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Katie Lee

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Liberated Brands Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Plans to Close 122 Stores 

by Katie Lee

Costa Mesa, Calif. — Liberated Brands, the parent company of several sport, outdoor and lifestyle apparel retailers, has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, according to court documents filed in Delaware. Liberated Brands’ portfolio of retailers includes Volcom, Billabong, Quiksilver, ROXY, Honolua Surf, RVCA, Beachworks, Becker Surfboards, ZJ Boarding House, Spyder and Boardriders. According to Gordon Brothers, which is providing real estate advisory services to the retailer, Liberated Brands plans to close its 122 stores throughout the country. Gordon Brothers — which earlier this year entered into a sales transaction with Big …

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construction and designCover StoryFrom The Magazinegreen building/LEEDretailers

The Little Store That Could

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — How Half Price Books has grown into the largest family-owned new and used bookstore chain in the U.S. by rehoming books into the hands of more people — and not into landfills. Book lovers often joke that they could “start their own bookstore” from the stacks of books tucked into every corner of their own home, but imagine actually doing it. Over 50 years ago, a pair of bibliophiles named Ken Gjemre and Pat Anderson did just that. In the summer of 1972, they drew …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Del Taco to Enter Indiana with 10-Store Development Agreement

by Katie Lee

Lake Forest, Calif. — Del Taco has signed a 10-unit development agreement with a new franchise group in the Indianapolis DMA. Target markets include Bloomington, Bedford, Columbus, Greenwood, Plainfield and Avon. This marks the brand’s entry into the Indiana market. Founded in 1964, Del Taco has nearly 600 restaurants across 17 states. For more information, visit www.deltacofranchise.com. SOURCE: Del Taco

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LG and BrightSign Form Alliance, Launch Integrated Digital Signage Solution

by Katie Lee

Lincolnshire, Ill. — LG Electronics USA and BrightSign LLC have formed a collaboration resulting in a new series of LG ultra high-definition (UHD) digital signage displays running BrightSignOS. These displays will be available to U.S. customers in the second quarter of 2025, with international markets following. The new LG 49-, 55-, and 65-inch UV5N series models will run the trusted BrightSignOS on LG’s powerful, embedded system-on-a-chip (SoC) multi-core processor. These displays are designed to transform content delivery and offer a wide variety of BrightSign partner content management system (CMS) solutions. …

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Newspeopleretailers

Victoria’s Secret & Co. Announces CFO Transition

by Katie Lee

Reynoldsburg, Ohio — Victoria’s Secret & Co. (VS&Co) has announced that its chief financial and administrative officer, Timothy (TJ) Johnson, is retiring in June 2025. Scott Sekella has been appointed chief financial officer. “We are excited to welcome Scott to VS&Co,” says Hillary Super, chief executive officer of VS&Co. “He is a transformational leader with extensive and diverse retail experience delivering results, driving operational efficiencies and executing growth strategies. He has a strong retail background and record of identifying and accelerating strategies that strengthen performance and enhance profitability which I …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

Applebee’s President to Step Down; CEO of Dine Brands to Step In

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dine Brands Global, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar®, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® and IHOP®, has announced that Tony Moralejo (pictured here) will step down as Applebee’s president, effective March 4, 2025, and will serve as an advisor to the company through June 4, 2025. John Peyton, CEO, Dine Brands, will assume the role of interim president of Applebee’s while continuing in his current capacity. “Tony and I share a deep respect for the DNA of Applebee’s and we are all grateful for his …

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Tempur Sealy Completes $5 Billion Acquisition of Mattress Firm

by Katie Lee

Lexington, Ky. — Tempur Sealy International, Inc. has completed its previously announced acquisition of Mattress Firm Group Inc. (Mattress Firm), the nation’s largest mattress specialty retailer, for approximately $5 billion. Additionally, Tempur Sealy will change its name to Somnigroup International Inc., effective February 18, 2025. Mattress Firm, Dreams and Tempur Sealy will operate as decentralized business units under Somnigroup International. Mattress Firm and Dreams will continue to operate as multi-branded retailers and Tempur Sealy, primarily a manufacturer, will continue to serve third-party retailers as well as Mattress Firm, Dreams and …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Captain D’s Debuts in Maryland, Expands in Texas

by Katie Lee

Nashville, Tenn. — Captain D’s, a leading fast-casual seafood restaurant, is expanding on both sides of the Mississippi. It is adding the state of Maryland to its system and increasing its presence in Texas. The Maryland development group has signed on to develop five restaurants in Prince George County in the Baltimore metro over the next 7 years. Expanding Captain D’s footprint to its 24th state is part of the Tennessee-based seafood chain’s strategic plan to grow into the Northeast. In Texas, Captain D’s will open three locations in San …

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Newspeopleretailers

Famous Footwear Names New Chief Merchandising Officer  

by Katie Lee

St. Louis — Caleres, a market-leading portfolio of consumer-driven footwear brands, has hired Brian Costello to join Famous Footwear as chief merchandising officer. In this role, he will oversee all buying and merchandising for the brand’s U.S. and Canada stores and e-commerce sites. “Brian has a long track record of exceptional fashion and footwear industry leadership,” says Mike Edwards, president of Famous Footwear. “With expertise in merchandising and planning for both footwear and ready-to-wear, I’m confident he will help drive growth and achieve our ambitions at Famous Footwear.” Costello has …

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construction and designNewsremodelsrestaurants

Jason’s Deli Unveils New Brand Identity and Restaurant Prototype

by Katie Lee

Beaumont, Texas — Jason’s Deli is stepping into a new era with a refreshed visual identity system and innovative new restaurant design, in partnership with experience agency ChangeUp. The brand refresh, which began rolling out in recent months, is centered on a new core concept: “The Art of Delicious.” This captures the essence of Jason’s Deli’s mission — to craft delicious, honest-to-goodness food served with the same care and attention that has made the restaurant a favorite for nearly five decades. The new identity is being integrated across all touchpoints …

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