News Briefs

Chicken Salad Chick is making plans to touch down in a key Southwestern market.

The fast-casual chicken salad restaurant will make its debut in Nevada with six units in the Las Vegas metro area. Nevada is one of five new states Chicken Salad Chick opened for development in 2025, alongside Arizona, New Jersey, New York and Utah.

Husband-and-wife team Mark and Cayla Rubalcaba, longtime Las Vegas residents with backgrounds in hospitality, are behind the new franchise agreement and will spearhead the rollout of the new restaurants across the Las Vegas area.

The planned expansion comes on the heels of a “record-breaking 2025,” according to Chicken Salad Chick. The chain awarded nearly 100 new restaurant deals and celebrated 42 openings across 13 states last year.

[READ MORE: Chicken Salad Chick to expand in Minneapolis with 10 locations]

"The Southwest represents one of the most exciting growth regions for our brand," said Mark Verges, VP of franchise development at Chicken Salad Chick. "Expanding into Nevada marks a key milestone in our westward development strategy. Partnering with operators like Mark and Cayla, who deeply understand their community and embody our culture of hospitality, positions us for long-term success in the region."

Founded in 2008 in Auburn, Ala., Chicken Salad Chick operates more than 325 restaurants in 22 states. The chain is known for its dozen-plus varieties of made-from-scratch chicken salad flavors, side salads, soups, signature sandwiches and desserts.

Consumer Cellular is continuing to grow its footprint of retail stores.

The wireless company catered to those aged 50 and up opened six company-owned retail stores across six states in February alone (locations found at end of article), bringing its total to 73 stores operating across 29 states. Consumer Cellular plans to open another 10 stores in March, and anticipates having 120 retail locations open by year’s end. 

“In an industry racing toward automation and AI-driven service, we believe there’s still enormous value in RI (Real Intelligence) — real people helping real customers make smart decisions in real communities,” said Consumer Cellular CEO Ed Evans. “Our retail expansion reflects that belief. Technology matters, but so does sitting down with someone, understanding what they actually need, and helping them save money in a way that feels personal and transparent.”

Consumer Cellular stores offer shoppers hands-on shopping and in-person support, along with free coffee and snacks. Customers can also participate in learning sessions on phone functions and features, popular apps and more.

The locations opened in February include the following:

• Metairie, La.
• Warren, Mich.
• Memphis, Tenn.
• Davenport, Iowa (First store in Iowa)
• Murray, Utah (First store in Utah)
• Ashwaubenon, Wis.

Based in Scottsdale, Ariz., Consumer Cellular ranked #1 in network coverage and customer satisfaction among wireless carriers by American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The company touts a 100% U.S.-based customer service model.

Target Corp. is growing one of its longest-standing national partnerships.

The retailer said is bringing Levi’s denim merchandise to 150 additional Target stores by the end of the year, reaching a total of more than 1,000 locations nationwide. Denim is a strong category at Target, the company said, with sales growth and market share gains in 2025, and Levi’s playing an important role in that growth.   

Building on that performance, Target and Levi's introduced this month a refreshed assortment of best-selling styles alongside new, trend-forward designs. For spring 2026, the Levi's women assortment will grow by nearly 20% year over year.

The lineup pairs proven best-sellers with new trend-driven pieces, including relaxed and looser leg silhouettes, updated washes and added lifestyle pieces such as tops and overalls for easy, head-to-toe outfitting. Most items are priced under $60.

“Guests turn to Target to find the styles, brands, and value they love, which is why our partnership with Levi’s is so important,” said Gena Fox, senior VP, apparel & accessories, Target. “Through our partnership, we’re growing Target’s denim business by delivering exactly what our guests want: on-trend style, exceptional quality, and unmatched value.”

“Levi’s is the #1 denim brand in the world and our evolution into a head-to-toe denim lifestyle brand is resonating with Target guests,” said Heidi Manes, senior VP and managing director of Levi’s U.S. and Canada. “Our expansion with Target reflects the momentum behind our lifestyle assortment, the strength of our partnership and our commitment to reaching Levi’s fans wherever they choose to shop.”

A growing chicken tender chain is plotting expansion in two Southern states.

