Supermarket, Grocery, C-Store

Advance Auto Parts Inc. announced that Tom Greco has told the company he plans to retire as President and CEO at the end of the year.

• Aldi Inc. has partnered with DoorDash to offer grocery delivery at nearly all of its stores.

• Aldi Inc. opened seven new stores on March 2, located in AL, FL, IN, MI, OH, PA, and VA.

• Cary Oil Co. has named Adam Stephenson as President and CEO. He succeeds Ryan Clontz.

• Couche-Tard Inc. has agreed to acquire 45 fuel and convenience Big Red Stores in Arkansas.

• Hammer Williams Company recently opened its first Jiffy Trip store location outside of its home state of Oklahoma, in Arkansas.

• Schnuck Markets Inc. plans to open a new 30,000 sq. ft. Eatwell Market by Schnucks in Chesterfield, MO, on March 29.

• Warrenton Oil Co. has acquired Thoele Oil, with 10 convenience stores in Missouri.

• Wawa Inc. plans to hire 1,500 new associates for roles at its stores in New Jersey Shore, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia Beach.

• Yesway has acquired Rangler’s Convenience Stores Inc., with five convenience stores in Texas.

Retail

• Bath & Body Works said it plans to open 90 new Bath & Body Works stores, and close 50 Bath & Body Works stores. The retailer also plans to complete 25 remodels to White Barn stores.

• Do it Best Corp. has appointed Dan Dietlin as a Director of Business Improvement.

• Floor & Decor Outlets of America plans to open 32 to 35 new stores in 2023.

• Harbor Wholesale Foods has acquired Halfon Candy Co. Inc.

• Kohl’s Corporation has named Dave Alves as President and COO, effective in April. Nick Jones has been appointed to serve as Chief Merchandising and Digital Officer.

• McLane Company, Inc. has promoted Eric Hildenbrand to Chief Strategy Officer, and Vito Maurici to Chief Customer Experience Officer.

• Rent-A-Center Inc. is changing its name to Upbound Group, Inc. The company will begin to trade under the ticker NASDAQ: UPBD.

• Target Corporation said it plans to open 20 stores in 2023, with many of them including new design elements that reflect the local community.

Restaurant

• Applebee’s plan to return to net new unit growth will not be happening this year. The chain expects to close more restaurants than they open.

• KFC has brought back their iconic Double Down chicken sandwich for a limited time. The company is also working on a new version of their current sandwich offering.

• Krystal has launched a new franchise website in order to attract new franchisees and continue their expansion plans.

• Papa Johns Chairman Jeffrey Smith has stepped down effective immediately citing the company’s progress.

• Portillo’s has reported that their first Texas location that opened in January has been their highest volume restaurant in their entire system. The company plans to expand further into Texas as well as Florida and Arizona.

• Red Robin has pledged $3M to Make-A-Wish, making it the largest commitment from a new partner in the history of Make-A-Wish.

• Starbucks has been ordered by a federal judge in Buffalo to reopen a closed Buffalo location and reinstate those fired employees and provide them with backpay. The judge noted that Starbucks had committed “egregious and widespread” labor law violations in addition to a “general disregard for the employees’ fundamental rights.” Starbucks must also post the 13 pages of labor violations found in this case to its stores nationally.

• Subway has opened a new dual headquarters location in Miami that will focus on consumer-facing offices and Latin American development staff.

• Wendy’s is reducing their focus on delivery kitchens and instead will put those funds towards development of traditional units. In 2021 Wendy’s had planned to operate 700 delivery kitchens.

• Wingstop is testing a voice-AI powered assistant to handle phone orders at select locations.

• Zaxby’s has reopened a Clemson, GA location as a to-go-only prototype restaurant.