Latest news with #MarkWahlberg
Entrepreneur
6 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Wahlburgers Closing More Than Half of Its Locations
The popular burger chain, founded by Mark Wahlberg and his brothers Donnie and Paul, will no longer be found in Midwest grocery giant Hy-Vee stores. Wahlburgers, the burger chain founded by chef Paul Wahlberg and his celebrity brothers Mark and Donnie, announced the closure of 79 locations. USA Today reports that the shuttered restaurants were all located within Midwestern grocery giant Hy-Vee stores. The partnership between Wahlburgers and Hy-Vee played a large part in the brand's expansion, but ultimately led to overextension, say industry experts. Hy-Vee announced plans to revert these in-store eateries to its own Market Grille brand. Related: How Wahlburgers Finds Success Through Feedback This move leaves the burger chain with just over 40 remaining locations nationwide. Restaurant Business Online spoke with Wahlburgers CEO Randy Sharpe, who explained that these locations accounted for a "small portion of sales" and that the chain wants to focus more on its actual restaurants rather than what amounted to kiosks. "We are growing restaurants," Sharpe said. "We're not going to be in the grocery business." Sharpe told the outlet that the chain plans to open 15 new locations this year. Related: Mark Wahlberg Says He's Shifted His Viral Morning Routine to Work Around His Three Teenagers: 'I'm Up and Down the Stairs at Least Three Times' Wahlbergs opened its first location outside of Boston in 2011. It began rapidly expanding thanks to franchising, and per RDO, went from 30 locations in 2019 to 109 in 2023. The rise of the restaurant chain was captured on the reality TV show, Wahlburgers, that ran from 2014 to 2019. In 2020, Mark Wahlberg discussed the rise of Wahlburgers and how it fit into his vision of success during an interview with Entrepreneur magazine, which you can read here. Join top CEOs, founders, and operators at the Level Up conference to unlock strategies for scaling your business, boosting revenue, and building sustainable success.
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Wahlburgers closes 79 locations nationwide in 2025 shake-up
Wahlburgers has closed nearly 80 locations this year, dipping to 34 restaurants nationwide. The burger chain founded by actor Mark Wahlberg and his brothers, Donnie and Paul, simultaneously closed 79 locations earlier this year that were in Hy-Vee grocery stores, Eat This, Not That reported earlier this month, ending an agreement that started in 2017. Wahlburgers CEO Randy Sharpe told Nation's Restaurant News that the closures affected food court kiosks at the Iowa-based chain. "It's not a full-service restaurant, and it wasn't a significant revenue driver for either side,' Sharpe told the publication. Here's what to know. Where are Hy-Vee stores located? Hy-Vee operates 302 stores in Iowa and seven states near it, according to the web scraping tool ScrapeHero. Iowa has the most in the U.S. with 151 locations. Other locations include the rest of the Midwest and the Southern region of the country, too. Mark Wahlberg owns Chevrolet, Buick and GMC auto dealerships Wahlburgers isn't Mark Wahlberg's only business interest. The former rapper known in the 1990s for Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch also owns several auto dealerships in the Buckeye State. Mark Wahlberg has Chevrolet dealerships in various parts of Ohio, including Columbus, Worthington and Avon, as well as a Buick GMC dealership in Columbus. The dealership websites prominently feature a photo of the Hollywood actor. But wait, there's more Wahlberg launched a Mexican-inspired restaurant, Flecha Cantina, in bustling Las Vegas late last year. He's also a co-owner and brand ambassador for Flecha Azul Tequila, which he partnered with in 2022. Wahlberg made his mark in the fashion industry as well, becoming a co-founder and owner of Municipal clothing. The lifestyle brand blends athleisure apparel with streetwear flair and launched in 2020.
