In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Brookshire Grocery Company will close four stores in Ashdown, AR; Rayville, LA; Winnfield, LA; and Grambling, LA by July 24 or once inventory is sold out.

• Kroger has named Emilee De Martino Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, effective August 1. Tim Massa is retiring in mid-September.

• Ocado Group CEO Tim Steiner will step down at the start of the company’s 2028 fiscal year and move into a founder role after his successor is appointed.

• The Giant Company has three store renovations underway and has announced at least four store openings and one grand reopening in 2026.

• UNFI has promoted Giorgio “Matteo” Tarditi to President and Chief Operating Officer, named Alfredo Luchini Chief Financial Officer, and said Chief Supply Chain Officer Mark Bushway will leave on January 1, 2027.

Restaurant

• Dog Haus has launched an area director program to support growth from 60 locations to 300 and beyond.

• El Pollo Loco has opened its first Idaho restaurant in Meridian and plans a second Idaho location this fall.

• McDonald’s has named Bryan Brown U.S. Chief Development Officer, effective July 14.

• Papa Johns CFO Ravi Thanawala has left; Chris Collins has been named interim CFO.

• Qdoba Mexican Eats has signed new and expanded development commitments for a combined 50 restaurants in Nashville and Atlanta and is targeting 100 openings annually.

• Qdoba Mexican Eats franchise partner 7 Star Eats has acquired 22 restaurants in the Pacific Northwest, growing its footprint to 42 restaurants across Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Washington.

Retail

• Lands’ End has appointed Charlie Cole as CEO, effective July 13. He replaces Andrew McLean.

• American Eagle Outfitters has named Ravi Thanawala CFO, effective August 3. Michael Mathias will transition from CFO to Strategic Advisor to CEO Jay Schottenstein.

• Primark is opening two more U.S. stores in July after recent openings in Texas, Illinois, Florida and Tennessee.

• Five Below will open its 2,000th store in LaGrange, GA on July 17.

• Sam’s Club plans to open a 166,000-square-foot store on San Antonio’s West Side, with construction expected to finish in November 2027.