News

Smoothie King to Open More Than 100 Stores in 2023

by Katie Lee February 3, 2023

Dallas — Smoothie King, the world’s largest smoothie chain and the first health and fitness QSR brand of its kind, signed franchise and area development agreements in 2022 to add over 160 stores to new and existing markets. More than half of the signed agreements are with existing franchisees. In addition to bolstering its development pipeline, Smoothie King opened 77 new stores in 2022 in key target markets, including Albany, N.Y.; Cleveland, Ohio; and Washington, D.C. Smoothie King is forecasted to open more than 100 locations in 2023. “Over the …

February 3, 2023

News restaurants software/technology vendors

Presto Named Supplier of the Year for Innovation by Checkers & Rally’s

by Katie Lee February 2, 2023

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., the largest drive-thru automation technology provider in the hospitality industry, has been awarded the Supplier of the Year Innovation Award for 2022 by iconic drive-thru restaurant chain Checkers & Rally’s. Presto has been recognized for successfully delivering and scaling its A.I.-powered voice assistant, Presto VoiceTM, at hundreds of Checkers & Rally’s drive-thru restaurants nationwide. Over the past year, Presto Voice has consistently demonstrated that drive-thru A.I.-driven voice automation can significantly lower labor costs while simultaneously driving up revenue. “We announced a rollout of …

February 2, 2023

News retailers

ALDI Opens Distribution Center in Alabama to Support 100 Stores in Gulf Coast Region

by Katie Lee February 2, 2023

Loxley, Ala. — On Jan. 31, 2023, ALDI unveiled a new regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Ala., which will ultimately serve as many as 100 stores across the Gulf Coast. The 564,000-square-foot facility is the grocer’s 26th regional headquarters and distribution center. “At a time when inflation is putting pressure on American wallets, we believe our mission to save people money on the food and products they need is more important than ever,” says Heather Moore, ALDI divisional vice president for the Loxley region. “We are thrilled to …

February 2, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Crisp & Green Inks Largest Multi-Unit Deal in Company History with 40 Units Sold

by Katie Lee February 2, 2023

Minneapolis — STEELE BRANDS®, a Minnesota-based company known for establishing and developing healthy lifestyle restaurants, including its flagship brand CRISP & GREEN®, has signed a record-breaking 40-unit Crisp & Green development deal franchise partner Salads & Smoothies, LLC. This milestone comes at a time when the brand is embarking on its busiest year yet with a goal of 50 locations slated to open across 15 additional states before the end of 2023. This new 40-unit development agreement adds to Salad & Smoothies’ existing 11-unit agreement with CRISP & GREEN, totaling …

February 2, 2023

News people retailers

Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc. Names New COO

by Katie Lee February 1, 2023

Chicago — Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc. (CBH) has hired Mike Brewer as the chief operating officer. Brewer brings a broad range of experience, including 20 years at Nike, Inc. where he served in a variety of roles spanning sourcing, manufacturing and supply chain. Starting February 1, 2023, Brewer will oversee operations for CBH’s entire portfolio of industry-leading brands that includes Crate & Barrel, CB2, Crate & Kids and Hudson Grace. “I look forward to the leadership and expertise Mike will bring to CBH with his customer-centric and purpose-driven mindset,” …

February 1, 2023

construction and design News restaurants

After Successful Pop-Up, pastaRAMEN to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant

by Katie Lee January 31, 2023

Montclair, N.J. — After gaining a cult following during its 2-year run as an exclusive, invite-only pop-up, pastaRAMEN is debuting its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Montclair, N.J., in early February. The first-ever Italian ramen shop marries Japanese and Italian cuisines in a style called “Wafu-Italian,” which blends ingredients, textures and techniques from both worlds. “The response we received from our pop-ups in Seattle, Jersey City, Miami and Los Angeles was overwhelmingly positive, so when it became clear that there was an appetite for pastaRAMEN and this new type of cuisine, …

January 31, 2023

News people retailers

Williams-Sonoma Updates Leadership Team with 4 Key Promotions

by Katie Lee January 31, 2023

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has made 4 internal leadership updates that will further strengthen the business strategy and efficiencies of the Pottery Barn brands as well as the company’s global business and marketing departments. “Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is known for developing leaders and attracting the best talent in the industry,” says Laura Alber, president and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. “These leadership moves, coupled with our recent appointment of Day Kornbluth as the new president of West Elm, positions us with an incredibly strong team.” Pottery Barn’s president, Marta Benson, will …

January 31, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Dine Brands International Expands with Dual-Brand Locations in the Middle East

by Katie Lee January 31, 2023

Glendale, Calif. — Dine Brands International, an affiliate of Dine Brands Global, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP® and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® restaurants, has opened a dual-brand Applebee’s and IHOP location in the United Arab Emirates and plans to open a minimum of 4 additional locations in the Middle East in partnership with established franchisees Eagles Landing International Restaurants and Kout Food Group. Eagles Landing International Restaurants opened its first dual-brand location in the UAE at the Dubai Festival City Mall on January 21 and …

January 31, 2023

construction and design News retailers

Saks Strengthens Commitment to Men’s Business Online and In Stores

by Katie Lee January 30, 2023

New York City — Saks has unveiled a new men’s shopping experience on the seventh floor of Saks Fifth Avenue’s New York flagship store and expanded its menswear assortment online as part of the luxury retailer’s ongoing commitment to its men’s business. The 40,000-square-foot advanced designer and contemporary ready-to-wear department offers more than 70 brands — 23 of which are new to the store — and features shop-in-shops by key men’s brands including CELINE, Dior Men, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and more. “Our men’s business has experienced significant growth over the …

January 30, 2023

construction and design News restaurants

In-N-Out Burger to Expand to Tennessee, Plans to Open First Restaurant by 2026

by Katie Lee January 30, 2023

Franklin, Tenn. — In-N-Out Burger, a popular fast-food chain based in California, plans to expand to Tennessee, beginning with a regional office in the Nashville suburb of Franklin. The company plans to open its first Tennessee restaurant in the Nashville area by 2026, which represents the furthest east location for In-N-Out. “We are very excited to provide Tennesseans with our quality burgers, fries and shakes,” says Lynsi Snyder, In-N-Out owner and president. “This expansion is significant for our company. For many years, we’ve heard requests from our customers in Tennessee …

January 30, 2023

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