News Briefs

A fast-casual concept spearheaded by a world-renowned chef and TV personality is going big north of the border.

Bobby’s Burgers By Bobby Flay has signed a multi-year agreement with The Falcon Capital Group to open 65 locations across Canada. The flagship restaurant for the chain will open its doors in downtown Toronto, with future locations actively being scouted across the Greater Toronto Area in both neighborhoods and lifestyle centers.

Backed by a team of restaurant industry veterans, Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay operates nine locations with more than a dozen in the pipeline. Flay’s other restaurant ventures include Bobby’s Burger Palace and Amalfi. He has appeared on the Food Network since 1995, and first gained notoriety for his appearances on Iron Chef America.

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"Expanding into Canada and becoming an international brand is a major milestone," said Flay. "The Falcon Capital Group brings proven expertise in brand development and retail franchising that makes them the ideal partners to bring our signature handcrafted burgers, fries and milkshakes to a new audience. I look forward to working with the accomplished team at Falcon Capital and watching our brand grow across Canada." 

Falcon Capital announced that well-known Canadian entrepreneur and franchise executive Jim Gormley will lead the expansion initiative. 

“We’re delighted to introduce Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay to Canada," said Gormley. "The quality and flavor of Bobby’s menu are unmatched, and we’re excited to bring this exceptional premium burger experience to Canadian consumers while also providing this unique franchise  opportunity to Canadian entrepreneurs. We share Bobby Flay’s commitment to culinary excellence and operational support." 

Bryton, Ashton, Paxton, and Payton Myler are heading to American Dream next week to mix things up.

The stars of Ninja Kidz TV, the popular YouTube channel aimed at kids ages six to 11 created by their dad Shane, will cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Ninja Kidz Action Park, which challenges folks of all ages to test their skills on trampolines, ziplines, virtual reality games, laser mazes, tumble tracks, and aerial skills challenges.

“We are ecstatic to welcome Ninja Kidz TV’s incredibly popular brand and adventure park to American Dream,” said the mega-mall’s general manager Bryan Gaus. “The Ninja Kidz are beloved superstars, and their decision to call American Dream home further reinforces our reputation as a premier destination for top brands and influencers.”

Myler created the Ninja Kidz TV channel in 2017 to motivate kids to seek adventure, learn new skills, build confidence, and live healthy lifestyles. It stars the four Myler siblings as they take on ninja-themed adventures and challenges.

“I learned that the true essence of martial arts as a way of life is to strive for constant and never-ending improvement,” said Shane Myler, an 8th Degree Black Belt. “That is the path to mastery in all areas of life.”

Sukoshi is expanding its U.S. footprint. 

The Korean beauty retailer will open a store this September on New York City's Upper East Side. It will be the largest Asian beauty store in the city.

With New York marking its 15th U.S. location, Sukoshi is on track to exceed 20 stores by year's end. Upcoming openings include Lenox Square, Atlanta; Aventura Mall, Aventura, Fla.; King of Prussia, King of Prussia, Pa.; and Bellevue Square, Wash. By 2026, 40 new stores will join the network, according to the company.

Sukoshi offers more than 200 Asian beauty brands and an immersive in-store experience. The assortment includes hard-to-find global makeup and skincare brands, with the next “must-haves” alongside time-tested staples.

"Asian beauty isn't a passing wave, it is shaping the future of skincare and cosmetics," says Linda Dang, CEO of Sukoshi. "Our role is to champion the brands setting that standard and to create spaces where discovery and education make beauty more meaningful for every customer."

(Photo: CNW Group/Sukoshi)

Commercial real estate firm First National Realty Partners (FNRP) has added veteran talent to its leadership team.

Jeff Kellams has been named director of leasing, and will lead leasing initiatives across the firm's retail portfolio, supporting FNRP's mission to deliver “exceptional value through targeted tenant strategies.” He will be responsible for increasing occupancy, optimizing tenant mix, and aligning leasing efforts with FNRP's long-term asset strategy.

Kellams has more than 35 years of commercial real estate experience. He most recently served as VP of leasing at Washington Prime Group for more than a decade, where he led multimillion-dollar lease negotiations and supported asset-level execution for retail properties nationwide. Previously, he served as regional VP of leasing, community centers, at Simon Property Group, and spent nearly 15 years with the company.

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"Jeff brings a wealth of leasing knowledge and on-the-ground experience that will sharpen our execution across the portfolio," said Sam Collier, chief revenue officer at FNRP. "His ability to structure deals, navigate market dynamics and build strong retailer partnerships will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow. We're excited to have him on the team."

Founded in 2015, New Jersey-based FNRP operates more than 60 retail properties across the United States.

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Walmart has unveiled a suite of tools and initiatives designed to accelerate the growth of its Marketplace sellers.

At the company's annual Let’s Grow! Walmart Marketplace Seller Summit, Walmart introduced new AI-powered tools and seller incentives to help sellers grow faster, operate more efficiently and reach more customers. It also announced expanded next-day delivery in major metros and enhanced omnichannel opportunities — including showcasing Marketplace items in-store.

Walmart Fulfillment Services, which stores and ships products for the chain's third-party marketplace sellers, is now offering expanded next-day shipping across key U.S. cities — including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta. The next-day deliveries will begin with some of the most popular items on the e-commerce platform, reported Bloomberg. 

Walmart is bringing its extended Marketplace aisle (introduced in the chain’s Cypress, Texas location) into stores, starting with a few items on display. Customers can purchase the featured items through the Walmart app and also have the items professionally installed.

The retailer is also introducing new incentives to help sellers compete during the peak shopping season and win more business including. These include:

• Zero percent referral fee on all qualifying toys;
• Fifty-percent referral fee reduction on all qualifying pet supplies; and
• Up to 100% referral fee reductions reductions on qualifying top-selling items across categories.

“Walmart has become one of the fastest-growing eCommerce platforms by focusing on what matters most: integrity, seller success and delivering exceptional experiences for customers,” said Manish Joneja, senior VP, Walmart U.S. Marketplace and Walmart Fulfillment Services. “Everything we’re building — from smarter tools to expanded fulfillment and global reach — is designed to accelerate seller growth and empower sellers to serve customers while driving their businesses forward.”

 For more on Walmart's new seller capabilities and tools, click here.