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Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™ Enter China with 600-Restaurant Agreement

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™, one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant brands in the world, plans to enter China, marking a major milestone in the company’s global growth and its 27th international market. The brand’s first restaurant in China is slated to open in Shanghai this summer, with additional locations — at least 600 — to follow. Texas Chicken has partnered with Deke Shengtang, a leading local operator with multiple QSR brands, signing a franchise agreement to develop 600 or more restaurants across China over the …

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facilities managementNewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Toast Launches Unified Drive-Thru Solution to Modernize Enterprise QSR Operations

by Katie Lee

Boston — Toast, a digital technology platform built for hospitality, has launched Toast Drive-Thru, an enterprise-grade solution designed to help modern quick-service restaurants (QSR) increase throughput and order accuracy at scale while optimizing labor efficiency through a single, unified platform. There are just over 140,000 total drive-thru locations across the entire U.S. restaurant industry, according to 2026 data from Technomic Ignite. These operators must deliver fast, error-free guest service while facing increased pressure on labor efficiency. The growth of AI voice ordering solutions in drive-thru has left many brands struggling …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Rural King Celebrates 150th Store Opening

by Katie Lee

Mattoon, Ill. — Rural King, a family-owned retailer dedicated to the rural lifestyle, has openede its newest store in Sebring, Fla., marking its 150th location nationwide. Serving rural America since 1960, Rural King has grown into a trusted resource for the communities it serves. The new Sebring location offers a convenient destination for farm and home essentials, including livestock and pet supplies, workwear, power equipment, tools, automotive products and seasonal merchandise. “Opening our 150th store in Sebring is an incredible milestone for Rural King,” says Michael Ladd, chief operating officer …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Names Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Firebirds Wood Fired Grill has named restaurant industry veteran Jeff Uttz as its new chief financial officer, effective May 18, 2026. This comes as Firebirds continues to grow across the U.S. In addition to its current system footprint of nearly 70 restaurants, the company plans to open seven new locations in 2026, which includes its anticipated entrance into the Lexington, Ky., market — its first restaurant in the state. “We are thrilled to welcome Jeff Uttz to the Firebirds family,” says Steve Kislow, chief executive officer of …

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ServiceChannel Launches ServiceChannel AI, the AI Operating System for Facilities Management

by Katie Lee

Greenville, S.C. — ServiceChannel, a leading platform for the procurement and delivery of facilities services, has launched ServiceChannel AI, the AI operating system for facilities management that embeds intelligence directly where facilities work gets done. ServiceChannel AI helps facilities teams route work correctly from the start, address blockers before they disrupt experience and resolve escalations with automated follow-up. By embedding AI into the core workflows of the ServiceChannel Platform, ServiceChannel AI helps teams reduce manual effort, resolve issues faster and spend more time on strategic priorities. “Facilities teams are the …

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construction and designNewsretailers

CaratLane, a Leading Fine Jewelry Brand in India, Opens Second U.S. Store

by Katie Lee

Dallas — CaratLane, a Tata product and India’s leading omnichannel fine jewelry brand, has launched its second U.S. retail store in Frisco, Texas, near Dallas. The 1,200-square-foot boutique marks a significant milestone in the brand’s global journey, furthering its mission to make Indian jewelry accessible to Indians across the world. Frisco has emerged as one of the fastest-growing Indian hubs in the U.S., with a vibrant cultural community and rising demand for Indian products and experiences. Located within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the new store is strategically positioned to serve …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Pacsun Launches PS Vintage Resale Shops Inside 16 Stores

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Pacsun is bringing its curated concept, PS Vintage, to select stores, extending the experience beyond its initial online launch and into a physical retail setting. As resale continues to gain momentum and in-person shopping reemerges as a cultural driver, the concept brings a new layer of discovery to the store experience, aligning with Pacsun’s continued investment in its physical retail footprint. Developed in partnership with SPRINGY, an established authority in online secondhand retail, PS Vintage features thousands of one-of-a-kind, pre-loved pieces, including graphic tees, hoodies, denim and …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Marco’s Pizza Signs 12-Unit Agreement in Southern California

by Katie Lee

Toledo, Ohio — Marco’s Pizza has signed a 12-unit franchise agreement with experienced multi-unit operator Baljit Gill, accelerating the brand’s expansion across Southern California. Today, three Marco’s Pizza locations are open in Upland, Fontana and Hesperia, with two additional stores in development in Yucaipa and Highland slated to open in April. The remaining units are currently in site selection throughout Southern California. Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco’s Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States. Marco’s was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale (“Pat”) Giammarco. The …

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Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Names New President of Rejuvenation

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has promoted Aujsha Taylor to president of Rejuvenation, the company’s premier lighting and hardware brand. Taylor has been with Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since 2003 and stepped into the leadership role for Rejuvenation in 2020. Under her leadership, Rejuvenation’s revenue has more than doubled, driven by expanded merchandise categories and growth of the brand’s retail footprint to 13 stores, including Nashville, Tenn. (pictured), and Salt Lake City locations that opened in 2025, with plans to open a 14th retail location in Dallas in 2026. “Aujsha’s promotion to …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Huey Magoo’s Expands in Texas with New 15-Unit Agreement

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Huey Magoo’s has signed a development agreement in Texas, continuing its rapid national expansion. The development of 15 new restaurants in the Lone Star State will span Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston and Montgomery counties. Overall, Huey Magoo’s is on track to reach 100 locations in 2026. The latest agreement brings on the SMR Capital Group. Led by its managing partner, Muhammad Ali Akbar, and its operating partner, Jason Gilbert, the group offers a blend of multi-unit operating expertise, franchise growth leadership, and real estate-backed investment experience. …

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