In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• The Food Industry Association announced it has hired Julie Savoie as Senior Director Talent and Sustainability.

• RaceTrac, Inc. reported its current CEO, Natalie Morhous, has been named as its new Chairman.

• Stew Leonard’s will open a new 56,000 sq. ft. grocery store next week. Stew Leonard’s Farm Fresh Food & Wine is located in Clifton, NJ.

Retail

• BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. announced it will open 3 new locations in 2024, in Staten Island, NY, Brooksville, FL, and St. Johns, FL.

• Chewy, Inc. has debuted its Chewy Vet Care concept, with a location in Plantation, FL. It will be followed by a location in Highlands Ranch, CO.

• Destination XL Group Inc. is partnering with Nordstrom Inc.  Destination XL Group’s products will be available on Nordstrom’s website.

• Follett Higher Education Group has named Mani Suri as its new Chief Information Officer.

• Gap Inc. announced that Sandra Stangl, President and CEO of Banana Republic, is leaving the company.

• Lids Sports Group has continued to grow its Fan Outfitters concept. The retailer now has 12 of these locations.

• L’Occitane Inc. reported that it plans to go private.

• Rite Aid Corporation announced its partnership with Uber Eats to include alcohol delivery in new markets.

• Room & Board reported it has transitioned to a 100% employee stock ownership plan.

• Walmart Stores Inc. has announced the closure of its Walmart Health segment, which includes 51 health centers across five states.

Restaurant

• Donatos Pizza CEO Tom Krouse has announced his retirement. Kevin King has been named as his successor.

• Krispy Kreme has introduced a new rewards program that will allow customers to earn rewards at a faster rate and cash them in for free donuts.

• Slim Chicken’s will be opening their first restaurant in Germany after signing a franchise deal to open 20 locations.

• Subway has completed their ownership change to Roark Capital.

• Taco Bell has successfully tested AI voice ordering at 5 California restaurants and will be expanding the test to 30 restaurants.

• YUM! Brands posted their first negative quarter since the pandemic. Despite the negative outcome, the company was positive about their increase in digital sales and a future turnaround.