Author

Katie Lee

Newsretailers

Tuesday Morning Files for Chapter 11; Plans to Close Underperforming Stores

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Tuesday Morning Corp., an off-price retailer of home goods and décor, is pursuing a financial and operational reorganization by filing voluntary petitions for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division. Invictus Global Management, LLC (together with its affiliates, “Invictus”) will provide $51.5 million of debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing to support ongoing operations during the proceedings. “After considering how best to address Tuesday Morning’s exceedingly burdensome debt, we have determined that the best path …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Twin Peaks Expects to Surpass 100 Locations this Spring

by Katie Lee

Dallas — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Twin Peaks Restaurant and 16 other restaurant concepts, enjoyed another strong year in 2022. The sports lodge concept opened nine new lodges, while also signing four new area development agreements (ADAs) to add 26 future lodges in the U.S. and one ADA in Mexico for an additional 32 lodges. These agreements are expected to allow the brand to surpass the 100-restaurant milestone by spring. “We’re proud of the work our teams put in to ensure that Twin Peaks stays …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailers

Tractor Supply Extends Contract for President/CEO and Makes Board Succession Plans

by Katie Lee

Brentwood, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has extended the employment contract of its president and chief executive officer, Hal Lawton, as well as made key transitions on its board of directors. The board has elected long-standing member Edna Morris as chairman. She will succeed Cynthia Jamison, who is retiring, effective May 11, 2023. Additionally, Tom Kingsbury has resigned, effective February 6, 2023, as a member of the board in order to focus on his new role as CEO at Kohl’s Corporation. …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

The Dolly Llama to Open 4 New Locations in March

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — The Dolly Llama, the waffle and artisanal ice cream destination based out of Los Angeles, is planning substantial growth in first quarter 2023 across the country with its first New York City outpost and three locations in Texas, all within the next 2 months. The brand, which first began franchising in 2020 to expand the unique concept to major U.S. media markets, has since opened four new locations — Dallas; Jacksonville, Fla.; Las Vegas; Orlando, Fla. — and is fueling major growth in 2023. First, the Dolly …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
green newsIndustry Voicesrestaurantsvendorswaste management/recycling

Waste Not

by Katie Lee

— By Tyler Simmons — Restaurants need a new menu item: food waste strategy.   Waste is a concept. We decide on a marker of when something usable becomes unusable, whether that is within a certain timeframe or due to a certain visual indicator — like a bruise on an apple or a snack past its ‘best before’ label. One minute food is edible, delicious, desirable — the next it’s unsellable, tainted, trash. Waste is an unfortunate output of system inefficiency, and the economical and environmental impact of when the …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
green newsIndustry Voices

It’s Time

by Katie Lee

— By Patrick Lorimer — Getting the retail market EV-charging ready.   Automakers are committed to bringing more affordable electric vehicles (EV) to market. GM alone expects to have 30 EV vehicles in their product line by 2025 and coupled with record high gas prices, EV sales are soaring. The federal government is helping states build out a national EV charging network with a goal of 500,000 chargers by 2030. Even the exponential numbers of EV charging stations won’t be nearly enough to meet market demand. Retailers have a unique …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailers

Kohl’s Names Chief Merchandising and Digital Officer

by Katie Lee

Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s has hired 25-year retail veteran Nick Jones as its new chief merchandising and digital officer, reporting directly to CEO Tom Kingsbury, effective in March. “We are very excited to have Nick join our team and lead our merchandising organization,” says Kingsbury. “During his career, Nick’s been the chief merchant for one of the UK’s biggest retailers, led multiple categories for department store Marks & Spencer, and was a key leader in the category and international expansion of the multibillion-dollar George brand.” Jones has more than …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Restaurant Technology Company Chowly Acquires Koala

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Chowly, a restaurant technology company that integrates third-party delivery marketplaces with point-of-sale (POS) systems, has acquired Koala, a guest experience platform that empowers established and emerging restaurant brands to elevate their digital ordering experience across web, app and kiosk to drive immediate results. The combined business will represent over 16,000 restaurant locations on the platform. “We’re thrilled to welcome Koala to the Chowly team,” says Sterling Douglass, co-founder and CEO, Chowly. “Merging these two businesses together represents a major leap forward in the mission of both organizations as …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailerssignagevendors

Kwik Stop Taps Watchfire for Digital Signs at 27 Convenience Stores

by Katie Lee

Danville, Ill. — Watchfire, a leading provider of exterior, interior and gas price LED displays for the convenience store industry, was selected by Kwik Stop to provide digital signs at 27 c-store locations in Nebraska and Colorado. To date, 23 locations have installed double-faced 4’x6’ 10mm outdoor digital signs and the remaining will be completed by summer. In addition, some locations have installed Watchfire’s Price WatcherTM gas price signs, which offer a bright fuel price display that can be changed efficiently and safely, day or night. The Watchfire displays replaced …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Focus Brands® Opened 400+ Locations Globally in 2022; Signed 650 New Franchise Deals

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Focus Brands®, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s®, has closed out fiscal year 2022 exceeding $3.9 billion in system-wide sales for the first time in its history. Nearly 650 new franchise deals were signed, and 400-plus stores opened globally. Key to Focus Brands’ growth strategy has been its transformation into a platform company. Finding portfolio-wide synergies and cost savings adds more fuel to the company’s individual brands. In 2023, Focus Brands is prioritizing the ‘Power of the Portfolio,’ …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts