Sunday, November 23, 2025
Read the Magazine Subscribe

News

franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Wetzel’s Pretzels Opens First New Mexico Location

by Katie Lee

Albuquerque, N.M. — Wetzel’s Pretzels is now open in Coronado Center in Albuquerque. Wetzel’s joins more than 130 retail shops at the mall, which is the state’s largest shopping center. The new location also marks the first Wetzel’s Pretzels in the state of New Mexico.  The debut New Mexico location is owned and operated by Tamanna Sayed and Md Abul Kalam Azad. “As existing franchise owners in California, we were ready to start a journey with Wetzel’s into a region with tons of growth potential,” says Sayed. “We’re drawn to …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailers

GU to Open First Overseas Flagship Store in New York in Fall 2024

by Katie Lee

Tokyo and New York City — GU, the Japanese apparel retailer and sister brand of UNIQLO, plans to open GU NY SOHO, the brand’s first overseas flagship store, in fall 2024 in the SoHo neighborhood of New York. Following a successful pop-up location, the permanent store will offer women’s and men’s clothing across two floors, as well as shoes, bags and accessories. An online store with the same product lineup as the physical store will also launch at the same time, delivering GU products nationwide. With a sales floor area …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Dave’s Hot Chicken to Enter Missouri with 7-Unit Agreement in St. Louis

by Katie Lee

St. Louis, Mo. — Dave’s Hot Chicken, a Los Angeles-based street food sensation turned breakthrough fast-casual brand, has signed a multi-unit agreement for seven locations across St. Louis — the brand’s first in Missouri — with established entrepreneur Raj Patel and his company, The Hari Group. The Hari Group now owns and operates over 100 franchise locations across major food brands like McAlister’s Deli, Dunkin’ and Dave’s Hot Chicken. “I’ve always believed in leading by example and ensuring that each location is effectively set up operationally to thrive,” says Patel, …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsretailers

Rally House Surpasses 200 Retail Store Locations

by Katie Lee

Lenexa, Kan. — Rally House, the fastest growing sports and local apparel retailer in the nation, hit a major company milestone at the end of April by surpassing 200 storefront locations throughout the United States. The family-owned company, who has been in business since 1989, has doubled its store count in just over 2 years. During the weekend of April 27-28, Rally House opened new stores in its existing markets of Philadelphia; Louisville, Ky.; West Virginia; and Chicago, as well as opening its first location in Buffalo, N.Y. The busy …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
energy managementfacilities managementkitchen equipmentNewsProduct Spotlightvendorswaste management/recycling

Powerhouse Dynamics Activates New AI-Powered Energy Solution

by Katie Lee

Boston — Powerhouse Dynamics, a leading Internet of Things (IoT) partner to enterprise-level restaurant, QSR, convenience store and retail brands, has installed its AI-powered DemandSmart Solution in client locations across the country. The solution automatically executes demand response at scale, empowering clients to generate new revenues by lowering their energy use when the grid is experiencing peak demand. “We are excited to bring this expanded capability to our customers. Not only will they save significant energy costs using our DemandSmart module, but they will also be able to take advantage …

Continue Reading
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Shipley Do-Nuts Inks 14 Deals for 61 New Units; Expands Development Team

by Katie Lee

Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts continues its trend of positive same-store sales and bolsters its rapid growth trajectory with an expanded development team, 14 signed deals for 61 new locations throughout Texas and six shops opened so far in 2024. Shipley’s development team, headed by its senior vice president of franchise development, Keith Sizemore, has expanded with two key employees. Jonathan Massey joined Shipley in March as vice president of sales after serving as director of franchise development at Wingstop and, prior to that, at Pizza Hut. Also joining the team …

Continue Reading
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeopleretailers

Batteries Plus Promotes Chief Business Officer to COO

by Katie Lee

Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus has promoted Jon Sica to chief operating officer (COO). Sica will continue to drive the specialty retail brand forward by overseeing key areas of the business, including commercial sales and retail operations support. Sica started his professional career in marketing and e-commerce at outdoor giant Cabela’s, but quickly moved into executive-level positions by combining the art and science of business to find success across big box, QSR and franchise companies. He joined the Batteries Plus team from Texas icon Whataburger in April 2019 as the …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

Sage Restaurant Concepts Names New COO

by Katie Lee

Denver — Sage Hospitality Group has named Justin Fowler as the new chief operating officer for Sage Restaurant Concepts (SRC), overseeing operations of Sage’s growing list of more than 50 restaurants, bars, cafes and venues in the SRC portfolio, effective June 1.  “Our award-winning restaurants and bars are community cornerstones in the many cities and destinations where we operate,” says Daniel del Olmo, president of hotels and restaurants at Sage Hospitality Group. “Justin’s proven track record of delivering results, operational excellence as well as his deep knowledge of the fine …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewspaintingremodelsretailers

Von Maur to Invest $100 Million on Interior Store Renovations

by Katie Lee

Davenport, Iowa — Von Maur Department Store is undergoing an extensive, multi-phased renovation of its brick-and-mortar locations over the next 5 years. The retailer will invest more than $100 million to showcase an entirely new interior aesthetic as the 152-year-old company continues to prioritize the shopping experience for its customers. “As Von Maur has grown, new stores have evolved to reflect the trends present in residential design. It is important that we reinvest in our existing locations and bring those same updates to the customers that have been the bedrock …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Bloomin’ Brands CEO to Retire

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — The chief executive officer of Bloomin’ Brands, Inc., David Deno, will be retiring after 12 years with the company, including the last 5 years as CEO and a member of the board of directors. Deno will continue in his current role until a successor is named and a successful transition period is completed. The board of directors will conduct a search for Deno’s successor. “David has strengthened the financial foundation at Bloomin’ Brands through better profitability and a stronger balance sheet, which is especially impressive given nearly …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts