News Briefs

The Home Depot Inc. is expanding its military exchange delivery offering to include military communities in other countries.

The home improvement giant is building on an existing collaboration with the military exchanges to include delivery to Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO) and Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) addresses, providing those customers with tax-free access to more than 20,000 home improvement products.

Available through the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM), the expanded program enables eligible military exchange shoppers to purchase products from Home Depot and have them delivered directly to overseas military bases. The program will serve military families stationed at more than 750 overseas bases across more than 80 countries.

Eligible military exchange shoppers—including active-duty service members, National Guard members, Reservists, retirees, honorably discharged veterans and authorized civilians—can obtain access to the program through AAFES and NEXCOM online shopping platforms. 

Eligible shoppers living stateside may also purchase products and send them to friends or family members residing at APO, FPO or DPO addresses overseas. Delivery is facilitated through USPS in accordance with military mailing and security requirements.

The Home Depot launched its partnerships with both the Army & Air Force Exchange Service and NEXCOM in 2023. In addition to ShopMyExchange.com and myNavyExchange.com, The Home Depot has around 90 major appliance showrooms located in military exchange stores across the U.S. 

[READ MORE: Home Depot expands selection of tax-free items for military shoppers]

The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2026, the company operated more than 2,300 retail stores, over 800 branches and more than 780 distribution centers across North America. 

When TFE Properties acquired The Shops at Brick in New Jersey last year, it was with the intention to transform it into a modern neighborhood destination where local families would shop, work out, and play.

“Refreshing the property's appearance was an important first step, but the real opportunity lies in assembling a thoughtful mix of retailers and service providers that complement one another,” said TFE’s principal Carey Taijfel. 

This week, JLL’s leasing organization announced the signing of three new leases at The Shops at Brick covering 40,799 square feet that should help propel TFE towards its goal.

Primetime Fitness signed a 25,000-sq.-ft. lease for its Crunch Fitness brand to serve as an anchor tenant at the property in Brick Township, which is located on the Jersey Shore.

JLL also placed Health Village Imaging, part of the Hackensack Meridian Health system, in a 7,799-sq.-ft. space and Bubble Island, a children’s entertainment concept, in an 8,000-sq.-ft. space.

“We’re thrilled to welcome these new tenants who will create an even stronger experience for shoppers,” Tajfel said. 

Shipley Donuts has signed an unusual one-unit franchise agreement in Texas that will bring its brand to South Dallas. 

The agreement is with nonprofit SouthFair Community Development Corp., which will operate under the name Community Donut Corp. It is led by Dallas nonprofit industry veteran and SouthFair chief executive director Annie Evans. (SouthFair has helped drive revitalization in the South Dallas neighborhood for more than three decades.)

Under the agreement with Shipley, SouthFair will serve as landlord, tenant and franchisee, which is an unprecedented triple role within the franchise's history. The shop is expected to open by the end of 2026 as part of the ground-up, newly constructed Malcolm's Point Retail center in South Dallas.

Through SouthFair’s Community Donut Corp. model, franchise revenue will directly support the nonprofit’s mission, turning every donut sold into an investment in the neighborhood. The store is expected to generate sustainable local jobs, support area suppliers and build long-term community wealth.

"At Shipley, we believe that great donuts have the power to bring people together," said Flynn Dekker, CEO of Shipley Donuts. "This partnership with SouthFair reflects and expands upon our nearly 90-year-old legacy of investing in people and communities. We're proud to be part of the growth happening in South Dallas' Malcolm's Point area and to support efforts that create lasting local opportunity."

Houston-based Shipley Donuts has more than 390 franchised and company-owned restaurants across 13 states.

"Partnering with a legacy brand like Shipley is all about creating opportunity for our community," said Evans. "This franchise agreement gives our community a seat at the table and a chance to reinvest in its own future.”

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is expanding its footprint with both traditional and non-traditional locations.

The Kansas-based fast-casual restaurant chain remains on track to open approximately 60 restaurants in 2026 as it approaches 600 locations. As part of its multi-year development strategy, Freddy's continues prioritizing growth across the Northeast, Rust Belt, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Northern California, and Florida.

To support development across a wider range of trade areas and real estate opportunities, Freddy's has expanded beyond its traditional standalone model with a renewed focus on endcap and in-line restaurants.

These build types provide additional flexibility for franchisees while creating new pathways for growth in priority markets, the company said. Investment ranges begin at $854,834 for an in-line restaurant, compared to $1,586,334 for a standalone location. 

"As Freddy's continues to grow, we remain focused on supporting our franchisees, through new restaurant prototypes, greater real estate flexibility, and development strategies that help position the brand for sustainable growth,” said Andrew Thengvall, chief development officer at Freddy's.

Earlier this year, Freddy’s opened its first miltary base location, in the Fort Lee Army installation commissary in Prince George County, Va. The restaurant marks Freddy’s 25th non-traditional location, including airports, student centers, stadiums and arenas.

[READ MORE: Freddy's names first-ever chief information officer]

Founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 2002, Freddy’s currently operates more than 580 locations across the United States and Canada.

RH is bringing its luxury design aesthetic to the world of Formula One auto racing.

The upscale home furnishings retailer has entered into a multiyear partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Under the terms of the deal, RH will serve as the global interior design and luxury furnishings curator for the racing team, reimagining its hospitality spaces across key Formula One destinations.

Starting in late 2026, RH-designed environments will debut across the team’s trackside destinations, hospitality venues, clubs and its executive headquarters in the U.K. The partnership will kick off in Abu Dhabi, followed by Miami, Monaco, Silverstone and other key races around the world.

“The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team has established the benchmark for precision, innovation and performance, making this a natural collaboration between two organizations united by an unwavering commitment to excellence,” stated RH chairman and CEO Gary Friedman. “Together, we have the opportunity to create immersive environments unlike anything experienced in sport, blurring the lines between driving and design.”

In the release announcing the collaboration, Toto Wolff, Team principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, said, "Their reputation for design excellence, quality and innovation aligns strongly with the values that drive our team.”

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