Cincinnati — LSI Industries Inc., a leading U.S. based manufacturer of commercial lighting and display solutions, has completed its acquisition of privately held EMI Industries for an all-cash purchase price of $50 million. EMI is one of the largest privately held retail fixture and food equipment companies in the North America. Florida-based EMI is an award-winning metal and millwork manufacturer of standard and customized fixtures, displays and food equipment for the convenience store, grocery and restaurant industries. For more than 40 years, EMI has worked closely with customers to develop ..read more

Boston — Wayfair Inc. has set the grand opening date for its very first large-format, brick-and-mortar store on May 23, 2024. The 150,000-square-foot store, located in Edens Plaza in Wilmette, Ill., is a one-stop-shop for all things home — including furniture, home décor, housewares and home improvement products, for any style space or budget. The inaugural Wayfair store also has an onsite restaurant, The Porch. Wayfair is a destination for all things home, in one inspiring place. The Wayfair family of brands includes Wayfair, AllModern, Birch Lane, Joss & Main, Perigold and Wayfair Profes ..read more

Atlanta — Smalls Sliders has appointed industry veteran Julie Hauser-Blanner as its chief operating officer. In her new role, Hauser-Blanner will oversee all aspects of the brand’s daily operations, driving strategic initiatives to elevate efficiency, scalability and overall performance. With an illustrious career spanning over 25 years in multi-unit, multi-brand, global hospitality and restaurant companies, Hauser-Blanner brings a wealth of experience to the brand’s growing executive leadership team. Having most recently served as chief franchise officer at European Wax Center, Hauser-Blanner ..read more

Columbus, Ohio — Fashion retailer Express Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to close 107 of its 602 stores. The Columbus, Ohio-based company’s portfolio includes apparel brands such as Bonobos, Express and UpWest Express. As part of the proceedings, 95 stores under the company’s Express banner will be shuttered alongside all 12 of its UpWest Express locations. The closing sales at affected stores are scheduled to begin on April 23, 2024. Express concurrently announced that it has received a non-binding letter of intent from a consortium of investors led by WHP Glob ..read more

Charlotte, N.C. — Bojangles, the North Carolina-born restaurant chain specializing in Southern-style chicken, biscuits, breakfast and tea, has signed a 30-unit agreement that will bring the concept to Los Angeles for the first time. The agreement, spearheaded by seasoned entrepreneur Lorenzo Boucetta and Poulet Brothers, LLC, is expected to introduce Bojangles to Los Angeles County in early 2025. Boucetta’s lifetime of experience in the hospitality industry and his background in real estate development, e-commerce and technology make him the perfect fit to lead the brand’s break into the Los A ..read more

Charlotte, N.C. — Wegmans Food Markets Inc., a Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer, plans to open a 110,000-square-foot store in Charlotte, N.C. Located along North Community House Road, the grocery store will be situated within Ballantyne, Northwood Investors’ 2,000-acre master-planned development on the south side of Charlotte adjacent to the South Carolina border. Wegmans aims to open the new store by the third quarter of 2026. The store will feature all traditional Wegmans departments, including produce, seafood, meat, bakery, deli, cheese and wine and beer. Additional offerings will include Meal ..read more

Jacksonville, Fla. — Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has released its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report. The grocer is also donating thousands of reusable bags and supporting local conservation efforts through volunteerism and monetary donations in honor of Earth Month. The annual report details forward-thinking sustainability strategies, including eco-responsible operations, associate and supplier diversity, and continued support of local communities in need. SEG further commits to reducing the ..read more

Bentonville, Ark. — The Melting Pot, the 92-unit fondue franchise that has built a brand around providing a one-of-a-kind experiential dining atmosphere, has signed a franchise agreement in Bentonville, Ark., to bring the first Melting Pot location to the state of Arkansas. The new Bentonville restaurant is one part of a larger-scale effort to drive franchise expansion nationwide and for the brand to reach 125 locations by 2026. “After years of strong unit-level growth, we are focused on revitalizing the brand nationwide, bringing Melting Pot restaurants to new communities and reviving and exp ..read more

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