Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Read the Magazine Subscribe
Author

Katie Lee

green newsNewsretailersvendorswaste management/recycling

Petco Partners with TerraCycle to Launch First-Ever National Trade-In and Recycling Event

by Katie Lee

San Diego — In mid-March, Petco launched its first-ever national trade-in and recycling event in partnership with TerraCycle, an international leader in sustainability solutions, including giving hard-to-recycle materials a new life. In honor of Global Recycling Day on March 18 and just in time for annual spring cleaning, Petco is helping pet parents recycle their dogs’ old collars, leashes and harnesses for an upgrade and a safer, more comfortable fit. For a limited time, pet parents can bring old dog collars, leashes or harnesses into Petco locations nationwide for responsible …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

Firebirds Promotes 2 Key Team Members to COO and Executive Chef

by Katie Lee

Charlotte, N.C. — Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a polished-casual American restaurant and steakhouse, has promoted Steve Sturm to chief operating officer (COO) and Andy Seiple to corporate executive chef. Both leaders have and will continue to play key roles in driving the company’s growth by enhancing operational efficiency and elevating menu offerings to deliver an exceptional guest experience. Sturm has been with Firebirds since its inception in 2000 and was the first executive chef at Firebirds’ first restaurant in Charlotte, where he played an instrumental role in the development and …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
managementNewspeopleproperty management

CBL Properties Promotes Several Officers

by Katie Lee

Chattanooga, Tenn. — CBL Properties has made several promotions including one promotion to senior vice president and five new vice presidents. “We are proud to recognize the significant contributions of these individuals with these well-deserved promotions,” says Stephen D. Lebovitz, chief executive officer of CBL Properties. “Their dedication, leadership and ongoing commitment to CBL have been instrumental to our success, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make in their new roles.” • Karen Walker was promoted to senior vice president – technology solutions. She …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsrestaurantssnow and ice managementvendors

Yum! Brands to Accelerate AI Innovation with NVIDIA

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill, is partnering with NVIDIA to accelerate the development of innovative AI technologies for Yum! restaurants around the globe. Yum! Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company with over 61,000 locations, is NVIDIA’s first AI restaurant partner. This collaboration brings the two powerhouses together to integrate AI into the restaurant and retail industry at an unprecedented scale. Yum! Brands has begun piloting multiple AI solutions in select Taco Bell and Pizza Hut locations …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Industry Voicesrestaurants

Need a Skilled Workforce?

by Katie Lee

— By George Lessmeister — Navigating staffing trends for 2025. As 2024 wound down and the new year came into view, we asked our managers across the country for their insights about what’s happening in staffing. They were asked similar questions that resulted in some consistent trends. The team also offered input about how retail and restaurant business owners can navigate the sometimes-tricky waters of staffing while continuing to provide high level customer service. While regional variations exist, these are the trends our managers identified most consistently. Budget Consciousness From …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsretailers

Meijer to Open 3 New Northeast Ohio Supercenters in May

by Katie Lee

Grand Rapids, Mich. — Meijer will open three new supercenters in Northeast Ohio on May 8, increasing the retailer’s store count to 58 in the state. The new 159,000-square-foot supercenters will be located in Austintown, Medina and Richmond Heights. The stores will feature the wide assortment of fresh produce and grocery staples Meijer customers know and love. The supercenters will also include a full-service pharmacy, health and beauty care section, an expansive pet department, electronics, toys and sporting goods. A Meijer Express gas station will open on April 10 adjacent …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeoplerestaurants

International Dairy Queen Hires Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) has hired Art D’Elia as chief operating officer, U.S. and Canada, reporting to the president and CEO. He will lead a team of nearly 275 DQ® employees in operations, training and marketing to achieve the company’s financial objectives, grow franchisee sales and profits, and maintain and grow the strength and reputation of the DQ system. “Art’s strategic vision for the DQ business and strong leadership in brand strategy, marketing, operations and system sales growth position him well to lead our business in the …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newspeopleretailers

Fossil Group Appoints Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Richardson, Texas — Fossil Group, Inc. has appointed Randy Greben as chief financial officer, effective March 17. He replaces Andrew Skobe, interim chief financial officer. Greben will oversee Fossil Group’s global financial strategy, focusing on leading the organization’s financial turnaround and business transformation. With more than two decades of financial leadership experience, Greben brings a strong track record of business transformations — ranging from deep turnarounds to high-growth strategies for a number of leading consumer brands. “For decades, Fossil Group and its iconic global brands have been part of the …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Sweetgreen Opens 250th Location, First in Richmond, VA

by Katie Lee

Richmond, Va. — On March 18, Sweetgreen opened its first Richmond, Va., location in Carytown. The 2,162-square-foot location marks another milestone as Sweetgreen’s 250th restaurant. “Sweetgreen was founded just a couple of hours from Richmond with the goal of bringing communities together through fresh, high-quality food,” says Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO of Sweetgreen. “We’re honored to carry that mission forward in Carytown, partnering with local businesses and serving delicious meals made with real ingredients. Opening our 250th location here makes this moment even more special, and we couldn’t be …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newsretailersstore closings

Forever 21 Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Will Close All U.S. Stores

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — Forever 21 has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will begin the process of closing all its U.S. stores. According to Reuters, the U.S. store count is about 350. The Los Angeles-based apparel retailer filed over the weekend in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Forever 21 has entered into a plan support agreement with its lenders to begin the voluntary closure process while continuing to look for sales opportunities of existing U.S. assets. Forever 21 was founded in 1984 and had a footprint …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts