
Lou Malnati's plans national expansion under new CEO Julie Younglove-Webb
Popular Chicago deep dish pizza chain Lou Malnati's is preparing for a major national expansion.
In an interview with Crain's Chicago Business, new CEO Julie Younglove-Webb said she wants to open at least 10 stores every year, including at least five new locations by the end of her first year in charge.
Younglove-Webb said the company will start first in states like Wisconsin and Arizona, where they already have a presence. Then they plan to go into possibly untapped markets like California and Florida.
The company currently has 70 locations, 6o of which are in the Chicago area. They also have six locations in Arizona, two in Wisconsin and two in Indiana.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fast Company
24 minutes ago
- Fast Company
The power of a customer-first strategy
I would argue that the most important indicator of a brand's health is customer loyalty. For leaders, building and sustaining strong customer loyalty is the holy grail. Leaders talk a lot about how to win customer loyalty, and sometimes that could mean getting caught up in chasing the newest shiny object, silver bullet, or trend. To avoid that chase, I've made a point of rooting myself in an approach that sounds basic on the surface, but is truly transformative: making customers the true center of every decision. This isn't a reactive strategy during tough times—it's a proactive philosophy that builds resilience and clarity before you need it. When you remain centered on prioritizing customer needs and experiences, you create a foundation of trust and understanding that fosters long-term loyalty. The human connection in a digital world Technology has improved access to customers in a lot of ways, but it has also created distance. I got to thinking about this after reading a recent LinkedIn post from my colleague Dennis Kozak, written after he toured colleges with his daughter. He said his daughter could sense 'which interactions felt authentic versus those that were rote, detached, and rehearsed.' These were in-person interactions, which should be immune to detachment. But we've all become so accustomed to digitally-driven detachment that it seems our interpersonal standards have shifted. The innate ability to detect authenticity isn't limited to campus tours—it's fundamental to every interaction, especially customer interactions. I am all for the efficiencies gained from AI chatbots, automated systems, and digital interfaces, yet there needs to be a balance between technology and the human element to effectively build true connections. When everyone uses the same technology solutions, genuine human engagement becomes your true differentiator. Demonstrating your ability to understand and connect is crucial in maintaining strong connections with others and is ultimately best left to people, not machines. These qualities foster loyalty, trust, and genuine relationships. Use values as your customer compass The principles that guide your personal decisions should extend to how you prioritize customer needs. I've found that grounding myself in integrity, authenticity, and teamwork creates a framework for customer-centric decision making. Integrity means doing what's right for customers, even—and especially —when facing tough choices and challenging times. Making customers central means that the choice becomes clear if you are making hard choices that prioritize their needs over short-term business interests. Every commitment represents an opportunity to demonstrate that you genuinely value their success as much as your own. 'Authenticity' kind of sounds like corporate buzz speak, but to me, it's very real. It shows up as consistency between what you promise and what you deliver. Back on campus, Dennis said people can immediately tell which representatives were 'passionate about the school and genuinely wanted her to be part of it versus those monotoning from a script while thinking about how soon they could be done with the conversation.' We've all had customer experiences where we felt like the person on the other side was just going through the motions, right? And I hope we've all had the opposite experience, too, when we truly felt seen and heard, like our experience mattered. What a difference! See beyond immediate transactions One great (or terrible) interaction can make or break a customer relationship, but the strongest customer relationships are built over time with consistent engagement. These bonds form when you demonstrate understanding beyond the immediate problem. For example, if a customer contacts your company because they're frustrated about a glitch, it's important to address the glitch. But it's not just about the glitch. It's about the lost productivity, the time spent needing to find contact info and reach out, and concerns about whether they can trust the product in the future. What can you do about that? Technology can actually enhance this understanding when applied thoughtfully. While AI raises legitimate concerns about depersonalization, I've found it can be an unexpected ally in customer centricity when used to augment rather than replace human judgment. By synthesizing different viewpoints from across the organization, we develop more effective responses that truly address customer needs when responding to complex situations. Technology can improve the functional aspects of customer experiences while humans address the intangible elements. Humanize the digital experience As technology continues to rise toward dominance, I think we're at an inflection point: Do we allow digital efficiency to create emotional distance, or deliberately design human connection into every touchpoint? This balance between humans and machines doesn't happen accidentally. It requires deliberately designing customer journeys that incorporate genuine human touchpoints at pivotal moments—especially during those times when trust is tested and either strengthened or broken. When you put customer needs first in good times and in bad (not to sound like wedding vows here!), customers trust that their needs remain your priority, no matter what. These customers are so much more likely to ride out tough times with you and not only stay loyal to the company, but serve as vocal brand advocates who share their experience with others. Now that is the holy grail.


Bloomberg
25 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
US Allows Ethane Cargoes to Sail to China After Inventories Soar
The Trump administration has slightly eased recent export limits on a petroleum gas that's used to make plastics — a shift that represents a modest pullback on curbs used as leverage in trade negotiations with China. Under the change, Enterprise Products Partners LP and Energy Transfer LP are being allowed to load that gas, known as ethane, onto tankers and transport it to Chinese ports. However, they are still barred from unloading that cargo for use by Chinese entities, said people familiar with the matter who asked not to be named.


Android Authority
25 minutes ago
- Android Authority
Trump Phone website trades ‘Made in the USA' claim for patriotic vibes
TL;DR Trump Mobile has removed its 'Made in the USA' claim from the T1 Phone product page. The website now uses vague patriotic language like 'American-Proud Design.' Key specs also appear to have changed. When the Trump Organization launched its gold T1 Phone last week, it made clear that the phone was 'Made in the USA.' That phrase has now quietly disappeared from the Trump Mobile website, and it's not the only early claim that appears to have changed. As The Verge spotted, the banner that once declared the phone's American manufacturing credentials is gone. In its place is a less specific mix of patriotic-sounding language. The phone now features an 'American-Proud Design,' is said to be 'designed with American values in mind,' and has 'American hands behind every device.' That all sounds nice, but it doesn't tell us where the phone is made or if any part of it is made in the US at all. This shift is particularly curious given that a Trump Mobile spokesperson told The Financial Times recently that the phone was being manufactured in Alabama, California, and Florida. That claim didn't come with much in the way of proof of suppliers or partners, and many people were skeptical from the start. Even Eric Trump admitted that the phone would be made in the USA 'eventually.' The wording isn't the only thing that's changed on the site. Some key specs appear to have been tweaked on the product page, such as the screen size, which has dropped from 6.78 inches to 6.25 inches. A line that previously mentioned 12GB of RAM has also been removed. Even the delivery window has gone from shipping in September to 'later this year.' Preordering the phone involves putting down $100, with the remaining $399 charged when it eventually ships. We put together a list of Trump T1 phone alternatives if you're not persuaded. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.