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Katie Lee

Industry Voicesrestaurantssoftware/technology

Need a Boost?

by Katie Lee

— By John Moody —   Insights for boosting profit margin with technology.     According to the USDA, the level of food price inflation for restaurant food purchases rose 7.4% from May 2021 to May 2022. While some operators are forced to increase menu prices to accommodate this remarkable spike in food costs, others are trying desperately to find other ways to remain profitable without passing the additional burden on to their customers. There are three primary controls that restaurant operators need to pay careful attention to when trying …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

Bloomin’ Brands Selects api(+) for Fleming’s Flagship

by Katie Lee

Tampa, Fla. — api(+) is providing branding, design and architecture services for a new Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar flagship, a freestanding, 300-seat fine dining concept to be located near Bloomin’ Brands’ headquarters in Tampa, Fla. api(+) was selected for its creative expertise in creating flagship and prototype concepts in the foodservice and food retail industries, and for its understanding of the Tampa Bay marketplace. The flagship is slated to open in summer 2023. Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. is one of the largest casual dining restaurant companies whose four founder-inspired …

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Newspeopleretailers

Target Announces Leadership Updates

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation has announced that Brian Cornell has committed to remain as CEO and lead the company for approximately 3 more years. Additionally, Arthur Valdez, executive vice president and chief supply chain and logistics officer, will retire from Target. He will be succeeded by Gretchen McCarthy, senior vice president, global inventory management, effective immediately. “In discussions about the company’s longer term plans, it was important to us as a board to assure our stakeholders that Brian intends to stay in his role beyond the traditional retirement age of …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Church’s Texas Chicken Taps Industry Veteran for EVP of International Business

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Church’s Texas Chicken® has hired QSR industry leader Tim Waddell to take on the role of executive vice president of international business, effective September 6. Waddell brings extensive experience in the areas of global development, sales, marketing, operations and P&L management that will support the brand in its continued growth. “Tim’s expertise globally and within his category will help us propel our growth internationally. Tim is an accomplished, high-impact business leader with over 20 years of proven international development experience and has an outstanding reputation as someone who …

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Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. Mourns the Loss of EVP and CFO

by Katie Lee

Union, N.J. — According to Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., Gustavo Arnal, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the company, passed away on September 2, 2022. The entire Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. organization is profoundly saddened by this shocking loss. “I wish to extend our sincerest condolences to Gustavo’s family. Gustavo will be remembered by all he worked with for his leadership, talent and stewardship of our company. I am proud to have been his colleague, and he will be truly missed by all of us at …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Au Bon Pain Reveals New Bakery-Cafe Design

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Au Bon Pain, the bakery-cafe brand known for its gourmet convenience, has revealed a bold new store design. Planned to roll out companywide in 2023, the new design continues Au Bon Pain’s forward momentum started in July 2021, when franchisee Ampex Brands acquired the brand and its CEO Tabbassum Mumtaz pledged “to lead the bakery-cafe segment into the future.” The new design builds on customers’ new reality, where convenience and off-premise reign, without straying from Au Bon Pain’s roots as a French bakery serving freshly made, high-quality and …

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construction and designNewsretailers

Meijer Introduces New Grocery Store Concept

by Katie Lee

Grand Rapids, Mich. — On Sept. 1, 2022, Meijer introduced a new brick-and-mortar store concept — Meijer Grocery — that will provide convenience for customers who are looking for a simplified shopping experience, while providing communities easier access to fresher foods. The first two Meijer Grocery stores will open in early 2023. The new stores will open in neighborhoods within southeast Michigan’s Orion and Macomb townships. The new concept is the retailer’s latest since first introducing the neighborhood market small format concept in August 2018 with the opening of Bridge …

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Starbucks Names Next Chief Executive Officer

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Starbucks has selected Laxman Narasimhan as its next chief executive officer and a member of the Starbucks board of directors. Narasimhan will join Starbucks as incoming CEO on October 1, 2022 after relocating from London to the Seattle area and will work closely with Howard Schultz, interim CEO, before assuming the CEO role and joining the board on April 1, 2023. Narasimhan brings nearly 30 years of experience leading and advising global consumer-facing brands. Known for his considerable operational expertise, he has a proven track record in developing …

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Mo’ Bettahs Promotes President to CEO

by Katie Lee

Salt Lake City — Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Restaurant has promoted its president, Robert Ertmann, to chief executive officer. He has served as president of the brand since 2021. Mo’ Bettahs will look to his guidance and leadership as the brand continues its nationwide expansion, including its entrance into three new markets over the next few months. “Savory has watched Rob carefully over the past year, and we have concluded that there is no one better suited for the growth and scale of our beloved Mo’ Bettahs brand,” says Andrew …

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Bed Bath & Beyond Realigns Executive Team; Begins Closing 150 Stores

by Katie Lee

Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. aims to go back to basics: to better serve customers, drive growth and deliver business returns. To that end, Bed Bath & Beyond has realigned its executive team and also has begun closing approximately 150 lower-producing Bed Bath & Beyond banner stores. “We are announcing immediate actions aimed to increase customer engagement, drive traffic and recapture market share,” says Sue Gove, director & interim CEO. “This includes changing our merchandising and inventory strategy, which will be rooted in national brands. Additionally, we …

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