Plano, Texas — J. C. Penney Company, Inc. has named Bill Wafford, a highly accomplished retail executive with over 25 years of broad finance experience, as executive vice president, chief financial officer, effective April 8. He joins JCPenney from The Vitamin Shoppe. Reporting to CEO Jill Soltau, Wafford will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and driving operational excellence in addition to leading all aspects of the company’s finance and accounting operations. He succeeds Michael Fung, interim chief financial officer, who will remain with the company through the end of …
Chicago and New York and Tel Aviv — McDonald’s Corporation has reached an agreement to acquire Dynamic Yield Ltd., a leader in personalization and decision logic technology. With this acquisition of Dynamic Yield, based in New York and Tel Aviv, McDonald’s builds on its significant technology investments for growth. McDonald’s will utilize this decision technology to provide an even more personalized customer experience by varying outdoor digital drive-thru menu displays to show food based on time of day, weather, current restaurant traffic and trending menu items. The decision technology can also …
Red Wing, Minn. — Red Wing Shoe Company, a global leader in the footwear industry for more than 110 years, has opened a flagship retail store in New York City. The company’s first permanent presence in Manhattan, open now, includes a tribute to the workers who helped build the city. Located at 11 Penn Plaza in the heart of Midtown, the 3,300-square-foot store celebrates the company’s rich heritage and tradition of quality craftsmanship. In addition to selling Red Wing’s famed purpose-built work boots and stylish Heritage collection, the store also …
Franklin, Tenn. — CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® restaurants, has named Darla Morse as its new chief information officer. She joins CKE from Inspire Brands. In her most recent position, as chief information officer of Inspire Brands, Morse led initiatives to enhance the restaurant experience and drive operational efficiencies for the multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 8,300 Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Rusty Taco and Sonic Drive-In locations worldwide. She was previously CIO of Arby’s, served as CIO of SeaWorld and spent …
— By Dan Diehl — Navigating the digital transformation of building products and services. The building products, services and solutions industry is being transformed. Like many industries before it, the market for commercial building products, services and solutions (BPSS) is undergoing a digital transformation. This sector has been a relative innovation laggard for several reasons, including: the long life cycles of buildings and major building systems; the fact that each building is somewhat unique, requiring engineered systems; and the win/lose legacy culture that traces its roots to the hardball construction …
Plano, Texas — At Home Group Inc., the home décor superstore, continues its expansion to the West Coast, opening its first of five California stores in Orange County’s Foothill Ranch. At Home plans to open four additional Southern California stores in San Diego and Los Angeles later this year. “We are thrilled to bring our home décor superstore concept to California and to open the first of many future stores in the state,” says Lee Bird, chairman and chief executive officer of At Home. “This is an important benchmark in …
Boca Raton, Fla. — I Heart Mac & Cheese, a fast-casual concept specializing in customizable, made-to-order macaroni and cheese bowls, grilled cheese sandwiches and specialty salads, has signed an agreement with franchise group G5 Services, LLC, to open a new location in Augusta, Ga. Slated to start construction later this year, the Augusta location will be owned and operated by Kimberly and Brian Grotz, opening in winter 2019. G5 Services, LLC is led by husband-and-wife duo and first-time entrepreneurs, Kimberly and Brian Grotz. “We are so thrilled to have Kim …
The ‘retail-tainment’ venue creates a golfing and gaming experience that makes socializing a sport. — Interview by Katie Lee — Golf is generally a quiet, solo sport. Topgolf turns that conventional wisdom upside down with a large, world-class entertainment destination that brings golf to players of all ages and skill levels — and brings those players together for a fun, rowdy time with friends, family, food and drinks. With 50+ locations open worldwide and up to 10 new venues planned in 2019, the retail/restaurant concept is a leader in the …
— By Del Williams — Streamlining reporting, monitoring and operations requires a flexible POS system and quick, supportive vendor response. In the quick-service restaurant (QSR) arena, both established and emerging franchises understand the importance of choosing the right POS system to keep operations functioning smoothly. Although there are many options on the market, most POS systems offer similar technological advantages: the commonalities include hardware such as POS terminals with touchscreen interfaces and credit card swiping mechanisms as well as the software that ties to all to back office operations. Today, …
Conshohocken, Pa. — IKEA U.S.’s first city center location in the country — the IKEA Planning Studio — will open on April 15, 2019 in Manhattan. Located at 999 Third Ave. in New York City, the new IKEA touchpoint will focus on providing inspiration and smart solutions for city living and small spaces. “We conducted extensive research about city living, and we believe New Yorkers will see their needs reflected this new concept,” says Leontyne Green Sykes, chief operating officer, IKEA Retail U.S. “We hope the Planning Studio will serve …