Store Expansion News: September update
Retailers and restaurants alike made headlines in September with store expansion plans and new formats.
Here are the major stories as reported by Chain Store Age, starting with the most recent.
•El Pollo Loco to make New York debut as its moves east The California-based quick-serve chain, known for its grilled chicken and Mexican-inspired flavorings, is set to enter New York, with the first location expected to open in the New York City borough of Queens in mid-2027. El Pollo Loco has also agreed to terms for three development agreements for 15 area restaurants over the next five years.
•TGI Fridays to open first new U.S. restaurants in more than a decade — here's where Nearly two years after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, TGI Fridays is slated to open a handful of new domestic restaurants. The casual dining chain has signed a development agreement with Bliss Bites LLC to open five restaurants across New York. The agreement marks TGI Fridays’ first domestic development agreement in more than a decade.
•Cava debuts in Minnesota with milestone opening The fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant chain has reached 500 locations following the opening of its newest restaurant in Minneapolis, which also marked its Minnesota debut. Founded in 2011, Cava’s footprint now spans 30 states and Washington D.C.
•Parker's Kitchen begins Florida expansion with goal of 12 stores by 2027 The Georgia-based convenience retailer will open its first Florida store in late October, in Yulee, Fla.. Six Florida sites are expected to be under construction in the first quarter of 2027, with more to follow, according to the company. Parker’s Kitchen says its goal is to open 12 new stores in Florida before the end of 2027, including one truck stop.
•Toys“R”Us opening 120 stores this holiday season The toy company plans to open 120 stores in partnership with Go! Retail Group. The new locations will expand the brand’s existing U.S. retail footprint, which includes 40 standalone stores and Toys“R”Us shops inside Macy’s stores nationwide. Select locations will offer “Creator Studios,” dedicated spaces where influencers, creators and toy brands can create content, unveil new products and host toy reveals, launches and special events.
•Uniqlo to return to San Francisco with flagship, partnerships The Japanese casual clothing giant will open a two-floor, 20,315-sq.-ft. flagship on Market Street, on Oct. 8, on the site of a former Old Navy store in downtown San Francisco. The move comes five years after Uniqlo closed its store in the city.
•Costco to open 14 new locations across U.S. and Canada by year’s end — here’s where The membership warehouse club giant is opening a total of 14 locations in October and November across the U.S. and Canada. The openings are part of Costco’s plan to add 30-plus new stores annually during the next decade, with half in the U.S. and the rest in international markets.
•Target opening eight stores this fall — here’s where and when The discounter is opening a total of eight stores across the nation in October and November. The new outposts are the last of the more than 30 planned stores Target is opening this year, which are part of its $5 billion capital investment plan for 2026.
•Lego to grow Canadian footprint with three Toronto-area mall openings The Lego Group will open three new Lego Store locations in Canada in the coming months, marking what it says is its largest expansion in the country in more than five years. The stores will open across the Greater Toronto Area this fall, including at CF Markville in Markham, CF Toronto Eaton Centre and Square One Shopping Centre in Mississauga.
•First Look: Gen Z fashion brand Cider expanding in brick and mortar Digital-first, trend-driven fashion brand Cider has opened at Westfield Valley Fair in San Jose, Calif., marking its second store. The brand plans to expand with a third location in November, at Los Cerritos Center, in Cerritos, Calif., followed by a store in Washington, D.C. Cider’s first permanent store, at Los Angeles’ Original Farmers Market, opened in May.
•South Korean chain Twosome Place to make U.S. debut South Korean cafe chain Twosome Place will open a 2,604-sq.-ft. location in the Old Town neighborhood of Alexandria, Va., outside of Washington D.C., marking its first location in the U.S. The cafe is expected to open in mid-October, and will feature 78 seats including outdoor seating.
