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Toast Announces COO/CEO Leadership Transition

by Katie Lee

Boston — Toast, the all-in-one digital technology platform built for restaurants, has promoted Aman Narang to CEO, effective January 1, 2024. Narang has served as Toast’s co-president since December 2012 and chief operating officer since June 2021. He will take over as CEO from Chris Comparato, who has served as CEO since February 2015. Both Comparato and Narang will remain on the board. Since co-founding the company in his basement in 2011 alongside Steve Fredette and Jonathan Grimm, Narang has been in instrumental leadership roles across the company as it …

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Tractor Supply Honors Top Vendor Partners

by Katie Lee

Brentwood, Tenn. — Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has honored its top vendor partners of 2023. The company recognized these vendors during its annual Partnership Conference held on August 30. Companies were selected based on factors including collaboration, service and commitment to providing quality products. “Our customers count on us for everything they need to live Life Out Here: high quality products and services at everyday low prices. Our hardworking vendor partners help ensure we deliver on that promise,” says Seth Estep, chief …

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Yum China Unveils China’s First 100% Renewable Energy Cold Chain Logistics Center

by Katie Lee

Shanghai — Yum China Holdings, Inc. has unveiled a landmark accomplishment in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As of July 2023, its company-owned logistics center in Nanning, Guangxi province, is completely powered by renewable energy. Yum China’s Nanning logistics center stands out as the first cold chain logistics center in China to fully operate on carbon-neutral power. This achievement aligns with the company’s objective to achieve net-zero value chain GHG emissions by 2050. Furthermore, this shift to green energy operation was achieved without increasing utility costs, further …

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Crate & Barrel Unveils New Plan to Invest in Technology, Talent and Infrastructure

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc. (CBH) has unveiled a multi-year investment plan to pave the future for continued growth across the organization centered on the customer experience. Through significant investments in talent, technology and infrastructure, CBH is committing to delivering a seamless, premium and personalized customer experience through a digital-first operating model and modern technology foundation. “We have learned so much over the past 3 years as we have navigated through both a global pandemic and a supply chain crisis,” says Janet Hayes, CEO of Crate & Barrel …

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Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery Debut in Pacific Northwest With Co-Branded Location

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., parent company of Great American Cookies, Marble Slab Creamery and 15 other restaurant concepts, has opened a co-branded Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery location in Happy Valley, Ore. Situated in Clackamas County, the new store marks the first Pacific Northwest location for both brands. “We are thrilled to introduce our co-branded Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery concept to the Pacific Northwest for the first time,” says Allison Lauenstein, president of the QSR Division at FAT Brands, Inc. …

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GapMaps Enters the U.S. & Canada, Assisting Foodservice & Fitness Brands in Location Selection

by Katie Lee

Melbourne, Australia — Continuing its global expansion, cloud-based mapping software specialists GapMaps has launched in the U.S. and Canada, driven by customer demand to access its location intelligence platform in these two markets. GapMaps Live provides more than 500 brands, including McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks and Burger King, with a comprehensive view of their networks and insights to inform their global store location strategies across 25 countries. “Global brands in fast food, café and fitness sectors can now use a single platform to access accurate population, demographics and competitor intel along …

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Spirit Halloween Opening More Than 1,500 Stores for its 40th Anniversary Season

by Katie Lee

Egg Harbor Township, N.J. — Halloween, the leading Halloween retailer, is marking its 40th anniversary season and opening more retail locations than ever. With more than 1,500 seasonal locations, the Halloween retailer will bring over 40,000 jobs and seasonal excitement to local communities throughout North America by mid-September. This year, the brand brings back a fresh new twist on its beloved “Spirit Hallows” in-store theme, with cemetery-inspired store design details. The design spotlights Spirit Halloween’s exclusive animatronics as the residents of Spirit Hallows. “We’ve seen Halloween grow from a single …

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Zaxby’s Continues to Expand in Western U.S. with First Locations in Arizona

by Katie Lee

Athens, Ga. — Zaxby’s, a rapidly growing Athens, Ga.-based QSR franchise, now with over 930 locations, has recently signed a franchise development deal that will lead the company to enter its 21st state: Arizona. “This is such an exciting time for us,” says Bert Lane, Zaxby’s vice president of development. “Not only are we seeing growth in our tried-and-true Mid-Atlantic states and Southeast, but we’re thrilled to expand our footprint in the western part of the United States.” This year alone, Zaxby’s has sold 51 new locations and is on …

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JCPenney Builds Upon $1 Billion Reinvestment Plan

by Katie Lee

Plano, Texas — JCPenney is building upon a self-funded reinvestment plan and customer value proposition aimed at fueling long term growth and increasing customer loyalty and frequency. JCPenney plans to reinvest more than $1 billion into the business by fiscal year 2025 to further improve customer experience and operational efficiencies. This reinvestment builds on significant progress in fiscal year ‘22, including the launch of JCPenney Beauty, completed store refreshes and improved digital shopping. Building on key transformations already completed across key areas of the business, the planned reinvestments will strengthen …

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Del Taco Opens First Drive-Thru Only Location Utilizing New Fresh Flex Store Design

by Katie Lee

Lake Forest, Calif. — Del Taco® has debuted its new “Fresh Flex” Drive-Thru Only location. Opening in Albuquerque, N.M., the location’s small footprint spans just 1,200 square feet. “Our Fresh Flex design offers a modern, sleek look that is aligned with our Del Taco® Better Mex® brand promise — better quality, better value,” says Tim Linderman, chief development officer. “This design allows us to reduce the overall footprint of the building which creates more real estate flexibility and the potential to reduce total buildout costs which will allow us to …

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