Plano, Texas — At Home Group Inc., The Home Décor Superstore, has opened its 200th store, in San Diego. This milestone comes after At Home’s recent expansion into California, where the home décor retailer currently operates two stores with the potential to grow to more than 80 stores. “We are thrilled to announce that we have expanded our footprint to 200 stores in 40 states. With our long term goal of opening more than 600 stores nationwide, we continue to be excited about the significant whitespace in front of us,” …
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Atlanta — Cinnaholic, the gourmet cinnamon roll bakery acclaimed for serving innovative plant-based cinnamon roll creations, has opened 10 franchise locations since January in new markets including New Jersey, Houston, Phoenix and Ottawa, Ontario, bringing its total location count to 38 units. The brand hopes to reach 50 locations by year end, and 75 by the end of 2020. “Our franchise model has proven successful time and time again, and the fact that many of our existing franchisees are opening additional locations is a true indicator of our products resonating …
Houston — Charming Charlie, a women’s fashion and beauty chain based in Houston, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 11, 2019. It is the second time the retailer known for its colorful displays of jewelry, handbags, apparel and beauty products has filed for bankruptcy in less than 2 years. The company now plans to close all 261 of its remaining stores across 38 states. The retailer’s first filing was in December 2017, and the financial restructuring was completed the following April. However, the company continued to struggle following the …
Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has opened its first international location in the Dubai Mall. The brand’s second international location is slated to open at the Mall of the Emirates in the coming weeks. The restaurants are owned and operated by Tastebuds Group, which will continue to drive Freddy’s growth throughout the Middle East, with plans to open locations in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and Qatar. “The training and support that we’ve received from Freddy’s since signing …
San Francisco — Janet Hayes, president of the Williams Sonoma brand, is resigning from the company after 12 years of service on August 1, 2019. She will be succeeded by Ryan Ross, executive vice president of Emerging Brands with the company. “On behalf of the board and senior management team, I would like to thank Janet for her valuable contributions over her tenure at our company,” says Laura Alber, Williams-Sonoma, Inc.’s president and chief executive officer. “Her leadership of Williams Sonoma was instrumental to the brand’s success, significantly expanding its …
New Albany, Miss. — Standex Refrigerated Solutions Group (RSG) has named John Richardson as vice president of finance for the Refrigerated Solutions Group, effective June 24, 2019, reporting directly to Kevin Fink, president of RSG. In his new role, Richardson is responsible for all areas related to accounting, financial planning and analysis, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, tax, month-end cycle and IT support. Richardson is now working directly with the RSG leadership team to design and implement operational improvements and automation related to maximizing the financial and accounting efficiency of the …
Round Rock, Texas — The Twin Peaks restaurant in Round Rock, Texas, which first opened in 2008, recently reopened after a significant remodel. Twin Peaks updated its interior to provide the best experience possible for its guests. Restaurant renovations include a complete revamp of the bar for more seating, an increase of beer taps from 12 to 24 and expanded bourbon and whiskey offerings. In addition, dining areas have been updated with larger communal tables, a modernized furniture and décor package and completely remodeled restrooms to include all new modern …
Chicago — On July 9, 2019, home furnishings retailer Crate and Barrel opened The Table at Crate, a collaboration between Crate and Barrel and Cornerstone Restaurant Group, with James Beard-nominated Chef Bill Kim leading the kitchen. Opening within Crate and Barrel’s Oak Brook, Ill., store, The Table at Crate is Crate and Barrel’s first full-service restaurant and Cornerstone’s first venture into the retail space. The Table at Crate integrates the dining and retail experience across two levels of indoor and outdoor space, connecting people, creative food and timeless design, while …
New York City — Blink Fitness, a premium-quality, value-based fitness concept, has appointed franchising industry veteran Thomas Flaherty as president of franchising, a newly created position. In this role, Flaherty will oversee the entire franchise business, including directing the brand’s expansion across key markets in the United States and internationally. In his previous position as president and CEO of Agile Pursuits Franchising, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Procter & Gamble, Flaherty oversaw the Tide Dry Cleaners franchise and Mr. Clean Car Wash license. Flaherty helped to grow Tide Dry Cleaners …
Los Angeles — Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), a premier global developer and operator of flagship shopping destinations, has revealed details of its global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program — the most ambitious of its kind for a listed retail real estate company. Called “Better Places 2030”, the CSR program will now formally extend to the United States and the United Kingdom, which were a part of the acquisition of Westfield by Unibail-Rodamco last year. Broadly, the program commits URW to reduce its total carbon footprint 50% by the year 2030 across every …