News

Michaels To Be Taken Private in $5 Billion Acquisition

by Katie Lee March 4, 2021

Irving, Texas, and New York City — The Michaels Companies and private equity firm Apollo Global Management, Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby investment funds managed by affiliates of Apollo have agreed to acquire Michaels. Upon completion of the $5 billion transaction, Michaels will become a privately held company and shares of MIK common stock will no longer be listed on any public market. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Michaels board of directors, Apollo will commence a tender offer …

March 4, 2021

Famous Dave’s Plans New Restaurant Prototype

by Katie Lee March 2, 2021

Minnetonka, Minn. — Famous Dave’s, a fast-growing barbeque franchise with 117 restaurants, will introduce a streamlined new restaurant prototype this year. BBQ Holdings, Famous Dave’s parent franchisor, has struck an agreement with DTSG, one of its legacy franchisee groups, to open Famous Dave’s Quick-Que’, its first line-service model restaurant in Coon Rapids, Minn. In 2020, BBQ Holdings purchased Real Urban BBQ, a cafeteria-style barbeque restaurant concept that inspired Famous Dave’s new line-service model. The new model will provide the same fan-favorite BBQ fare Famous Dave’s built its name on but …

March 2, 2021

News retailers

Target to Open Mini Apple Stores in 17 Locations, Expand Online Offerings

by Katie Lee March 1, 2021

Minneapolis — Target plans to open small-scale Apple shops inside 17 of its stores this spring, with additional locations scheduled to open this fall. The company will also expand its online Apple product offerings over the coming weeks. The new Apple in-store experience will offer a mix of products and accessories in a dedicated space designed for guests to see new products and view demonstrations by Target Tech Consultants, who will receive specialized training from Apple. Each shop will feature new lighting fixtures and displays for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, …

March 1, 2021

kitchen equipment News restaurants vendors

Middleby Opens State-of-the-Art Innovation Kitchens

by Katie Lee February 26, 2021

Elgin, Ill. — The Middleby Corporation has opened the Middleby Innovation Kitchens (the MIK) in the Dallas area. The expansive 40,000-square-foot fully functional facility features more than 150 live pieces of equipment showcasing the latest cooking, beverage, automation and IoT innovations from Middleby. Visitors to the MIK can participate in demonstrations on the most advanced commercial kitchen solutions available in the market today. Guests will experience cooking innovations in 15 specialized vignettes including pizza, bakery, combi, steam and automation, among others. The MIK also showcases the latest in beverage technologies …

February 26, 2021

franchise development News restaurants

Clean Juice Targets 50-State Expansion

by Katie Lee February 26, 2021

Charlotte, N.C. — Clean Juice®, the nation’s first USDA-certified organic juice bar, continues to report rapid expansion for its franchise development model across the United States. “Clean Juice is more than just juice,” says Landon Eckles, CEO of Clean Juice. “We’re an organic food and ‘quick-service restaurant’ brand that continues to grow into a lifestyle entity of its own.” Clean Juice exploded onto the organic food and beverage scene in 2015 and was the nation’s first organic juice concept to earn a coveted certification from the USDA. In just 4 …

February 26, 2021

construction and design News retailers

Gap Inc. to Build $140 Million Distribution Center in Longview, Texas

by Katie Lee February 25, 2021

San Francisco — Gap Inc. plans to open a new state-of-the-art Customer Experience Center in Longview, Texas. By delivering inventory faster and more efficiently to customers across the country, the $140 million investment will help Gap Inc. meet the rising customer demand for online shopping and reach its future plans for digital growth. Gap Inc. anticipates the new campus will create more than 500 full-time jobs in Longview by the end of 2023 and will grow to more than 1,000 full-time jobs in the city over the next 5 years. …

February 25, 2021

News people restaurants

Biscuitville Names New Vice President, Supply Chain

by Katie Lee February 24, 2021

Greensboro, N.C. — Larry Williams has been named vice president, supply chain at Biscuitville Fresh Southern. Beginning his career with Biscuitville in 1986 as a warehouse worker and delivery driver, Williams has held roles as Biscuitville’s distribution center manager and also supply chain director before his promotion to vice president. Williams oversees Biscuitville’s self-distribution system, which is a rarity in the quick-service restaurant industry. From the company’s local warehouse space in Graham, N.C., Biscuitville sources all 63 of its locations without the use of any outside distributors. “Self-distribution allows us …

February 24, 2021

News retailers

Hair Cuttery Family of Brands Rebounds from Bankruptcy with New Ownership

by Katie Lee February 24, 2021

McLean, Va. — Close to a year ago, Hair Cuttery’s former owners filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after having to close all of the company’s salon locations. The bankruptcy followed years of changing consumer preferences, increased competition and existing organizational issues, which COVID-19 only exacerbated. With what was about to happen to the entire world, timing could not have been worse for the former ownership. Just months later, the world came to a startling halt. However, a new opportunity for Hair Cuttery was just around the corner. In June …

February 24, 2021

News people restaurants

TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants Promotes VP, Real Estate and Development

by Katie Lee February 24, 2021

Livonia, Mich. — TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants (TSFR) has promoted Tom Gergich from director of real estate to vice president of real estate and development. Gergich began his career with TSFR in 2015 to direct, manage and execute the organization’s restaurant real estate activities. He has over 25 years of experience in site development, surveying and construction, and sale/retail brokerage, including 10 years as area real estate manager for McDonald’s Corporation. “Tom is an exceptional leader who has the experience, vision and acumen to guide our real estate and development …

February 24, 2021

construction and design News retailers

Evergreen Devco Breaks Ground on Grocery-Anchored Shopping Center in Denver

by Katie Lee February 23, 2021

Denver — Evergreen Devco, Inc., a leading retail and multifamily development company, had broken ground on a grocery-anchored shopping center on the northeast corner of 56th Avenue and Tower Road in Denver. The development site will feature a Sprouts Farmer’s Market-anchored shopping center with one multi-tenant building and six accompanying retail pads. In addition, Evergreen will complete common area and off-site improvements. “This project will provide much needed retail, restaurant and service amenities for the neighborhood, given the site is within walking distance to the adjacent subdivisions and apartment community …

February 23, 2021

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