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Tropical Smoothie Cafe Names New CEO

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe has named Max Wetzel as its new chief executive officer. He succeeds Charles Watson, who is stepping down after more than 16 years with Tropical Smoothie Cafe, including the past 6 years as CEO. “I am so proud of what our support center team members and franchisees have accomplished during my time at Tropical Smoothie Cafe,” says Watson. “I am confident Tropical Smoothie Cafe is well positioned to build on our many achievements to date and to advance its rapid growth, and I remain invested …

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construction and designexterior services/landscapingNewsrestaurantsretailers

RH Opens 60,000-Square-Foot RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills

by Katie Lee

Corte Madera, Calif. — RH has opened RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills, an immersive retail experience in Raleigh, N.C., integrating luxury home furnishings collections from RH Interiors, Contemporary, Modern and Outdoor with rare art, antiques and artifacts from across the globe. RH Raleigh also features a dramatic, glass-encased rooftop restaurant. “We believe great architecture amplifies and renders our product and brand more valuable,” says Gary Friedman, RH chairman & chief executive officer. “We either find great historical architecture and re-adapt it, or we build it. RH Raleigh is …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Red Lobster Appoints Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Red Lobster® has appointed Larry Konecny as chief operating officer (COO). In this role, Konecny will lead the operational strategy for Red Lobster’s 545 restaurants across the United States and Canada. Reporting directly to CEO Damola Adamolekun, he will drive initiatives to deliver elevated food quality, customer service and operational efficiency, while fostering a culture rooted in teamwork and excellence. “Larry brings an exceptional combination of operational expertise, a passion for developing high-performing teams, and a genuine understanding of what it takes to build strong restaurant brands,” …

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Canada-based T&T Supermarket to Open First U.S. Store

by Katie Lee

Bellevue, Wash. — T&T Supermarket, Canada’s largest Asian grocery chain, plans to open its flagship U.S. store at The Marketplace at Factoria, located in Bellevue, Wash. The store will open on Dec. 5, 2024. Spanning 76,000 square feet, this will be the largest Asian supermarket in the state of Washington, offering an assortment of authentic Asian products, fresh produce, live seafood, an in-store kitchen and bakery, and Asian beauty products. Since its founding in 1993, T&T has established itself as the go-to destination for Asian food lovers across Canada. With …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurantsretailers

Mr Gatti’s Pizza Opening in 12 Walmart Stores Across Texas and Oklahoma

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — Mr Gatti’s Pizza will begin opening its first 12 locations inside Walmart stores across Texas and Oklahoma this week, with all slated to open before Thanksgiving. Another 23 locations are already under construction and are scheduled to open in early 2025. This expansion is part of a larger plan to launch 92 Walmart in-store locations across four states over the next 18 months. The first location opened on Nov. 4, in Mexia, Texas, kicking off a series of grand openings at Walmart stores. The opening of …

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construction and designNewsretailers

True Religion Expands Retail Store Footprint

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — True Religion, the iconic global lifestyle, apparel and accessories brand, has expanded its retail stores with four new locations in Dallas, New York City, San Antonio and Chicago. One is already open, while the other three will open this month. These new stores bring the brand’s total number of physical retail locations to 51 in the United States. “Our retail expansion strategy has always been built around our consumers,” says Michael Buckley, chief executive officer, True Religion. “While we are very selective about where to open new …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

California-based Starbird Signs First Franchise Development Deal

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Starbird, one of the nation’s first super-premium fast food concepts, has signed its inaugural franchise development agreement with Whiplash Holdings to bring seven new locations to the greater Denver market. The first Starbird location is expected to open in Denver by mid-2025, with all seven locations set to roll out over the next few years. This partnership marks Starbird’s initial expansion beyond California. “Expanding beyond California for the first time is a landmark moment for Starbird and a testament to the demand for a new kind of …

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energy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsHVAC/RNewsvendors

Hillphoenix Recognized by EPA for GreenChill Store Certification Excellence

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Hillphoenix, a pioneer in environmentally sustainable refrigeration, has once again earned the GreenChill Store Certification Excellence recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This achievement recognizes the commercial refrigeration systems manufacturer that installed the most advanced, sustainable refrigeration systems in GreenChill-certified stores in the past year. Hillphoenix has provided sustainable refrigeration for 777 stores. “We are committed to developing future-focused refrigeration solutions at Hillphoenix and very proud of our long history of developing sustainable refrigeration technology,” says Scott Martin, director of business development and industry relations for …

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Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. Appoints CFO

by Katie Lee

Lakewood, Colo. — Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. has appointed Richard Hallé s chief financial officer, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Hallé has served as a member of Natural Grocers’ board of directors and audit committee since 2012 and will succeed Todd Dissinger, who will retire on Dec. 31, 2024. “I am thrilled to welcome Rich to the Natural Grocers executive team as chief financial officer,” says Kemper Isely, Natural Grocers’ chairman and co-president. “Rich’s deep, strategic knowledge of our company from his many years of service on the board …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Flying Biscuit Café Plans to Open 15 New Units Next Year

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Since opening its first location in 1993, the Flying Biscuit Café franchise has taken off as a leader within the breakfast and brunch industry. This year, Flying Biscuit opened five new locations and anticipates opening 15 new locations in 2025. Having just celebrated its 30th anniversary, Flying Biscuit Café currently has 35 locations, with a strong presence in Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Florida and the Carolinas. 2024 openings brought more than 150 jobs to local communities in Charleston, S.C., and throughout Texas. In 2025, the chain is excited to …

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