Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• Amazon.com Inc. opened four new Amazon Fresh stores this week in Roseville, CA, Tinley Park, IL, Lodi, NJ, and Bensalem, PA.
• Couche-Tard Inc. announced the retirement of its President and CEO, Brian Hannasch. Alex Miller has been promoted to fill the position, effective September 6.
• The Fresh Grocer recently opened a new 26,000 sq. ft. store in Oakdale, NY. It is the company’s first location on Long Island.
• The Giant Company has promoted Jennifer Scott to the role of VP of Human Resources.
• Lidl US, LLC announced it will open a new 23,000 sq. ft. store location in New York City, NY, that is expected to open in summer 2025.
• Loblaw Companies Limited reported it is piloting a new concept next month. The value-based “No Name” stores will open in three markets in Ontario.
• Publix Super Markets Inc. announced it will open a new 50,325 sq. ft. store in Owensboro, KY.
• Schnuck Markets Inc. has named Kim Gray as Chief Merchant. She succeeds Ryan Cuba, who was promoted to Chief Growth Officer.
• SpartanNash Company has appointed Erin Storm its new Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer.
Retail
• Do it Best Corp. has appointed Kerry Hasselbach as its new Director of Marketing.
• Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. recently opened its first location in Rhode Island.
• Foot Locker Inc. announced that it plans to move its global headquarters to St. Petersburg, FL, in 2025.
• Leslie’s Poolmart Inc. has named Jason McDonell as its new CEO. Mike Egeck is leaving the company.
• Miniso USA recently opened its 200th store location.
• Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. has named Aina Konold as its new CFO. She succeeds Russell Bowers, who will remain COO.
• Snavely Forest Products Inc. and Weekes Forest Products Inc. have appointed Brett Ehrlich as Exec VP of National Accounts.
• UFP Industries has announced that its Chairman and CEO, Matthew Missad, will transition to the role of Executive Chairman at the end of the year. William Schwartz, President of Retail, will become CEO. Michael Cole, CFO, will add the title of President of Corporate Services.
Restaurant
• Bloomin’ Brands has named Mike Spanos as CEO where he will succeed David Deno.
• BJ’s Restaurants CEO Greg Levin is stepping down. Bradford Richmond will step in to serve as interim CEO as the company looks for a permanent replacement.
• BurgerFi has named Jeremy Rosenthal as Chief Restructuring Officer as the company considers a bankruptcy filing.
• Fat Brands has hired Ammy Harrison as Senior VP of Non-Traditional Development and Maiyo Hood as VP of International Development.
• Freebirds World Burrito has been acquired by Sun Holdings.
• Four Corners Property Trust has acquired 19 Bloomin’ Brands Inc. restaurant properties across 10 states in a $66.4 million deal.
• Hooters is being sued by NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports for $1.7 million over allegedly failing to meet sponsorship obligations.
• KFC has named Catherine Tan-Gillespie as Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Development Officer of the U.S. division.
• Red Lobster has named Damola Adamolekun as CEO pending approval of the restaurant chain’s sale.
• Roti Mediterranean has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company does not plan to close any additional restaurants after the filing.
• Shake Shack is planning to close 9 under-performing locations across California, Ohio, and Texas.
• Starbucks has announced that new CEO Brian Niccol will not be relocating from his home in Newport Beach, Calif. to the company headquarters in Seattle. Niccol will split time between working remotely and has been given use of the company jet and an allocated $250k annually to commute to Seattle.
• Sweetgreen has appointed Christopher Tarrant as Senior VP and Chief Development Officer.
