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Scheels to Open 240,000 SF Sporting Goods Store in Metro Austin

by Katie Lee

Cedar Park, Texas — Scheels, an employee-owned sporting goods retailer based in Fargo, N.D., plans to open a 240,000-square-foot store in Cedar Park, Texas, a northern suburb of Austin. The store will be the retailer’s second “All Sports” location to open in Texas, joining a store at Grandscape in The Colony that opened in 2020. The Cedar Park Scheels is the second anchor tenant announced for CedarView, a mixed-use development that will also feature a 1.2 million-square-foot Nebraska Furniture Mart, a convention center and a hotel with at least 250 …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Captain D’s Signs Multi-Unit Development Agreement to Debut in NYC 

by Katie Lee

Nashville, Tenn. — Captain D’s, a leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, has signed its first franchise development agreement in the greater New York City area. This agreement will bring three Captain D’s to the city led by experienced multi-brand franchisees Kelly Moughal and Muhammad Saleem (pictured below), who first introduced the Checkers brand to Manhattan. The couple resides in New York and also owns multiple Subway and Little Caesars locations throughout the state.  Sites are currently being considered throughout Manhattan and Long Island, with the first location expected to open in …

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Newspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Presto Names Chief Revenue Officer as President Departs

by Katie Lee

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., an enterprise-grade AI and automation solutions provider to some of the nation’s largest restaurant brands, has promoted Justin Foster to chief revenue officer. In addition, after nearly 3 years at Presto serving as both president and chief revenue officer, Dan Mosher is leaving the company. Foster brings 15 years of experience leading go-to-market efforts at emerging high-growth technology companies. As chief revenue officer, he will be responsible for all facets of the company’s revenue generation, including growing Presto’s footprint in the emerging voice …

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Newspeopleretailers

Academy Promotes 2 Executives to President & SVP, Retail Operations

by Katie Lee

Katy, Texas — Effective Oct. 23, 2023, Sam J. Johnson, executive vice president of retail operations, has been promoted to president of Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc., succeeding Michael P. Mullican, who is stepping down to pursue other personal and professional opportunities. Johnson will continue to report to CEO Steve Lawrence, and his responsibilities will include continued oversight of retail operations and real estate & construction, as well as new responsibility for logistics & supply chain. Mullican will serve the company in an advisory capacity through a brief transition period. …

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Sonny’s BBQ Implements Customer Experience Technology from Flybuy and Koala

by Katie Lee

Orlando, Fla. — Sonny’s BBQ has launched Flybuy and Koala technology across all of its locations to help improve the guest’s off-premise experience. The move marks another important milestone in the brand’s evolution, on top of last year’s decision to optimize its restaurant prototype and invest in new technology to accommodate for changing customer preferences. “Since our founding, we have remained committed to providing the highest quality of customer service for our guests,” says Billy Brewer, COO of Sonny’s BBQ. “The implementation of Flybuy and Koala technology allows us to …

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Newspeopleretailers

AEO Inc. Names Key Appointments as Part of COO Transition

by Katie Lee

Pittsburgh, Pa. — American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. has named the appointment of two executive leaders following the previously announced departure of the company’s executive vice president – chief operations officer, Michael Rempell. Sarah Clarke has been named executive vice president – chief supply chain officer and will be responsible for managing AEO’s global supply chain from sourcing through distribution. Clarke joins AEO from PVH Corporation, where she held the role of global chief supply chain officer. Before joining PVH, Clarke held various leadership roles at Gap Inc. across sourcing, merchandising, …

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Newspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Denny’s Hires New Chief Digital and Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Spartanburg, S.C. — Denny’s Corporation, owner and operator of Denny’s Inc. and Keke’s Inc., has hired Pankaj Patra as chief digital and technology officer (CDTO). This is a newly created enterprise role that will include support for Denny’s and Keke’s. Patra, who joins Denny’s from Brinker International, will be responsible for accelerating Denny’s capabilities across all specialties within the digital, technology and information functions. “Our restaurant teams and our guests rely on technology to enable a seamless experience, which makes the work that our IT team does absolutely critical,” says …

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Parts Town Technicians Receive Scholarship Awards at CFESA Annual Conference

by Katie Lee

Addison, Ill. — Parts Town, the technology innovator and market-leading distributor of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) foodservice, residential appliance and HVAC equipment repair parts, recently named the recipients of the Technician Scholarship Awards at this year’s CFESA Annual Conference. Parts Town has earmarked $22,500 in scholarships and cash prizes to support individuals in the technician community. In 2023, Parts Town has already awarded scholarships to technicians from A+ Commercial Gaskets of Minneapolis, JK Services, A+ Commercial Kitchen Repair and Windy City Equipment Service during their respective region conferences. “We are …

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Walmart Opens High-Tech Fulfillment Center Near Dallas

by Katie Lee

Lancaster, Texas — Walmart has opened a new 1.5 million-square-foot fulfillment center 15 miles south of Dallas, located at 2500 Belt Line Rd. in Lancaster. This next-generation facility will enable the retailer to fulfill more orders, more quickly. The Lancaster fulfillment center is the third of four next-generation facilities announced last year. A fifth facility was recently announced that will open in 2026. “Walmart is paving the way for good jobs and great careers in the Dallas region with the Lancaster fulfillment center. These tech-powered jobs will drive the future …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Voodoo Brewing Co. Projected to Open 25 Brewpubs by the End of 2023

by Katie Lee

Meadville, Pa. — Since launching franchising in 2012, Voodoo Brewing Co. has experienced explosive growth, awarding almost 80 agreements, with 17 locations open and 25 brewpubs projected to open by the end of 2023. According to CEO Matteo Rachocki, Voodoo Brewing Co. has already sold out the Dallas market and has established itself in other major markets, including Pittsburgh; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; and Knoxville, Tenn. “We’re looking to bring Voodoo to communities across the U.S.,” Rachocki says. “At this point, we’re only going to award 50 more franchises. …

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