News Briefs

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Qdoba Mexican Eats is expanding across the Southeast and Western U.S.

The Mexican fast-casual chain has signed two new development agreements to open 30 restaurants in Atlanta, and 20 in Nashville.  A recent acquisition and expanded development commitment from B Wild Investments, LLC is further accelerating franchise-led growth.

B Wild affiliate 7 Star Eats  has completed the acquisition of 22 Qdoba restaurants in the Pacific Northwest. And B Wild has entered into an expanded 63-unit development commitment across Colorado, Utah, Washington, Nevada, and New Mexico.

"Mexican fast casual is one of the most attractive segments in restaurants, and QDOBA has the brand, menu, and unit economics to win," said Barry Dubin, founder and CEO of B Wild Investments.

Qdoba and its franchise partners currently operate over 865 restaurants, with plans to double the brand's footprint to approximately 2,000 restaurants within the next eight years. The company plans to open 100 restaurants annually.

Sam’s Club is teaming up with a leading weight management brand.

The warehouse club subsidiary of Walmart is collaborating with WW International Inc. (known as “Weight Watchers”) provides members of the Sam’s Club Plus premium tier a complimentary three-month Weight Watchers Core membership (a ($54 value). 

After the introductory offer, Sam’s Club Plus members can continue Core fort $10 per month with no long-term commitment. All Sam's Club members will also have access to special pricing on Weight Watchers Core+ and Med+ programs, with savings of up to 50% off everyday pricing. Core+ provides personalized wellness support, customized food and nutrition recommendations, and access to virtual and in-person workshops. 

"At Sam's Club, our purpose is to help people save money and live better,” said Myron Frazier, chief merchant at Sam's Club. “This collaboration with Weight Watchers extends that commitment by making trusted, science-backed weight health support more affordable and accessible for our members.”

The retailer’s partnership with Weight Watchers follows its January 2026 launch of consulting for and access to the oral GLP-1 weight loss drug Wegovy, including free same-day delivery of oral Wegovy doses for Sam’s Club Plus members. All members can also get access to digital wellness tools via the Sam’s Club-exclusive version of the Well health app.

[READ MORE: Sam’s Club offers omnichannel weight loss drug pharmacy services]

“This new collaboration between Weight Watchers and Sam’s Club opens up access to trusted wellness expertise, value and convenience to help members take meaningful steps toward their wellness goals, whether they are focused on nutrition, weight management, medication support or overall well-being,” said said Scott Honken, PharmD, chief commercial officer, Weight Watchers.

Based in Bentonville, Ark., Sam’s Club is a division of Walmart Inc. and operates more than 600 clubs across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

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.”

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.