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Chicago — Hardware retailer True Value Co. LLC has initiated voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The Chicago-based retailer has also entered into an agreement to sell substantially all of its business operations to Do it Best Corp., another entity within the home improvement retail sector and former rival. According to Reuters, Do it Best will serve as the stalking horse bidder for True Value with an acquisition price set at $153 million in cash and the assumption of $45 million …

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Orlando, Fla. — Darden Restaurants, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. in an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $605 million. The transaction was approved by a majority of Chuy’s Holdings stockholders on Oct. 10, 2024. This follows the merger agreement that was announced on July 17, 2024. With the acquisition now complete, Chuy’s joins Darden’s portfolio of differentiated brands which also includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s and Bahama …

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Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus, the nation’s leading specialty battery franchise, continues its growth trajectory with significant progress in the third quarter. The company signed five new franchise owners, securing the development of 16 new locations in Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio and Texas. In addition to new franchise agreements, Batteries Plus opened five new storefronts this quarter, with openings in North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and two in Florida. “Our continued success reflects the strength of our franchise opportunity and the trust entrepreneurs have in our brand,” says Joe Malmuth, chief …

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Atlanta — Better Earth, a leader in sustainable foodservice packaging solutions, has acquired Betterbin, a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that optimizes recycling and composting education for consumers, retailers and businesses. This acquisition bolsters Better Earth’s mission to create a regenerative circular economy by providing seamless, tech-driven solutions that divert food packaging waste from landfills, improve compliance with solid waste regulations and meet local sustainability goals. With only around 5% of plastics currently being recycled in the United States, the need for smarter waste solutions is more urgent than …

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Atlanta — Zaxbys™, a rapidly expanding Georgia-based QSR franchise, will make its debut in the state of Maryland next year. A newly signed territory agreement will open three locations along Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The first Zaxbys in Maryland is slated to open in Cambridge in late 2025, with additional locations in Easton and West Ocean City/Berlin to follow. The first Maryland Zaxbys location will be built near Walmart in Cambridge, with a modern farmhouse design. Another location is planned near a new hospital development in Easton, and the third will …

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Asbury Park, N.J. — Solar Landscape, a leading commercial and community solar developer, has teamed up with Walmart, which plans to invest in 74 Solar Landscape community solar projects in Maryland and Illinois as part of a 3 million-square-foot clean energy portfolio. The commercial rooftop projects are currently under construction and expected to energize in 2024 and 2025. They will create nearly 43 megawatts (DC) of solar capacity for the surrounding communities — enough power to serve the equivalent of over 3,600 homes. Approximately half of the portfolio is designed …

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Portland, Ore. — Killer Burger, a fast-growing better burger concept, plans to enter the state of Texas with its first location in San Antonio. The franchised location is expected to open in November, and will be owned and operated by Killer Burger founder — and now also a franchisee — Thomas “TJ” Southard. This marks the brand’s first location outside of the Pacific Northwest. Southard is adding “franchisee” to his roles of founder, board member and majority shareholder as part of his broader plan to help Killer Burger attract and …

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New York City — Primark, an international clothing retailer that offers quality fashion at value prices, has signed a lease for its first storefront in Manhattan. To be located in Herald Square in the revitalized Penn District, the new store will serve as a flagship location for Primark. Located directly across the street from Penn Station, the most highly trafficked train station in the country, the new store will be situated in a prime location to attract commuter foot traffic, enabling Primark to reach more shoppers in the region than …

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Louisville, Ky. — On Oct. 8, Yum! Brands, Inc. released its annual Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report, detailing its advancements in reducing carbon emissions, improving packaging and more. The company has a longstanding dedication to responsible business practices, investing strategically in its three priority pillars of People, Food and Planet. “In 2023, we experienced a year of remarkable growth and remained focused on greenhouse gas reduction, sustainable packaging and having a positive community impact,” says David Gibbs, CEO of Yum! Brands. “Our ‘Good Growth’ strategy has propelled our sales and …

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Tampa, Fla. — U-Haul is offering 30 days free self-storage and U-Box portable container use across Florida in preparation for Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm projected to hit the state later this week. Less than 2 weeks after Hurricane Helene brought damaging floodwaters and high winds to the Big Bend region and western Gulf Coast communities, Milton has rapidly intensified and is forecasted to pack life-threatening storm surge along Florida’s western Gulf Coast. All 14 U-Haul companies with operations in Florida have made their 172 centers available to offer …

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