In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Amazon.com Inc. recently opened its first Amazon Grocery store. The 3,800 sq. ft. location is in Chicago, IL.

• Hy-Vee Inc. reported Donna Tweeten has announced her retirement as President, effective Jan. 24, 2025.

• Save-A-Lot Holdings, Inc. is opening a new grocery store concept, called Ahorra Mucho, that is focused on the needs of Hispanic shoppers.

• Sheetz Inc. is opening a new distribution center in Findlay, OH, that is projected to open in 2026.

• The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC reported it will close seven supermarkets in Massachusetts next week.

• Wawa Inc. will open its first convenience store in Georgia next month.

Retail

• BuyBuy Baby reported it is closing all its store locations by the end of the year and plans to be a digital brand only.

• The Carter Lumber Co. has acquired Townsend Building Supply Inc.

• The Container Store Inc. announced it will soon offer Bed Bath & Beyond branded bedroom, bath and kitchen products at its stores.

• CVS Health has named David Joyner as President and CEO, replacing Karen Lynch, who has stepped down.

• H & M Group is opening five new store locations this fall in the United States and Canada.

• Kirkland’s Inc. will reportedly open smaller format Bed Bath & Beyond stores, in 2025.

• The North Face Inc. plans to open a new 5,000 sq. ft. store in New York City by late 2025.

• Recreational Equipment Inc. announced it plans to open eight new store locations in CA, CO, NY, UT, TX, and WA in the next couple years.

• Rural King Supply is opening a new location in Bainbridge, GA. It’s the first store in the state for the company.

• Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. reported it plans to open 200 new stores over the next three years.

Restaurant

• Chipotle is implementing an AI platform in their hiring process in order to increase efficiency.

• Denny’s has closed around 75 of the 150 units they intend to close by 2025.

• Dine Brands has named Patrick Kirk as President of Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.

• Jimmy John’s is temporarily altering their menu by offering sandwiches with giant pickles in place of bread.

• McDonald’s has faced an E. coli outbreak caused by the onions used in their Quarter Pounders. The supplier has recalled the product and McDonald’s has removed the burger from the menu in 12 states.

• Qdoba has named Kevin Carroll as Chief Operating Officer.

• Red Lobster has named Nichole Robillard as Chief Marketing Officer.

• Rock N Roll Sushi is testing a new type of location that will open inside of a Florida Walmart.

• Shari’s Café and Pies have suddenly closed all remaining locations in Oregon. The closing of these remaining locations appears to signify the end of the brand.

• Taco Bell is creating a limited time Decades Menu that will feature a popular item from each decade between 1960 and 2010. The company is also launching a merchandise line with the promotion.

• Wingstop has become the official chicken sponsor of the NBA.

• Yum Brands is pulling onions that came from the same supplier that was involved in the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak. The move was taken as a precaution, and it will affect some Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC locations.