News

Mesa, Ariz. — Aqua-Tots Swim Schools has expanded with the opening of its 125th worldwide franchise location in Falls Church, Va. The new location neighbors Staples in the newly remodeled Broad and Birch shopping center. It officially opened its doors on May 25, 2022. The 7,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art swim facility is the first location for franchise owner Mike Steele and 12th location for his business partners, Andrew George, Jesse Rhodenbaugh and Tommy Fisher, who also own schools in North Carolina and Georgia. Aqua-Tots Swim Schools serves over 120 communities worldwide, offering …

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Scottsdale, Ariz. — Fransmart plans for a multibillion-dollar portfolio of category-leading franchise brands by the end of 2030. To reach this goal, Fransmart will continue to identify and invest in concepts ripe for national and international expansion, while accelerating growth of its legacy brands. Additionally, the company is expanding its best-in-class leadership team to support each of its brands with operational expertise and highly-effective sales and marketing strategies. “To succeed in the world of franchising requires continual improvements to the brand’s business model, growth strategy, systems and processes,” says Dan …

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Lincolnshire, Ill. — Camping World Holdings, Inc. plans to continue expanding its RV sales and service network through the completion of 11 new dealership locations, in seven states, by the end of 2022. This announcement is on the heels of the recent acquisition of Richardson’s RV Centers. “We are committed to strategically and profitably expanding our sales and service presence to capitalize on the 11 million-plus installed RV owner base along with the tremendous growth of new entrants to the lifestyle,” says Marcus Lemonis, chairman of Camping World. “The expansion …

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St. Louis — Panera Bread has opened the first “Panera To Go,” a new Panera Bread restaurant format offering digitally-enabled convenience for Rapid Pick-Up® and Delivery orders. The Chicago-based restaurant is the first of three Panera To Go test locations scheduled to open this year. Two additional Panera To Go cafes will open in California and Washington D.C. this year; the company will also evaluate adding in kiosk and catering orders to the new format in the future. Panera To Go is a digital-only bakery-cafe, with a reduced front of …

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Coppell, Texas —The Container Store, the leading specialty retailer of organizing solutions, custom closets and in-home services, has published its 2021 Sustainability Report, a first for the company. The Container Store plans to report on sustainability progress on an annual basis; download the 2021 report here. The inaugural sustainability report builds on the foundation laid by the company’s first materiality assessment to identify and prioritize top environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics most important to the company’s business and stakeholders. The process included internal and external stakeholder interviews, benchmarking, research …

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Brooklyn Park, Minn. — Taco Bell has opened its new and innovative drive-thru prototype in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park. Coined Taco Bell Defy, the two-story restaurant features four drive-thru lanes. A proprietary vertical lift transports food items straight from the kitchen to guests. The drive-thru experience at Taco Bell Defy is designed to be 2 minutes or less. The restaurant was built in partnership with longtime franchisee Border Foods. Minneapolis-based Vertical Works Inc. handled the design of the concept. The project was first announced last year.     …

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Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and phone repair franchise, is evolving its customer experience across multiple touchpoints. The rebranding — called “Project VOLT” — was a result of comprehensive merchandising testing which brought to light the opportunity to update and transform stores. The enhancements revolutionize the concept’s online and in-store customer experience and more accurately represent consumers’ preferences when it comes to a retail shopping experience. Now, when customers walk through the doors, a modernized, refreshed look will help them …

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Chicago — On June 7, 86 Repairs, the repair and maintenance (R&M) management platform built for the restaurant industry, released The State of Repairs. The annual report offers restaurant operators invaluable insight into repairs and maintenance data. Today’s restaurant operator is pressed for time and resources from all directions, juggling the customer experience, high employee turnover and navigating changes in the supply chain. Repairs might only become a priority once a critical repair need has forced them to stop service. And routine maintenance can fall through the cracks because of …

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Calgary, AB (Canada) — High Tide Inc., a leading retail-focused cannabis company with bricks-and-mortar as well as global e-commerce assets, has opened its 125th branded retail location across Canada, and 65th in Ontario. (High Tide marked its 100-store milestone on September 30, 2021.) The 125th store is located in Blackfalds, Alberta, in a retail plaza anchored by national discount and grocery retailers. “I am pleased to announce that High Tide has reached the milestone of 125 retail cannabis stores with this expansion into another new community. As a fast-growing and …

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New York City — Tim Hortons® is launching two new next generation restaurant designs in the U.S.: a 900-square-foot drive-thru only model and a 1,600-square-foot restaurant with a 24-seat dining room. The first drive-thru only model will open this summer in Cross Lanes, W.Va., with at least 8 more opening throughout 2022 across Ohio, Michigan and New York. The new restaurant model offers guests an improved customer experience, while maintaining Tim Hortons’® warm and welcoming feel of your neighborhood coffeeshop. Modern and timeless, the new restaurants are designed for an …

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