Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• Big Y Foods Inc. announced it has promoted Sarah Steven to VP of Marketing.
• Circle K Stores Inc. signed a new franchise development agreement that will bring nine new store locations to the Charlotte, NC area over the next five years.
• Clark Oil Company has acquired Laurel Oil LLC with six convenience stores in Mississippi.
• Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries has opened its second convenience store, also in Kenosha, WI.
• Minuteman Food Mart entered into an agreement to acquire Friendly Mart Inc., which operates 18 convenience stores throughout eastern North Carolina.
• The Save Mart Companies announced Shane Sampson has been named Executive Chairman.
• United Natural Foods Inc. named Mahrukh Hussain as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
Retail
• The Aaron’s Company, Inc. stated the completion of its previously announced acquisition of BrandsMart USA.
• Bergdorf Goodman has promoted Cheryl Han to Senior VP of E-commerce and Strategy. Melissa Xides has been promoted to Senior VP of Stores Operations.
• Cardinal Health Inc. said that it plans to build a 574,670 sq. ft. distribution center in the Columbus, OH area by 2023.
• Crunch Fitness International, Inc. reported it plans to open 70 to 75 new locations this year.
• Do it Best Corp. has named Todd Miller as Director of Merchandising Strategy. Ignacio Poncio was named International Product Development Manager. Allison Flatjord was appointed as Director of E-commerce.
• F45 Training Holdings Inc. announced the appointment of Brian Killingsworth as Chief Marketing Officer.
• Macy’s Inc. plans to open a 1.4 million sq. ft. fulfillment center in the Charlotte region of North Carolina in 2024.
• Madrag announced it plans to open 40 new stores during the next three years.
• Nordstrom Inc. announced the retirements of Scott Meden, Chief Marketing Officer, and Geevy S.K. Thomas, President of Nordstrom Rack. The retailer has appointed Ken Worzel, currently COO of Nordstrom, has been named to the newly created role of Chief Customer Officer. Jamie Nordstrom, currently President of Nordstrom, has been named to the newly created role of Chief Stores Officer.
• US LBM Holdings, LLC announced that it has acquired Crown Components, a manufacturer and supplier in the Phoenix area.
• Walmart Stores Inc. announced it plans to open five new Walmart Health centers in Florida in the Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa areas in the next few months.
• Westlake Ace Hardware signed lease agreements to open two new stores in the Raleigh-Durham, NC, metropolitan area this year.
• Zappos.com reported Scott Schaefer, who has been acting CEO, was named to the position on a permanent basis.
Restaurant
• Captain D’s will be opening three new express prototype restaurants this year. The locations will have a smaller footprint and will feature a drive-thru lane and walk-up window, but no dining room.
• Dave & Buster’s is purchasing Main Event Entertainment, LP for $835 million. The deal is expected to close later this year and upon closure of the deal, Main Event CEO Chris Morris will be named CEO of Dave & Buster’s.
• Denny’s Corporation CEO John Miller is planning to retire later this year and a search for his replacement is underway.
• Inspire Brands has hired Frank Sickelsmith as Chief Development Officer.
• Jeremiah’s Italian Ice has signed a 40-unit development deal in Houston with the first location planning to open by Summer 2022.
• MooYah Burgers & Fries has signed a franchise agreement to open six new locations in Florida and Georgia. The first location will be opening later this year in Ocala, FL.
• Red Lobster CEO Kelli Valade will be stepping down on April 15th. No reason was given for her departure.
• Shake Shack is offering bitcoin to customers who make purchases through Cash App.
• The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill has opened a new location in Jacksonville, FL.
• The U.S. House of Representatives voted yes on a bill that would add $42 billion to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The bill will now move to a Senate vote.
• WaBa Grill has singed a franchise agreement to open 13 new locations in California.
