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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Opens Second Airport Location

by Katie Lee

Wichita, Kan. — Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s has opened its newest location in Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, Mich., adding to its existing four restaurants in the market. Owned and operated by North American travel retailer Paradies Lagardère, the GRR opening marks Freddy’s second airport location, having debuted its first airport unit in Oklahoma City in 2022. In addition, Freddy’s plans to open in the Salt Lake City International Airport by year-end and is continuing to identify growth opportunities in non-traditional spaces, including stadiums, college campuses, …

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HVAC/RNewspeopleplumbingvendors

Total Comfort Group Promotes Christian Tunis to Client Success Manager

by Katie Lee

Eatontown, N.J. — Total Comfort Group, a national industry leader in HVAC/R, electrical and plumbing systems, has promoted Christian Tunis to client success manager. In his new role, Tunis will leverage his extensive experience and expertise to drive exceptional client satisfaction and retention as the company continues to grow nationally. A valued employee since 2018, Tunis previously served as senior account manager. “We are thrilled to promote Christian Tunis to the role of client success manager,” says Daniel Eberenz, vice president of operations. “His proven track record of leadership and …

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Newsretailersstore closings

Christy Sports Exits New Mexico Region, Will Close 6 Locations

by Katie Lee

Lakewood, Colo. — Christy Sports, a premier outdoor rental and retail service provider, will close all store locations in New Mexico, effective upon the conclusion of the 23/24 winter ski season. Christy Sports currently operates six total stores in New Mexico, including four locations in Taos Ski Valley under the banners of Cottam’s, Alpine Xtreme and Bootdoctor’s, one location in downtown Taos under Cottam’s and one seasonal location in Santa Fe under Cottam’s. The company made the decision to exit New Mexico to prioritize investment in more profitable regions. Christy …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Fazoli’s Kicks Off International Growth with 25-Unit Canadian Development Deal

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Fazoli’s and 17 other restaurant concepts, has inked a new development deal with franchisee Briwin Restaurants Inc. to bring 25 Fazoli’s locations to Canada over the next 10 years. The first units are expected to open in 2025 in the province of Alberta. “Fazoli’s has enjoyed tremendous success expanding domestically, operating in 26 states with over 200 locations, and is now well positioned to make its international debut,” says Taylor Wiederhorn, chief development officer of FAT Brands. “At …

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Newsretailers

UNIQLO to Open First Stores in Texas and Expand in California

by Katie Lee

New York — UNIQLO will open its first stores in Texas in Houston and Dallas, and extend its West Coast presence, including new cities San Diego and Sacramento, Calif., this fall/winter. In total, the brand will open 11 new stores across Texas and California, a significant portion of the 20+ new store openings planned for North America in 2024. The upcoming openings will build on UNIQLO’s ambitious store growth plan to reach 200 stores in North America by 2027. “We are thrilled to be coming to Texas,” says Yoshihide Shindo, …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Just Salad Names New Director of Real Estate

by Katie Lee

New York City — Just Salad, the fast-casual restaurant chain with a mission to make everyday health and sustainability possible, has appointed Andrew Marsallo as the company’s director of real estate. He will be responsible for managing Just Salad’s rapidly growing real estate pipeline, with a particular focus on the chain’s growth in both existing and new markets. Marsallo joins the company from Shake Shack. “We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Marsallo to the Just Salad team as our new director of real estate,” says Nick Kenner, founder and CEO …

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Newsretailersstore closings

99 Cents Only to Close All 371 Store Locations

by Katie Lee

Commerce, Calif. — 99 Cents Only Stores LLC plans to close all 371 of its stores and wind down its business operations. The company has entered into an agreement with Hilco Global to liquidate all merchandise and dispose of fixtures, furnishings and equipment at the stores. Sales under this agreement began on April 5. 99 Cents Only was founded in 1982 as a deep-discount retailer where every item cost less than a dollar. The company is headquartered in the southeast Los Angeles suburb of Commerce, and currently operates stores in …

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construction and designNewsremodelsretailers

HFA Architecture + Engineering Names New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Bentonville, Ark. — HFA Architecture + Engineering has hired veteran financial leader Lisa Hess (CMA, CSCA) as its new chief financial officer. She joins HFA from her prior role as CFO of Mackie Wolf Zientz & Mann, P.C., a mortgage banking law firm. Based in HFA’s Fort Worth, Texas, office, Hess brings more than 18 years of finance, accounting and management experience in sectors such as engineering, construction, law and technology. “Lisa boasts extraordinary management, organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills, and she is passionate about embracing change and positioning for …

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facilities managementHVAC/RNewsvendors

SMG Holdings LLC Introduces New Division: SMG HVAC

by Katie Lee

Red Bank, N.J. — SMG Holdings LLC, a pioneering provider of integrated facility management solutions, has launched SMG HVAC, a specialized division dedicated to serving the HVAC needs of multi-site retailers across North America. With an eye toward the evolving demands within the retail sector, SMG HVAC has been crafted to offer tailored HVAC services that prioritize energy efficiency, indoor air quality and seamless operations for retail chains. “The establishment of SMG HVAC marks a significant milestone in our journey,” says Shannon Prato, CEO of SMG Holdings LLC. “We understand …

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Newsrestaurants

BurgerFi Opens Better Burger Lab in New York City

by Katie Lee

New York City – BurgerFi® is reopening in the heart of New York City on April 4 with the unveiling of its highly-anticipated Better Burger Lab™ on the Upper East Side. The Better Burger Lab is the first of its kind for the brand, bringing guests a delicious and unique experience where they can taste-test products — and provide feedback — that will not be available elsewhere. “We know, as a brand, that guests are looking for unique dining experiences, which means we need to go where the guest is …

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