The Independent
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Hollywood meets NBA hardwood: A look inside the rise of the Summer League Film Festival
While Bronny James and other young talent were lighting up the NBA Summer League court in Las Vegas, another game was being played just a few steps away: One with scripts, storyboards and studio buzz. Inside the Thomas & Mack Center, just as the league wrapped up Sunday, a different kind of crowd formed. Hollywood execs, producers and curious power players were slipping away from the basketball action to catch a slate of 34 film projects created by NBA stars past and present. More than just film screenings, it's an emerging playground where sports and the art of storytelling collide. From baseline to backlot, the Summer League Film Festival is generating off-court buzz — with the likes of Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, actor-producer Mark Wahlberg and filmmaker Deon Taylor joining the mix. Conversations are building on turning this three-day showcase into a launchpad for athlete-filmmakers, backed by film industry veterans who understand both the creative and business sides of shaping ideas and grooming projects for the screen. 'This definitely has legs,' said retired NBA player Stacey Augmon after previewing 'UNLV: Kings of Vegas,' a documentary chronicling the untold story of the Runnin' Rebels in the Strip View Pavilion. A 10-minute clip was screened before a packed audience, including Sundance Film Festival director Michelle Satter and production companies like the Wahlberg co-owned Unrealistic Ideas and Alcon Entertainment, the company behind 'The Book of Eli' and 'Blade Runner 2049.' Like other entries, the 'Kings of Vegas' team showcased select footage, including interviews with high-profile names such as Snoop Dogg, Chuck D and Jimmy Kimmel, alongside UNLV legends Augmon, Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony and others. After the screening, the producers and cast discussed the film's origins, drawing a standing ovation from the crowd. The documentary remains in development, but Augmon says the film festival is already proving its worth. 'This gives us another great avenue,' said Augmon, who played on the Runnin' Rebels team that won the 1990 NCAA championship before his 15-season NBA career. His college teammate, Anderson Hunt, said sharing their authentic, real-life stories offer a major advantage like never before, unlocking new pathways to getting their projects financed and sold. 'We have control of what's coming out,' Hunt said. 'People might know about our stories through the internet. But stuff like this takes our platform to the next level. This is great for us, and Deon is like a golden child.' From hardwood to Hollywood The festival spotlighted stories produced by NBA stars past and present including Nikola Jokic, Luguentz Dort, Tony Allen, Nate Robinson, Kyle Anderson, Cole Anthony, Keyon Dooling and Udonis Haslem. Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor of Hidden Empire Film Group were tapped to infuse the festival with seasoned filmmaking expertise, helping bridge the worlds of sports and entertainment. He played a key role in encouraging Hollywood insiders to show up, especially during the NBA Summer League's final stretch to keep the closing days as enticing as opening week. Taylor credited NBA Summer League co-founder Albert Hall for having the foresight to spark the collaboration. 'This is all invaluable,' said Hall, who cofounded the league with Warren LeGarie in 2004. 'The players make money, no doubt about it. They invest in these projects. But they don't really know what the system can provide or how to approach it. Kind of like a young executive getting into the sport or a young player trying to be seen and get exposure. It's the same way. They have to be coached up.' Hall said the partnership with Hidden Empire was a natural next step following their successful collaboration with the NFL and Skydance Sports, where they led film training sessions in March for more than 20 current and former NFL players. He added that having Wahlberg and Archie Gips of Unrealistic Ideas on board brings more industry muscle to strengthen the initiative and help drive it forward. Taylor said the festival is a door opener for the athletes. 'It's a gateway for athletes to share their art, do their art and be creative without anyone questioning them,' said Taylor, director of 'Black and Blue,' 'The Intruder, 'Meet the Blacks' and 'Fatale.' A former basketball player in East Germany turned independent filmmaker, he said true artistry requires neither a film school nor a Hollywood pedigree. 'The greatest artists are the ones that draw, create, build, shoot in the face of negativity and who paint pictures of what they see in the times that they live in,' Taylor said. 