Friday, August 15, 2025
Read the Magazine Subscribe

News

franchise developmentNewspeopleretailers

Batteries Plus Promotes Joe Malmuth to Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee

Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus, the nation’s franchise leader in battery retail, has promoted Joe Malmuth to the position of chief development officer. In this new role, he will lead the brand’s robust plans for franchise growth and development. Malmuth has been with Batteries Plus for nearly 4 years, serving in a multitude of roles related to Batteries Plus’ franchise development arm, most recently as chief franchising officer. Malmuth’s tenure as chief franchising officer, a position he’s held since fall 2022, has been marked by significant achievements of the growth …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii Aims to Open 20+ New Stores in 2024

by Katie Lee

Denver — Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii is gearing up for a momentous 2024, following a year that saw 25 new franchise agreements and the opening of seven new stores, three of which were in new markets. The brand now has more than 100 stores in the development pipeline and aims to secure agreements for an additional 36 locations while opening more than 20 additional stores in 2024. During 2023, the company emphasized greater focus on implementing refined systems and processes with franchisees which resulted in improved store-by-store financial performance. …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsremodelsretailers

Walmart Plans to Add 150 New Stores, Remodel 650 Existing Locations

by Katie Lee

Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart plans to expand by more than 150 new stores over the next 5 years, both through new construction and converting existing buildings. The first two stores under this initiative — both under the company’s smaller-format Walmart Neighborhood Market banner — are scheduled to open this spring in Santa Rosa, Fla., and Atlanta. The company is currently finalizing plans for 12 new projects, one of which will be the conversion of a smaller existing location into a large-format Walmart Supercenter, which serves as both a grocery store …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsrestaurants

Fogo de Chão to Open New Waterfront Santa Monica Location

by Katie Lee

Santa Monica, Calif. — Fogo de Chão has signed a lease agreement for its 11th Southern California location. The new 7,246-square-foot restaurant is scheduled to open in late 2024 at 1551 Ocean Ave. and joins existing Fogo restaurants across metropolitan L.A. area, Orange County and San Diego. The Santa Monica restaurant will offer a new dining experience in the city’s westside area which features popular attractions like the Santa Monica Pier, Third Street Promenade shopping district and a stretch of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. This Los Angeles lease agreement …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailers

Men’s Wearhouse Opens 6th New Store in Recent Months

by Katie Lee

Houston — Men’s Wearhouse, the largest specialty retailer of menswear and rental products in the United States, has opened a new 6,000-square-foot store at the Shops of Bella Terra in Richmond, Texas, located within the greater Houston metropolitan area. With this new opening, Men’s Wearhouse now totals 638 brick-and-mortar locations across the U.S. It marks the last of six new stores scheduled to open across recent months, following new storefronts recently opened in Prosper and Harker Heights, Texas; Bala Cynwyd, Pa.; and Burlington and Gastonia, N.C. This growing roster reinforces …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
kitchen equipmentNewspeoplerestaurantsvendors

Marra Forni Welcomes New Chief Pizzaiolo Officer

by Katie Lee

Beltsville, Md. — Marra Forni, an international manufacturer of artisan commercial brick oven cooking solutions, has hired Giulio Adriani in the new position of chief pizzaiolo officer. Adriani brings with him vast accomplishments including his experience as a successful pizza maker, pizzeria owner, instructor and industry expert. Adriani officially joined the organization in December 2023. Adriani comes to Marra Forni with over 30 years of cooking experience starting in the kitchen of his Naplese grandmother. He has opened a dozen successful and highly acclaimed pizza restaurants and consulted on nearly …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Modern Market Eatery Projects Strong 2024 Growth; Will Remodel All Locations in Colorado

by Katie Lee

Denver — Modern Market Eatery, a better-for-you fast-casual dining brand, expanded its presence in 2023, opening restaurants in new and current markets, including its first new franchised location and drive-thru restaurant. The brand continues to expand in 2024 with 42 locations slated to open over the next 6-7 years. In addition to new growth, the brand started its first extensive remodel project in brand history, which will update all of its legacy Colorado restaurants. In 2023, the brand opened three new restaurants, which included the following: • One new company-owned …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailers

Nordstrom Rack to Open 2 New Stores in North Carolina

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Seattle-based fashion retailer Nordstrom, Inc. plans to open two new Nordstrom Rack stores in North Carolina. The new stores will be located in Raleigh and Matthews, which will open in fall 2024 and spring 2025, respectively. “We look forward to being a part of the Raleigh and Matthews communities and serving our customers with an amazing offering of great brands at great prices,” says Gemma Lionello, president of Nordstrom Rack Stores. “We’re excited to grow our footprint in these regions and introduce new customers to the Nordstrom experience.” …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to Enter New North American Markets in 2024

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, a Southern California global roaster and retailer of premium coffee and tea, is marking 60 years in business by unveiling a strategic franchising initiative aimed to accelerate growth in North America. Expansion goals for 2024 include venturing into new and untapped markets, notably Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Canada and Mexico. The company is projected to sign more than 225 new store commitments through multi-unit development agreements and single café franchise agreements, emphasizing both traditional and non-traditional growth avenues such as …

Continue Reading
1 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailerssupply chain

Academy Sports + Outdoors Names SVP, Chief Supply Chain Officer

by Katie Lee

Katy, Texas — Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc. has appointed Robert (Rob) Howell to the role of senior vice president and chief supply chain officer. In this role, he will oversee supply chain operations, distribution centers, and domestic & international logistics. Howell will join the company in February 2024 and report to Sam Johnson, president of Academy. Howell brings nearly 30 years of supply chain, distribution and logistics experience to Academy. Previously, he spent nearly 20 years with Sysco Corporation, a wholesale restaurant food distributor, where he performed various supply …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts