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Katie Lee

Newspeopleretailers

CarMax Names New Chief Executive Officer

by Katie Lee

Richmond, Va. — CarMax, Inc. has appointed Keith Barr as president and chief executive officer, as well as a member of the board of directors, effective March 16, 2026. David McCreight, current interim president and CEO of CarMax, will transition to his prior duties as an independent director of the board. Tom Folliard will remain in his role as interim executive chair of the board until the company’s annual meeting in June 2026, after which he is expected to resume his prior duties as non-executive chair of the board. Barr …

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construction and designenergy managementHVAC/RIndustry ContentProduct SpotlightrestaurantsVendor Spotlightvendors

Berner International: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Natalie Clarke — R&R: Where are you based and how long has the company been in business? Natalie Clarke: Headquarters is located in New Castle, Pennsylvania. We have been in business since 1956. R&R: What is your name and title, and how long have you been with the company? Clarke: Natalie Clarke, marketing manager, 1 year. R&R: What trades/services do you offer retailers and restaurants? Clarke: Berner manufactures high-performance air curtains for both front- and back-of-house applications. Our solutions support code compliance and cleanliness at service doors …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Names its First Chief Information Officer

by Katie Lee

Wichita, Kan. — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has appointed Todd Paladini as chief information officer (CIO), a newly created role and the first CIO position in the restaurant brand’s history. In this role, Paladini will lead the brand’s enterprise technology strategy and partner across the business to help accelerate scalable growth and enhance the guest and franchisee experience. Paladini brings more than two decades of international IT leadership experience, with a track record of building and modernizing technology capabilities for multi-unit, guest-focused brands. Over the course of his career, …

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Newsretailersstore closings

Eddie Bauer LLC Initiates Voluntary Chapter 11 Process

by Katie Lee

Bellevue, Wash. — Eddie Bauer LLC, operator of Eddie Bauer stores in the United States and Canada and a licensee of the Eddie Bauer brand, has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) with its secured lenders and commenced voluntary Chapter 11 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. The RSA is designed to enable Eddie Bauer to move through the process as quickly and efficiently as possible. Through the RSA and the Chapter 11 proceedings, Eddie Bauer will conduct liquidation sales at its …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

HTeaO Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Fort Worth, Texas — HTeaO, the nation’s leading iced tea franchise, has appointed Chris Phillips as chief financial officer. In this role, Phillips will oversee the company’s finance, accounting, information technology and strategic planning functions as HTeaO continues its rapid expansion across the U.S. Phillips brings more than two decades of experience leading finance and strategy for highly franchised, multi-brand restaurant organizations. His background includes senior leadership roles with some of the most recognizable names in the industry, including Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Darden Restaurants. “Chris brings the rare combination …

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Newspeopleretailers

Target Names Executive Leadership Changes to Accelerate Growth

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation has made a series of executive leadership changes under new CEO Michael Fiddelke aimed at accelerating the company’s growth plans. “It’s the start of a new chapter for Target and we’re moving quickly to take action against our priorities that will drive growth within our business,” says Fiddelke. “These leadership changes align the right talent and expertise with key roles, and simplify our structure so we can advance our strategy with greater speed, clarity and accountability.” Effective Feb. 15, newly named executive vice presidents will oversee …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Mountain Mike’s Pizza Opened 24 New Units in 2025; Gears Up for More Growth in 2026

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading family-style pizza chain for nearly 50 years, closed out 2025 with record unit growth, expanded national reach and more. Capping off the year, Mountain Mike’s grew its leadership team with the appointment of Sumi Ghosh as president and COO, strengthening the brand’s operational foundation as it enters its next growth phase. In 2025, Mountain Mike’s Pizza opened 24 new restaurants nationwide, marking the most new restaurant openings in its history, entered six new markets and reached a brand-defining milestone with the opening …

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Newsretailersstore closings

francesca’s® Files for Chapter 11 Protection, Will Close All Stores Nationwide

by Katie Lee

Houston — francesca’s®, a specialty retail brand known for its distinctive boutique-style experience, has voluntarily filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. The filing is intended to facilitate a court-supervised process to maximize value for stakeholders. Tiger Group, SB360 Capital Partners and GA Group, acting as advisors to francesca’s, have commenced court-approved store closing sales across the company’s entire store fleet as part of the Chapter 11 process. “Shoppers will find discounts of 25% to …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Vicious Biscuit to Debut in Virginia with First Richmond Location

by Katie Lee

Richmond, Va. — Vicious Biscuit, an award-winning fast-casual breakfast concept, is expanding into Virginia for the first time. The brand has selected its inaugural location in the Old Dominion at 3036 Stony Point Rd. in Richmond, marking a key milestone in its continued national franchise growth. Located in the Stony Point Shopping Center, the 3,678-square-foot restaurant will be operated by franchise partner GR Waldrop, a Virginia native and longtime Jersey Mike’s operator doing business as Big Boys Biscuits, LLC. Waldrop is developing the market as part of a 4+ unit …

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Natural Grocers to Open First Wisconsin Store this Spring

by Katie Lee

Lakewood, Colo. — Natural Grocers®, the nation’s premier family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer, plans to open a new store in Lake Geneva, Wis., this spring. Located off North Edwards Boulevard, the new store will be Natural Grocers’ first in the state of Wisconsin, marking a significant milestone for the growing retailer. Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products and dietary supplements. Natural Grocers’ flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a …

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