Store Expansion News: February update
Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in February with store expansion plans.
Here are the major stories as reported by Chain Store Age, starting with the most recent.
•Warby Parker posts first full year of net income profit; plans 50 stores in 2026 On its recent earnings call, the eyewear company made it clear that brick and mortar remains key to its growth strategy. After opening 47 stores — the most ever in a single year — in 2025, it plans an additional 50 new stores this year, mostly in existing markets. Warby Parker ended 2025 with 323 stores across 102 markets in 44 U.S. states and Canadian provinces.
•Parent company of Burger King, other QSR brands to open 1,800 restaurants annually Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the parent company of Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs, outlined plans to open approximately 1,800 net new restaurants per year by 2028. Outside of Burger King China, the company says its net restaurant growth has averaged 4.0% over the past five years. RBI plans to open between 300 and 400 net new restaurants per year in the United States and Canada per year by 2028.
•Floor & Decor to open 20 stores in 2026; makes Staten Island debut The specialty retailer of hard surface flooring and related accessories for homeowners and professionals plans to open 20 warehouse stores in 2026. The new outposts include Floor & Decor’s second location in New York City, in the borough of Staten Island, which opened its doors in late February.
•Wonder plans more than 100 Texas locations by end of 2027 The delivery- and pickup-focused restaurant company founded by former Walmart executive Marc Lore announced it will open for business in Texas in 2027, marking its next phase of growth as a multi-region operator. During the next two years, Wonder expects to create thousands of new jobs statewide as it intends to open more than 100 locations in the state by the end of 2027.
•Canada’s Loblaw Companies to open 70 new stores, renovate 191 locations in 2026 The food and pharmacy retailer said it will spend $2.4 billion in 2026 to expand and renovate its store network, enhance its supply chain capabilities and create jobs for people all across Canada. Loblaw will open 70 new stores in 2026, including 34 Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix pharmacies and care clinics, and 31 “hard discount” No Frills and Maxi stores.
•Sprouts Farmers Market to open 40-plus stores in 2026 The Phoenix-based natural and organic grocer plans to open more than 40 new stores in 2026. Sprouts opened 37 locations in 2025, including its first-ever site in New York. It ended the year with a total of 477 stores in 24 states.
•Kilwins plots Arizona debut with 20-plus stores The Michigan-based sweets brand 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.
•Mike's Red Tacos plans national growth with 200-plus stores Citing multiple agreements with experienced franchises, the California-based beef birria taco brand said it has more than 200 locations in its development pipeline. Mike’s Red Tacos has signed multi-unit deals in markets including California, Michigan, Minnesota, New England, Nevada, Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Indiana and Illinois, with a focus on the major cities in each state.
•Ikea plots 10 new stores for 2026 — here's where The home furnishings giant will open four additional stores this year, bringing the total of new stores slated for 2026 to 10. Ikea will expand in major markets including Los Angeles, Phoenix and Houston. It will also open its first store in Oklahoma.
•Dutch Bros to open ‘at least’ 180 sites in 2026 on heels of ‘record-breaking’ year The fast-growing coffee chain is accelerating its expansion in 2026, with plans to open “at least” 180 new sites. Dutch Bros CFO Josh Guenser said the company’s confidence in reaching its goal of 2,029 shops in 2029 has “never been higher.” Dutch Bros operates more than 1,130 locations across 25 states.
