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Largest Solar-Powered Starbucks in the U.S. Now Open

by Katie Lee

Gilbert, Ariz. — Mercy Center, a highly anticipated 11-acre mixed-use development in Gilbert, Ariz., is now open. Developed and leased by Diversified Partners, the new community hub includes Arizona’s largest Starbucks — and the largest solar-powered Starbucks in the country. The two-story design redefines eco-conscious, customer-centric retail. This first-of-its-kind Starbucks location features a rooftop solar array supplying 80% to 100% of the store’s energy needs. Excess power is fed back into the grid to support nearby homes. Designed for efficiency and accessibility, the flagship Starbucks includes a 23-car drive-thru, designated …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Whole Foods Market Expands International Footprint with New U.K. Location

by Katie Lee

London — Whole Foods Market is expanding internationally, with a new store planned in London that will open on March 25, 2025. The store is the first new U.K. location for Whole Foods Market since 2014 and will serve as a premium retailer for the historic and celebrated destination of London’s King’s Road in Chelsea. “Whole Foods Market has roots deeply planted in the U.K., and we are thrilled to be bringing more natural and organic food to this market with the opening of our new King’s Road store this …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

A&W Restaurants Promotes New CEO and President

by Katie Lee

Lexington, Ky. — A&W Restaurants, an all-American QSR with over 100 years of experience in business, has promoted Betsy Schmandt to chief executive officer and president of A&W Restaurants. Previously serving as the chief operating officer and president for the brand, Schmandt will inherit the responsibility from former CEO, Kevin Bazner, who will continue his tenure as chairman. Schmandt spent the last 18 months as COO and president of A&W Restaurants where she led day-to-day operations, ensuring efficiency, productivity and alignment with the businesses’ long term strategic goals. Prior to …

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construction and designNewsremodelsretailerssoftware/technologysupply chain

Target Plans to Open Approximately 20 New Stores in 2025

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — At its financial community meeting in early March, Target Corporation outlined how ongoing investments will aim to accelerate its strategy and drive billions of dollars of profitable sales growth across its multi-channel business by 2030. Plans for 2025 and beyond include: • Elevating shopping with technology: The retailer will innovate with search, social and data-driven personalization. That includes enhancing solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that offer more relevant product recommendations, optimize search results and integrate with social media trends. • New stores and remodels: Through its ongoing …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Bonchon Opens 150th U.S. Restaurant

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Bonchon, a global leader in Korean fried chicken, is marking a franchise milestone with its 150th U.S. location, which opened in February. The Jonesboro, Ark., location was Bonchon’s first restaurant in the state with additional Arkansas stores to open this year. Bonchon’s strong start to 2025 also involved entering new markets in Florida, Arkansas and Iowa. “This year is off to an exciting start with new store openings and franchise agreements, bringing Bonchon’s craveable Korean fried chicken to even more guests,” says Bonchon CEO Suzie Tsai. “We’re accelerating …

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Newspeopleretailers

Kroger CEO to Resign

by Katie Lee

Cincinnati — The chairman and chief executive officer of Kroger Co., Rodney McMullen, has resigned from the company following a board investigation of his personal conduct that, while unrelated to the business, was inconsistent with Kroger’s Policy on Business Ethics. The board has appointed its lead director, Ronald “Ron” Sargent, to serve as chairman of the board of directors and interim CEO, effective immediately. Mark Sutton will serve as Kroger’s lead independent director, also effective immediately. The board of directors has formed a search committee and engaged a nationally recognized …

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green newsNewspeoplevendorswaste management/recycling

Divert, Inc. Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

West Concord, Mass. — Divert, Inc., a circular economy company on a mission to prevent food from being wasted, has appointed Brad Lukow to its executive leadership team as chief financial officer. Lukow brings more than 30 years of finance and capital markets experience, with the majority of his career focused on the consumer retail sector. David Eichinger, Divert’s CFO since 2022, will step away from the company to pursue other opportunities outside the business. “Brad’s proven leadership in finance, particularly in the retail industry, makes him an ideal fit …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Shipley Do-Nuts Expands in New Markets Across the U.S.

by Katie Lee

Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts, one of the nation’s largest donut and kolache brands, plans to expand its national footprint with a 30-unit development deal that will bring the brand to New Mexico and the Miami-Dade area of Florida, both new markets for Shipley. This follows the recent new opening in Concord, N.C. — marking the first Shipley in the state of North Carolina. Existing Shipley franchisee Vik Agrawal will bring 10 shops to Sandoval, Santa Fe, Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrance, Socorro, Lincoln, De Baca, Guadalupe and San Miguel counties in New …

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construction and designNewsretailers

ALDI to Add 225 New Stores in 2025

by Katie Lee

Batavia, Ill. — German discount grocery store chain ALDI has plans to open more than 225 new store locations in 2025 as part of its 5-year national growth strategy. This is the most stores ALDI will open in 1 year in its nearly 50-year U.S. history. The new stores will comprise original ALDI supermarkets and the conversion of select Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores. Approximately 220 Southeastern Grocers locations will be converted to the ALDI format through 2027. As part of the strategy, ALDI has closed a transaction to divest …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Surcheros to Open 10 New Units Across the South in 2025

by Katie Lee

Alpharetta, Ga. — Surcheros® is poised for a record-breaking year. Most recently, the emerging fast-casual brand experienced significant growth in 2024, opening nine new locations and debuting in South Carolina and Tennessee for the first time. With a healthy pipeline in place, Surcheros plans to open at least 10 new units by the end of 2025, further solidifying its growing presence across Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.  “Over the past year, we’ve expanded into South Carolina and Tennessee, strengthened our operations team and improved our buildout process to be …

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