News

Guangzhou, China — On February 24, 2023, global lifestyle retailer MINISO held a conference titled “MINISO – Bringing Joy to the World,” to unveil its global brand strategy in Guangzhou, China. The company took the opportunity to announce its new brand positioning and brand symbol, global development strategy, product strategy, etc. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the founding of MINISO, as well as the opening year of its updated global brand strategy. “The new global strategy marks the future of the company’s deep participation in the global retail …

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Alpharetta, Ga. — Your Pie, the original down-the-line pizza concept, ended 2022 with a footprint of over 70 stores across the U.S.; the brand is poised to accelerate momentum in 2023, projecting 20 store openings. Since January, Your Pie has already opened one new location and has two slated for remodel. Despite downward trends in the overall industry, the fast-casual concept saw year-over-year sales jump by nearly 8.46%, AUV increase by 18% and witnessed the top 50% of restaurants garner over $1 million in sales. Your Pie also closed the …

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Irving, Texas — Darling Ingredients Inc., the world’s leading company turning food waste into sustainable products and renewable energy, has been chosen by Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. to recycle Panda’s used cooking oil into sustainable products, such as cleaner burning renewable diesel. Darling Ingredients’ restaurant service brand, DAR PRO Solutions, will collect and recycle used cooking oil from nearly all of the approximately 2,400 Panda Express restaurants in the United States. “We admire Panda Express’ commitment to sustainability and reducing waste in the communities where it operates and its employees …

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Pittsburgh — DICK’S Sporting Goods has agreed to acquire leading outdoor retailer Moosejaw from Walmart. The acquisition will expand DICK’S outdoor portfolio — currently led by its specialty retailer, Public Lands — and reaffirm its commitment to the long term business opportunity in the growing multibillion-dollar outdoor category. The deal is expected to close in March 2023. Moosejaw, founded in Michigan in 1992, operates a successful e-commerce platform, has a loyal customer base, strong vendor relationships with outdoor brands and a passionate workforce. Moosejaw also operates brick-and-mortar locations in Arkansas, …

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New York City — The Dolly Llama, based in Los Angeles, is coming to New York. The popular waffle and artisanal ice cream shop will debut in the East Village on March 11th. “Always on the hunt for new business opportunities, I stumbled across The Dolly Llama and it immediately piqued my interest due to the vibrant, fun branding of the unique concept,” says John Harper, franchisee of the Dolly Llama East Village. “The East Village neighborhood is an eclectic mix of incredible restaurants and an abundance of nightlife, basically …

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Stans, Switzerland and Atlanta — The specialty footwear and lifestyle chain, The Athlete’s Foot (TAF), is reporting retail revenue of $555 million globally, growth of 10%+ from 2021. The numbers show that TAF successfully navigated a difficult retail environment plagued by supply chain challenges, rising inflation, socioeconomic and political unrest. The brand is looking forward to a solid and successful start to 2023 powered by a host of new brand partnerships, store locations and, most importantly, the spring launch of its 3.0 omnichannel store concept. “Although the retail landscape presented …

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Los Angeles — Helbiz Kitchen, a Helbiz company, has launched its first kitchen in Santa Monica, Calif., in partnership with Kitchen United. The opening of the second location in Los Angeles is planned for later this month and will be located in the Westwood area. Helbiz Kitchen is known for its commitment to high-quality products, with an uncompromising focus on taste and flavor. The selection of products available in Los Angeles has not been modified from the menus offered in Milan, ensuring that customers in Los Angeles are able to …

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Phoenix — Carvana, an industry pioneer for buying and selling used cars online, is celebrating 10 years. Carvana’s iconic Car Vending Machine, which first debuted in Nashville in 2015, allows customers to save time by selecting a convenient time to pick up their new vehicle. Upon arrival, customers are greeted by a customer advocate and receive a commemorative, oversized Carvana coin to activate the automated vending process. Customers then get to watch their vehicle descend through the brightly lit vending structure from the heart of the all-glass tower — making …

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Lafayette, La. — McDonald’s Corporation and Lightsource bp have formed a power purchase agreement for a 145 MWac/180 MWdc solar project located in St. Landry Parish, La. The Prairie Ronde Solar project will generate an expected average of approximately 327,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy annually, equivalent to the average annual electricity consumption of 30,700 U.S. homes once complete. The deal helps advances McDonald’s commitment to climate action and its sustainability goals, while expanding Lightsource bp’s footprint of solar assets across the Southeast. “Growing our partnership with Lightsource bp reaffirms …

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Irvine, Calif. — Taco Bell has opened its latest Cantina restaurant experience in the heart of Los Angeles, along the iconic palm tree-lined Hollywood Boulevard. The latest Cantina restaurant — known for its boozy drink menu and all the craveable menu items fans have come to expect — sits on a historic 1920s Hollywood property, once a bookstore known as a book lover’s haunt for movie stars, merging a “golden-age” design with modern, digital-only ordering and pickup. The Hollywood Cantina is the first Cantina in Los Angeles County. With more …

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