News

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Appoints New CEO, URW Airports

by Katie Lee January 23, 2023

Los Angeles — Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) has appointed Dany Nasr as CEO URW Airports, leading the continued growth of its portfolio of airport and transit retail programs. “Dany’s extensive airport experience in North America and across the globe will strongly benefit our clients, partners and the communities we serve,” says Dominic Lowe, chief operating officer of URW U.S. “He’s a proven leader who will successfully deliver our pipeline of dynamic projects and create new business partnerships in the U.S. and Europe for our airports and transit hub platform.” Nasr joins URW …

January 23, 2023

News restaurants software/technology vendors

Presto Voice A.I. to Significantly Expand at Del Taco Drive-Thru Restaurants

by Katie Lee January 20, 2023

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., the largest drive-thru automation technology provider in the hospitality industry, is expanding its partnership with Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. to provide automated voice ordering at several drive-thru restaurants nationwide. Its artificial intelligence (A.I.) powered solution, Presto Voice™, is already operating 24/7 at select Del Taco locations where it is significantly helping operations by improving labor productivity, increasing suggestive selling and boosting guest and staff experience. Del Taco has 600+ locations nationwide. “With Del Taco’s desire to build a drive-thru that improves operational efficiency …

January 20, 2023

construction and design News people restaurants

Focus Brands Bolsters Leadership Team with 3 New Additions

by Katie Lee January 19, 2023

Atlanta — Focus Brands®, parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s®, has appointed three senior leaders across two areas of the business. Effective immediately, the following executives will be leading these key business functions within the company: Chris Newman, Senior Vice President, Real Estate Jim Cannon, Senior Vice President, Design & Construction Julie Younglove-Webb, Chief Brand Officer, Auntie Anne’s “One of the most important investments a leader can make is in recruiting the best talent and assembling the right teams,” says Jim …

January 19, 2023

News retailers

Party City Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

by Katie Lee January 19, 2023

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. — Party City Holdco Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The restructuring process is expected to substantially reduce the company’s debt and optimize its capital structure and liquidity. The company expects to complete the restructuring process in the second quarter of this year. Party City’s more than 800 stores will remain open during the bankruptcy process. The company says it will continue to advance its key initiatives underway, such as converting stores to next-generation prototypes, evolving Halloween City pop-up stores, building out its online shopping experience, …

January 19, 2023

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

Taco John’s Unveils New Store Design: Drive Thru Olé

by Katie Lee January 18, 2023

Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s International Inc., a quick-serve Mexican franchise, is unveiling its newest store design concept, the Drive Thru Olé, which was first piloted in 2021 and whose original idea — based on modular buildings — dates back to the company founding in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyo. Drive Thru Olé is less than half the size of its traditional location footprint, requiring only .35 to .50 acres of land. This latest prototype is quicker to build and costs significantly less than the traditional freestanding unit that is 2,200 …

January 18, 2023

News people retailers

Authentic Brands Group Appoints New CFO

by Katie Lee January 18, 2023

New York City — Authentic Brands Group has appointed Jessica Holscott as chief financial officer. Holscott succeeds Kevin Clarke, founding partner and longtime company leader, as he assumes a new position as executive vice chairman. Holscott joins Authentic from Warner Media, where she served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Studios and Networks. Holscott brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in financial management, strategic planning, operations and mergers and acquisitions. Prior to joining Warner Media, Holscott held several leadership roles, including executive vice president and CFO …

January 18, 2023

News people restaurants

Modern Restaurant Concepts Appoints New CEO

by Katie Lee January 17, 2023

Los Angeles — Modern Restaurant Concepts (MRC), a leading fast-casual restaurant platform comprising the QDOBA, Modern Market Eatery and Lemonade brands, has hired veteran restaurant executive John Cywinski as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately. Previously, Cywinski served on leadership teams from Applebee’s, Chili’s, KFC, McDonald’s and Burger King. Most recently, he was president of Applebee’s Grill & Bar for 6 years, where he led a transformation and resurgence of the $4.4 billion business. Before his role at Applebee’s, Cywinski also served as president of KFC where he led …

January 17, 2023

franchise development News retailers

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Expands to Canada with First Location Set to Open Near Toronto

by Katie Lee January 17, 2023

Miami — Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, a leading pet service franchise brand in the U.S., will open its first store in Canada in 2023. The pet store will be the company’s first franchise-owned international location in the greater Toronto area, with plans to open 200 locations in the country. With its mission to be the world’s largest network of neighborhood pet stores, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming has 200 locations open or under development across 18 states in the U.S. offering luxury spa services, gourmet treats and premium pet …

January 17, 2023

construction and design franchise development News people restaurants

Jersey Mike’s Names New Director of Real Estate, Northeast

by Katie Lee January 17, 2023

Manasquan, N.J. — Jersey Mike’s Subs has hired Brooke Cabrera join the national sub sandwich franchise as director of real estate, Northeast. Previously, she was a vice president and market director of real estate at JPMorgan Chase & Co for the past 5 years. In her position at Chase, Cabrera oversaw the bank’s retail branch expansion in New England, opening branches in seven states across the Northeast. Her responsibilities entailed high-level market strategy, site identification, lease negotiation and coordinated partnership with her construction counterparts. Prior to JPMorgan, Cabrera was a …

January 17, 2023

News retailers

PXG® Debuts First Retail & Fitting Studio in New York

by Katie Lee January 16, 2023

Scottsdale, Ariz. — PXG has officially opened its first New York-based retail store. A premium facility in New Rochelle, N.Y., PXG Westchester marks an outstanding stepping stone for the brand to broaden its footprint in the Northeast. “New Rochelle is an exceptional location for PXG’s newest retail store,” says Bob Parsons, PXG’s founder and CEO. “The area is stirring with economic growth, and interest in golf is the highest we’ve seen across the nation. With our new store, our New York-based PXG Troops will have easy access to the absolute …

January 16, 2023

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