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Five Below Names New Executives

by Katie Lee

Philadelphia — Five Below, Inc. has appointed Rodney Lastinger as chief retail officer and Christos Yatrakis as chief legal officer. Lastinger will be responsible for leading the operational performance of the company’s nearly 2,000 stores and joined the company on June 22, 2026. Yatrakis will oversee the company’s legal function and joined on June 15, 2026. Both executives will report to Kenneth Bull, chief operating officer. “We are thrilled to welcome Rodney and Christos to the Five Below crew,” says Winnie Park, chief executive officer. Lastinger has extensive experience leading …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Shipley to Make Ohio Debut with 3-Unit Franchise Deal

by Katie Lee

Houston — Shipley Donuts has signed a three-unit franchise agreement in Cincinnati, marking its entry into Ohio. The deal is with Houston-based Koelache Co. LLC, which plans to open its first Shipley location in first quarter 2027, with the other two units expected to open through 2029.  Founded in Texas in 1936 and expanding rapidly into new markets, Shipley Donuts is known for its signature hot glazed donuts plus dozens of varieties of fresh, handmade donuts including filled, iced and cake donuts. Shipley is also famous for its kolaches, which …

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DICK’S Teams Up with Lids to Launch Lids Shops Inside 100 DICK’S Locations

by Katie Lee

Pittsburgh — DICK’S Sporting Goods has formed a new partnership with Lids to introduce dedicated Lids shop locations inside DICK’S stores nationwide. The partnership will expand access to Lids’ licensed headwear while enhancing the in-store experience for sports fans. The collaboration is currently available at 46 DICK’S locations and will be in more than 100 DICK’S stores by late summer 2026. Each Lids shop will feel immersive with the Lids-brand and include fixtures and merchandising that showcase Lids’ extensive assortment of licensed and lifestyle headwear. “Lids has long been the …

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FBG Bid Co. Acquires FAT Brands Assets for $595 Million

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FBG Bid Co. has completed the acquisition of substantially all assets of certain subsidiaries of FAT Brands Inc. for approximately $595 million. The transaction included 13 restaurant brands spanning more than 1,700 locations worldwide: Round Table Pizza®, Fatburger, Marble Slab Creamery, Johnny Rockets, Fazoli’s, Great American Cookies, Buffalo’s Cafe & Express, Hurricane Grill & Wings, Pretzelmaker, Native Grill & Wings, and Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses, in addition to the Georgia-based manufacturing facility that supports Great American Cookies and Pretzelmaker. The transaction was approved by the United States …

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CITY Furniture Rebrands as CITY HOME

by Katie Lee

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. — South Florida-based CITY Furniture, a trusted name in home for more than 50 years, is transitioning to CITY HOME, expanding beyond furniture to become Florida’s first stop for all things home. CITY HOME is a new retail concept that brings together furniture, home products and services into a single, integrated shopping experience. The expanded concept brings more categories under one roof, including appliances, closets, home electronics, bath, fitness, kitchens and a full connected home assortment. Customers can also access an expanded suite of services, including interior …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Marco’s Pizza Expands HQ with New Operations Center in Orlando

by Katie Lee

Toledo, Ohio — Marco’s Pizza is developing a new Operations Center of Excellence in Orlando, Fla., a strategic investment designed to elevate franchisee training, strengthen operational execution and support the brand’s continued national and international expansion. The new facility represents an extension of the company’s headquarters in Toledo, Ohio. Construction is currently underway, with the facility expected to open in fall 2026. Located at 222 South Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando, the approximately 14,030-square-foot center will serve as a corporate office, training destination and operational hub. Backed by an investment …

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James Avery to Debut New Store Experience

by Katie Lee

Kerrville, Texas — As retailers rethink the role of physical stores in a more connected, convenience-driven marketplace, James Avery Artisan Jewelry® is introducing a new retail experience designed around what cannot be fully replicated online: personal service, product discovery, customization and a sense of place. The family-owned jewelry retailer will debut its new store experience at Schertz Station in Schertz, Texas, near the brand’s Hill Country roots and along the fast-growing I-35 corridor between San Antonio and New Braunfels. The location gives James Avery a close-to-home market to introduce a …

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Yum Brands Agrees to Sell Pizza Hut in Two Separate Transactions Totaling $2.7 Billion

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands Inc., the Louisville-based operator of the Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC franchises, has entered into an agreement to sell the Pizza Hut chain across two separate transactions with a combined value of $2.7 billion. LongRange Capital, a private equity firm based in Stamford, Conn., has agreed to purchase Pizza Hut outside of mainland China for approximately $1.5 billion. The company is financing its acquisition using funds from UBS Investment Bank. Yum China Holdings Inc., which is based in Shanghai and was spun off from …

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Kohl’s Names New Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s has named Elliott Rodgers as its new chief operating officer, reporting to CEO Michael J. Bender. In this role, Rodgers, who brings more than 20 years of strong cross-functional leadership experience, will be responsible for Kohl’s enterprise operations, including its nearly 1,200 stores, global supply chain and distribution centers, procurement and loss prevention. He will assume the role on Sept. 9, 2026. “We are thrilled to welcome Elliott to our senior leadership team as we continue our transformational efforts to drive the business forward,” says …

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KFC Launches its Next Chapter Globally, Including New Restaurant Design

by Katie Lee

Plano, Texas — As the global appetite for chicken grows, KFC is answering the call by challenging the sameness across quick-service chicken. In addition to evolving its food and beverage offerings, KFC is offering a new restaurant design. In the coming weeks, this global rollout is expected to expand across Australia and the U.S., with additional markets following through 2026. Beginning this summer, the brand is set to open a new generation of spaces designed for hospitality, not just efficiency — with environments that feel more dynamic and adapt throughout …

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