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Focus Brands® Unveils New Company Name and Identity

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Focus Brands, the parent company of the Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s® brands, is officially changing its name to GoTo Foods. This news comes on the heels of a record development year globally with more than 1,150 signed franchise agreements and 398 store openings. These achievements have set the stage for considerable development and strong performance in fiscal year 2024. The rebranding, announced by CEO Jim Holthouser, signals the company’s continued transformation into a platform company as it embraces its brands’ …

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NewsProduct Spotlightretailerssoftware/technologyvendors

Waldo’s Dollar Mart Streamlines Retail Operations with Oracle Cloud

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas, and Lerma, Mexico — Mexican retailer Waldo’s Dollar Mart is using Oracle Cloud finance and merchandising applications to manage its complex, multi-format business model while continuing to scale to offer customers more choices in products and buying channels. By moving to Oracle Cloud, Waldo’s consolidated and rationalized more than 62 legacy applications and streamlined its distinct business processes across its grocery and clothing operations. Waldo’s operates more than 800 grocery and clothing stores throughout Mexico. By continuing to modernize its operations with Oracle Cloud, Waldo’s can now improve …

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franchise developmentNewsproperty managementrestaurants

Dink & Dine Pickle Parks to Debut ‘Eatertainment’ Concept in Arizona

by Katie Lee

Orange County, Calif. — Embracing the fervor surrounding the beloved sport of pickleball, Dink & Dine Pickle Parks, based in Orange County, Calif., plans to revolutionize the Arizona market with a new pickleball “eatertainment” concept. Located at Mesa Riverview, an open-air shopping center in Mesa, Ariz., the venue will offer 11 pickleball courts, four restaurants, multiple bars, seating for over 300 guests, a live music stage, and supplementary play areas. The Mesa location marks the inaugural Dink & Dine establishment, with negotiations underway for expansion into Southern California, Northern California, …

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energy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsNewspeopleretailerssupply chain

Ahold Delhaize USA Names Chief Sustainability Officer

by Katie Lee

Salisbury, N.C. — Ahold Delhaize USA has promoted Marc Stolzman to chief sustainability officer, reporting to CEO JJ Fleeman. In this new role, Stolzman will oversee all aspects of health and sustainability for the U.S. businesses, including strategy and goal setting, in alignment with Ahold Delhaize global sustainability ambitions and commitments, as well as all U.S. regulatory, compliance and financial reporting. “As one of the largest food retailers on the East Coast, we are committed to being a sustainable retailer as we work to create healthier communities and a healthier …

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construction and designNewsremodelsrestaurantssoftware/technology

Corner Bakery Cafe Continues Holistic Brand Revitalization in 2024

by Katie Lee

Dallas — When SSCP acquired Corner Bakery Cafe in June 2023, its goal was to stabilize the brand and lay a strong foundation that would drive growth of the 100+ unit chain in 2024 and beyond. Less than 6 months later, Corner Bakery Cafe’s comprehensive brand revitalization efforts are well underway — already resulting in positive sales growth, steady employee retention and improved guest experience. In addition, Corner Bakery Cafe is embarking on a comprehensive plan to remodel most of its corporate cafes in the coming months. Simultaneously, the brand …

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energy managementgreen building/LEEDgreen newsNewsretailers

CITY Furniture Marks a Year of Sustainability Achievements in 2023

by Katie Lee

Tamarac, Fla. — CITY Furniture, a family-owned American furniture and mattress retailer, fine upholstery manufacturer and one of America’s Top 20 furniture retailers, is marking its sustainability achievements in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for the year 2023. “In the past year, we remained true to our Corporate Social Responsibility goals, reaching significant milestones across various initiatives,” says Andrew Koenig, CEO of CITY Furniture. “The hard work and dedication of our team, combined with our focus on customer satisfaction and sustainability, have been crucial to our success. We are committed to …

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ADA complianceconstruction and designNewsremodelsrestaurants

Starbucks Announces New Accessibility Guidelines for its U.S. Store Portfolio

by Katie Lee

Seattle — On Feb. 16, 2024, Starbucks Coffee Company announced that it is creating a more accessible store experience across its U.S. store portfolio through an Inclusive Spaces Framework. The first store to be built using the inclusive design framework opened on Feb. 16 in Washington, D.C. The new store features items such as optimized acoustics and lighting for improved visual and audible communication for customers and accessible equipment designs for a better partner (employee) experience among other features. The Inclusive Spaces Framework was created in partnership with a diverse …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

SPB Hospitality Names SVP of Operations for Krystal

by Katie Lee

Houston — SPB Hospitality, an industry-leading operator and franchisor of restaurants spanning a national footprint, has promoted Amanda Hyde to senior vice president of operations for Krystal. It has also welcomed Ellen Rockwell as executive vice president of people & culture. “These organizational updates symbolize our unwavering dedication to excellence and expansion at SPB Hospitality,” says Josh Kern, CEO of SPB Hospitality. “These transformations are a testament to our continual endeavor to refine our leadership framework and cultivate a culture marked by excellence and innovation. With Ellen and Amanda stepping …

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Shoe Carnival Acquires Rogan’s Shoes for $45 Million

by Katie Lee

Evansville, Ind. — Shoe Carnival, Inc. has acquired Rogan Shoes, Incorporated, a 53-year-old work and family footwear company with 28 store locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois, for a purchase price of $45 million. The acquisition is expected to generate approximately $84 million in sales and approximately $10 million in operating income. The Rogan’s acquisition advances the company’s strategy to be the nation’s leading family footwear retailer. It immediately positions Shoe Carnival as the market leader in Wisconsin, and it establishes a store base in Minnesota, creating additional expansion opportunities. …

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construction and designNewspeople

Westwood Contractors Hires Director of Construction

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — Westwood Contractors, renowned for its national expertise in retail and commercial construction, has hired Allen Crowley as its new director of construction. Crowley’s inclusion represents a significant milestone for the company, leveraging his wealth of experience amassed through a multifaceted career in construction spanning over four decades. His expertise encompasses a diverse array of projects, including those within retail, restaurant, commercial, industrial and institutional sectors. As an integral member of the leadership team, Crowley plays a critical role overseeing the operations department, ensuring projects are completed …

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