 8, 2023

News people retailers

MarineMax Promotes Chief Accounting Officer to EVP, Finance

by Katie Lee March 8, 2023

Clearwater, Fla. — MarineMax, Inc., the world’s largest recreational boat, yacht and superyacht company, has promoted Anthony E. Cassella, Jr. to executive vice president, finance, in addition to his current title as chief accounting officer. Cassella has served as vice president of MarineMax since February 2016, and chief accounting officer since October 2014 at which time he was appointed an executive officer of the company. Since joining MarineMax in 1998, Cassella has excelled in numerous positions of increasing responsibility, including director of accounting and shared services from October 2007 until …

March 8, 2023

News people software/technology vendors

POS Leader LINGA Appoints New VP of Sales

by Katie Lee March 7, 2023

Naples, Fla. — LINGA rOS, the all-in-one cloud-based restaurant operating system provider, has appointed Daymion Phelps as its new vice president of sales. She joins LINGA from Heartland Retail. Phelps brings more than 20 years of retail automation solution sales and consulting experience to LINGA with a deep background in the point-of-sale, SaaS and payment solutions industries. Phelps was most recently the director of sales for Heartland Retail, where she focused on providing point-of-sale solutions to growing small business, mid-market and enterprise retailers. Phelps’ professional software sales career began with …

March 7, 2023

Newer Posts

Older Posts