Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• Big Y Foods Inc. has promoted John P. Fraro to VP of Fresh Foods. The company also announced Steve Nordstrom has been promoted to VP of Center Store.
• The Giant Company plans to build a new 50,000 sq. ft. store in Philadelphia, PA. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025.
• The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association has promoted Whitney Atkins to VP of Marketing and Membership.
• Maverik Inc. announced it will open its first store locations in the state of Kansas in mid-2025.
• Royal Farms recently celebrated the opening of its 300th convenience store location, in Millersville, MD.
• Yellow Banana LLC plans to soon reopen six Save-A-Lot locations it remodeled in the Chicago, IL, area.
Retail
• Big Lots Stores Inc. announced it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
• Fossil Group, Inc. has appointed Franco Fogliato as CEO. He succeeds Jeffrey Boyer, who will resume his previous role as COO.
• Givenchy has hired Sarah Burton as its new Creative Director.
• LL Flooring Holdings, Inc. has signed an agreement with a private equity firm in which it will keep 219 stores open and no longer be a public company.
• Rally House has opened its first store in the Austin, TX, area. The location is in Cedar Park and is the company’s 30th store in the state.
• Ross Stores Inc. reported it has promoted Karen Fleming to President and Chief Merchandising Officer, effective Dec. 1, 2024. Karen Sykes will become President and Chief Merchandising Officer of DD’s Discounts at that time.
• Sephora USA Inc. announced it has promoted Delphine Herve to Senior VP and CFO. He will succeed Christophe Le Boterff, Exec VP and CFO, who will retire in April 2025.
• Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming reported it will open its first stores in California this month. The retailer plans to open 30 new locations in the state over the next three years.
Restaurant
• BurgerFi has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Operations will continue as normal, and all franchised locations have been excluded from the filing.
• Dickey’s Barbecue franchisee, Smokin’ Dutchman has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The franchisee has blamed Dickey’s and what it called “extreme and unreasonable demands” from the parent company.
• Hart House has abruptly shuttered all locations. No explanation for the closures was given and the company sent out a goodbye to fans on social media. The restaurant had expansion plans as recently as February of this year.
• McDonald’s has decided to extend their $5 meal deal through December. The deal was initially set to expire at the end of July until it got an extension through August. The value deal has driven up same-store sales for the company and has been good for franchisees.
• Noodles and Company has announced that for a limited time kids can receive a free meal with the purchase of any regular entrée.
• Red Lobster’s chapter 11 bankruptcy protection petition has been approved and its sale to Fortress Investment Group has been approved. The company has named Damola Adamolekun as CEO.
• Smashburger has appointed Jim Sullivan as Chief Development Officer.
• TGI Fridays sale to franchisee Hostmore has fallen through. The two companies had originally agreed to merge in April.
