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All-new immersive spaces featuring Pokémon, Hello Kitty® and Friends, and Promise Pets™ will debut when Build-A-Bear is scheduled to open its most iconic experience on Nov. 5

, /PRNewswire/ -- Build-A-Bear Workshop, the global retailtainment brand known for adding a little more heart to life, today offers a first look at three distinct Workshop experiences that will be inside its highly anticipated new multi-level location at Orlando's ICON Park, officially opening on Thursday, Nov. 5.

The new Build-A-Bear Workshop location will feature the first-ever Build-A-Bear x Pokémon Workshop, the brand's fourth Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends® Workshop, and the debut of Promise Pets™ by Build-A-Bear Workshop. Each fully themed space will bring a distinct world to life through immersive storytelling, hands-on personalization, and memorable moments designed for guests of all ages. See renderings here.

"ICON Park represents a defining moment for Build-A-Bear as we continue to evolve into a true destination brand," said Chris Hurt, Chief Executive Officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "By bringing beloved franchises and original concepts together in one immersive environment, we're creating new ways for guests to connect, personalize, and make lasting memories. This is the future of Build-A-Bear, where storytelling and emotional connection come to life in bigger, more meaningful ways."

A Preview of What's to Come: Discovery, Fandom and Play
Each planned specialty shop will deliver a distinct experience while seamlessly integrating into the larger Workshop environment, encouraging exploration, personalization and shareable moments throughout the visit.

Build-A-Bear x Pokémon Workshop
A first-of-its-kind Pokémon specialty shop for Build-A-Bear, this environment will bring the world of Pokémon to life through exclusive product experiences, recognizable iconography, and bold visuals. Designed as an immersive fan destination, the space will invite Trainers of all ages to celebrate their fandom with collectible plush, apparel, and photo-worthy experiences.

"Pokémon has always been about exploration, discovery, and the joy of connection, and this new Build-A-Bear experience at ICON Park will bring those elements to life," said Amy Sachtleben from The Pokémon Company International. "We're excited for our fans to step into a space designed just for Trainers, where they can celebrate their love of Pokémon through Build-A-Bear's distinct make-your-own experience, while creating unforgettable moments."

Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends® Workshop
This vibrant, highly visual destination will immerse guests in the world of Hello Kitty through dreamy pink visuals, custom fixtures, and unmistakable brand storytelling designed to delight fans of all ages. A curated assortment of Hello Kitty and Friends plush available only at ICON Park brings a sense of rarity and collectability that makes the visit feel extra special.

"We're proud to expand our relationship with Build-A-Bear after a successful past year opening three distinct Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends® Workshops that bring together the best of both brands," said Jill Koch, Chief Brand Officer, Sanrio Inc. "Having our fourth collab store inside Build-A-Bear's most iconic Workshop yet creates a powerful new stage to engage fans and bring our characters to life in fresh, immersive ways."

Promise Pets™ by Build-A-Bear Workshop
A heart-led, interactive environment centered on nurturing play, Promise Pets will invite guests to "adopt" their new plush companion in a thoughtfully designed adoption-style experience. The space is being built to spark imagination and emotional connection while encouraging empathy and storytelling through pet care play.

"Promise Pets is one of our most successful original concepts because it captures what Build-A-Bear does best: turning personalization, storytelling, and emotional connection into a meaningful experience for guests," said Kim Utlaut, Chief Brand Officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "Bringing this proprietary brand to ICON Park gives us a powerful way to showcase the strength of our own IP alongside beloved licensed franchises, while creating an adoption-inspired destination that adds even more heart, play, and imagination to the overall Workshop experience."

Build-A-Bear's ICON Park location is being designed as a destination experience, combining immersive retail, experiential storytelling and customization to reimagine what a Build-A-Bear Workshop can be. Across the space, guests will be able to explore, personalize, and create, culminating in signature moments like the brand's iconic Heart Ceremony.

Additional details on the grand opening celebration on Nov. 5 will be announced in the coming weeks. See photos of the specialty shop renderings here.

About Build‑A‑Bear Workshop, Inc.

Founded in 1997, Build‑A‑Bear is a leading global retailtainment brand on a mission to add a little more heart to life. At Build-A-Bear, guests are invited to create personalized furry friends through a unique stuffing, dressing, accessorizing, and naming process, accentuated by a memorable "heart ceremony" that creates moments of connection for people of all ages.

