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Five Guys Extends Partnership with SoundHound AI

by Katie Lee

Santa Clara, Calif. — SoundHound AI, Inc., a global leader in voice and conversational AI, has expanded its relationship with Five Guys, one of the nation’s most iconic burger brands. The renewal highlights the strength of the collaboration, as SoundHound’s AI-powered ordering agents have already supported Five Guys in processing well over 1 million customer AI interactions to date. The fast-casual favorite and industry innovator already offers an AI-powered ordering experience across hundreds of locations and will be giving franchisees the option of offering them more through this agreement. Five …

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The Vitamin Shoppe Opens ‘Innovation Store’ on New York City’s Upper East Side

by Katie Lee

Secaucus, N.J. —The Vitamin Shoppe®, an omnichannel specialty retailer of nutritional products, has opened a new Innovation Store on the Upper East Side of New York City, located at 157 East 86th St. between Lexington and Third avenues. The new store brings The Vitamin Shoppe’s innovation-forward design format to one of the city’s most vibrant retail corridors. This location is the first to introduce Shoppe Advisor, The Vitamin Shoppe’s AI-powered, interactive discovery tool designed to enhance in-store education, engagement and personalization. Via a digital touchscreen, Shoppe Advisor provides instant access …

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FAT Brands Inc. Files Voluntary Chapter 11 Petitions to Bolster Capital Structure

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has commenced voluntary chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. FAT Brands plans to use the filings to deleverage the balance sheet, maximize value for its stakeholders and support continued growth of its brands. FAT Brands’ portfolio of 18 restaurant concepts encompasses more than 2,200 locations worldwide. Iconic brands such as Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and Round Table Pizza, among others, are expected to remain operating as usual during the chapter 11 process. “Our dynamic …

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Bricks & Minifigs Surpasses 300th Store, Doubling Growth in Just 2 Years

by Katie Lee

Orem, Utah — Bricks & Minifigs, an authorized LEGO® reseller specializing in buying, trading and selling LEGO® products, surpassed 300 stores in 2025. Through its buy, sell and trade model, each location gives unused LEGO items a second life with new builders, demonstrating the company’s continued success as a franchise-driven, in-person retailer. Since 2023, Bricks & Minifigs has opened 150 stores, marking one of the most accelerated periods of growth in its history. “When I first joined Bricks & Minifigs as CEO in 2018, we had just 35 franchisees operating, …

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Gong Cha 2.0: Bubble-Tea Leader Rolls Out New, Innovative, Efficient Store Model

by Katie Lee

Boston — Gong cha, a leading worldwide bubble tea brand, has unveiled its global Gong cha 2.0 initiative: a comprehensive digital, operational and design refresh to optimize profitability, efficiency and scalability for franchisees — as well as improve the guest experience. This global rollout combines two key technologies — Super Wu beverage automation and self-order kiosks — with a modernized store design to streamline operations, reduce labor demands and improve throughput without compromising quality or hospitality. “Gong cha 2.0 is engineered for today’s operators,” says Geoff Henry, president of Gong …

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The Buckle’s EVP of Stores and SVP of Sales to Retire

by Katie Lee

Kearney, Neb. — The Buckle, Inc. has announced that Kari G. Smith and Michelle M. Hoffman will retire from their respective positions as executive vice president of stores and senior vice president of sales effective Feb. 13, 2026. Smith will also step down from service on the company’s board of directors on the same date. Smith and Hoffman have been a key part of building Buckle’s store experience while developing a culture of leadership and service to teammates and guests. Smith began working for Buckle in May 1978 as a …

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Krystal to Debut in Northeast with First-Ever New Jersey Location

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — After more than nine decades rooted in the South, Krystal is officially expanding north. The brand, known for its small, square Krystals served hot off the grill, will open its first-ever New Jersey restaurant at 2200 Route 22 East in Union. This marks Krystal’s debut in the Northeast and a major milestone in the brand’s 93-year history. The Union restaurant will open on March 2, 2026 and is led by brand partner Victor Cruz, a former New York Giants wide receiver, Super Bowl XLVI champion and sportscaster, who …

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Amazon to Close Go and Fresh Physical Stores, Plans to Open 100 Whole Foods Locations

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Amazon has unveiled plans to close its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh physical stores, converting various locations into Whole Foods Market stores. The Seattle-based e-commerce giant states that it hasn’t “yet created a truly distinctive customer experience with the right economic model needed for large-scale expansion.” Customers can continue to shop Amazon Fresh online in available areas for delivery. At the same time, Amazon plans to open more than 100 new Whole Foods Market stores over the next few years, citing increased investment in “physical stores that are …

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BILCO Celebrates 100th Year in Business

by Katie Lee

New Haven, Conn. — From its inception as a small iron shop to manufacturing the first metal basement door to worldwide expansion as the industry leader in specialty access products, BILCO’s first 100 years have demonstrated innovation and engineering excellence. As it enters its second century in business, the long term horizon for BILCO, based in New Haven, Conn., promises more of the same along with renewed emphasis on growth, modernization and expanded market presence. Quanex, a publicly traded manufacturing company serving OEMs in construction and other industries, acquired BILCO …

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Dog Haus Marks 15 Years and a New Era of Growth

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dog Haus, an acclaimed burgers, brats and brews concept, is entering 2026 with strong momentum and a robust growth outlook. As the Southern California-based craft-casual brand celebrates its first 15 years, a full development pipeline signals its most prolific year of new openings to date. “2025 was our best year yet, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and transformative years in Dog Haus’ proud history,” says CEO Michael Montagano. “As we celebrate our first 15 years, we’re pairing our strong brand …

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