San Francisco — a.k.a. Brands Holding Corp., a brand accelerator of next-generation fashion brands, has opened the first U.S. Princess Polly store at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles — a major milestone in the brand’s global retail expansion. The Australian-born brand is beloved by Gen Z. The newly unveiled 3,370-square-foot retail space will feature approximately 200 on-trend Princess Polly styles at any given time and will foster an immersive and interactive experience that goes well beyond shopping. Complete with aesthetically pleasing digital displays, a glamorous media wall and personalized …
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Franklin, Tenn. — CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc. (CKE), company of the brands Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s®, has appointed Jennifer Tate to the position of chief marketing officer and Mike Lenihan to chief financial officer, effective immediately. Tate comes from Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®, most recently serving as senior vice president and chief marketing officer. Lenihan comes from Yum! Brands®, most recently serving as vice president of planning and analysis and treasury. “I am thrilled to welcome Jennifer and Mike to the CKE leadership team and look forward to working …
Columbus, Ohio — Fashion apparel retailer Express, Inc. has named Stewart Glendinning as its new chief executive officer and a member of the Express board of directors, effective Sept. 15, 2023. Glendinning succeeds Tim Baxter, who has resigned as CEO and as a member of the board. Baxter will be available as needed to support a smooth transition. Glendinning brings to Express more than 20 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a proven record of operating excellence, financial discipline and building high-performing teams to grow iconic brands. …
Newport, Calif. — Toastique, a vibrant, artisan toast and juice café conceptualized on the East Coast, is set to launch its first storefront in California on Sept. 16, 2023. The new location will be opening at 226 Marine Ave., a former Starbucks location, at the corner of a seaside street on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, Calif. The approximately 1,500-square-foot establishment will provide both indoor and outdoor café style seating, including bar seats and tables. Toastique was first launched in 2017 in Washington, D.C., and has gained recognition over the …
Omaha, Neb. — Borsheims, one of the nation’s largest independent jewelry stores based in Omaha, Neb., has promoted four key members of its executive team: Adrienne Perry, Sean Moore, Julie McAlpine and Andy Brabec. These newly created roles will help Borsheims deliver the signature service customers have come to know and expect of the over 150-year-old luxury retailer and position the company for continued growth and success in the future. Adrienne Perry has been promoted to chief revenue officer. As CRO, Perry will steward Borsheims’ sales divisions toward continued growth …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery Debut in Pacific Northwest With Co-Branded Location
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. …