In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Fareway Stores Inc. recently promoted Wesley Bass to Senior VP Campus Operations. Nathan Kerns has been promoted to Exec VP Information Technology. Nick Huberty was promoted to VP Direct Store Delivery. Corey Melhus has been promoted to VP Information Security.

• Heritage Grocers Group has promoted Matthew Holt to the role of CFO. He succeeds Darren Karst, who has retired.

• T & T Supermarket Inc. recently opened a new location in Downtown Toronto, ON.

• Wakefern Food Corp. announced Bryant Harris is no longer with the company.

Retail

• BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. is opening a new location in Brooksville, FL, this week.

• Caleres plans to acquire Stuart Weitzman Inc. from Tapestry, Inc. The transaction is expected to close in the summer of 2025.

• CVS Health has named Ed DeVaney as President of Caremark.

• Dollar Tree Stores Inc. has plans to acquire 148 closed Party City stores.

• Forever 21 Inc. is reportedly planning to close at least 200 store locations.

• Hanesbrands Inc. announced that Steve Bratspies, its CEO, will leave the company at the end of 2025.

• Mango Inc. will open a new 13,000 sq. ft. store in Manhattan, NY, this summer. The retailer plans to open 20 more new stores in 2025.

• The Michaels Companies, Inc. has named David Boone as the new CEO of the company.

• Nike Inc. has partnered with Skims to launch a new collection called NikeSkims. The assortment of training apparel, footwear and accessories for women will be available in the spring.

• Nordstrom Inc. has hired Catherine Bloom as Director of Luxury Styling, a new position at the retailer.

• Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings opened four new store locations in Wisconsin this month.

• Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. has named Sabrina Simmons as CFO. Michael Romanko has been named Chief Customer and Product Officer. Jack Stout has been named Chief Merchandising Officer.

• Rite Aid Corporation has hired Bryant Harris as its new Senior VP and Chief Merchandising Officer.

Restaurant

• Bloomin Brands has laid off 100 corporate employees, about 17% of their headquarter staff.

• Chipotle is planning to hire 20,000 new employees for Burrito Season that begins in March.

• Dine Brands has opened their first dual branded IHOP/Applebee’s restaurant.

• KFC is planning to relocate its corporate office outside of Kentucky. The company will designate two brand headquarters, one in Plano, Texas, and the other in Irvine, California.

• MTY Food Group is currently planning to acquire another brand, no word on the chain they are targeting.

• Noodles & Company has named Joe Christina as President and Chief Operating Officer.

• RBI has acquired the remainder of Burger King’s China business for $158 million. RBI now owns 100% of the China business and is currently looking for new partners.

• Shake Shack has seen same-store sale prices rise 4.3%. The company is attributing the rise to increased prices, not increased traffic.

• Wingstop is testing a new kitchen system that will increase their delivery speed. Currently the platform is being tested in 30 locations, but it will be rolled out to all locations over the next 12 months.

• Torchy’s Tacos has named Paul Macaluso as CEO. Former CEO Mike Rypka is shifting to Chief Innovation Officer.