FOOTHILL RANCH, CA-The company is planning 68 to 72 new openings this year, and hopes to grow the store count 15% annually.

DEERFIELD, IL–Walgreen's Q2 sales and earnings came in better than ever, as executives aim to grow the chain to 7,000 total units.

ANN ARBOR, MI-Borders is closing 250 of its Waldenbooks stores and scaling back its overseas operations as it focuses on US superstores.

ORLANDO-Olive Garden is leading Darden Restaurants' growth push this year, but the company's other chains will pick up steam in the near future.

JACKSON, TN-Kirkland plans to close 40 stores that are in malls and open the same amount this year in open-air venues.

CLIFTON, NJ-The retailer will slow its store-opening program, with executives planning 20 units this year, down from 31 in 2006.

ATLANTA—Raving Brands is expanding its Moe's Southwest Grill chain and other concepts in the Middle East, as well as Canada and countries throughout Asia.

COLUMBUS, OH-As the discount-retailer returns to profitability, executives decide that growth will not come from significant store openings.