Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• 7-Eleven Inc. franchisee Wills Investments Group LLC has purchased six Kyle’s Kwik Stops and Kyle’s Corner Market convenience stores in Texas.
• Cardenas Markets LLC reported that Prabash Coswatte has been promoted to COO.
• Refuel Operating Company, LLC has entered into an agreement to acquire Action Fuels LP, including nine c-stores under the Buck’s brand.
• Sprouts Farmers Markets announced that CFO Denise Paulonis is resigning effective Sept. 24. Lawrence Molloy will take over as CFO at that time.
Retail
• Ace Hardware Corp. reported it is planning on opening at least 60 more stores by the end of the year.
• Allbirds has filed for an initial public offering.
• Amazon.com Inc. will hold its biggest-ever recruiting event on September 15. The company plans to hire more than 40,000 corporate and technology roles.
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. announced Cindy Davis has stepped down from her positions as Exec VP, Chief Brand Officer. The retailer has appointed Rafeh Masood to Chief Digital Officer & Interim Chief Brand Officer.
• Gap Inc. has acquired Drapr, a startup that enables customers to create 3D avatars and virtually try on clothing.
• Ikea North America is testing a furniture buyback and resale program at a store in Philadelphia, PA. The retailer plans to roll out the program to additional select U.S. markets, with the ultimate goal of making it a permanent service.
• Lululemon Athletica Inc. said it is planning to open 45 to 55 stores in fiscal year 2021. The retailer also announced it will be hiring more than 8,000 employees in North America.
• Macy’s Inc. has appointed Sam Archibald as General Business Manager of Apparel.
• Riverhead Building Supply Corp. announced that it is entering Massachusetts through the acquisition of Mozzone Lumber Co. Inc.
• Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. announced that Denise Paulonis would be appointed President and CEO of the company effective Oct. 1.
• Shaw/Stewart Lumber Co. reported that it has acquired Kruse Lumber.
• Target Corporation announced its CIO, Mike McNamara, is planning to retire in 2022.
• US LBM Holdings, LLC reported that it has acquired Mid-Cape Home Centers.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. has appointed Danielle Gray as Exec VP and Global Chief Legal Officer, Tracey Brown as President of Retail and Chief Customer Officer, and Jeff Gruener as Senior VP and CFO.
• Walmart Stores Inc. says it plans to hire 20,000 supply chain employees for the upcoming holiday season.
Restaurant
• Burger King has launched their new Royal Perks loyalty program nationwide.
• Captain D’s has opened a new location in Starkville, MS.
• Dog Haus International LLC announced five franchise deals that will result in eight new locations in 2022.
• Farmer Boys Food Inc. has opened a new location in Filbert, AZ.
• IHOP Restaurant System has hired Michael Kaufman as VP of Strategy and Business Analytics and Jacob Barden as VP of development.
• McDonald’s Corporation’s penchant for broken ice cream machines has caused the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to launch an investigation into the matter.
• Robeks Fruit Smoothies & Healthy Eats will be opening ten new locations in Southern California by the end of the year.
• Slim Chickens has opened a new location in La Porte, TX.
• Starbucks Corporation employees in three New York stores could unionize after SBWorkers United filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board to formally vote to unionize. Starbucks has faced legal consequences in the past for their attempts to stop unionization and none of their current employees at company-owned stores are unionized.
• Straw Hat Pizza has opened a new location in San Lorenzo, CA.
• The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill will be opening a new location in Charleston, SC.
• Twin Peaks Restaurant has been acquired by Fat Brands, Inc. for $300 million.
• YUM! Brands Inc. has named Aaron Powell as Pizza Hut CEO.
