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Jittery Joe’s Coffee Marks 30 Years, Launches Drive-Thru Franchise Concept

by Katie Lee

Athens, Ga. — This year, Jittery Joe’s Coffee is celebrating 30 years in business. The specialty coffee roaster, based in Athens, Ga., is also now launching franchise opportunities for a new drive-thru model. Jittery Joe’s Coffee’s new drive-thru concept stands out by maintaining a smaller footprint, offering lower labor costs and enhancing efficiency. “As demand for coffee and energy continues to rise, savvy investments are shifting toward the smaller-footprint, drive-thru-only coffee model,” says Drew French, co-owner of Jittery Joe’s Franchising. “Our new drive-thru concept is poised to capitalize on these …

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Ollie’s Celebrates 10 Grand Openings in Texas

by Katie Lee

Harrisburg, Pa. — Ollie’s, America’s largest retailer of closeout merchandise and excess inventory, has opened 10 new stores in Texas. The new locations, all former 99₵ Stores, will bring even more brand name bargains to the Dallas, Houston, McAllen and San Antonio markets. “We are incredibly excited to open 10 more stores in the great state of Texas where the folks have been so good to us,” says John Swygert, chief executive officer of Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. “With the closing of 99₵ Stores throughout the state, we’re thrilled to provide …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

IHOP President to Retire; Successor is Appointed

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — IHOP®, a leader in the family dining restaurant sector, has announced that Jay Johns will retire after 16 years at Dine Brands and nearly 6 years as president of IHOP. Johns will step down from his role on January 6, 2025, but will remain involved with the company in an advisory capacity until March 2025. Lawrence Kim, previously chief innovation officer at YUM! Brands, has been appointed president designee, effective October 21, 2024, and will assume the title of IHOP president on January 6, 2025. Since joining …

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green newskitchen exhaust/grease controlNewsrestaurantsvendorswaste management/recycling

Filta Converts Over 1 Billion Pounds of Cooking Oil into Biodiesel Fuel

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions (Filta), an industry leader in providing efficient, environmentally forward services to commercial kitchens, has reached a significant milestone: the recycling of 1 billion pounds of used cooking oil into biodiesel fuel. This achievement underscores Filta’s commitment to sustainability and its innovative solutions that have transformed tens of thousands of commercial and restaurant kitchens across North America since the brand began franchising in 2002. Filta’s unique service model enhances commercial kitchen operations by micro-filtering cooking oil, deep cleaning fryers and offering bin-free waste oil …

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energy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsHVAC/RNewsretailers

ALDI Among the First Grocers with SBTi-Validated Net-Zero Emissions Targets

by Katie Lee

Batavia, Ill. — ALDI SOUTH Group has a goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its entire value chain by 2050, making it one of the first international grocery retailers with net-zero emissions targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that enables companies to play their part in combating the climate crisis and set GHG emissions reduction targets in line with what is needed to mitigate global warming. As a part of ALDI SOUTH Group and one of America’s …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

FAT Brands to Convert 30 Smokey Bones Restaurants into Twin Peaks

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., a leading global franchising company and parent company of 18 brands including Twin Peaks, has opened the first converted Smokey Bones location to Twin Peaks in Lakeland, Fla. Since acquiring Smokey Bones last year, FAT Brands has identified a select number of Smokey Bones locations to convert to its fastest-growing brand, Twin Peaks. The global restaurant franchising company has identified this strategy as a key growth pillar for the brand and currently has a pipeline of approximately 30 Smokey Bones locations …

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green newsNewsretailerssupply chain

Ahold Delhaize USA and General Mills Collaborate to Decrease Value Chain Emissions

by Katie Lee

Salisbury, N.C. and Minneapolis — Recognizing the importance of collaboration across the value chain, Ahold Delhaize USA and General Mills have teamed up to create an innovative approach to address Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions within their shared value chain. Through co-investments in priority supply sheds — or geographic growing regions where key ingredients are sourced — the two companies will support farmers as they adopt regenerative farming practices. Utilizing expertise from Ecosystem Services Market Consortium (ESMC), a nonprofit member-based consortium, farmers will receive technical and financial support to implement …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Red Lobster Exits Bankruptcy; New CEO is Named

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — In mid-September, The Red Lobster® restaurant chain exited Chapter 11 restructuring following the company’s acquisition by a new owner: RL Investor Holdings LLC. RL Investor Holdings is an entity created by funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC, alongside co-investors TCW Private Credit and Blue Torch. “Red Lobster is now a stronger, more resilient company, and today is the start of a new chapter in our history,” says Damola Adamolekun, the new CEO of Red Lobster. “From the opening of our first restaurant in 1968, …

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Newsproperty managementretailers

Mexico Footwear Retailer to Open First U.S. Store

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — JLL has signed Groupo Innovasport to a new lease for 7,500 square feet of space (currently occupied by Hollister) in the Third Street Promenade area of Santa Monica, Calif. Mexico-based Grupo Innovasport will open its U.S. flagship store for Culto, which features specialty footwear. The store is expected to open in first quarter 2025. Culto is the latest addition at Third Street Promenade, joining Google Store which recently inked a new deal. Latest openings in the popular destination include Pickle Pop, Barnes & Noble, Wilson Sporting Goods …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Scooter’s Coffee to Open First West Virginia Location, Will Expand in 3 More States

by Katie Lee

   Omaha, Neb. — Scooter’s Coffee, LLC, the Midwest-based drive-thru coffee franchise experiencing record-breaking growth, plans to open five new coffee kiosks in four different states — the result of new franchise agreements signed in August — including its first location in the state of West Virginia. The new signings in West Virginia, Alabama, Minnesota and Wisconsin are the latest boost to the Scooter’s Coffee‘s network of more than 800 stores in 30 states as the brand strives to become the #1 drive-thru specialty coffee franchise system in the nation.  …

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