— By Katie Lee — Founder Peter Cancro looks back on 50 years of Jersey Mike’s ownership — and what the next 50 could bring. When he was 17, it was a very good year for Peter Cancro. The high school senior was president of his class. He was on track to study law and political science at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill; he might even play football there. He’d worked part-time at the local sandwich shop since he was 14. Summers were a blast because the sub shop, …
Atlanta — Huddle House, an iconic family dining brand for the last 60 years, is undergoing a transformative evolution. Under the leadership of CEO James O’Reilly and Chief Operating Officer Blain Shortreed, the brand unveils a reimagined brand identity that includes a trio of new restaurant prototypes to accelerate the brand’s geographic expansion. “As we celebrate 60 incredible years, we lay the foundation for the next 60 in a big way, stepping confidently into our evolution,” says James O’Reilly, CEO of Ascent Hospitality Management, the parent company of Huddle House. …
Atlanta — This May, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, one of the seven brands within the GoTo Foods platform company, unveils a record-breaking average unit volume (AUV) of $1,235,422 in 2024, showcasing 4 consecutive years of growth. It is also the brand’s 25th anniversary. Under the recent leadership of its chief brand officer, Mike Smith, who was appointed in October 2024, Moe’s continues to revolutionize the fast-casual Mexican dining space. Key Initiatives Driving Significant Brand Evolution: • Strengthening Franchise Development: Over the past year, Moe’s opened 15 new locations across the country. …
Philadelphia — PREIT has named its next wave of retail additions to Cherry Hill Mall, one of the region’s premier shopping destinations, located in Cherry Hill, N.J. Anchoring the new lineup will be DICK’S House of Sport, a new retail experience from DICK’S Sporting Goods. Replacing the former One Cherry Hill office building, the new space will open in 2026 and introduce a new entrance, infusing fresh energy into the 1.3 million-square-foot shopping center. This targeted investment aligns with PREIT’s value-enhancing strategy with a focus on repurposing underutilized real estate …
Bentonville, Ark. — Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart, plans to remodel all 600 of its existing membership-based stores nationwide. As part of its long term strategy, Sam’s Club will also open 30 new locations over the next several years while building a pipeline to begin opening 15 new clubs annually. This marks the first expansion since 2017 after Sam’s Club closed 62 locations in 2018. The stores will be modeled after the Grapevine, Texas, location, which opened in December 2024. The new locations will span 160,000 square feet and …
Fargo, N.D. — Von Maur Department Stores opened its newest location at West Acres Mall in Fargo, N.D., on April 5, 2025. The 90,000-square-foot store is the company’s first in North Dakota and its 39th overall. The store opening continues the family-owned company’s national growth strategy. This past fall, Von Maur opened its first location in Pennsylvania at South Hills Village in Pittsburgh. The company is also undergoing a multi-phased, $100 million renovation of its existing stores over the next several years. “We are thrilled to officially open our doors …
— By Cassie Keeler — Case study: How The Battery Atlanta™ renovated its restrooms to be more durable and well-functioning. The Battery Atlanta™ is a bustling and unprecedented entertainment experience situated alongside Truist Park — a haven for baseball fans. Spanning 2.25 million square feet, The Battery Atlanta combines numerous restaurants, stores, parks and entertainment venues and is open to the public 365 days a year, not just on game days. The Challenge The design team was tasked with transforming a parking manager’s office and two unisex restrooms into a …
Orlando, Fla. — Perkins American Food Co. will unveil its highly anticipated flagship restaurant in Orlando, Fla., on March 19. The location signifies a major milestone in the brand’s evolution. The flagship restaurant will showcase a new state-of-the-art design, designed by Aria Group, that combines contemporary aesthetics with the brand’s heritage. The new venue spans 3,500 square feet and offers a bright and inviting atmosphere, showcasing how modern American hospitality comes to life. It also features an exterior patio and chic design elements. “We have put a lot of heart …
Minneapolis — At its financial community meeting in early March, Target Corporation outlined how ongoing investments will aim to accelerate its strategy and drive billions of dollars of profitable sales growth across its multi-channel business by 2030. Plans for 2025 and beyond include: • Elevating shopping with technology: The retailer will innovate with search, social and data-driven personalization. That includes enhancing solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that offer more relevant product recommendations, optimize search results and integrate with social media trends. • New stores and remodels: Through its ongoing …
Los Angeles — Revolve Group, the next-generation fashion retailer for Millennial and Generation Z consumers, has decided to convert its once limited time-only REVOLVE Holiday Shop at The Grove in Los Angeles into a permanent store starting in fall 2025. The store will temporarily close for renovations and is set to reopen with a fresh look in the fall. Originally launched as a temporary winter destination in November 2024, the REVOLVE Holiday Shop quickly became a seasonal hotspot. Spanning 8,450 square feet, the two-story space will feature a handpicked collection …
