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Francisca Restaurant to Open 12 New Locations in Florida

by Katie Lee

Miami — Francisca Restaurant, one of the most successful Latin American gastronomic concepts in Miami, plans to open 12 new locations in Florida as part of its expansion plan for 2021. The announcement was unveiled with a giant billboard in Times Square on Jan. 7. “The growth of Francisca Restaurant, a brand with a Venezuelan stamp, is due to the immense support we have received since our opening. After hundreds of requests, we decided to open more locations in other cities in Florida,” says Jesús Pita, CEO of Francisca Restaurant. …

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construction and designmanagementNewsproperty managementretailers

Liberty University to Redevelop Portion of Mall Near Campus

by Katie Lee

Lynchburg, Va. — The first week of January, River Ridge outlined the next phase of its redevelopment, beginning with the demolition of the former Macy’s building on the West End of the property scheduled for first quarter 2021. The revitalized West End is envisioned as River Ridge’s restaurant and entertainment hub along with traditional retail and personal services options. It will provide a contemporary, open-air shopping experience with higher store elevations and urban-esque storefront designs, as well as an outdoor venue for family themed community events. “Now that updates to the …

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Tijuana Flats Debuts New High-Tech Restaurant Design

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Tijuana Flats has launched a newly designed prototype, which will soon be the norm in many of the brand’s locations. The new look includes a fresh, bright design and high-tech enhancements that will improve the guest experience. Tijuana Flats’ restaurant in Noblesville, Ind., became the first location to showcase the new design when it opened in November. “I love the new look,” says John Rowe, owner of Tijuana Flats in Noblesville. “It’s so open and bright. Our restaurants have always been colorful, but this update gives it …

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Slim Chickens Inks 12-Unit Franchise Agreement for Georgia and South Carolina

by Katie Lee

Savannah, Ga. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-thru in the “better chicken” segment, has signed a multi-unit agreement with Southeast Slims Hospitality LLC to develop 12 restaurants across the eastern section of Georgia, including Savannah and Augusta, and the western section of South Carolina. The first location is slated to open in first quarter 2021. “Our team was completely taken aback by the Slim Chickens brand when we were first introduced. It seemed like a no-brainer to join such a dynamic concept,” says Casey …

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Loves Furniture & Mattresses Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

by Katie Lee

Warren, Mich. — Loves Furniture & Mattresses, owned by Dallas-based private equity firm U.S. Assets Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early January amid struggles brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Loves was formed in April of this year and acquired 27 Art Van Furniture locations across Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia and Maryland in May. That deal did not include the stores’ underlying real estate, which had already been sold off, according to reports by the Detroit Free Press. The company also opened or acquired 13 additional …

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Starbucks Details CFO Succession Plan

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Starbucks Corporation has announced that, after a more than 35-year career in finance, Patrick Grismer has decided to retire from his position as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), effective February 1, 2021. Rachel Ruggeri, senior vice president of finance, Americas, and a 16-year Starbucks partner, will succeed Grismer as executive vice president and CFO, effective February 1, 2021. Ruggeri will report to Kevin Johnson, Starbucks’ president and chief executive officer. Grismer will remain with the company as an advisor to Johnson through May 2, 2021, …

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Biscuitville Promotes From Within to Name New CEO

by Katie Lee

Greensboro, N.C. — Kathie S. Niven, who joined Greensboro, N.C.-based Biscuitville Fresh Southern® in 2011 and became president in early 2018, has taken on an additional role as the company’s chief executive officer. Burney Jennings, who was formerly Biscuitville’s CEO, will become executive chair. “Kathie has tremendous passion and a deep knowledge of Biscuitville and its culture, and she’s fully prepared to assume the role of chief executive officer,” says Jennings (pictured at right). “Biscuitville has thrived under Kathie’s leadership as president during the last several years, and I’m thrilled …

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Macy’s to Shutter 45 More Locations, Including Longtime Store at Chicago’s Water Tower Place

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Macy’s will close its longtime department store at Water Tower Place in Chicago, according to several media reports. The downtown mall is situated on the Magnificent Mile. Macy’s will begin a clearance sale this month at the 170,000-square-foot store. The retailer will continue to operate nearby stores in Skokie, Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Orland Park, Ill. In early 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Macy’s announced that it would close 125 stores nationwide over a 3-year period in an effort to right-size its store fleet. During the first week …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Burger King® Undergoing First Complete Rebrand in Over 20 Years

by Katie Lee

Miami — Burger King® is introducing a completely new visual design that will be present throughout all touchpoints of the guest experience. Inspired by real and delicious food, the more modern look marks the first complete rebrand in over 20 years. The announcement signals a commitment to digital-first expression and recent improvements to taste and food quality, through the removal of colors, flavors and preservatives from artificial sources from menu items, as well as an ambitious pledge to environmental sustainability. The brand will be rolling out a new brand logo, …

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construction and designNewspeople

Westwood Contractors Names New CEO

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — Westwood Contractors has added Stefan Figley as chief executive officer, a role he officially assumed on December 7, 2020. Robert D. Benda, who has served as CEO since 2005, will continue with the company as chairman of the board. Figley, a Certified Franchise Executive, has more than 24 years of experience employing his strategic vision focusing on the key metrics driving EBITDA performance and multimillion-dollar revenue growth. Westwood Contractors is a general contractor with 37 years of experience providing general contracting services for retail, healthcare, hospitality, …

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