Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has hired Ammy Harrison as senior vice president of non-traditional development and Maiyo Hood as vice president of international development. The new team growth underscores FAT Brands’ commitment to driving organic growth, especially non-traditional and international. Year-over-year, the brand continues to build upon its over 2,300-unit global footprint. Harrison brings nearly 25 years of industry experience with high-growth restaurant brands, including spearheading non-traditional growth at Papa John’s International, Inc. Prior to joining FAT Brands, Harrison also served as vice president of …
Katie Lee
Herzogenaurach, Germany — Sports company PUMA has appointed Indrajeet Sen as senior vice president, PUMA group sourcing, taking over the operational responsibilities of the chief sourcing officer role. PUMA’s chief sourcing officer, Anne-Laure Descours, has decided not to extend her board contract and will support the company as an external advisor in the field of sustainability. In his new position, Sen will oversee the global sourcing and development of footwear, apparel and accessories, as well as operations and sustainability, reporting directly to PUMA’s chief product officer, Maria Valdes. He will …
— By Ray Hatch — The shocking truth about food waste: how businesses can drive positive change. Each year, a significant portion of the United State’s food supply goes unsold and uneaten, leading to about 145 billion meals ending up in landfills annually. This accounts for 38% of all food in America, with over half of the food waste originating from the food and grocery industry. As consumers are increasingly seeking environmentally friendly practices and a diverse range of high-quality food options, this puts pressure on food purchases, inventory management …
— By Samuel Hammers — Why it’s important for retailers and restaurants to strengthen their power management. Summer is the season for relaxation, but it can be a stressful time for retailers and restaurant owners looking to keep the lights on. Electrical disruptions, which tend to be more common during the summer, have potential to bring down critical systems such as HVACs and push customers to seek out greener (or cooler) pastures. A power surge could also take down POS systems and leave a facility unable to process transactions. Power …
Denver — In late August, Sage Hospitality Group welcomed Mercantile Dining & Provision to its portfolio. Located in Denver’s Union Station, the award-winning restaurant by James Beard Award Winner Chef Alex Seidel is joining a roster of more than 50 restaurants, bars and entertainment venues under Sage Restaurant Concepts (SRC). Mercantile will be an owned restaurant concept for Sage, alongside brands such as Urban Farmer and Departure, with plans to strategically grow the brand in suitable standalone restaurant locations. Additionally, Chef Seidel will be joining SRC as a collaborator, leveraging …
Egg Harbor Township, N.J. — Spirit Halloween plans to open a record-breaking 1,525 stores in 2024. With more than 1,100 locations already open, the nation’s largest Halloween retailer plans to bring its unique carnival experience to a few hundred more locations before the end of September. “The Halloween fandom continues to grow, and our incredible team works year-round to create an unparalleled and unique in-store experience that will engage customers all season long,” says Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “Visiting a Spirit Halloween store is more than just a …
Mill Valley, Calif. — Four Corners Property Trust (FCPT), a real estate investment trust that owns and acquires high-quality, net-leased restaurant and retail properties, has acquired 19 Bloomin’ Brands restaurant properties comprising 20 total restaurants (10 Outback Steakhouse restaurants and 10 Carrabba’s Italian Grill restaurants, including one dual-tenant property with both concepts) for $66.4 million. The 19 properties are located across 10 states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee. The sites are in strong retail corridors with high traffic and attractive demographics. The …
Los Angeles — Hollywood Mobile Grooming, Los Angeles’ premier mobile pet grooming service, has opened its first brick-and-mortar store in the heart of downtown Burbank, Calif. Known for its fleet of 11 luxury mobile grooming vans, Hollywood Mobile Grooming is now offering its top-tier services and exclusive pet products at a convenient physical location. The new store is situated in a bustling area filled with shops and restaurants, providing pet owners the convenience of dropping off their pets for grooming while they enjoy the surrounding amenities. Whether grabbing a bite …
Columbus, Ohio — Fogo de Chão, the internationally renowned restaurant from Brazil, has signed a lease agreement to open its first Ohio location in Columbus. The new 7,245-square-foot restaurant is scheduled to open later this year in the Polaris Towne Center, one of the city’s largest retail and dining destinations. “We have long anticipated expanding our presence into the state of Ohio and are excited to share our authentic culinary experience from Brazil with the Columbus community soon,” says Barry McGowan, chief executive officer of Fogo de Chão. “This city’s …
Itasca, Ill. — Tony’s Fresh Market plans to reopen its Waukegan, Ill., store this week. The newly remodeled store is located at 1700 N. Lewis Ave. “This store was updated and redesigned to enhance the shopping experience and meet the needs of our local customers,” says Frank Ingraffia, chief executive officer of Tony’s Fresh Market. “This investment demonstrates our commitment to the Waukegan community and will provide an exceptional and expanded variety of fresh and authentic food options, friendly customer service and great prices in a refreshed and updated atmosphere. …