“If you’re not looking to expand and grow your company, then you’re in the wrong business and you shouldn’t be here,” said Tom Monaghan, chief development officer of Philly Pretzel Factory, at ICSC New York Deal Making, which wrapped up on Thursday. But plenty of retailers are indeed planning on expansion. Here is what ICSC editors heard at the event (and also in the days leading up to it).
Apparel
Next year Adidas will open nearly 20 outlet stores in the U.S., and one regular store. The chain is remodeling and expanding an additional 12 stores as it rolls out its stadium concept. “Our target is to remodel all of our factory outlet stores,” said Jeff Dunn, vice president of retail. At the Outlet Retail Chain Awards ceremony on Tuesday, ICSC and VRN named Adidas Best Overall Outlet Chain.
Jacomino Bespoke Clothiers, which operates nine stores — including sites in Austin, Texas; Houston; Miami; New York City; and Washington, D.C. — is looking to open about 50 stores over the next year or so.
California-based Boot Barn is bringing its stores to the East Coast. CNBC reported that the retailer plans to double its store count to 500, starting with at least 40 by the end of the 2021 fiscal year.
Experiential
Launch is expanding throughout the U.S. and looking for real estate opportunities. Based in Warwick, R.I., the company began as a trampoline park but now offers franchises in bowling, rock-climbing walls, and zip lines. About 30 sites are up and running, according to Amanda Perry, the company’s director of real estate. And Launch has sold franchise rights for roughly 60 territories stretching from Alabama to New York.
Ginger Flesher-Sonnier — founder and CEO of The Ginger Companies, which owns the Escape Room Live, Kick Axe Throwing and Throw Social concepts — said her company will open two new concepts in Washington, D.C., soon. She also said an 11,000-square-foot Throw Social and a similar-size Kick Axe Throwing will open there early this coming year.
Co-working
The Haven Collection has plans to grow from one unit to six by the end of 2020 and then to as many as 100 by 2025. The Middletown, R.I.–based concern helps families save time by providing spaces for work, fitness and child care all in one place.
Co-working concept Staples Studio is rolling out in Staples stores. At 5,000 square feet, or larger, there are already seven across Massachusetts, four of them in Boston. A New York City unit is scheduled to open this coming year.
Food
Franchise company Philly Pretzel Factory has nearly 30 shops under construction. These will join the almost 200 operating at unanchored centers in 22 states. “Our objective is to open three locations every month,” said Tom Monaghan, chief development officer.
Shake Shack is on an expansion roll of its own, recently opening a unit at Empire Outlets in Staten Island, N.Y. The company already operates about 160 shops in the U.S. and 100 overseas. Shake Shack said it plans to open about 40 stores this coming year. “We’re focusing on operating deeper in existing markets,” said director of real estate Carren Ballenger Coston.
Shake Shack's director of real estate Caren Ballenger Coston
Wendy’s opened 140 stores this year in the U.S. and hopes to replicate that number in 2020, according to real estate director Tyler Maddox. It’s speeding up expansion into nontraditional locations like gas stations, airports and dark kitchens.
Steve Chu, president of Baltimore-based Asian Fusion chain Ekiben, plans to open between five and 10 stores before further expansion takes the concept beyond Maryland.
New York City–based Matchaful Café, which offers drinks made from matcha, a green tea-based coffee alternative, plans three new shops this coming year, one in partnership with Whole Foods and Hudson Yards.
San Francisco–based Bamboo Asia expects to open 12 restaurants in New York City by the end of 2021. The fast-casual chain — which serves Indian, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine — uses steam technology that requires no expensive ventilation systems, making for a less costly build-outs.
IHOP plans to open its first Flip’d concept in Atlanta, and it’s exploring sites in New York City, Denver, San Francisco and Washington D.C., for 2020.
Johnny Rockets has four locations confirmed to open in 2020 so far, and it has additional prospects in the works.
Dollar General plans to open a whopping 1,000 new stores next year and remodel 1,500 stores.
By Duke Ratliff
Managing Editor
