Kelly’s Roast Beef Closes 2022 on High Note

QSR
The Boston-based inventor of the North Shore roast beef sandwich, Kelly’s Roast Beef, is celebrating a strong end to 2022 and heading into 2023 with plans for continued national expansion as demand increases. . . . more

Revlon set to exit bankruptcy by April

Retail Dive
Saddled with debt, slow to adapt to new market realities and losing share, Revlon was ill-equipped to deal with the supply chain troubles that helped decimate its inventory. . . . more

Rite Aid loss widens in Q3; narrows outlook

CSA
A reduction in COVID vaccine and testing revenues took a toll on Rite Aid Corp.’s third quarter performance. . . . more

Barnes & Noble books more stores amid big-box expansion wave

The Real Deal
Barnes & Noble is planning to add a net of 30 stores to its portfolio next year. . . . more

Charleys Philly Steaks to Open 100th Store of 2022

CSA
Charleys Philly Steaks announced that it will reach a major milestone when it opens its 100th new location in 2022 on Dec. 21. . . . more

Taco John’s To Make Boston Bigger.Bolder.Better

Franchising.com
Taco John’s is making its way to the northeast and preparing to bring its signature tacos, burritos and crispy Potato Olés to Beantown! . . . more

FunCity Adventure Park to Become Newest Anchor at Union Lake Crossing Shopping Center in Millville

New Jersey Stage
Irgang Group announced on December 15th that it has signed FunCity Adventure Park to a lease for a 36,500-square-foot anchor position at Union Lake Crossing, a 393,000-square-foot power center serving the greater Millville-Vineland market in southern New Jersey. . . . more

DSW parent company acquires athletic footwear brand Topo

CSA
The parent company of DSW continues to expand its growing portfolio of owned brands. . . . more

How Ulta is approaching its new store layout and the holidays

Retail Dive
Thanks to a variety of macroeconomic pressures, few large retailers have truly thrived over the past year. . . . more

KFC franchisee pilots text-based customer engagement

CSA
KFC franchisee KBP Brands is testing the effectiveness of targeted mobile messaging in driving store traffic and sales. . . . more

New York stores banned from selling cats, dogs, rabbits

CSA
New York has passed a law that puts limits on what pet stores can sell. . . . more

Joann reports third quarter loss, suspends dividend

Retail Dive
Joann on Monday reported $562.8 million in Q3 net sales, a 7.9% decline. The crafts retailer swung to a $17.5 million loss from $22.8 million in net income during the same quarter last year. . . . more

Ames Department Stores expected to make a return in 2023

WWLP.com
A well-known department store, that was headquartered in Connecticut, is making its return in 2023! . . . more

Sears Hometown files for bankruptcy; to liquidate inventory

CSA
Sears Hometown Stores Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid disputes with its parent company. . . . more

PREIT: Malls benefit when located near military centers — here’s why

CSA
Military installations can have a major impact on local businesses — including shopping malls. . . . more

Sweetgreen continues expansion into new markets

CSA
Sweetgreen has entered its fifth new market of the year. . . . more

Why Are Quick-Serve Restaurants Investing in Self-Ordering Kiosks?

QSR
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer behaviors and preferences have rapidly evolved. . . . more

Walmart CEO: Inflation on toys, clothing and sports equipment is easing

CNN Business
Finally, shoppers are getting some good news about prices: Inflation is falling on discretionary merchandise just in time for the holidays, Walmart chief Doug McMillon said Tuesday.  . . . more

Dollar General’s new Popshelf stores chase inflation-weary shoppers in the suburbs

CNBC Business
Dollar General’s next big strategy for growth is tucked in a strip mall in suburban Nashville, and it is coming to other cities soon. . . . more

Retail looks beyond its old love — the movies

Retail Dive
In 2019, toy retailers were blessed with the holiday release of hit movies like “Frozen II” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” as well as a robust list of releases earlier on in the year. . . . more

Tech-driven mini-golf/dining concept continues expansion; to open at Natick Mall

CSA
A destination that combines tech-infused mini-golf with food and drink in an upscale, high-energy environment continues to expand its U.S. footprint. . . . more

Lids continues store expansion with two firsts

CSA
Lids continues to expand with both new and existing concepts. . . . more

Dave’s Hot Chicken Bringing Units to New Hampshire and Massachusetts

Franchising.com
Dave’s Hot Chicken announced today it has inked a franchise agreement with Al Graziano to make its entrance into New Hampshire and Massachusetts. . . . more

Bertucci's closes multiple Mass, NH restaurants amid bankruptcy filing

CBS Boston
A well-known restaurant chain has closed seven of its locations in New England - five of those are in the Boston area. . . . more

Applebee’s owner to acquire Fuzzy’s Taco Shop for $80M

Restaurant Business
Dine Brands is finally getting its third concept. . . . more

McDonald’s Testing New Restaurant Format for On-the-Go Customers

QSR
In McDonald’s top six markets globally, digital has rocketed to more than a third of system-wide sales, fueled by north of 43 million active app customers. . . . more

Wegmans lines up its next new store locations

Winsight Grocery Business
Further expanding its regional footprint, Wegmans Food Markets aims to open two new stores in 2023 and has another five locations in its brick-and-mortar pipeline. . . . more

Steak ‘n Shake's Transformation Remains a Work in Progress

QSR
Steak ‘n Shake intends to emerge from COVID-19 reimagined across two areas: Firstly, structurally as it continues a 2018-hatched transition labeled the “franchise partnership program.”. . . more

This 56-Unit Premium Sandwich Concept Has a Unique Recipe for Growth

QSR
Mr. Pickle’s Sandwich Shop, a beloved northern California brand that has grown from one to 56 locations over the course of almost 30 years, recently announced plans to expand franchise opportunities nationwide. . . . more

Five Below maintains momentum with strong quarter; lifts guidance

CSA
Five Below reported a better-than-expected third quarter during which it continued to expand its footprint as it entered two new states. . . . more