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TruGolf Links to Open Flagship Location in Chicagoland

by Katie Lee

Centerville, Utah — TruGolf Links will open a flagship location at the newly renovated Romeo Town Center in Romeoville, Ill., a southwest suburb of Chicago. The 5,000-square-foot facility will include TruGolf’s premium simulator bays and an upscale restaurant and full bar with plans to open this fall. As retail destinations diversify and work to create more compelling reasons to visit, adding this type of concept is a way to draw more customers on a regular basis to benefit the entire community. “We invest a lot of time and energy into …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Guthrie’s Enters Colorado with First Restaurant Led by Third-Generation Guthrie Family Members

by Katie Lee

Colorado Springs, Colo. — Guthrie’s, the original chicken-finger restaurant, will open its newest restaurant on July 14 in Colorado Springs, Colo. — marking the brand’s first-ever location in Colorado. The restaurant is also owned and operated by Guthrie family members Joe Kelly Guthrie, Tanner Guthrie and Garrison Guthrie. “Growing up, Guthrie’s has always been part of our family’s story, and it’s incredibly special to be opening a restaurant with my brother and dad,” says Tanner Guthrie. “As we looked at where to open our first restaurant, Colorado Springs stood out …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Five Below Opens 2,000th Store

by Katie Lee

Philadelphia — Five Below, Inc. is celebrating a major milestone: the grand opening of its 2,000th store. The store is located in LaGrange, Ga. “Reaching 2,000 stores is an incredible milestone for our brand whose mission is to be the destination for the kid and the kid in all of us,” says Winnie Park, CEO. “We know our unique retail concept has a lot of runway ahead with thousands of new stores across the U.S.” Five Below is a leading growth retailer offering trend-right, extreme value, high-quality products, with most …

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International Dairy Queen Hires Chief Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) has hired Phil Crawford to join the company as executive vice president and chief technology officer, reporting to the president and CEO. He leads IT and retail technology for the company and its more than 7,800 DQ® restaurants worldwide. “Technology plays an increasingly critical role in empowering our business for our employees, franchisees and fans,” says Troy Bader, president and CEO at International Dairy Queen. “Phil’s proven success as a restaurant business and technology leader positions us for continued growth as we live …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsretailers

Club Pilates Signs 70-Unit Development Deal

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Club Pilates has teamed up with entrepreneur Saber Ammori, leading to the signing of a multi-unit development agreement for 70 locations in addition to Ammori’s open studios and studios in development. Currently, Ammori owns and operates 14 Club Pilates units in the New York City area. As part of this deal, Ammori and Cohere Capital have formed Renew Fitness to operate and develop the existing and future locations. The franchisee group’s total number of potential studios will jump to 84, making Renew Fitness one of Club Pilates’ …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

QDOBA Plans Over 100 Franchised Restaurants Across Southeast and Western U.S.

by Katie Lee

San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats has signed two new development agreements to open 50 new restaurants in Atlanta and Nashville. A recent acquisition and expanded development commitment from B Wild Investments, LLC is further accelerating franchise-led growth. “We’re thrilled to partner with proven franchise operators who share our people-first culture, exceptional standards for guest service and commitment to disciplined growth,” says Jeremy Vitaro, chief development officer, QDOBA. QDOBA and its franchise partners currently operate over 865 restaurants, with plans to double the brand’s footprint to approximately 2,000 restaurants within …

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The Container Store and Bed Bath & Beyond Launch First Co-Branded Retail Experience

by Katie Lee

Coppell, Texas — In May, The Container Store and Bed Bath & Beyond opened its first co-branded retail location in Fort Worth, Texas. This milestone marks the next step in bringing together two iconic brands to deliver a more connected, value-driven home shopping experience. The new store concept combines the best of The Container Store’s organizing solutions, design services and expertise with the best of Bed Bath & Beyond’s home essentials. The result is a more complete home destination that combines organization, essentials, décor and services in one convenient shopping …

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Menu Order AI Appoints Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Needham, Mass. — Menu Order AI has appointed Krishna Kumar as fractional chief operating officer (COO), strengthening the company’s leadership team as it expands its AI-powered platform for restaurants and consumers. He brings decades of experience leading artificial intelligence, software development, enterprise technology and global product initiatives. “Krishna’s operational expertise and deep understanding of artificial intelligence make him an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” says Melissa Butler, founder and CEO of Menu Order AI. “As we continue expanding our restaurant partnerships and consumer platform, his leadership will help accelerate …

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AEO Inc. Announces CFO Transition

by Katie Lee

Pittsburgh — After 25 years, Mike Mathias, executive vice president – chief financial officer of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., will transition to full-time non-executive strategic advisor to Jay Schottenstein, executive chairman of the board and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 3, 2026. AEO’s new CFO, Ravi Thanawala, joins the company from Papa Johns. He will succeed Mathias as executive vice president – chief financial officer, also effective Aug. 3. To ensure a seamless leadership transition, Mathias will collaborate closely with Thanawala through the remainder of AEO’s 2026 fiscal year and …

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Morgan Li Hires New Senior Sales Executive

by Katie Lee

Chicago Heights, Ill. — Morgan Li, a leading manufacturer of custom retail fixtures, branded environments, graphics and commercial furnishings, has added Neal Wright as senior sales executive. Based in Nashville, Tenn., Wright will support retailers and brands nationwide as they develop and execute store environment programs, fixture rollouts and customer experience initiatives. Wright brings more than two decades of experience helping retailers and consumer brands deliver successful in-store environments. Throughout his career, he has partnered with some of the industry’s most recognized fixture, merchandising and point-of-purchase organizations, including Lozier Corporation, …

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