In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Albertsons Companies, Inc. appointed Meg Whitman Executive Chair of the Board. Kim Fennebresque moved from Chair to Lead Independent Director.

• Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is working toward opening more than 100 stores in fiscal 2027 as part of its plan to add at least 750 new sites by 2030.

• BJ’s Wholesale Club announced a new club in Tyler, Texas, for early 2027 and another in Mesquite, Texas, later in 2026.

• Lidl US will open stores in Tappan, New York, on September 16 and Staten Island on September 30.

• UNFI announced Jody Barrick’s retirement as Senior Vice President of Fresh Meat, Seafood, Bakery and Deli. Jerry Goldsmith now leads the conventional fresh business with expanded responsibilities.

Restaurant

• Bartolotta Restaurants will open High Stakes by Bartolotta, a downtown Milwaukee steakhouse, on September 17.

• Chicken Salad Chick will open its first West Virginia restaurant in Barboursville on September 16, expanding its footprint to 26 states.

• De Babel opened its second Scottsdale, Arizona, location at The Edge on September 10.

• Houston TX Hot Chicken announced its first two U.K. openings, in Stevenage in fall 2026 and London in winter 2026, with a third U.K. restaurant also planned in 2026.

• Inspire Brands announced CEO and cofounder Paul Brown is temporarily on medical leave. Scott Murphy is serving as Interim CEO.

• Luckin Coffee opened a new New York City location at 180 Varick St. on September 8.

• Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food will open its second Indiana restaurant in Zionsville on September 14.

• O’Charley’s closed all corporate-owned restaurants on September 9. Franchised locations remain open.

• Pancheros Mexican Grill opened a new restaurant in Waukee, Iowa, on September 8.

• Pepper Lunch announced CEO Troy Hooper will step down from day-to-day management effective September 25 and become Strategic Advisor. Yugo Tago will lead the U.S. business.

• Pura Vida Miami named Donnie Upshaw Chief People and Culture Officer.

• Raising Cane’s opened new restaurants in Saginaw, Michigan, and Cleveland, Tennessee, on September 8.

• Smalls Sliders opened its first Indiana location in Muncie on September 10.

• Smalls Sliders signed a four-unit North Austin development agreement, with the first location expected in 2027.

• Sweetgreen opened its first Utah restaurant in Salt Lake City on September 8 and announced its first Jacksonville, Florida, location for September 15.

• Swig signed an 11-unit franchise agreement for South Denver, with the first location expected in mid-2027.

• TGI Fridays signed a 10-unit development agreement to enter Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia.

Retail

• ABC Supply Co., Inc. announced CEO Keith Rozolis will retire December 31. President and COO Mike Jost will become CEO January 1, 2027.

• Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. named Peter G. Clifford Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective September 21. Interim CFO Ashley George will return to Senior Vice President, Finance.

• Lululemon named Heidi O’Neill CEO effective September 8. Interim co-CEOs Meghan Frank and Andre Maestrini returned to their prior Chief Financial Officer and Chief Commercial Officer roles.

• QXO announced Steve Swinney is stepping down as leader of its LBM division.

• Target plans eight new stores this fall across Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

• The Vitamin Shoppe named Kimberley Gardiner Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, effective immediately.