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Katie Lee

Industry Voicesrestaurantsvendors

Outdoor Dining is Here to Stay

by Katie Lee

— By Leslie Chapus — Outdoor dining became a staple during the pandemic — and guests have grown to love and expect it, no matter the weather. The good news is, investment in all-weather outdoor dining pays for itself.   After a full year of pandemic living, customer demand for safe dining environments has taken full root in the American psyche. As restaurants evolve to these changing demands, industry experts from Food & Wine Magazine to worldwide management consultants McKinsey & Company are advising restaurant owners to embrace outdoor dining …

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Callaway Completes Previously Announced Merger with Topgolf

by Katie Lee

Carlsbad, Calif., and Dallas — Carlsbad, Calif.-based equipment and apparel manufacturer Callaway Golf Co. has completed its merger with Topgolf Entertainment Group. The deal was originally announced in October 2020. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Callaway issued approximately 90 million shares of its common stock to the shareholders of Topgolf, excluding Callaway, which previously held approximately 14% of Topgolf’s outstanding shares. Callaway shareholders now own approximately 51.3% of the outstanding shares of the newly combined entity, and former Topgolf shareholders (excluding Callaway) own approximately 48.7%. Both firms have …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Biscuitville Promotes Three Executives Internally

by Katie Lee

Greensboro, N.C. — McKinley Greer, Jenna Hiera and Jasmine Daniels have taken on new roles at the beginning of the year at Biscuitville Fresh Southern. Greer has been named guest analytics manager at Biscuitville. She joined the company’s marketing team in October 2018 as a guest analytics specialist. Previously, she was a part of the Biscuitville operations team and served in various other roles throughout the company. Greer handles all guest analytic information as well as leads all demographic research. She also provides guidance to the culinary operations team. Hiera …

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Restaurant Tech Company Omnivore Names CEO & CRO to Lead Next Phase of Growth

by Katie Lee

Clearwater, Fla. — Omnivore, a technology company serving the restaurant industry, has named Dan Singer as chief executive officer and hired Shane Whitlatch as chief revenue officer. Both executives have significant experience in leading fast-growth companies. The executive appointments come after Omnivore’s successful Series A funding round, raising $13 million from notable investors including The Coca-Cola Company, Performance Food Group and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, in 2018. The investments have fueled the company’s growth, with more than 24,000 locations using Omnivore. Singer was appointed CEO after leading Omnivore …

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construction and designNewsrestaurantsretailers

Brookfield Properties Opens Retail, Dining Portion of Fifth + Broadway in Downtown Nashville

by Katie Lee

Nashville, Tenn. — Brookfield Properties has opened the retail and dining component at Fifth + Broadway, a 6-acre mixed-use project in downtown Nashville, Tenn. Brookfield and local developer Pat Emery partnered on the development, which formerly was the location of the Nashville Convention Center. General contractor Skanska broke ground on the project in April 2017, when San Diego-based OliverMcMillan was the lead developer before its acquisition by Brookfield in February 2018. Designed by Gresham Smith and Gensler, the newly opened portion of Fifth + Broadway features 200,000 square feet of …

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Industry ContentVendor Spotlightvendorswaste management/recycling

Waste Harmonics: Signature Vendor Spotlight

by Katie Lee

— Interview with Michael Hess —   R&R: Where are you based? Michael Hess: Waste Harmonics is based in Victor, New York. R&R: How long have you been with the company? Hess: I acquired Waste Harmonics from Capital Environment in 2001 and my team and I have grown the business from a solely Northeastern U.S. focus to serving customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. R&R: What trades/services do you offer retailers and restaurants? Hess: We are a managed waste service provider. We act as a single point of contact, helping …

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HBC and Insight Partners Launch Saks as a Standalone E-Commerce Company

by Katie Lee

New York City — HBC and leading growth capital investor Insight Partners have entered into a partnership that establishes Saks Fifth Avenue’s e-commerce business as a standalone entity, which will be known as Saks. Insight Partners has made a $500 million minority equity investment in Saks, valuing the business at $2 billion. The retailer’s 40-store fleet will operate separately as an entity referred to as SFA, which remains wholly owned by HBC. As separate but related sister companies, Saks and SFA will be better able to appropriately plan for and …

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Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Enters into Asset Purchase Agreement

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas — Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and entered into an asset purchase agreement with its group of senior lenders that is led by California-based Altamont Capital Partners and Fortress Investment Group. The agreement involves the sale of “substantially all” of the company’s assets, though it remains unclear how many of its 41 theaters Alamo Drafthouse plans to close. As part of its filing, Alamo Drafthouse has asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to approve a 75-day timeline for restructuring its …

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Macy’s Makes Changes to Senior Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

New York City — Macy’s, Inc. plans some changes to its senior leadership team. Aligned with the company’s recently updated Polaris growth strategy, these changes to increase agility and efficiencies include: John Harper, chief operations officer, will depart on August 1, 2021. Subsequently, the role of chief operations officer will be eliminated. With the elimination of the COO role, Marc Mastronardi, chief stores officer, and Dennis Mullahy, chief supply chain officer, will report to Jeff Gennette, chairman and chief executive officer. Laura Miller has been appointed chief information officer, effective …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurantsretailers

Edible Opens Its First Ghost Kitchen, Optimizing Delivery Efforts

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Edible®, the world’s most beloved leading gifts and treats destination, opened its first ghost kitchen on February 6. Located in Tucker, Ga., the 1,700-square-foot facility serves as a delivery-only location while also providing shipping in its geographic area. Additionally, it serves as a backup for surrounding stores during the busiest times of the year, and several virtual brands will be tested there as well. The ghost kitchen’s first week open brought in more than $130,000 in sales. Given the prosperous debut of the first ghost kitchen, more locations …

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