Oak Brook, Ill. — Ace Hardware, the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the world, has opened 110 new stores in 2021, and is planning to open at least an additional 60 stores by the end of the year. Ace operates more than 5,500 locally owned hardware stores in all 50 states and 70 countries, with global sales topping $20 billion. Ace’s unique cooperative business model offers local entrepreneurs not only the ability to become owners of their local store operation, but they also become one of a limited number of …
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New York City — BoConcept, a global leader of the furniture franchise industry, celebrated the opening of its 300th store in July with a new location in Boston-Dedham, Mass. “We’re very proud to open our 300th store with our franchise partners in Boston, marking another important achievement in our company’s global expansion,” says Michael Linander, chief retail officer for BoConcept. “In a challenging and rapidly-changing omni-channel retail landscape, BoConcept continues to inspire consumers, offering them extraordinary experiences and services through both our innovative stores and talented interior designers.” The BoConcept …
New York City — Brooklyn Dumpling Shop, the nation’s fastest growing dumpling automat concept, has a signed multi-unit franchise deal to make the brand’s first appearance in the South. Franchisee Sam Cole closed on a deal to bring at least five units to the Dallas area, marking the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop’s Texas debut. Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is on track to meet its target growth trajectory of 500 units within 5 years after a year of rapid growth since its inception in 2020. After the highly anticipated opening of the first …
Houston — Retail developer and operator EDENS is underway on the renovation of Plaza in the Park, a 143,000-square-foot shopping center in the West University area of Houston. Planned upgrades at the center, which was originally built in 1999, will include fresh paint for storefronts, more outdoor seating for diners, revamped landscaping and new pathways to connect the buildings. All tenants at Plaza at the Park, which include Kroger, Massage Envy, Sprint, Subway and Vision Optique, among others, will remain open during the renovation. Construction is scheduled to be complete …
Miami — According to José Cil, CEO of Restaurant Brands International, industry veteran Tom Curtis has been appointed president of Burger King U.S. & Canada. “Tom joined us a few months ago and has quickly established a strong leadership position in the business and trust with our franchisees, informed by his 35 years of previous restaurant experience as both a franchisee and senior operations executive,” says Cil. “Tom will lead the acceleration of our business to deliver on our vision that Burger King should always be our guests’ first choice …
Minneapolis — Target plans to expand to over 160 Disney shop-in-shop locations by the end of 2021. The Minneapolis-based retailer began opening Disney shops in select stores in 2019. The new stores will offer a collection of Disney items including toys and costumes ahead of the busy holiday shopping season. Target’s fiscal report for the second quarter of 2021 showed that toys have been a growing category for the company, according to CNBC. The news outlet also reports Target plans to join with FAO Schwarz to offer a 70-piece toy …
Taco Bell to Reinvent Drive-Thru Concept with Futuristic Restaurant in Suburban Minneapolis
Brooklyn Park, Minn. — Taco Bell is building a restaurant with a new drive-thru concept in Brooklyn Park, a suburb of Minneapolis. Construction is underway on the 3,000-square-foot, two-story restaurant. Completion is scheduled for summer 2022. Known as Defy, the new restaurant concept was developed in partnership with Minneapolis-based Vertical Works Inc., a design company that works with quick-serve restaurants, retailers and healthcare tenants. In 2020, Border Foods, one of the largest privately held Taco Bell franchisees in America, enlisted Vertical Works to create a new restaurant design. With Defy, …
Seattle — Amazon, the Seattle-based e-commerce giant, is planning to open a chain of department stores to boost its sales in clothing, household items, electronics and other areas. The news comes from a Wall Street Journal report citing “people familiar with the matter.” The first stores are expected to open in Ohio and California and, at around 30,000 square feet, will be smaller than a typical department store. “It is unclear what brands Amazon will offer in the stores, although the company’s private-label goods are expected to feature prominently,” the …
San Diego, Calif. — Jack in the Box Inc. has awarded 16 franchise development agreements year-to-date through the end of third quarter of fiscal year 2021 to build 64 new locations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Texas and Utah. The announcement follows the relaunch of Jack in the Box’s franchise development program earlier this year. “Relaunching the franchise opportunity has been exciting and was one of our main priorities going into 2021. Over the last year and a half, we’ve proven to be pandemic-resistant and we’re eager to grow with our …
Atlanta — Savi Provisions, neighborhood destination for locally-sourced gourmet foods, fine wines and spirits, is opening a new store in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at Concourse B. Located in the former Café Intermezzo space, this location will be operated by Crews Airport Concessions Operating Company. It is slated to open in mid-September. Founded in 2009 by Paul Nair, Savi Provisions aims to provide its airport customers the same high-end, affordable and healthy market experience as offered to its neighborhood locations, while fulfilling hasty travelers’ need for convenience and efficiency. “It’s …