Houston — Houston-based women’s clothing and accessories retailer Francesca’s, has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the District of New Jersey. This filing marks the second time in six years that the retailer has sought bankruptcy protection, with plans to liquidate its inventory and close all of its approximately 400 remaining stores. Tiger Group, SB360 Capital Partners and GA Group, who are acting as advisors to Francesca’s, have commenced court-approved store closing sales across the company’s entire store fleet as part of the Chapter 11 process. Discounts will range from 25 …
Bellevue, Wash. — The operator of Eddie Bauer stores has entered into a voluntary Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) and has commenced chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the District of New Jersey. The bankruptcy filing for the company involves the entity managing physical stores — Catalyst Brands — not the brand itself, which is owned by Authentic Brands Group and SPARC Group. Eddie Bauer retail and outlet stores in the United States and Canada will remain open and continue serving customers as the company begins its process of closing …
Seattle — At its recent 2026 Investor Day, Starbucks Coffee Co. highlighted progress in its “Back to Starbucks” transformation plan. By fiscal 2028, the company expects to open 2,000 net new stores across its portfolio, including approximately 400 net new U.S. company-operated stores. Brady Brewer, chief executive officer for Starbucks International, shared the company’s plan to accelerate global growth in a program referred to as coffeehouse “uplifts.” With this plan, Starbucks expects to add more than 25,000 café seats across the U.S. by the end of fiscal 2026. Starbucks also announced …
New York City — Newmark Group has been selected to provide leasing for the retail component of the Penn District, a $2.5 billion mixed-use redevelopment in Midtown Manhattan. Mark Masinter, Karen Bellantoni, Jackie Totolo, Pierce Thompson and Nick Masinter of Newmark will lead leasing efforts at the property, which is owned and operated by Vornado Realty Trust. Penn District is now home to 5 million square feet of office space, 300,000 square feet of public plaza space and 1.1 million square feet of retail. Vornado also plans to create a cohesive street-level experience along both …
Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has commenced voluntary chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. FAT Brands plans to use the filings to deleverage its balance sheet, maximize value for its stakeholders and support continued growth of its brands. FAT Brands’ portfolio of 18 restaurant concepts encompasses more than 2,200 locations worldwide. Brands such as Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and Round Table Pizza, among others, are expected to remain operating as usual during the chapter 11 process. Latham & Watkins LLP …
Dallas — Dallas-based casual dining chain TGI Fridays has unveiled a new expansion plan. Under its “1-2-3 Strategic Vision,” the company is aiming for more than 1,000 new restaurants and $2 billion in revenue by 2030. The U.S.-based company intends to support its strategy with initiatives such as menu and beverage changes, improved guest experiences and upgrades to restaurant atmosphere. The brand’s growth strategy also includes a diverse mix of formats, including high-volume airport locations to hotel concepts and traditional full-service restaurants. TGI Fridays filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November …
Baltimore and Austin, Texas — MCB Real Estate, a privately held commercial real estate firm based in Baltimore, has completed the acquisition of Austin-based Epic Real Estate Partners. The transaction includes 15 grocery-anchored shopping centers owned in partnerships totaling more than 2 million square feet of retail space across 10 states, with a total portfolio value exceeding $575 million, as well as the operating company, which has 13 employees. The properties were cumulatively 92 percent leased at the time of the merger, and the ownership structure of all property-level limited partnerships …
New York City — Saks Global Holdings LLC, the owner of luxury retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas. The company secured a financing commitment of approximately $1.75 billion, comprising $1.5 billion from an ad hoc group of the company’s senior secured bondholders and roughly $240 million of incremental liquidity from its asset-based lenders. Saks Global says the financing package will strengthen its balance sheet and position …
Philadelphia — Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard finished 2025 with more than 600 locations worldwide, with further expansion planned in the year ahead. In 2025, Rita’s opened 35 new shops systemwide, including new shop openings across the Southeast, Texas and Mid-Atlantic, as well as the brand’s first-ever location in Louisiana. This year, Rita’s expects to open approximately 45 additional shops. Drive-thru development emerged as one of Rita’s growth drivers in 2025. Across the system, the company reports that drive-thru locations are delivering more than 30 percent higher performance compared to …
Batavia, Ill. — Aldi, a German discount, small-format grocer, plans to open 180 new stores across 31 states this year. By the end of the year, Aldi will operate approximately 2,800 U.S. grocery stores, including its first Maine location in Portland and 10 new stores in the metro Phoenix area. The grocer has operated stores in the United States for 50 years and has gained a loyal following in recent years as the demand for discount grocery items increases in the face of inflation. The company disclosed that 17 million Americans …