'You can only do that if you live in this culture. You can do that if you've lived and experienced it. You can't do that from a high-rise building with no pain. These guys come from adversity in life and sports.' Is the film fest worth the buzz? EverWonder Studio president Michael Antinoro certainly thinks so, and then some. He sees the film festival as more than a one-off spectacle in Las Vegas. In Antinoro's eyes, it could become the Oscars of athlete-driven storytelling with satellite versions popping up in the NBA arenas throughout the season. He sees value in helping standout projects secure the final funding and reach the right distributors. 'If we can add any value, we're in the rooms talking to all the networks and streamers that distributes films,' said Antinoro, a founding partner of the studio, which specializes in nonfiction content, documentaries and live events. The company served as co-executive producer on 'Defiant: The Manny Pacquiao Obsession' in 2019 and produced projects featuring Mike Tyson and Brett Favre. 'We're talking to them a lot. It's all about exposure,' he said. 'Some of these films maybe need a little more money just to get them over the line. If it makes sense, we can play a little there too.' How can Sundance play a role? For Michelle Satter, it's all about fostering a supportive creative community. She sees promising potential in what's taking shape at the Summer League Film Festival. While it's still early, Satter can envision a future where projects from the festival eventually find their way into Sundance. 'Why not? Of course,' said Satter, a founding figure at Sundance since 1981. She now serves as the founding senior director of Sundance Institute's artist programs. She's exploring how it might support the festival after being invited by Taylor. Sundance already has an existing partnership with Taylor's Hidden Empire. She called the opportunity to collaborate on this new venture both exciting and aligned with Sundance's mission to uplift emerging voices in storytelling. Satter's late son, Michael Latt, had his documentary short 'Hoops, Hopes & Dreams' premiere at Sundance early this year. She said Sundance gets about 15,000 short film submissions each year, but there's room for compelling storytelling that opens up new perspective from an athlete's lens. 'That was the power of storytelling, the unity of sports and bringing people together in community,' she said. 'I love the idea. These are the stories people need to see. They need to be out there in the world.'
Associated Press
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Hollywood meets NBA hardwood: A look inside the rise of the Summer League Film Festival
LAS VEGAS (AP) — While Bronny James and other young talent were lighting up the NBA Summer League court in Las Vegas, another game was being played just a few steps away: One with scripts, storyboards and studio buzz. Inside the Thomas & Mack Center, just as the league wrapped up Sunday, a different kind of crowd formed. Hollywood execs, producers and curious power players were slipping away from the basketball action to catch a slate of 34 film projects created by NBA stars past and present. More than just film screenings, it's an emerging playground where sports and the art of storytelling collide. From baseline to backlot, the Summer League Film Festival is generating off-court buzz — with the likes of Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, actor-producer Mark Wahlberg and filmmaker Deon Taylor joining the mix. Conversations are building on turning this three-day showcase into a launchpad for athlete-filmmakers, backed by film industry veterans who understand both the creative and business sides of shaping ideas and grooming projects for the screen. 'This definitely has legs,' said retired NBA player Stacey Augmon after previewing 'UNLV: Kings of Vegas,' a documentary chronicling the untold story of the Runnin' Rebels in the Strip View Pavilion. A 10-minute clip was screened before a packed audience, including Sundance Film Festival director Michelle Satter and production companies like the Wahlberg co-owned Unrealistic Ideas and Alcon Entertainment, the company behind 'The Book of Eli' and 'Blade Runner 2049.' Like other entries, the 'Kings of Vegas' team showcased select footage, including interviews with high-profile names such as Snoop Dogg, Chuck D and Jimmy Kimmel, alongside UNLV legends Augmon, Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony and others. After the screening, the producers and cast discussed the film's origins, drawing a standing ovation from the crowd. The documentary remains in development, but Augmon says the film festival is already proving its worth. 'This gives us another great avenue,' said Augmon, who played on the Runnin' Rebels team that won the 1990 NCAA championship before his 15-season NBA career. His college teammate, Anderson Hunt, said sharing their authentic, real-life stories offer a major advantage like never before, unlocking new pathways to getting their projects financed and sold. 'We have control of what's coming out,' Hunt said. 