News

Ghirardelli’s First-Ever New York Store to Open at the Empire State Building

by Katie Lee January 9, 2024

New York City — Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. will welcome Ghirardelli Chocolate Company in a 2,758-square-foot retail space at the base of the world-famous Empire State Building this summer. “Ghirardelli Chocolate is excited to open our first shop in New York. We are proud of our 171-year history that started in San Francisco,” says a spokesperson for Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. “We can’t wait to welcome our guests in New York to create sweet memories with friends and family for many generations to come. Our shops are designed to showcase …

January 9, 2024

News restaurants

Fogo de Chão Plans 20+ New Locations to Open in the Next 24 Months

by Katie Lee January 8, 2024

Dallas — Fogo de Chão is starting off the year with a strong development pipeline with new locations planned through 2025. The addition of more than 20 new restaurants is slated to open through 2025. The development pipeline includes the following new lease signings and restaurant openings, with the brand’s 100th restaurant opening milestone on track to occur by the end of 2024: Previously announced 2024 openings include: • Brooklyn, N.Y. • Richmond, Va. • Miami, Fla. – Dadeland • Bridgewater, N.J. • Seattle • Orlando, Fla. – Vineland Pointe …

January 8, 2024

News retailers

Blvck Paris Opens First-Ever Mall-Based Store in U.S.

by Katie Lee January 8, 2024

Santa Clara, Calif. — Blvck Paris, a lifestyle apparel and accessories brand, has expanded to the Los Angeles area with its very first mall store. Blvck Paris opened in late November 2023 at The Westfield Valley Fair. The opening marks the second official location in the U.S. for the brand. Blvck Paris, founded in 2017 by French designer Julian O’Hayon, is known for its luxurious “all black” clothing, accessories and leather goods that caters to both men and women. The brand, which previously popped up in Taipei, Japan, and New …

January 8, 2024

franchise development News restaurants

Black Bear Diner Plans for 14 New Openings in 2024

by Katie Lee January 5, 2024

Redding, Calif. — Black Bear Diner, one of the fastest-growing restaurant franchises in the country, has announced its plans for growth in 2024 with 14 planned new diner openings. The company will open at least nine new franchise-owned diners and five new corporate-owned diners. In addition to growth plans with current franchise partners for openings in California, Texas and Arizona, Black Bear Diner has also welcomed two new franchise partners to its system: LVP Foodservice and Gursavri Group. LVP plans four 2024 openings in Kansas, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado; Gursavri …

January 5, 2024

News retailers

IT’SUGAR Opens New Store in Miami Beach

by Katie Lee January 5, 2024

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — IT’SUGAR, one of the largest specialty candy retailers in the U.S., has opened a 3,500-square-foot candy store on the renowned Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, Fla. The Lincoln Road location is the 10th IT’SUGAR candy store in South Florida and epitomizes what the brand is known for: hundreds of varieties of over-the-top sweets, humorous products and immersive candy experiences with featured shops, including Sour Patch Kids, OREO, Nerds, Skittles, Reese’s and Starburst. It also includes shops devoted to retro and international candy, TikTok-trending treats and more. …

January 5, 2024

News people restaurants retailers software/technology vendors

Paytronix Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee January 5, 2024

Newton, Mass. — Paytronix, a leading digital guest engagement platform for restaurants and convenience stores, has appointed Eric Steele as chief financial officer. He replaces acting CFO Lee Barnes, who will continue to serve as Paytronix’s chief data officer and take on additional responsibility as chief of staff. Steele joins Paytronix from Snap One, where he played a key role in scaling the business to a public company with more than $1 billion in revenue. At Snap One, he most recently served as senior vice president of finance & corporate …

January 5, 2024

franchise development News restaurants

TGI Fridays to Close 36 Locations as Part of Revitalization Plan

by Katie Lee January 4, 2024

Dallas — As part of a company-wide revitalization initiative, TGI Fridays® plans to close 36 underperforming locations in select markets across the U.S. The company has also sold eight previously corporate-owned restaurants in the Northeast to former CEO Ray Blanchette, who will now lead the locations into a new phase of revitalization. The news follows recent moves to bolster TGI Fridays’ leadership team, including the recent appointments of Weldon Spangler to chief executive officer, Ray Risley to U.S. president and chief operating officer and Nik Rupp to president and COO …

January 4, 2024

construction and design exterior services/landscaping News property management remodels retailers

St. John Properties to Redevelop 1 Million-Square-Foot Harrisburg Mall in Pennsylvania

by Katie Lee January 4, 2024

Harrisburg, Pa. — St. John Properties Inc. has unveiled plans for the redevelopment of Harrisburg Mall, a 1 million-square-foot regional mall located in the Swatara Township section of Dauphin County. The company plans to build Swatara Exchange, a mixed-use development consisting of multi-use commercial space and supporting inline retail and retail pad sites. The mall will undergo an extended demolition program that is expected to conclude in 2025. The existing Bass Pro Shops and Applebee’s Grill + Bar restaurant will remain operational, and the former Toys”R”Us building will be marketed …

January 4, 2024

franchise development News restaurants

Slice House by Tony Gemignani Achieves 100-Unit Franchise Milestone

by Katie Lee January 4, 2024

San Francisco — Slice House by Tony Gemignani, the fast-casual pizza franchise by world renowned pizzaiolo Tony Gemignani, has expanded its nationwide footprint to 100 franchise units open or under development. This achievement reflects the brand’s rapid growth since launching franchising efforts 18 months ago in California and marks its entry into two new key markets: Colorado and Utah. In 2024, Slice House projects the signing of 100 more units into development. “We are incredibly proud to celebrate 100 units for Slice House by Tony Gemignani, a testament to the …

January 4, 2024

News people retailers

RaceTrac, Inc. Promotes Natalie Morhous to CEO

by Katie Lee January 3, 2024

Atlanta — The RaceTrac board of directors has promoted Natalie Morhous to CEO of RaceTrac, Inc. Max McBrayer previously served as CEO, alongside Morhous, who previously served in the role of president. The leadership change was effective January 2, 2024. Since assuming their respective positions as CEO and president in 2019, McBrayer and Morhous have partnered on RaceTrac’s business decisions and strategy development. Together, they led the company through an unprecedented global pandemic, shifted RaceTrac’s growth strategy to expand to new markets and new prototypes, and finalized RaceTrac’s acquisition of …

January 3, 2024

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