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AroundtheIndustry RETAIL
Target Stores Target will spend around $4 billion annually over the next few years on capital projects, including opening new stores, remodeling existing locations and incorporating tech tools designed to speed up online order fulfillment. The retailer plans to open up to 40 stores per year starting in 2021, and it has been expanding the use of stores as fulfillment centers for digital orders. Sephora Sephora expects to open about 60 standalone locations this year, in addition to in-store shops it is launching with new retail partner Kohl’s. Macy’s/Backstage Macy’s will open 45 more off-price Backstage locations within existing department stores this year, with plans to ultimately grow the concept to 270 shops. It also plans to open more standalone Backstage stores. Dick’s Sporting Goods Dick’s Sporting Goods is opening a new concept store, Dick’s House of Sports, in Rochester, New York. The store will sport interactive features like a rock climbing wall, and employ fitness experts to help shoppers select appropriate workout gear and routines, with an eye toward forming a fitness community. Shoe Carnival Shoe Carnival plans to remodel and/or relocate two-thirds of its 383 stores over the next few years to serve shoppers’ growing demand for omnichannel retail. Levi Strauss Levi Strauss plans to open more stores this year to take advantage of vacant retail space and further its goal of expanding direct-to-consumer sales. New locations will be smaller-format NextGen stores that will use machine learning tech to manage inventory. Petco Petco plans to ensure that half of its product assortment is sustainable by the end of 2025, making sustainable products easier to find with in-store signage and a sustainable online shopping site. Qualifying products will meet at least one of five sustainability criteria related to sourcing and manufacturing.
RESTAURANTS Fazoli’s Fast-casual Italian-American chain Fazoli’s added six new franchisees, totaling 12 new locations across Iowa, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas.
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COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — ISSUE 4, 2021
Chipotle Mexican Grill Chipotle Mexican Grill will debut a new Chipotle Digital Kitchen concept in Highland Falls, New York. Customers will be able to place orders via Chipotle’s app or website, or a third-party service, for takeout or delivery only. Pizza Hut Pizza Hut is adding drive-up lanes at 1,500 US restaurants, where customers who order ahead via the chain’s website, mobile app or by phone can pick up their orders. The new windows, called Hut Lanes, are part of an ongoing effort by the company to use technology to improve the customer experience. Denny’s Denny’s is ramping up efforts to rebound from the pandemic with two virtual brands—The Burger Den and The Meltdown. Launched in January, they now are available in half of the chain’s US locations. Jersey Mike’s Jersey Mike’s continues to target colleges and universities as part of its growth plan. So far, the brand has developed outposts at seven campuses, including Purdue University, Seton Hall University and Montclair State University. Bloomin’ Brands Bloomin’ Brands Inc. has opened a two-story Aussie Grill in Hong Kong that features such a coffee counter, a grab-and-go area and kiosks for ordering. Bloomin’ Brands also will roll out the test of its virtual chicken concept Tender Shack to 12 more US markets in partnership with DoorDash. Tender Shack’s food, available for delivery only, is prepared in the kitchens of Bloomin’ Brands-owned restaurants Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Outback Steakhouse. Famous Dave’s Famous Dave’s signed a 25-unit expansion deal with Bluestone Hospitality Group to create Famous Dave’s locations that are co-branded with Bluestone’s casual Italian brand Johnny Carino’s. The deal also includes a plan to use Johnny Carino’s locations to prepare Famous Dave’s menu items for takeout and delivery. Famous Dave’s also will open a Quick ‘Que location with the concept’s first drive-thru this summer in Salt Lake City. Via 313 Texas-based Detroit-style pizza concept Via 313 has attracted equity investor Savory, which will take a stake in the brand with plans to open about 12 new units over the next two years. King Ranch Texas Kitchen The owners of Landry’s and Fertitta Entertainment have teamed with the largest ranch in Texas to open King Ranch Texas Kitchen in Houston. The new 10,000-square-foot eatery will fill a space formerly held by Willy G’s Seafood & Steaks, another Landry’s concept.
