remodels

construction and designNewsremodelsrestaurants

Johnny Carino’s Debuts New Restaurant Prototype and Brand Evolution

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas — Johnny Carino’s, an Italian casual-dining brand founded in 1997, has unveiled its new prototype restaurant. The updated restaurant design introduces a modernized Italian dining experience and is scheduled to open March 25, 2026, in Laredo, Texas. The Laredo location serves as the brand’s next-generation restaurant, bringing a modern Italian dining experience to market with refreshed branding, design elements and an enhanced bar presence. The new concept reflects Johnny Carino’s strategic direction moving forward, emphasizing a polished everyday dining environment with greater focus on its beverage program and …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsremodelsretailerssoftware/technology

Target Plans to Open 30 New Stores in 2026 and Refresh Existing Stores

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation has unveiled its multi-year strategy under CEO Michael Fiddelke to accelerate its return to growth. The strategy includes plans to open more than 30 new stores, refresh the store experience across the chain, and invest in store payroll and training to elevate the guest experience. “This new chapter of growth at Target is defined by clear choices and rooted in a deeper understanding of our unique lane in retail, the guests we serve and the areas where we’re distinctly positioned to win,” says Fiddelke. “This work …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsremodelsretailers

J. August to Reopen in Harvard Square

by Katie Lee

Cambridge, Mass. — J. August is reopening its beloved Harvard Square location, bringing fresh energy back to one of New England’s most iconic shopping destinations. Returning to the corner of Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge, Mass., J. August is reopening with a refreshed look; a grand re-opening celebration is planned for late March. The iconic retailer has long been woven into the rhythm of Harvard life from first-year move-in weekends to commencement celebrations. Now, with a thoughtfully updated space that reflects the character and energy of the neighborhood, J. August begins …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designCover StoryFrom The Magazineremodelsretailersstore closings

Value & Variety

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Adam Kirk — Winn-Dixie marks its centennial with new ownership, a new (old) name and a right-sized store fleet. Winn-Dixie, the iconic southern grocer, is marking a banner year in 2025: 100 years in business as of September 2025 and returning to steer its own ship, under its own name. In 2024, Winn-Dixie’s parent company, Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers (SEG), was acquired by the German supermarket company ALDI, which planned to convert 220 Winn-Dixie and Harveys stores to ALDI banners between 2024 and 2027. These conversions remain …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designIndustry Voicesremodels

Great Adaptations

by Katie Lee

— By Gary Cohn — Is your retail or restaurant facility a candidate for adaptive reuse? With shifting consumer habits and an oversupply of traditional retail space in many markets, adaptive reuse has become a strategic solution for owners and operators in the retail and restaurant sectors. Repurposing an existing facility — whether it’s a former big box store, strip mall or standalone restaurant — can be faster, more cost-effective and more sustainable than ground-up development. But not every building is ready for a second act. A Property Condition Assessment …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfacilities managementfranchise developmentkitchen equipmentNewsremodelsrestaurantssoftware/technology

Gong Cha 2.0: Bubble-Tea Leader Rolls Out New, Innovative, Efficient Store Model

by Katie Lee

Boston — Gong cha, a leading worldwide bubble tea brand, has unveiled its global Gong cha 2.0 initiative: a comprehensive digital, operational and design refresh to optimize profitability, efficiency and scalability for franchisees — as well as improve the guest experience. This global rollout combines two key technologies — Super Wu beverage automation and self-order kiosks — with a modernized store design to streamline operations, reduce labor demands and improve throughput without compromising quality or hospitality. “Gong cha 2.0 is engineered for today’s operators,” says Geoff Henry, president of Gong …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsremodelsretailers

Aldi to Open 180 New U.S. Grocery Stores This Year

by Katie Lee

Batavia, Ill. — Aldi, a German discount, small-format grocer, plans to open 180 new stores across 31 states this year. By the end of the year, Aldi will operate approximately 2,800 U.S. grocery stores, including its first Maine location in Portland and 10 new stores in the metro Phoenix area. The grocer has operated stores in the United States for 50 years and has gained a loyal following in recent years as the demand for discount grocery items increases in the face of inflation. The company disclosed that 17 million …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentkitchen equipmentNewsremodelsrestaurantssoftware/technology

Mellow Mushroom Finishes 2025 With Expanded Kitchen Tech and New Growth Plans

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Mellow Mushroom, the psychedelic pizza franchise known for its imaginative pizzas, hand-tossed stone-baked dough and unique atmosphere, spent 2025 focused on restaurant operations. Work centered on kitchen execution, back-office efficiency and guest engagement infrastructure. Those initiatives carry into 2026, during which the company expects to be bullish on renewals and new restaurant growth. Over the last year, about one-third of restaurants moved onto a digital kitchen platform. Implementation took place location by location to align with each restaurant’s layout and workflow. The platform is already showing improvements in …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designdisaster recoveryIndustry Voicesmanagementproperty managementremodelswaste management/recycling

From Liability to Opportunity

by Katie Lee

— By Keith Etchells — Revitalizing Diamond Bar Shopping Center through strategic remediation. In retail real estate, environmental contamination can be a deal breaker. For property owners and investors, subsurface pollution such as solvents, hydrocarbons, heavy metals and other industrial byproducts can restrict the asset’s current and future uses and commonly comes with significant regulatory management costs. With the right combination of strategy, funding and technical expertise, resolving environmental challenges can be accomplished in ways that support long term property goals. The owner of the Diamond Bar shopping center in …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designCover Storyfranchise developmentFrom The Magazineremodelsrestaurants

Zaxbys Charts a Bold Course

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Nearing 1,000 locations nationwide, Zaxbys is evolving from a regional Southern favorite to a national QSR staple. As it celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, Zaxbys® has ushered in a new era with a comprehensive refresh. This includes the introduction of its ‘Modern Farmhouse’ restaurant design, as well as an updated visual identity, branding and packaging. Together, these updates reflect a modernized, cohesive look and feel, signaling the next chapter in Zaxbys’ evolution while maintaining the bold flavors and Southern hospitality that guests love.  And …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts