News

Dallas — Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, the world’s largest barbecue franchise, is embarking on a huge development push in the Northeast. The company has signed a multi-unit area development agreement with Chaac Foods, LLC to develop 48 Dickey’s locations in 5 years. Chaac Foods is led by CEO and President Luis Ibarguengoytia, a veteran restaurant operator, who teamed with Gauge Capital to form Chaac Foods, which currently develops and operates Pizza Hut and Bojangles restaurants. “We look forward to entering the barbecue category by joining forces with the world’s fastest growing …

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Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise in the better-chicken segment, has opened its newest restaurant at 685 Skyland Blvd. in Tuscaloosa, Ala., marking its first location in the state. Seasoned restaurant group Heart of the South is at the helm of the new location. “Opening our first location in Alabama is a huge step for Slim Chickens,” says Jackie Lobdell, vice president of franchise development at Slim Chickens. “Heart of the South has a passion for bringing good southern comfort food and great experiences to Tuscaloosa locals, …

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Union, N.J. — Cindy Davis has stepped down from her positions as executive vice president, chief brand officer, and president of Decorist effective August 30, 2021. As a transition, Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has named Rafeh Masood, executive vice president and chief digital officer, as chief digital officer & interim chief brand officer. He will lead the combined brand, marketing and digital teams effective immediately. “Rafeh’s demonstrated success and leadership in the realms of digital transformation and customer engagement make him the right person to take on these additional …

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Austin, Texas — The newest addition to U.S. Pave’s network is in Austin, Texas, providing area businesses with commercial asphalt and paving services. U.S. paves offers asphalt installation and repairs, parking lot repair and striping, seal coating and sidewalk repair. The professional team has access to a nationally reaching supply network, ensuring that customers get the best quality every time. The goal of the U.S. Pave network is to bring together the best paving contractors in the country and offer those looking for paving services a one-stop-shop for local and …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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