News

Irving, Texas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has entered into a 20-restaurant agreement with new franchisee Mark Justice, who will expand the brand’s footprint into Nevada, marking its first units in the state. Justice is eyeing Las Vegas for his first Fuzzy’s Taco Shop location, with expansion into other markets in Nevada over the next 7 years. In addition to Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Justice owns and operates IHOP restaurants in eight states. Notably, Justice is the first IHOP franchisee to enter into a franchise agreement with Fuzzy’s Taco Shop after its …

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Grand Rapids, Mich. — For the third consecutive year, Meijer has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Program for having the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant emissions rate out of all GreenChill Partners nationwide over the past year. As an active participant in the EPA’s program since 2012, the Midwest retailer focused on reducing its refrigerant leak rate and is well below the industry average of 25%. “Lessening our impact on the environment through a continued commitment to reduce carbon emissions is important to us and our customers,” says …

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Exton, Pa. — Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant has named Jim Roberts as its new chief financial officer. Roberts will develop and execute financial strategies to support the company’s business plans, as well as lead the finance department, continuing to strategically position Iron Hill as a premier brewery and restaurant group throughout the eastern seaboard. “I am thrilled to announce Jim as our new CFO,” says Chris Westcott, CEO of Iron Hill. “The experience he is bringing to our organization, coupled with his dynamic leadership qualities, will drive profitability and …

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Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart has named Rina Hurst as vice president of Walmart GoLocal, Walmart’s delivery service platform. Hurst joins Walmart from Shipt, where she served as chief business officer. Hurst will be responsible for the strategic direction, operations and general management of Walmart GoLocal as it continues to scale in bringing retailers of all sizes reliable, same-day delivery. “Rina brings extensive last-mile and delivery expertise and a track record of building strategic partnerships and accelerating growth. I’m thrilled to welcome Rina to the Walmart team and see the impact …

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Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe continues to see positive growth through third quarter of 2023, opening 141 new cafes and signing 166 franchise agreements. The brand now has more than 1,335 open locations. In the third quarter alone, Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisees opened 51 new cafes. In addition to new openings in the third quarter, the brand signed 77 new franchise agreements, further strengthening the development pipeline to fuel its future growth. “I’m extremely proud of what the brand has accomplished already this year thanks to the dedication and commitment …

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New York City — Bloomingdale’s will open a “Bloomie’s” store location in Seattle on November 2, 2023 within University Village. The smaller store concept by Bloomingdale’s provides a casual, contemporary, and highly curated experience for shoppers in the Seattle community. This will be the third Bloomie’s location to open, with the other stores located in Fairfax, Va., and Skokie, Ill. This is the brand’s first brick-and-mortar presence in the market. The 19,000-square-foot, two-floor Bloomie’s store is expertly designed with flexibility in mind, allowing Bloomie’s to adapt and meet the needs …

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Houston — Shipley Do-Nuts, one of the nation’s oldest and largest do-nut brands, has signed a development deal with Charlotte, N.C.-area franchisees John and Lillian Brijeski to open the brand’s first North Carolina locations beginning in late 2024. The family plans to open three locations in the Charlotte area, starting with the first in Concord, N.C. “After trying Shipley Do-Nuts for the first time in South Carolina, we agreed they were delicious and that we needed to bring the world’s greatest do-nuts to the residents of North Carolina,” says Lillian …

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Los Angeles — Lamps Plus, a leading specialty lighting retailer, has appointed Jason Goldberger to chief executive officer, effective September 18, 2023. Co-founder Dennis Swanson will remain on the board, using his decades of experience to advise Goldberger. A well-established executive with 30 years of digital and retail experience, Goldberger brings a proven track record in brand growth and success. Having spent the majority of his career in home décor sectors, Goldberger has held CEO roles at Sur La Table, Dollar Shave Club, and Blue Nile, as well as the …

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Salt Lake City — As part of its strategy for nationwide expansion, Beans & Brews Coffeehouse is fortifying its executive team to enhance growth and franchise support with the appointment of Chad Gretzema as its chief executive officer. With nearly three decades of multi-unit food and beverage leadership experience, Gretzema brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the Beans & Brews team. Prior to this appointment, he served as the brand president of Del Taco, where he led 600 franchise and company restaurants. During his tenure with Del Taco, he …

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Salisbury, N.C. — Food Lion has once again earned recognition from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its ongoing efforts to reduce refrigerant emissions across its footprint. This recognition comes from the GreenChill Program, an EPA partnership with food retailers to reduce refrigerant emissions and decrease their impact on the ozone layer and climate change. Food Lion received two recognitions including the Superior Goal Achievement for the seventh time and, for the first time, the Exceptional Goal Achievement. The Superior Goal Achievement honor is the result of Food Lion …

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