News

Chicken Salad Chick to Relocate Headquarters to Atlanta

by Katie Lee February 10, 2021

Atlanta — Chicken Salad Chick, the nation’s only Southern-inspired, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, plans to move its headquarters from Auburn, Ala., where it was founded in 2008, to Atlanta. The relocation is slated to take place during first quarter 2021. The company’s new office will be located in the Vinings section of Atlanta at the Overlook II building — across the street from its Vinings restaurant — housing the leadership team of approximately 40 current and new employees. Chicken Salad Chick expects 17 Auburn, Ala.-based corporate employees to transition …

February 10, 2021

News retailers

Aldi to Open 100 New Grocery Stores in 2021 Coast-to-Coast

by Katie Lee February 10, 2021

Batavia, Ill. — Aldi, a discount grocer based in Essen, Germany, is continuing its nationwide expansion with 100 new stores to open this year. The grocer plans to grow its footprint in select markets in Arizona, California, Florida and the Northeast U.S. Aldi also plans to add curbside pickup service to 500 additional stores this year, bringing its total number of stores with curbside options to 1,200. Nearly all U.S. Aldi locations offer delivery services through its partnership with Instacart. Additionally, today marks the groundbreaking of Aldi’s 564,000-square-foot distribution center …

February 10, 2021

News restaurants

HMSHost and Starbucks Expand Partnership

by Katie Lee February 9, 2021

Bethesda, Md. — Global restaurateur HMSHost has formed a new, multi-year partnership with Starbucks focused on transforming the coffee experience for travelers. This agreement will enable the two companies to leverage new technologies, upgrade store locations and roll out new food and beverage offerings in airports and travel plazas across North America. The deal provides the opportunity for HMSHost to maintain and build upon the existing base of nearly 400 stores. “HMSHost introduced the modern-day coffee experience to airports and travel plazas, dramatically changing the travel venue food and beverage …

February 9, 2021

News retailers

At Home Resumes Growth Strategy

by Katie Lee February 9, 2021

Plano, Texas — At Home Group Inc., the home décor superstore, has resumed its growth strategy with three new home décor stores now open in Nanuet, N.Y.; Johnstown, Colo.; and Ocean Township, N.J. In addition, the company will open a new location in San Jose, Calif., later this month, growing its national footprint to 222 locations in 40 states by the end of February. The company plans to open 12 to 15 stores across the country in 2021. “We are thrilled to continue toward our long term potential of operating …

February 9, 2021

News restaurants

Fast-Casual Salad Brand, CRISP & GREEN, To Enter Florida with 10 Locations

by Katie Lee February 8, 2021

Wayzata, Minn. — CRISP & GREEN, an innovative, wellness-driven fast-casual brand that blends nutritious foods, community and fitness, plans to expand into the Florida market with 10 stores set to open in Tampa and Orlando (with more being announced soon). Started by CEO and Founder Steele Smiley (at left), CRISP & GREEN — the first grab ‘n go salad shop and part-time fitness house — first opened in Wayzata, Minn., in 2016 and has since grown to become one of America’s fastest growing fast-casual franchises. It is known to have …

February 8, 2021

News retailers vendors

Badger Technologies Introduces Disinfecting Robot for Grocery and Retail Stores

by Katie Lee February 5, 2021

Nicholasville, Ky. — Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil, introduces the Badger™ UV Disinfect robot, an autonomous ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting robot designed to combat COVID-19 and high-risk pathogens commonly found in grocery, foodservice and retail environments. The latest in the lineup of Badger Technologies® autonomous robots, the Badger UV Disinfect robot is equipped with advanced UV-C technology developed by UltraViolet Devices Inc. (UVDI), a leading provider of air and surface disinfection solutions. Early testing of the new Badger Technologies autonomous robot with UVDI’s 254nm UV-C technology indicates 99% and …

February 5, 2021

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

La Madeleine Unveils New Prototype with First Drive-Thru

by Katie Lee February 5, 2021

Dallas — La Madeleine French Bakery & Café will make its highly anticipated return to Addison, Texas, on Feb. 8 with a new look. The remodeled restaurant features the brand’s all-new prototype, including la Madeleine’s first-ever drive-thru and a featured scratch-bread baking experience. In addition to a bright and airy interior, the 4,180-square-foot location will feature cozy indoor seating and a charming, covered patio that offers outdoor dining options. “We couldn’t be more excited to open and introduce guests to an enhanced la Madeleine experience, including our first drive-thru!” says …

February 5, 2021

construction and design News remodels retailers

FoodMaxx Reopens Newly Renovated Store in Oakland, Calif.

by Katie Lee February 4, 2021

Modesto, Calif. — FoodMaxx officially welcomed shoppers to its newly renovated Oakland, Calif., store on Feb. 3. “With shoppers facing ever-tighter budgets during the pandemic, our Number 1 goal at FoodMaxx is to provide this community with the very best values, day in and day out, without sacrificing quality,” says Dean Willhite, vice president of store operations, FoodMaxx. Upon entering the store, shoppers experience FoodMaxx’s unbeatable “Wall of Value,” offering the best deals in town on grocery essentials and popular snacks. The store’s interior renovations feature the FoodMaxx warehouse-style format …

February 4, 2021

News property management restaurants

Westfield Valley Fair Joins Kitchen United to Unlock New Off-Premise Restaurant Experience

by Katie Lee February 3, 2021

Pasadena, Calif. —A first-of-its-kind partnership between Westfield Valley Fair, the largest retail destination in Northern California, and Kitchen United, a ghost kitchen industry leader, will bring Kitchen United’s to-go operations and MIX multi-concept ordering technology platform to the shopping center format. Kitchen United is known for its concept that houses multiple restaurant brands under one roof for delivery and takeout orders. “MIX unlocks incremental off-premise demand for the restaurants at this Westfield location that are faced with indoor dining limitations amid the pandemic,” says Atul Sood, chief business officer of …

February 3, 2021

franchise development News restaurants

Chicken Salad Chick Opened 37 New Locations in 2020; Increased Systemwide Sales +17%

by Katie Lee February 3, 2021

Auburn, Ala. — Chicken Salad Chick, a Southern-inspired, fast-casual chicken salad restaurant concept, opened 37 new restaurants in key target markets throughout 2020 — including seven in Texas, five in Georgia, three in Louisiana, two in Arkansas, as well as its first location in Indiana — resulting in a 22% increase in unit count year-over-year. The fast-growing brand also signed nine franchise agreements to develop 23 new restaurants over the next several years in states such as North Carolina, Virginia and Louisiana. In addition to this growth, Chicken Salad Chick …

February 3, 2021

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