Waterbury, Conn. – Wing It On!, a New England-based wing joint, has formed a strategic franchising initiative that will accelerate its U.S. expansion. With 12 locations open and in development, Wing It On! has now set its sights on targeted franchise growth, zeroing in on key regions throughout the Northeastern and Southeastern sections of the United States. “We’ve been patient with our growth, primarily because we wanted to give all of our energy to our fans and the business at our first few locations. In the last 18 months or …
Boca Raton, Fla. — Office Depot, Inc. has appointed D. Anthony Scaglione as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 20, 2020. As CFO, Scaglione will report directly to CEO Gerry Smith and be a member of the executive committee. He will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the company, including financial planning and analysis, financial reporting and accounting, as well as leading investor relations, internal audit, tax and treasury functions. “We are delighted to welcome Anthony to Office Depot as we accelerate our transformation to …
Orlando, Fla. — DWM has promoted Joe Mercado to director, facilities maintenance, from his previous position as operations manager. In his new role, Mercado will provide a more consistent and equitable process across the Facilities Maintenance division while allowing DWM’s Account Management team to focus more on external success versus the internal management of resources. “Joe’s new role is the glue that will hold all training and development programs together,” says Katie Whitt, vice president, strategic accounts. “Promoting Joe into this role allows DWM to provide more best-in-class solutions for …
San Ramon, Calif. — Fitness center retail chain 24 Hour Fitness has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection stemming from revenue losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The San Ramon, Calif.-based company expects to secure $250 million in debtor-in-possession financing, which is subject to court approval. The fitness chain also intends to permanently close 132 of its 300-plus gyms. In California alone, 24 Hour Fitness will shutter 41 locations, and in Texas another 26 will permanently close as the company will focus on reopening its other gyms across the country. “If …
Salt Lake City — Commercial Asset Preservation, LLC (CAP), a nationwide provider of maintenance, repair and inspection services for operating and vacant retail, restaurant, medical, office and industrial real estate, has hired Samuel Cerminaro, Jr. as a national sales executive. Cerminaro was recently the national accounts manager at CTS Flooring in Limerick, Pa., where he was responsible for business development and account management. “Sam brings many years of experience in the facility maintenance industry,” says Marc Insul, president and COO of Commercial Asset Preservation. “His experience, analytical approach and creative …
— By Theresa Phelps — Dark store management during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. During this uncertain time, we know it’s causing stress on multi-site companies including retailers and restaurants. As we like to say, “We’re in this together, and this too shall pass.” Whether your locations have closed temporarily or permanently, it’s important to continue to maintain the exteriors of those properties. Idle commercial real estate properties, or dark stores, are valuable investments that must be kept up to ensure further capital expenditures don’t occur and the …
Tampa, Fla. — As of June 7, 2020, more than 760 company-operated U.S. restaurants (approximately 74% of U.S. restaurants) have reopened with limited in-restaurant dining capacity in accordance with local mandates, according to a business update from Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. “Since the onset of the pandemic, we have been nimble in adapting our business,” says David Deno, chief executive officer. “This included a pivot to an off-premises model as dining rooms were forced to close. We were able to triple our off-premises sales per restaurant while our dining rooms were …
Bonita Springs, Fla. — GATES Construction has added Nicole Robinson, CPA, as controller. She will oversee the firm’s accounting staff, including staff and project accountants, and will manage the production and management of all reports and accounting records. As a Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of diversified accounting experience, Robinson will help guide the firm’s strategic financial decisions. She will be based out of GATES Construction’s headquarters in Bonita Springs, Fla. For over 25 years, GATES Construction has provided award-winning construction management, general contracting and design-build services throughout …
Leawood, Kan. — AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. plans to reopen almost all of its U.S. and U.K. theaters in July. The Leawood, Kan.-based movie theater chain has already reopened 10 theaters in Norway, Germany, Spain and Portugal, and expects to be fully open globally in July ahead of the release of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” on July 17 and Disney’s “Mulan” on July 24. AMC is working closely with local, national and international officials to coordinate timing and requirements of reopening. It is consulting with the Harvard University School of Public …
— By Christine Cunning, CIC — Considerations for restaurants converting to delivery during coronavirus. These are incredibly challenging times for individuals and small businesses across the country. Few industries have been hit as hard as the restaurant industry. Often working on short margins in the best of times, the industry encounters numerous roadblocks ranging from weather, a sometimes fickle and impatient clientele and stiff competition. These challenges can all also be viewed as opportunities to outperform and shine. The developments caused by this recent state of pandemic has …