News Briefs

A growing U.K.-based coffee chain is expanding its presence in Texas’ largest metro area.

Black Sheep Coffee has secured a 20-store multi-unit development agreement across the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in collaboration with franchise partner Yoloway’s. The agreement will bring 20 locations to the region over the next five years, with planned sites across Richland Hills, Bedford, Plano, Garland, Rowlett, Mobile City, Sunnyvale, Richardson and Sachse.

The planned Dallas-Fort Worth expansion builds on Black Sheep Coffee’s established footprint of five Texas locations. It also operates one location in Miami.

[READ MORE: NYC-based Gregorys Coffee launches franchise program]

“After experiencing the strength and momentum of Black Sheep Coffee in the U.K., expanding our partnership into the United States felt like a natural next step,” said a spokesperson for YOLOWAY's. “The brand’s challenger positioning, product quality and high-energy model have driven strong performance in our existing locations, and we see significant long-term opportunity in the Dallas–Fort Worth market.”

Founded in 2013, Black Sheep Coffee operates more than 130 locations across the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the U.S., with continued expansion planned throughout 2026. In December, Chain Store Age spoke with Black Sheep Coffee’s co-founders Gabriel Shohet and Eirik Holth about the brand’s U.S. expansion strategy and what sets it apart from other coffee chains.

“Dallas–Fort Worth continues to be an important market as we build our presence in Texas,” said Lewis Blakey, head of franchising at Black Sheep Coffee. “This agreement allows us to expand thoughtfully while introducing more communities to the Black Sheep Coffee experience.”

Trader Joe’s continues to expand its footprint nationwide.

The grocer listed the locations of seven new locations that, according to its website, are “coming soon.”  In addition, Trader Joe’s recently won approval to open a store at Mount Pleasant Plaza in West Orange, N.J., reported NJBiz.com.

The locations marked as “coming soon” include:

•Tucson, Ariz. (2150 E. Broadway Blvd.);

•West Palm Beach, Fla. (8111 S. Dixie Hwy.); 

•Johns Creek, Ga.(1000 Medley Blvd.); 

•Merriam, Kan.(8700 Shawnee Mission Pkwy.);

•Mandeville, La.  (3377 U.S. Hwy. 190); 

•New Orleans (2428 Napoleon Ave.); and

•Woodinville, Wash. (14035 NE Woodinville Duvall Rd.) 

Earlier this month, Trader Joe’s opened two new stores in the Northeast, with locations in Hamden, Conn., and Miller Place, N.Y.

A massive mixed-use redevelopment project in the Nashville, Tenn. suburbs is soon to be underway.

Ohio-based real estate development firm Merus has purchased RiverGate Mall, located in Goodlettsville, Tenn., with plans to transform the enclosed mall into a 57-acre mixed‑use district. According to local outlet The Tennessean, Merus purchased the property, which opened in 1971, for $33 million from Hendon Properties. 

Planned as a multi‑phase project, the estimated $450 million redevelopment plan will transform the property into a “walkable, connected community” featuring new streets and infrastructure, housing, retail, dining and entertainment amenities, medical and office space, in addition to public green space.

At full buildout, the master plan is anticipated to include approximately 700 multi-family units, 100 townhomes and 80 independent senior housing units, along with more than 130,000 square feet of retail and dining.

Initial demolition is anticipated to begin in spring 2026, with early construction expected later in the year. Development is expected to continue in phases through the early 2030s. 

[READ MORE: Under-construction Atlanta Metro center announces retail signings]

"RiverGate has played an important role in this area for decades," said Patrick Poole, senior VP and Nashville market leader for Merus. "Our focus is honoring that significance while repositioning the site for today, creating a more walkable, connected place that delivers long‑term value for the surrounding communities."

The project will provide new residential and retail opportunities in one of the nation’s fastest-growing metro areas. Recent census data shows that the Nashville metro grew its population by 6.4% from 2020 to 2024, reaching approximately 2.15 million residents.

(Mall rendering courtesy of Merus)

Burger King is putting its president on the line.

Customers can now call or text Tom Curtis, president of Burger King US & Canada, at (305) 874-0520 to share comments on their Burger King experience. Curtis will personally make as many daily calls as possible, and every message received will be reviewed and responded to, helping to provide important feedback across the business, the burger giant said.

In a LinkedIn post explaining why he decided to share his phone number with the public, Curtis wrote that he wants to have the opportunity to hear as much direct feedback as possible.

“The goal is to engage in even more real conversations with real guests,” he wrote. “What are we doing well? What can we improve upon? What should we stop doing? What should we start doing? Putting my phone number out there is an important next step in staying connected, but even more important is taking what we learn and putting it into action.”

[READ MORE: Burger King China to triple store count by 2035]

The Burger King system operates more than 19,000 locations — including more than 6,700 domestic restaurants — in more than 120 countries and U.S. territories. 

Kohl’s Corp. has launched a new in-store initiative for deal-minded shoppers.

The retailer has unveiled the “Deal Bar” in its stores nationwide. Located at the front of every Kohl's store, the new feature is described as a curated, one-stop destination for on-trend gifts, seasonal finds and everyday essentials — with all items priced under $10.

With an evolving merchandise mix that will be refreshed throughout the year, the Deal Bar launched in early February with a lineup that includes party supplies, serving dishes and games for celebrating the Super Bowl, along with Valentine's Day merchandise.

Additional items include Easter decorations, candles, craft projects and activity books. Fitness-related products, including jump ropes and yoga blocks, are also featured.

Whether it’s a quick gift or the perfect little thing that makes a bigger moment special, the Deal Bar is "packed with great finds," according to the retailer.

Kohl's operates more than 1,100 stores in 49 states.

A Utah-based regional grocer is leveraging Internet of Things technology to streamline and automate food safety monitoring and tracking.

Harmons, an independent, locally-owned grocer that operates 20 locations across Utah, is deploying the SmartSenseOne platform from SmartSense by Digi. Combining the SmartSense IoT-based digital temperature monitoring solution with Jolt dynamic label printing capabilities (SmartSense parent Digi International Inc. acquired Jolt in August 2025), SmartSense One offers several modules that Harmons utilizes to help ensure food and prescription medication safety at the store level.

These include Monitor, an asset management and visibility module that delivers real-time prescriptive analytics into asset health and environmental conditions with predictive insights and automated actions, as well as Guard, a food safety and compliance monitoring module with probe and sensor integration for auditable tracking. and corrective action guidance

In addition, Harmons is using a labeling and printing module that automates labeling, helps ensure compliance, and streamlines prep workflows, integrated with the other modules.

[READ MORE: Utah-based Harmons deploys Tally inventory robots]

"SmartSense One allows us to align the right capabilities with the specific needs of each part of our business," said Bruce Hatch, CIO, Harmons Grocery. "In our pharmacies, Monitor helps us maintain compliance and protect patient safety in a highly regulated environment. In food service, Guard delivers consistency, visibility and control to frontline execution. After implementing the Label Management tools, we’re now seeing how the combined value of these modules improves operational efficiency, reduces waste and risk, and gives our teams greater confidence that we’re doing things right every day.”