Huey Magoo’s has signed a new development agreement totaling 12 restaurants, marking the brand's entry into Texas and expansion in Alabama. The deal includes eight restaurants across the north Dallas market and four in Birmingham, Ala., continuing the chain's nationwide expansion.

Huey Magoo’s said it is on track to reach 100 locations in 2026. The brand, which was founded in 2004, currently operates more than 85 locations across 12 states.

"This agreement reflects the continued strong interest we're seeing from experienced multi-unit franchisees who recognize the strength of our model and the depth of support behind it," said Andy Howard, president and CEO of Huey Magoo's. "We're proud to introduce the Huey Magoo's experience to new Texas and Alabama communities with such a strong franchise group."

[READ MORE: Huey Magoo's to continue expansion in 2026 — here's where]

2025 was a strong year for Huey Magoo’s. In the final quarter of the year alone, Huey Magoo’s expanded its footprint across the south, with new restaurants opening in Tupelo, Miss., Cornelia, Jesup, and Macon, Ga., Brookline, Mo., and Jacksonville, Fla. Last year, the brand also introduced a condensed 1,500-sq.-ft. prototype that reduces buildout costs and speeds development, in addition to launching its Magoo's Rewards loyalty program.

"We were looking for a brand with a high-quality product, strong business model and a leadership team that truly supports its franchisees," said Abhisek "AB" Rajput, one of the managing partners behind the latest franchise agreement. "Huey Magoo's delivers on all three. We see real opportunity for growth and look forward to becoming long-term partners in each of the communities we serve."

Many consumers are reducing their spending, and they are using a variety of means to accomplish that goal.

Two-in-three U.S. consumers have switched to cheaper alternatives often or occasionally in the past year. Respondents to a survey from marketing automation technology provider Omnisend who have switched to cheaper alternatives indicated achieving this strategy includes actions such as:

• Choosing lower-priced brands (57%).
• Switching to private label or store brands (46%).
• Choosing simpler products with fewer features (29%).
• Buying second-hand or refurbished items (26%).

Only 7.5% of respondents said they just buy fewer of their preferred products.

Half of respondents said they wait for sales or promotions before buying a product. Many take additional steps to avoid paying full price, such as:

• Abandoning carts often or occasionally expecting a discount or reminder email (60%).
• Comparing prices across multiple websites (43%).
• Searching for discount codes before checkout (40%).
• Nearly one-in-five (18.7%) delay purchases even when they want the item.

[READ MORE: Survey: Many consumers delayed essential purchases of $300 or more last year]

Almost six-in-10 (58%) respondents have purchased something primarily because it felt like a good deal, even if it wasn't needed. 

"Consumers have been trained to believe the first price isn't the real price,” said Marty Bauer, e-commerce expert at Omnisend. “After years of constant promotions, shoppers expect a better offer to show up. Waiting has become part of the checkout process, and paying full price can feel like leaving money on the table."

The survey was commissioned by Omnisend and conducted by Cint in January 2026, polling 1,072 consumers from the U.S. about their shopping habits from the last 12 months. 

A well-known sweets brand is planning on expanding its brick-and-mortar presence into a new market.

Michigan-based Kilwins will open more than 20 locations in Arizona over the next three to five years, marking its debut in the Grand Canyon State. The brand is pursuing numerous locations in the Phoenix–Scottsdale area, and plans to enter other markets across the state over the period.

Kilwins says Arizona’s significant annual visitor traffic, walkable retail districts, and thriving tourism and hospitality ecosystem make it a prime market for retail expansion. The brand also added that it will introduce a smaller-footprint store model in 2026 that will help “unlock additional opportunities to enter new markets and attract experienced franchise operators.”

[READ MORE: Kilwins to open 10 new Texas locations — with potential for more]

"Arizona supports strong unit economics and year-round demand for ice cream, and our premium confections, driven by a steady climate and favorable operating conditions, and is a market with high-traffic, walkable retail areas," said Brian Britton, president and CEO of Kilwins. "Just as important, Arizona's consistent population and retail growth, along with communities that value quality and experience, check a lot of boxes for Kilwins and create an ideal environment for experienced operators building multi-unit franchises and new owners to grow with the brand."

Founded in 1947, Kilwins operates more than 185 retail locations. The brand is known for its hand-crafted chocolates, creamy fudge, caramel apples, brittle, premium ice cream and more.