'People might know about our stories through the internet. But stuff like this takes our platform to the next level. This is great for us, and Deon is like a golden child.' From hardwood to Hollywood The festival spotlighted stories produced by NBA stars past and present including Nikola Jokic, Luguentz Dort, Tony Allen, Nate Robinson, Kyle Anderson, Cole Anthony, Keyon Dooling and Udonis Haslem. Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor of Hidden Empire Film Group were tapped to infuse the festival with seasoned filmmaking expertise, helping bridge the worlds of sports and entertainment. He played a key role in encouraging Hollywood insiders to show up, especially during the NBA Summer League's final stretch to keep the closing days as enticing as opening week. Taylor credited NBA Summer League co-founder Albert Hall for having the foresight to spark the collaboration. 'This is all invaluable,' said Hall, who cofounded the league with Warren LeGarie in 2004. 'The players make money, no doubt about it. They invest in these projects. But they don't really know what the system can provide or how to approach it. Kind of like a young executive getting into the sport or a young player trying to be seen and get exposure. It's the same way. They have to be coached up.' Hall said the partnership with Hidden Empire was a natural next step following their successful collaboration with the NFL and Skydance Sports, where they led film training sessions in March for more than 20 current and former NFL players. He added that having Wahlberg and Archie Gips of Unrealistic Ideas on board brings more industry muscle to strengthen the initiative and help drive it forward. Taylor said the festival is a door opener for the athletes. 'It's a gateway for athletes to share their art, do their art and be creative without anyone questioning them,' said Taylor, director of 'Black and Blue,' 'The Intruder, 'Meet the Blacks' and 'Fatale.' A former basketball player in East Germany turned independent filmmaker, he said true artistry requires neither a film school nor a Hollywood pedigree. 'The greatest artists are the ones that draw, create, build, shoot in the face of negativity and who paint pictures of what they see in the times that they live in,' Taylor said. 'You can only do that if you live in this culture. You can do that if you've lived and experienced it. You can't do that from a high-rise building with no pain. These guys come from adversity in life and sports.' Is the film fest worth the buzz? EverWonder Studio president Michael Antinoro certainly thinks so, and then some. He sees the film festival as more than a one-off spectacle in Las Vegas. In Antinoro's eyes, it could become the Oscars of athlete-driven storytelling with satellite versions popping up in the NBA arenas throughout the season. He sees value in helping standout projects secure the final funding and reach the right distributors. 'If we can add any value, we're in the rooms talking to all the networks and streamers that distributes films,' said Antinoro, a founding partner of the studio, which specializes in nonfiction content, documentaries and live events. The company served as co-executive producer on 'Defiant: The Manny Pacquiao Obsession' in 2019 and produced projects featuring Mike Tyson and Brett Favre. 'We're talking to them a lot. It's all about exposure,' he said. 'Some of these films maybe need a little more money just to get them over the line. If it makes sense, we can play a little there too.' How can Sundance play a role? For Michelle Satter, it's all about fostering a supportive creative community. She sees promising potential in what's taking shape at the Summer League Film Festival. While it's still early, Satter can envision a future where projects from the festival eventually find their way into Sundance. 'Why not? Of course,' said Satter, a founding figure at Sundance since 1981. She now serves as the founding senior director of Sundance Institute's artist programs. She's exploring how it might support the festival after being invited by Taylor. Sundance already has an existing partnership with Taylor's Hidden Empire. She called the opportunity to collaborate on this new venture both exciting and aligned with Sundance's mission to uplift emerging voices in storytelling. Satter's late son, Michael Latt, had his documentary short 'Hoops, Hopes & Dreams' premiere at Sundance early this year. She said Sundance gets about 15,000 short film submissions each year, but there's room for compelling storytelling that opens up new perspective from an athlete's lens. 'That was the power of storytelling, the unity of sports and bringing people together in community,' she said. 'I love the idea. These are the stories people need to see. They need to be out there in the world.'
ITV News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Transformers: Age of Extinction
The Autobots must save earth from a terrifying new threat! Catch Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz Beckham & Stanley Tucci in this action-packed thriller.
