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First Watch Opens New Corporate Headquarters in Bradenton, FL

by Katie Lee

Bradenton, Fla. — First Watch, an award-winning brunch concept, has opened the doors to its new corporate headquarters in the University Town Center area in Bradenton, Fla. The newly constructed 39,000-square-foot standalone building is located just off Cooper Creek Boulevard behind the BJ’s shopping center at 8725 Pendery Pl., a new street named for the company’s chairman emeritus and former CEO, Kenneth L. Pendery, Jr. “For decades, First Watch has had the distinct privilege and pleasure of calling the Suncoast our home. Ever since our founders made the decision to …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Bed Bath & Beyond Redesigns and Transforms Flagship Store in New York City

by Katie Lee

Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond is reopening its flagship store in New York City after undergoing a complete transformation since last December to modernize the in-store shopping experience. The renovated 92,000-square-foot flagship, located at 620 6th Ave. in Chelsea, is an expression of the new Bed Bath & Beyond in the $180 billion home market. With open sightlines and improved layout, in-store digital shopping tools through the Bed Bath & Beyond mobile app, and an inspiring collection of Owned Brands and national brands for every room of the …

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Newspeopleretailers

Qurate Retail, Inc. Names Next President and CEO

by Katie Lee

Englewood, Colo. — Qurate Retail, Inc. has hired David Rawlinson II to assume the role of president and CEO, effective October 1. He will succeed Mike George, who is retiring, after a 2-month transition period beginning August 1, during which time Rawlinson will serve as president and CEO-elect. “We are pleased to welcome David Rawlinson to the Qurate family,” says Greg Maffei, executive chairman of Qurate Retail. “David brings an impressive track record of success, most recently with two storied brands, Nielsen and Grainger. At these companies, David was a …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Freddy’s Names Chief Development Officer, Expands Franchise Development Executive Team

by Katie Lee

Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers® has added multiple new members to the development team, which will be led by Andrew Thengvall, who was recently promoted to chief development officer. For the last 6 years, Thengvall served as senior vice president of strategic growth & chief legal officer. Now he will oversee the company’s most recent additions including Mary Coots, director of franchise development, and Todd Phelps, director of franchise real estate. “Andrew Thengvall’s dedication to advising and strengthening the Freddy’s brand has been stellar …

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Newspeopleretailers

IT’SUGAR Names New Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — IT’SUGAR, one of the largest specialty candy retailers in North America with 96 retail locations, has appointed Mike Koempel as chief operating officer. He brings to the company extensive experience in strategy, finance, operations, IT and merchandise planning and allocation. Most recently, Koempel spent over 3 years at multibillion-dollar retailer Victoria Secret Lingerie as executive vice president/chief operating officer from 2017 to 2020. Prior to Victoria Secret Lingerie, Koempel served as executive vice president/chief financial officer at L Brands’ Mast Global Division from 2007 to 2017. …

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Newsrestaurants

Toasted Yolk Café Expansion Reaches North Texas

by Katie Lee

Southlake, Texas — The first Toasted Yolk Café is coming to North Texas this fall. Paul Vernon at Henry S. Miller brokered the transaction. Located in Southlake’s Gateway Plaza Shopping Center, the 4,056-square-foot breakfast and lunch restaurant is slated to open late fall 2021 after renovations to the existing space and patio. Yolked LLC, a new franchisee group from Houston and Dallas, signed the lease. Ryan Patterson of Yolked LLC and his team scouted more than 50 locations across Dallas-Fort Worth and kept returning to Southlake, where they felt there …

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Newsretailers

Wilson Sporting Goods Opens First Brick-and-Mortar Retail Location

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Wilson Sporting Goods Co. has opened its first-ever retail location in its hometown of Chicago. Wilson plans to open additional flagship stores in New York, Los Angeles, Beijing and Shanghai in the coming months. The Chicago store opened on July 15. “With 108 years of history here in Chicago, it was only right that we start this next chapter in our hometown,” says Joe Dudy, president of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. “Wilson is so proud to be Chicago-based, and we hope this new store brings our city that …

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facilities managementNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

86 Repairs Secures $7.3 Million in Additional Funding

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Chicago-based restaurant tech company 86 Repairs has closed an additional $5.3 million from investors including TDF Ventures, Gordon Food Service (GFS), MATH Venture Partners, Revolution and Cleveland Avenue. The new financing brings the company’s funding in this round to $7.3 million, and total capital raised to $8.8 million to date. Disrupting the $26 billion restaurant equipment repair and maintenance (R&M) industry, 86 Repairs automates the end-to-end repair and maintenance process for restaurants and provides actionable insights to improve back-of-house operations. The end result is significant time and cost …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Dolly Llama Inks First Franchising Deals to Begin National Expansion

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — The Dolly Llama, the popular waffle and ice cream concept that currently dominates the Los Angeles dessert-scene with its own unique take on Hong Kong’s iconic Bubble Waffle, has inked two franchise deals for Tyler, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla. The two deals are the first for the newly franchised concept, which was founded in 2017 by French restaurateur and entrepreneur Samuel Baroux and real estate leader Eric Shomof, since partnering with DCV Franchise Group in late 2019. The Tyler, Texas, deal includes one brick-and-mortar location with locals …

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Newspeopleretailers

Luxury Outerwear Retailer Mackage Appoints New CEO

by Katie Lee

Montreal — Mackage, the luxury outerwear specialist, has appointed New York City fashion veteran Tanya Golesic as chief executive officer. She joins the Canadian retailer from Jimmy Choo. Golesic is a Canadian who has lived and worked in New York for over 20 years and brings a rare depth of global high fashion experience to Mackage, underscoring the company’s commitment to worldwide growth in the luxury space. “Tanya’s results-driven approach will build brand desirability through innovative digital marketing, focused product assortments and international expansion in key markets. All will serve …

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