In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• B&R Stores Inc. has promoted Nick Kelso to Exec VP Store Operations. Kevin Hennessy has been promoted to Senior VP Merchandising and Marketing.

• Buc-ee’s Ltd. has started construction on its first location in Arizona. The new 74,000 sq. ft. store will be in Goodyear and will open in 2027.

• Heritage Grocers Group will open a new Tony’s Fresh Market this week in Joliet, IL.

• The Kroger Co. has plans to hire 15,000 new associates.

• The Raley’s Companies will open a new 40,000 sq. ft. store in Madera, CA, in 2027.

• SpartanNash Company has named Matt Plumb as VP Marketing, Retail.

• Vallarta Supermarkets will open a new 43,931 sq. ft. store next month, in Colton, CA.

• Wawa Inc. recently opened its first convenience store in the state of Indiana. The retailer plans to open two more new stores in the state this month.

• The Western Association of Food Chains has named Kevin Lovell as Chairman and President. Rebecca Calvin has been named as the new VP. Wendy Coldesina has been named Treasurer. Mike Johnson has been named Secretary.

Retail

• Away Luggage announced Jessica Schinazi has been named as the company’s new CEO. She replaces Jen Rubio, who has assumed the role of Executive Chair.

• Bath & Body Works has named Daniel Heaf as its new CEO, succeeding Gina Boswell.

• BlueLinx Holdings Corporation has appointed Christopher Kelly Wall as its new Senior VP, CFO and Treasurer.

• CVS Health Corporation will acquire 64 Rite Aid and Bartell Drugs stores in the Pacific Northwest and the prescription files of 625 additional Rite Aid stores in 15 states across the country.

• Do it Best Corp. has appointed Marianne Thompson as its new Exec VP of Transformation and Integration.

• Dollar Tree Stores Inc. recently announced the opening of its 9,000th Dollar Tree store location.

• Family Dollar Stores Inc. announced that Duncan MacNaughton will serve as Chairman and CEO.

• Fruth Pharmacy Inc. announced Andy Becker has been promoted to CEO.

• Hancock Lumber Co. Inc. is acquiring Johnson Lumber Co., with one lumberyard in Salisbury, MA.

• Home Hardware Stores Limited has appointed Julie Pouliot as Chair of the board. She succeeds Christine Hand, who is retiring.

• Levi Strauss & Co. has entered into an agreement to sell its Dockers brand to Authentic Brands Group.

• Rural King Supply recently opened its newest store in Altoona, PA.

• Sky Zone, LLC has appointed David Hoffmann as its new CEO, effective June 2. He will succeed Shawn Hassel, who will transition to Chairman.

Restaurant

• Burger King Worldwide Inc. reported it is planning to remodel 400 of its locations this year.

• Darden Restaurants Inc. has reportedly closed 15 of its Bahama Breeze restaurant locations.

• Panera Brands Company announced that Jose Cil has been appointed Chairman of the company. He succeeds Patrick Grismer.

• The Portillo Restaurant Group reported it will open its first airport location in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. The company is also planning to open a smaller format, 4,300 sq. ft. location in The Villages, FL.

• Sweetgreen, Inc. reported it will open its first location in Arkansas. The restaurant will open in Fayetteville later this year.

• Twin Hospitality Group Inc. has appointed Kim Boerema as its new CEO.