News

Tel Aviv, Israel, and Munich, Germany — Trigo, an Israel-based computer vision company that builds systems for autonomous checkout and retail analytics, has rolled out Germany’s first fully-autonomous cashierless supermarket in partnership with German grocery giant REWE Group. The new “Pick&Go” supermarket in the Bavarian capital Munich allows customers to walk in, select their items off the shelves, and leave without having to pay at checkout. Unlike self-checkout devices such as stationary or mobile scanners and digital carts, Pick&Go shoppers only scan once on their phones when they enter the …

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Charlotte, N.C. — Clean Juice®, the nation’s first and only USDA-certified organic juice and food bar franchise, has hired Ashley Love to chief financial officer. Love is the first CFO for Clean Juice. In this newly created role, Love will oversee the finance, human resources, compliance and legal departments, while focusing on cost-saving efficiencies, streamlining financial operations, ensuring regulatory compliance and implementing scalable systems to support the brand’s strong growth trajectory. Love’s understanding and implementation of scalable systems and processes focus on several impactful areas important to Clean Juice’s operations, …

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Hampton, N.H. — On Dec. 12, 2022, Planet Fitness, Inc. appointed Edward Hymes as its new president and chief operating officer, reporting directly to CEO Chris Rondeau. Hymes will join the brand in January and be responsible for driving both the day-to-day business and longer-term strategic growth of the company, with overall leadership and accountability of U.S. and international franchise operations and development, equipment sales and corporate stores, in addition to both the technology and legal functions. “Edward is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience including identifying, …

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Minneapolis — Caribou Coffee®, a global premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands company, is celebrating 30 years of business this month. Founders John and Kim Puckett opened the doors of the first Caribou Coffee in Edina, Minn., on Dec. 14, 1992. What started as a dream of two young entrepreneurs has now transformed into a beloved brand and is currently one of the nation’s largest coffee chains with over 400 coffeehouses throughout the U.S. “As Caribou reflects on its 30 years of business, we’re proud to celebrate the successes achieved throughout …

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New York City — Newmark Retail has secured three new leases on behalf of fashion retailer Express, Inc., totaling more than 18,000 square feet for two Express Edit stores and for the first UpWest store in Manhattan. Newmark’s vice chairmen Jeremy Ezra and Ariel Schuster, along with director Michael Paster, represented the tenant on all three transactions. “By launching Express Edit concepts in two of the most vibrant shopping neighborhoods and introducing UpWest, an entirely new option to feed the appetites of New York shoppers, Express will be reintroduced to …

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Dallas — Smoothie King has signed multi-unit development agreements to bring 15 locations to Greater Cleveland. With more than 1,400 locations globally, Smoothie King is now prioritizing development in Ohio and has plans to open in surrounding cities including Ashland, North Olmsted, Medina, Akron, Beachwood, Avon and Euclid, among others. “We’re excited to expand our brand in the Cleveland metropolitan area. We’ve seen the demand for convenient, on-the-go meal options grow in Cleveland and surrounding suburban areas, which makes us confident in our expansion plans,” says Chris Bremer, chief development …

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New York City — On Dec. 9, leading sports retailer Lids unveiled its newest retail concept, Lids Hat Drop, with the first store located in Jamaica, Queens, N.Y. The concept is the brick & mortar iteration of Lids’ successful LidsHatDrop.com platform that launched earlier this year. The Lids Hat Drop store will operate similarly to its e-commerce counterpart, offering exclusive and limited-edition releases, including notable athlete and celebrity collaborations that stay true to the neighborhood, while also working with designers and influencers to build new collections. Consumers at the Lids …

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Tampa, Fla. — MaintenX, one of the largest national facility maintenance and repair companies in the U.S., has donated 700-plus toys and gifts to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program to brighten the holidays for 134 disadvantaged Tampa Bay children. The donation continues an annual charitable tradition that also includes companywide programs with Habitat for Humanity and Metropolitan Ministries. On Dec. 2, a team of about 10 MaintenX employees traveled in a convoy of vehicles to the Salvation Army center in South St. Petersburg to drop off the toys and …

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Charlotte, N.C. — Famous Toastery, a 25-plus unit better breakfast, brunch and lunch franchise, has added Mike Sebazco to its executive team as president. Sebazco will help guide the brand into its next phase of franchise expansion as it grows strategically throughout the Carolinas and the Southeast with the aim of doubling its footprint over the next 2 years. With 30 years of experience in the franchising and restaurant industry, Sebazco has been involved in the operations and growth of various brands, including Don Pablo’s, Boston Pizza and Texas Land …

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Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. — Spotless Brands, a leading car wash platform in the United States, has hired four new executives in an effort to further develop the brand’s growth strategies. George Alexandris has joined the senior leadership team in the role of senior vice president of development and construction; Jake Harrison will take on the role of vice president of market development; DeeDee Hanc joins Spotless as senior vice president of human resources; and Fahad Chaudhary is now the senior vice president, corporate controller – finance. With two new additions …

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