Over the years, Build‑A‑Bear has grown into a multi‑generational phenomenon, positioned at the intersection of pop‑culture trends. Beyond its signature retail experience, the brand also offers pre‑stuffed plush, gifting, partnerships with best‑in‑class licensed and collectible characters, and original storytelling through Build‑A‑Bear Entertainment, LLC. Build‑A‑Bear's current brand platform and message, "The Stuff You Love," crosses ages and cultures while celebrating nearly 30 years of helping people mark life's meaningful moments.

Today, Build‑A‑Bear operates more than 650 company-owned, partner-operated, and franchise experience locations across more than 30 countries, complemented by buildabear.com. Build‑A‑Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) reported $529.8 million in total revenues for fiscal 2025, representing the company's 5th consecutive year of record results. Learn more at the Investor Relations section of buildabear.com.

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SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop

ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share of issued and outstanding common stock. The dividend will be paid on October 8, 2026, to all stockholders of record as of September 24, 2026.

About Build-A-Bear
Founded in 1997, Build‑A‑Bear is a leading global retailtainment brand on a mission to add a little more heart to life. At Build-A-Bear, guests are invited to create personalized furry friends through a unique stuffing, dressing, accessorizing and naming process, accentuated by a memorable "heart ceremony" that creates moments of connection for people of all ages.

Over the years, Build‑A‑Bear has grown into a multi‑generational phenomenon, positioned at the intersection of pop‑culture trends. Beyond its signature retail experience, the brand also offers pre‑stuffed plush, gifting, partnerships with best‑in‑class licensed and collectible characters, and original storytelling through Build‑A‑Bear Entertainment, LLC. Build‑A‑Bear’s current brand platform and message, “The Stuff You Love,” crosses ages and cultures while celebrating nearly 30 years of helping people mark life’s meaningful moments.

Today, Build‑A‑Bear operates more than 650 company-owned, partner-operated, and franchise experience locations across more than 30 countries, complemented by buildabear.com. Build‑A‑Bear Workshop, Inc. (NYSE: BBW) reported $529.8 million in total revenues for fiscal 2025, representing the Company's 5th consecutive year of record results. Learn more at the Investor Relations section of buildabear.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
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These statements are based only on our current expectations and projections about future events. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including those factors discussed under the captions entitled “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 16, 2026, and other periodic reports filed with the SEC which are incorporated herein.

All our forward-looking statements are as of the date of this Press Release only. In each case, actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking information. We can give no assurance that such expectations or forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. An occurrence of or any material adverse change in one or more of the risk factors or other risks and uncertainties referred to in this Press Release or included in our other public disclosures or our other periodic reports or other documents or filings filed with or furnished to the SEC could materially and adversely affect our continuing operations and our future financial results, cash flows, available credit, prospects, and liquidity. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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More News From Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

Shares of Build-A-Bear Workshop (BBW.N) plunged 27.3% on Thursday in their biggest daily percentage drop ever after the retailer of customized stuffed animals reduced its revenue outlook ​for the second time this year and fired its chief ​growth officer.

The stock finished at $28.44 and hit its lowest level ⁠in about two years. Including the session move, the stock is down ​54% for the year so far.

On an earnings call following its ​results, Build-A-Bear said it was unable to renew a multimillion-dollar partnership with Walmart (WMT.O), and that other wholesale opportunities are progressing slower than expected.

The company lowered its fiscal 2026 ​revenue outlook to a range of $500 million to $525 million from its ​previous guidance of $530 million to $550 million.

"The updated outlook is below consensus on all line ‌items ⁠and now bakes in weaker back half profitability as we think BBW still faces some incremental tariff cost pressure," D.A. Davidson & Co analysts, who have a "buy" rating on the stock, wrote in a note following ​the results.

Build-A-Bear said ​its fiscal ⁠year outlook reflects $10 million to $11 million of ongoing tariffs and related costs.

The company also terminated the employment of ​Chief Growth Officer David Henderson, without cause, effective ​Wednesday.

The retailer ⁠had already cut its full-year revenue forecast in May, citing softer traffic at its stores. It announced in March that its longtime CEO Sharon Price ⁠John ​would retire in June and be succeeded ​by Chris Hurt, who at the time was the company's chief operations and experience officer.