Tuesday, November 4, 2025
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Redeveloping Value

by Katie Lee

— By Sandeep Ahuja — Turning vacant big box stores into assets with AI. Redeveloping these stores has always been costly and slow. AI is starting to change that by giving owners and developers faster ways to rethink these large spaces and plan for their next chapter. Big box vacancies can quickly erode the value of an entire shopping center. With AI, owners no longer have to rely on guesswork about what comes next. In one Florida redevelopment, analysis showed how an empty 82,000-square-foot anchor could be repositioned to generate …

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construction and designNewsremodelsretailersstore closings

Southeastern Grocers to Become The Winn-Dixie Company

by Katie Lee

Jacksonville, Fla. — Southeastern Grocers, LLC (SEG) will step into a new era as The Winn-Dixie Company in early 2026, uniting under one iconic brand with a renewed focus on its home state of Florida. The change honors Winn-Dixie’s century-long legacy while positioning the grocer for growth through investments designed to modernize stores, enrich the customer experience and reimagine the neighborhood grocer for the next 100 years. “For a century, Winn-Dixie has proudly called Florida home,” says Anthony Hucker, chairman and CEO of Southeastern Grocers. “Our story is built on …

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construction and designfranchise developmentIndustry Voicesremodelsrestaurants

Reimagining Real Estate

by Katie Lee

— By Lawrence Brown — How Rita’s® is turning former banks and dry cleaners into thriving dessert shops. The retail real estate market is at one of its most challenging points in recent memory. Vacancy rates are low, rents are high and construction costs continue to climb. For restaurants and retailers, those dynamics have turned traditional site development into a steep uphill climb. But for Rita’s® Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, this environment has been a catalyst for creativity and growth. At Rita’s, we’ve embraced adaptive reuse and flexible prototypes …

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Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc. Completes $10 Million Acquisition of Kirkland’s Home Brand Assets

by Katie Lee

Murray, Utah — Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc., owner of Bed Bath & Beyond, Overstock, buybuy BABY and a blockchain asset portfolio, has completed a $10 million purchase of the Kirkland’s Home® trade name and related brand assets from The Brand House Collective, Inc. The move accelerates the companies’ national store conversion strategy, converting Kirkland’s Home locations into Bed Bath & Beyond stores to drive a larger national footprint, greater operating efficiencies and underscoring the company’s conviction in the power of ‘omnichannel.’ The companies will expand Kirkland’s Home into the …

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construction and designNewsremodelsretailers

Rack Room Shoes Continues to Open “Lighthouse Concept Stores”

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Rack Room Shoes is building on its strategic growth plan with the opening of seven new “lighthouse concept stores” across the country. The new locations aim to reimagine and enhance the shopping experience for the entire family. The elevated locations provide customers with an improved, multi-layered experience with better visual navigation and eye-catching elements throughout the store. The latest generation stores improve the wayfinding of Rack Room’s athletic assortment and enhance the presentation of key brands and seasonal assortments. The stores also include upgraded service elements, including …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewspeopleremodelsrestaurantsstore closings

Twin Hospitality Group Inc. Names New Leadership & Direction for Smokey Bones

by Katie Lee

Plantation, Fla. — Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Smokey Bones, has appointed Ken Brendemihl as president of Smokey Bones, effective immediately. He has over 25 years of restaurant leadership experience, most recently as chief operating officer of Alamo Drafthouse. Prior to that, he held key leadership roles at Velvet Taco, California Pizza Kitchen, Texas Roadhouse and On the Border. “Smokey Bones is a beloved brand that has amassed a loyal following over the years,” says Kim Boerema, CEO of Twin Hospitality Group. “Since joining Twin Hospitality, we …

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construction and designNewsproperty managementremodels

Ferragamo Reopens Newly Designed Store at Royal Hawaiian Center

by Katie Lee

Honolulu — Ferragamo has reopened a newly designed boutique at Waikīkī’s premier luxury destination, Royal Hawaiian Center. Located along the iconic Kalākaua Avenue, Ferragamo has officially opened its doors to the two-floor space. The space pays tribute to Ferragamo’s design codes rooted in Italian-crafted excellence as well as the innovative, modern vision that its creative director, Maximilian Davis, has for Ferragamo. Unique, luxurious materials and textures are strategically integrated throughout the boutique, evoking contemporary classicism — such as internal panels in calacatta and lined stucco, while stairs are crafted from …

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construction and designCover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazineremodelsrestaurantssoftware/technology

Inside Bojangles’ Design Strategy

by Katie Lee

— By Jim Cannon — Location design and its impact on operations, franchisee success and guest experience. Restaurant design plays a critical role in the success of any QSR brand. From streamlining operations and supporting menu execution to shaping the guest journey, every design decision has a direct impact on restaurant performance. At Bojangles, our approach to location design evolves as we continue to grow as a brand. And, with nearly five decades of experience behind us, evolving with changing consumer, operations, menu, financial and technology trends is something Bojangles …

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construction and designNewsremodelsretailers

Burlington Unveils Reimagined Store Experience Across 21 Markets

by Katie Lee

Burlington, N.J. — Burlington Stores, Inc. is continuing to roll out its refreshed in-store shopping experience. This nationwide refresh is a part of the off-price retailer’s long term vision to stay aligned with modern shopping habits. Half of Burlington stores have already been converted, and all future new stores openings will feature the updated branding and a smaller, more efficient layout. Most remaining locations are expected to transition to the new format by the end of 2026. “At Burlington shoppers already know that they can find the very best values …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurants

Rita’s Italian Ice to Open Nearly 40 New Locations in 2025

by Katie Lee

Philadelphia — With nearly 40 new locations on track to open in 2025 and recognition as one of the nation’s top-performing restaurant brands, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is celebrating strong mid-year momentum rooted in innovation, accessibility and franchise growth. In the first half of the year, Rita’s opened 16 new shops, including locations in new and developing markets like Grand Rapids, Mich.; Nexton, S.C.; and Liberty Township, Ohio. With 19 additional shops currently in the pipeline, the brand is poised for continued growth across the U.S. “As we …

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