In Other Business News

Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store

• Brookshire Grocery Company has named Jerry LeClair CEO, effective immediately.

• Erewhon opened a Thousand Oaks, California store on August 26, its first location outside Los Angeles County.

• Fareway Meat & Grocery opened a new Fareway Meat Market in Kansas City, Missouri on August 24.

• Festival Foods has promoted Adam Whitney to Chief Operating Officer.

• Haffner’s debuted a new flagship convenience store in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

• Heritage Grocers Group announced seven executive appointments across the organization.

• Houchens Food Group launched its Food Saver discount grocery banner after opening three stores.

• The Giant Company has named Jim Saccary Vice President of Human Resources.

• The Raley’s Companies plans to close four stores under the Raley’s and Nob Hill Foods banners.

• Texas Born Stores has named Nate Brazier President.

• Town & Country Markets appointed Leslie J. Rice, Jennifer Daquiz Hare and Ed Nakata to its Board; Nakata was also named Family Council President.

• Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace plans new stores in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and Moorestown, New Jersey for late 2027.

 

Restaurant

• Aroma Joe’s plans to open a drive-thru shop in Sabattus, Maine in September.

• Blaze Pizza has named Tracy Stockard Chief Marketing Officer.

• Buffalo Wild Wings has appointed Ahmed Awadallah Chief Operating Officer of Sports Bars.

• Dave & Buster’s has appointed Amanda Busby Chief Operating Officer.

• Dillas Quesadillas opened its first nontraditional location inside Brookshire Grocery Arena on August 27.

• Egg Tuck plans its 17th location and first San Diego restaurant later this month.

• Gong cha plans its first U.S. airport location at Phoenix Sky Harbor by the end of 2026.

• Goop Kitchen opened its first dine-in restaurant at One Paseo in Del Mar on August 27 and plans further San Diego expansion.

• Hickory Tavern closed four locations in North Carolina and South Carolina.

• Huey Magoo’s signed a three-unit development agreement for Pennsylvania.

• Johnny Rockets opened its seventh Arizona location at Chandler Fashion Center.

• Levain Bakery has promoted Lorna Sommerville and Taya Stenson to Co-Chief Executive Officers.

• Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food plans to open its first Indiana restaurant in Avon on August 31.

• Mokas Coffee & Eatery signed a nine-unit development agreement across Missouri and Kansas.

• Original ChopShop plans to open a Richardson, Texas location on September 16.

• SAJJ Mediterranean plans new locations in downtown San Francisco and at Stanford University.

• Sip Fresh opened a Chandler Fashion Center location and secured leases for two additional locations.

• Slim Chickens opened four restaurants in Pasco, Las Vegas, Batesville and Round Rock in one week.

• Wendy’s has named Tariq Hassan Chief Marketing and Customer Growth Officer.

• Wingstop announced that Donnie Upshaw will resign as Senior Vice President and Chief Brand and People Officer effective September 10.

 

Retail

• Build-A-Bear Workshop terminated Chief Growth Officer David Henderson on August 26.

• Gap Inc. has named Justin Breton Vice President of Development, effective August 31.

• Old Navy has named Michael Francis CEO effective November 2; Haio Barbeito will move to an advisory role.

• Target will launch its Beauty Studio concept in about 600 stores on September 10.

• The Vitamin Shoppe has promoted Jack Gayton to Senior Vice President, Merchandising; Muriel Gonzalez announced her retirement.

• Walmart announced Chief Communications Officer Allyson Park will leave the role September 1 and serve as an adviser through February 1.