The MULO Dozen: September in Review

Welcome to a new monthly section of Street Fight!  Every 30 days (or so), we’ll be recapping some of the highlights across MULO (multi-location) brands — retailers, restaurants, c-stores, service businesses, and any other establishment that has multiple locations (or aspires to scale to that level), as well as the agencies that help them flourish.

We’ll be breaking it down into a few main categories:

1. INNOVATION: Here are the brands that are doing something unique to keep consumers and businesses heading to their physical locations.
2. BOOMs & BUSTS: Learn about the companies and categories that are thriving and those that aren’t.
3. TALENT & LEADERSHIP: Promotions, major leadership changes, and everything relating to the people and investors who are changing the MULO landscape.

Have breaking news to include? Just e-mail me before the end of each month!

Here are this month’s MULO Dozen!

1. Eatertainment and sportainment are thriving. Robert Thompson, an innovator in the categories, just secured $20 million to fuel his MULO eatertainment empire, including Camp Pickle and Jaguar Bolera. (INNOVATION)
2. Denny’s is turning to its diners to come up with the next big idea. The brand just launched its Trillion Dollar Incubator contest, offering the winner $25K to start something new. (INNOVATION)
3. As Street Fight reported, Party City, Rite Aid, and Soft Surroundings joined the MULO companies that declared bankruptcy, along with furniture maker Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. (BUST)
4. But Froyo has a “long runway,” according to 16 Handles co-owners Danny Duncan and Neil Hershman. The company has been expanding this year. (BOOM)
5. C-store leader Sheetz debuted a new doughnut collection this month, joining 7-11 and Stewarts in offering seasonal treats to shoppers, as part of the C-store evolution. (INNOVATION)
6. But we can’t live on dessert alone. Walmart’s e-grocery sales share hit a record high this month. Online shopping for everyday items lives on post-pandemic, along with curbside pick-up. (BOOM)
7. Store design is a critical part of the consumer experience these days. Air Guitar is a new upscale C-store concept. Although they currently have just one location, the concept could potentially expand. (INNOVATION)
8. Athleisure retailer Vuori is planning a massive expansion, announcing that it will open 100 stores by 2026. After all those groceries, doughnuts, and Froyo, we’ll all need to work out more! (BOOM)
9. Target struck a deal with Kendra Scott, a jewelry brand. Introducing 200 new pieces, the partnership has a philanthropic tie-in, just in time for holiday gifting. (INNOVATION)
10. Del Taco has a new President. Tom Rose is a 30-year restaurant veteran (TALENT & LEADERSHIP)
11. Sandwich chain Subway will be sold to fast-food investor Roark Capital (TALENT & LEADERSHIP)
12. Athletic clothing brand Under Armour just appointed John Varvatos as its chief design officer, once again proving that the athleisure category has no sign of slowing down and that fashion is closely aligned with function in today’s retail world. (INNOVATION and TALENT & LEADERSHIP)

Check back often for the latest news and marketing insights across the MULO landscape. And be sure to join us live in NYC on November 7th to hear from and connect with some of the people and brands we’ve reported on in 2023!