News Briefs

Pickleball chains are continuing to expand their footprints across the United States.

Dallas-based The Pickle Pad has announced that it signed 12 franchise agreements in the first quarter of 2025, with nine locations currently in development. The brand is preparing for a major milestone later this year, as it will open three new venues in high-demand markets: Myrtle Beach, S.C., St. George, Utah, and Newport News, Va.

The Pickle Pad currently operates one location in Tallahassee, Fla. The brand said it plans to scale to 10 to 15 new locations annually, building a strong pipeline for sustained growth.

Each Pickle Pad location features multiple indoor courts, flexible event space, and Crave Social Eatery, a full-service chef-inspired restaurant and bar with fresh and light food options integrated into each location. Additional games featured at each location include cornhole, mini-golf, foosball, and shuffleboard.

[READ MORE: Chicken N Pickle eyeing growth through entertainment/hospitality acquisitions]

"The Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions represent some of the most exciting opportunities for our brand," said Chris Kuehn, president of Indoor Active Brands, the parent company of The Pickle Pad. "We're not just building pickleball courts – we're building community. With seven parks already secured in Virginia and South Carolina, and strong interest from future franchisees in North Carolina and Georgia, we're positioning The Pickle Pad to be the go-to destination for pickleball and social fun in these fast-growing markets."

Walmart is letting customers prepare an early summer cookout for up to eight people at a total cost of less than $50.

Through Sunday, July 6, the discount giant is providing a 17-item discount cookout bundle. Timed for the upcoming Independence Day holiday (Friday, July 4), the bundle includes products such as burgers and hot dogs, as well as fresh produce, sides, drinks and dessert.

According to Walmart, this special meal package will fully feed up to eight people for less than $6 per person. It is eligible for fast delivery options such as express delivery. Walmart is releasing its July 4 bundle on the heels of being ranked number six on the Brand Keys 24th annual “Most Patriotic Brands” survey.

Walmart has been offering a number of discount meal bundles for various holidays in recent years, including a 2024 Fourth of July meal deal. These include an Easter meal and Easter baskets, a holiday ham meal package, and a Thanksgiving meal featuring 29 items designed to serve eight people for less than $7 per person. Walmart has offered a budget-priced Thanksgiving meal since 2017.

[READ MORE: Walmart offers 'inflation-free' Thanksgiving meal under $7 a person]

Headquartered in Bentonville, Ark., Walmart operates more than 10,500 stores and numerous e-commerce websites in 19 countries.

A U.K.-based sports apparel retailer has opened its third flagship in the United States.

JD Sports opened a new flagship totaling nearly 29,000 sq. ft. on the Las Vegas Strip on June 14, which will offer guests a curated mix of products from sportswear and footwear brands including Nike, Jordan, New Balance, Adidas, On and Asics. 

The new store on Las Vegas Boulevard joins flagships in Chicago (State Street) and New York City (Times Square). As of May 3, 2025, there were 339 JD stores across North America.

In addition to a wide range of products, the new JD Sports flagship puts technology front-and-center. The in-store product slide system delivers stock straight to the shop floor, while QR code scanning, mobile checkout and click-and-collect make for a seamless shopping experience.

[READ MORE: JD Sports banner AI-equips assortment planning]

“Las Vegas is known for delivering next-level experiences, making it the perfect location for JD’s next US flagship,” said John Hall, managing director for JD North America. “We’re bringing our customers a retail experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the market, serving up the freshest and most desirable product from the biggest names in sports fashion. With our new store on Las Vegas Boulevard, we’re building on growing momentum across North America to bring customers iconic experiences as we continue to propel youth culture forward, on every corner of the world.”

Established in 1981 in England, JD Sports is a multichannel retailer of branded sports and casual wear with over 3,000 stores in 32 territories worldwide.

Consumers grew considerably more upbeat in the early part of June as they became less anxious about inflation and the potential impact of tariffs.

In preliminary results for June, the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index surged 16% to 60.5 this month from a final reading of 52.2 in May. This was the first increase in sentiment since December. 

