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Katie Lee

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Sensei Debuts World’s Largest Autonomous Supermarket

by Katie Lee

New York City — Sensei, a global leader in autonomous retail technology, recently debuted its groundbreaking autonomous supermarket at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, which took place in New York City from Jan. 12-14. Sensei introduces real-time basket technology and an autonomous experience with assisted sales — transforming customer convenience and operational efficiency. “Sensei’s technology goes beyond eliminating checkout lines — it enhances the entire shopping journey while providing retailers with invaluable real-time data to optimize their operations,” says Vasco Portugal, CEO and co-founder of Sensei. “We’re excited to bring …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

La Madeleine Appoints New President

by Katie Lee

Dallas — La Madeleine, a beloved, French-founded neighborhood café and bakery, has appointed seasoned restaurant and franchise industry executive John Dillon as its new president, further strengthening its next-level growth leadership and aggressive expansion plans under Groupe Le Duff. Dillon most recently served as founder and principal lead at HMS Growth Partners, an advisory firm supporting leaders and companies across diverse industries, including restaurants, hospitality, retail, education and franchising. Prior to HMS, he spent over 16 years at Denny’s, where he held a succession of senior leadership roles, including EVP …

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RumbleOn, Inc. Names Leadership Changes, Including CEO and COO

by Katie Lee

  Irving, Texas — RumbleOn, Inc., the largest powersports retailer in North America, has made the following leadership changes, effective as of Jan.13, 2025: Michael Quartieri, chairman of the board of directors, has been appointed chief executive officer; Cameron Tkach, vice president of dealership operations, has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer of the company; Becca Polak, chair of the compensation committee of the board of directors, has been named vice chairman and lead independent director; and Michael Kennedy is no longer CEO or a member …

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NewspeopleProduct Spotlightretailerssoftware/technologyvendors

Rack Room Shoes Improves Store Operations with Zebra Technologies Workcloud Software

by Katie Lee

Lincolnshire, Ill. — Zebra Technologies Corporation, a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, has helped Rack Room Shoes to operate with greater efficiency, leveraging Zebra’s Workcloud Task Management software and mobile computing solutions. For a century, Rack Room Shoes, with more than 500 stores across 36 states, has been committed to offering high-quality, brand-name footwear at competitive prices while ensuring exceptional customer service. To maintain its commitment, the retailer needed to streamline its operations and overcome communication bottlenecks so its store associates could be more productive and accelerate …

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construction and designfranchise developmentgreen newsNewsrestaurants

Just Salad Opens First-Ever Drive-Thru Location

by Katie Lee

New York City — Just Salad has opened its first-ever drive-thru location, marking a major milestone in the brand’s mission to bring healthy food options to more communities. Located in Livingston, N.J., in The Shoppes at the Livingston Circle, this store is the first of multiple Just Salad drive-thru locations expected to open throughout 2025. “This new location reflects our belief that fast food can be redefined — it can be fresh, it can be sustainable, and it can still be convenient,” says Nick Kenner, founder and CEO at Just …

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Tandy Leather Factory Appoints New CEO

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — Tandy Leather Factory, Inc. has appointed Johan Hedberg as its new chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors, effective Jan. 6. Hedberg will replace Janet Carr, who will remain with the company for transition through March 2025. Hedberg brings more than 30 years of wholesale and retail leadership experience, most recently as chief sales officer and president, Americas, of Fiskars Group, after serving as senior vice president of global sales and then global chief sales officer. “We are extremely grateful to Janet …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Firehouse Subs to Debut in Brazil With 500+ Locations Over Next 10 Years

by Katie Lee

Toronto — Firehouse Subs® plans to debut in Brazil with ambitious growth plans, building on its international expansion. The brand plans to open more than 500 restaurants in 10 years across the country. The first restaurant is expected to launch in 2025 and will mark Firehouse Subs’ debut in South America. The expansion into Brazil is part of a joint venture supported by parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI), one of the world’s largest QSR companies, in partnership with Iuri Miranda, former CEO and board member of Zamp S.A., master …

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managementNewsproperty managementretailers

JCPenney, SPARC Merge to Form Catalyst Brands

by Katie Lee

Plano, Texas — JCPenney and SPARC Group plan to merge, forming Catalyst Brands. Catalyst Brands launches with 1,800 store locations, 60,000 employees, more than $9 billion of revenue and $1 billion of liquidity. JCPenney and SPARC Group have created a joint venture in an all-equity transaction to form the combined organization, with Simon Property Group, Brookfield Corp., Authentic Brands Group and Shein as shareholders. The combined portfolio features six retail banners — the SPARC Group’s Aéropostale, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Lucky Brand and Nautica and JCPenney. Marc Rosen, formerly the …

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Bloomin’ Brands Promotes Carrabba’s President to EVP, President of Outback Steakhouse

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. has promoted Pat Hafner to executive vice president, president of Outback Steakhouse. He will be responsible for leading operations and development for the company’s largest brand. He most recently served as president of Carrabba’s Italian Grill. “Pat is an ‘operator’s operator’ who has held a variety of roles and led special projects at Bloomin’ Brands,” says Mike Spanos, chief executive officer of Bloomin’ Brands. “He is a guest-centric leader who builds high-capability teams that deliver outstanding business results.” Hafner’s restaurant career began with Outback …

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Books-A-Million Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Birmingham, Ala. — Books-A-Million, Inc. has appointed Damian Doggett as chief financial officer. In this role, he will lead the finance organization and will be responsible for all aspects of financial operations. Doggett joined Books-A-Million in 2006 and has held various leadership roles within the finance organization including accounting manager, senior accounting manager, assistant controller, controller, senior vice president and chief accounting officer. “I am pleased to announce Damian’s well deserved promotion to CFO,” says Terrance G Finley, chief executive officer of Books-A-Million. “His years of strong creative leadership, coupled …

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