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Potbelly Signs 22-Shop Agreement in Seattle-Tacoma Region

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Potbelly Corporation has completed a deal that will expand its presence in the greater Seattle-Tacoma region of Washington state. This agreement will increase the number of shops in the area to 22 in partnership with franchisee Sound Sandwich LLC, including the transfer of ownership of nine existing restaurants. Additionally, the franchisee will develop 13 new units in King, Pierce and Thurston counties over the next 8 years. “We’re thrilled to put the Potbelly experience within the reach of more people in the Seattle-Tacoma region,” says Bob Wright, president …

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Vestar Names New Vice President of Property Management

by Katie Lee

Long Beach, Calif. — Vestar, one of the leading privately held shopping center owners and managers in the western United States, has appointed Eddie Ollmann as vice president of property management for its West Coast region which is comprised of over 30 properties totaling nearly 11 million square feet of space. He will be based in Vestar’s regional office located in Long Beach, Calif. Ollmann brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Vestar, having spent 16 years in leadership roles with high profile and long-standing companies such as Irvine …

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Toys”R”Us to Open Flagship Store at Mall of America

by Katie Lee

New York City — WHP Global, parent company of Toys”R”Us®, has unveiled the location of its second U.S. flagship store in Bloomington, Minn., at Mall of America, the largest shopping and entertainment destination in North America. Set to open just before Thanksgiving, this marks the first flagship store in partnership with Go! Retail Group with additional flagship locations opening next year. Today in the United States, Toys”R”Us has a global flagship store at American Dream, and through a landmark partnership with Macy’s over 452 Toys”R”Us shop-in-shops are open inside every …

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Noodles & Company Announces CEO Transition

by Katie Lee

Broomfield, Colo. — Noodles & Company has appointed one of its board members, Drew Madsen, to serve as interim CEO. Concurrently, the board has initiated a search for a new permanent CEO. Madsen’s appointment follows the decision by the board to transition to new leadership, resulting in Dave Boennighausen’s departure as the company’s CEO. Madsen brings a wealth of experience in the restaurant industry to the role of interim CEO. In his recent operating roles, he was president and chief operating officer at some of the most successful and well-respected …

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Newsretailers

Northern Tool + Equipment to Open First Retail Location in Ohio

by Katie Lee

Sharonville, Ohio — Northern Tool + Equipment will open its newest location in Sharonville, Ohio, on Nov. 15 — marking its first in Ohio. The Minnesota-based retailer has more than 135 stores across the country and plans to continue to grow its presence nationwide. “This is our first store serving Ohioans, and we’re thrilled to join the community of Sharonville,” says Steve Spears, vice president of retail for Northern Tool + Equipment. “Our knowledgeable team of experts is ready to help customers find the right tool for the job.” Northern …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Smoothie King Achieves Record Sales; Opens 60 Stores in 2023

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King has provided its third-quarter brand update, posting record sales during period 7, marking its highest sales period in its 50-year history. The surge was driven largely by record-breaking digital sales and new product innovation. Additionally, the brand reported a 13% increase in same-store sales year over year at completion of the quarter, 60 openings year-to-date and expansion within its home market of Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as signing its first agreements in Boston. “We are proud of achieving record-breaking sales and can attribute a lot of …

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Lids Teams Up with NBA to Open Second NBA Store in the U.S.

by Katie Lee

Houston — The National Basketball Association (NBA) opened a new NBA Store location on Nov. 3 in Houston. The new store, located at The Galleria in Uptown Houston, marks the league’s second flagship store in the U.S. following its New York City store in 2015. As part of the league’s partnership with Lids and Fanatics, Lids will oversee the operations for the NBA Store. The new 7,500-square-foot store features a broad range of official NBA and WNBA merchandise and memorabilia. The store also features a customization area — a signature …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Little Caesars Inks Franchise Development Agreements to Grow in Boston and Chicago

by Katie Lee

Detroit — Little Caesars, the third largest pizza chain in the world, has signed franchise development agreements that will add 15 new locations across two of the brand’s target markets. Led by two different franchisees, the developments are set to expand the brand’s presence in Boston and Chicago. The franchisees leading the brand’s latest developments include: • Pritpal Bains and Haranchal Bains, who have operated Little Caesars restaurants in California since 1999, plan to establish five new locations throughout Boston by 2027. • Karim Khowaja and Sanjeev Khatau, who have …

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Radio Flyer Opens First-Ever Flagship Retail Store

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Radio Flyer, the 106-year-old maker of the iconic Original Little Red Wagon®, will open its first-ever retail store on Nov. 10, 2023. The new 15,000-square-foot store is joining the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Ill., near Chicago. As the company’s first brick-and-mortar location in its 106-year history, the store features Radio Flyer’s complete lineup of award-winning products including stroller wagons, tricycles, scooters, go-karts, bikes and more. “We are overjoyed that the official store opening is finally here and cannot wait to open our doors and show guests all the …

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Shipley Do-Nuts Appoints CFO & VP of Operations

by Katie Lee

Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts has appointed Brad Reynolds, a seasoned multi-unit restaurant executive who previously served as the CFO at Blaze Pizza and Smashburger, as its new chief financial officer. Chris Smith is also joining the leadership team as Shipley’s vice president of operations; he has held leadership roles at multiple franchise restaurant brands, including Eskimo Hut, Rave Restaurant Group and Smashburger. “We have big goals for Shipley, and Brad’s and Chris’ experiences with successful franchise systems will be a strategic advantage for us as we focus on building even …

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