The index of current economic conditions rose 8% to 63.7. The future expectations index jumped 22% to 58.4.

Despite the notable improvement in June, consumers remain guarded and concerned about the trajectory of the economy, noted Joanns Hsu, surveys of consumers director, University of Michigan.

“Consumers appear to have settled somewhat from the shock of the extremely high tariffs announced in April and the policy volatility seen in the weeks that followed,” she said.  “However, consumers still perceive wide-ranging downside risks to the economy. Their views of business conditions, personal finances, buying conditions for big ticket items, labor markets, and stock markets all remain well below six months ago in December 2024."

[READ MORE: Survey: Most retailers raise prices, rebuilding supply chain in response to tariffs]

Inflation

Year-ahead inflation expectations plunged from 6.6% last month to 5.1% this month. Long-run inflation expectations fell for the second straight month, stepping down from 4.2% in May to 4.1% in June. Both readings are the lowest in three months. 

“Still, inflation expectations remain above readings seen throughout the second half of 2024, reflecting widespread beliefs that trade policy may still contribute to an increase in inflation in the year ahead,” Hsu said.

A longstanding quick-serve chain is eyeing a Southeastern state for expansion.

A&W Restaurants has announced strategic plans to expand the chain’s presence across Columbia, S.C. and into neighboring cities, including Darlington. A&W will open three locations in the Palmetto State over the next few years, and is actively seeking franchise partners for single and multi-unit development to continue the growth.

The brand first arrived in South Carolina in 2023 when local franchisees opened a store in Rock Hill, part of the Charlotte metropolitan area. A&W says the state is a “prime location” for business expansion due to strong economic performance and GDP growth compared to other states nationally.

"A&W Restaurants has become part of communities across the country by serving classic all-American food and offering a welcoming, hometown experience," said Betsy Schmandt, CEO and president of A&W Restaurants. "At A&W, we're committed to helping franchise owners build something lasting, something they can be proud to pass down for generations. We see tremendous potential in Columbia and its neighboring cities, where passionate, community-driven entrepreneurs can help us continue our legacy of bringing people together."

[READ MORE: Placer.ai: Raising Cane's, Dave's Hot Chicken top QSR, fast-casual sectors in Q1]

Founded over 100 years ago, A&W Restaurants, known for its root beer and “all-American” food, has over 850 locations in 35 United States, Canada and Asia. Over 600 of the locations are single-brand A&Ws and 230 are co-branded with KFC or Long John Silver's.

A fast-casual taco chain is debuting a new hospitality-focused store model in its home state.

Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is opening a new location on June 16 in Sugar Land, Texas (a suburb of Houston) that will feature a new dining experience highlighted by full-service hospitality, digital innovations and a refreshed menu.

Unlike traditional Fuzzy’s locations where guests order at the counter and collect their food at a pickup window, the Sugar Land restaurant will offer tableside service. Guests will be welcomed to take a seat and an employee will come take their orders.

New additions to the menu include the Texas Brisket Taco, the Cali-Style Steak Taco, the Sonora Relleno and the Ultimate Nachos.

[READ MORE: Fuzzy's Taco Shop opens debut California location]

“We’re excited to pilot this new model that puts hospitality front and center while simplifying the overall experience for our guests,” said Patrick Kirk, president of Fuzzy’s. “Sugar Land is helping us find that sweet spot between fast casual and full-service, with a streamlined menu, bold new taco creations, and a margarita lineup that puts our bar front and center.”

As of March 31, 2025, Fuzzy's operates 115 restaurants across 15 states, including one company-owned location in Texas. It is part of the Dine Brands Global, Inc. portfolio, along with Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar and IHOP.

“Houston is a vibrant, dynamic city and we can’t wait to bring Fuzzy’s back to the community and become part of its DNA,” said Miro Nazarian, franchisee of the new Fuzzy’s location and executive director of the NGE group. “This new Sugar Land restaurant represents our shared vision for what the future of Fuzzy’s can be: more hospitality, more flavor and more fun. We’re excited to grow the brand and introduce more Texans to the Fuzzy’s experience.”