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Maggiano’s Little Italy EVP and President to Retire

by Katie Lee

Dallas — According to Brinker International, Inc., Steve Provost, executive vice president and president of its Italian casual-dining brand, Maggiano’s Little Italy®, will retire at the end of August 2023. Provost has dedicated more than 4 decades to the foodservice industry. “Steve is a one-of-a-kind, humble and courageous leader with an incredible presence and knack for storytelling that will be missed,” says Kevin Hochman, president and CEO, Brinker International and president of Chili’s® Grill & Bar. “He is leaving the brand in a stronger position, having continued the legacy of …

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Ahold Delhaize USA Names President, The GIANT Company

by Katie Lee

Salisbury, N.C. — Ahold Delhaize USA has named John Ruane as president of The GIANT Company. He had been currently serving as interim president. “We have been fortunate to have John lead The GIANT Company as interim president during a time of transition, and we are excited about this next step in his career,” says JJ Fleeman, chief executive officer, Ahold Delhaize USA. “He has led the team during a very important time in the company’s history as it celebrates its 100-year anniversary this fall. John is a leader who …

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High Bluff Capital to Acquire 81-Restaurant Hardee’s Portfolio

by Katie Lee

San Diego — San Diego-based High Bluff Capital Partners will assume ownership of a portfolio comprising 81 Hardee’s locations following an auction. Located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina and Wyoming, the restaurants were previously owned by franchisee Summit Restaurant Group, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May of this year. The transaction is expected to close in August. Dave Dixon will oversee operation of the restaurants. “High Bluff is the ideal partner to support our efforts…while making critical investments in restaurant remodels and other initiatives …

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Gap Inc. Names New President and CEO of Athleta

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Gap Inc. has appointed Chris Blakeslee as the new president and CEO of Athleta, joining the company August 7. In this role, Blakeslee will drive strategic growth for the portfolio’s nearly $1.5 billion women’s active and lifestyle brand. Blakeslee brings broad expertise in the apparel retail and wholesale industries, holding roles across marketing, sales, product portfolio management, operations and supply chain, serving most recently as president of sister companies Alo Yoga and Bella+Canvas since 2017. In that time, Alo Yoga grew to over $1 billion in sales …

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Cracker Barrel Names New President and CEO

by Katie Lee

Lebanon, Tenn. — According to the board of directors of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., Julie Felss Masino will succeed Sandra B. Cochran as the company’s next president and chief executive officer. Masino most recently served as president, international of Taco Bell, overseeing the expansion of the division to more than 1,000 restaurants in 32 countries, and before that led the $11 billion U.S. Taco Bell business. “Today’s announcement represents the culmination of a multi-year CEO succession-planning process by our board of directors and Sandy, and we are thrilled …

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Schnucks and Instacart Expand Omnichannel Partnership with Smart Carts

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Schnuck Markets, Inc., a Midwestern grocer, and Instacart, a leading grocery technology company, will expand their omnichannel partnership by deploying Caper Carts, Instacart’s smart carts, in select stores. Caper Carts automatically identify items as they are added to the cart using computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI), allowing customers to bag as they shop, skip the line and seamlessly checkout on the Cart from anywhere in the store. Caper Carts will first roll out at select Schnucks St. Louis stores this fall, with a broader planned rollout …

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Paris Baguette on Track to Reach 160 U.S. Stores in 2023

by Katie Lee

Moonachie, N.J. — After an big year of growth in 2022, Paris Baguette, the global bakery café franchise with over 4,000 open cafés, has finalized 66 new franchise agreements and opened 20 new stores at the end of the second quarter 2023. “With 66 signings, 20 openings and almost 50 more cafés in various stages of construction, we’re climbing toward the goal of 64 cafés opened this year, and we see a pathway to get there,” says Mark Mele, chief development officer at Paris Baguette. “In the second quarter, we …

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Academy Sports + Outdoors Promotes EVP and Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee

Katy, Texas — Academy Sports + Outdoors, Inc. has promoted Carl Ford to executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 12, 2023, succeeding Michael Mullican, who recently transitioned to president. In his new role, Ford will oversee finance, accounting, tax, treasury, loss prevention, internal audit and investor relations. Ford has served as Academy’s senior vice president, finance since January 2019. Prior to joining Academy, he served as vice president of financial planning & analysis at Belk, Inc. where he spent 15 years. “I am thrilled to announce the …

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Paytronix Appoints New CEO; Founder Becomes Executive Chairman

by Katie Lee

Newton, Mass. — Paytronix, the leader in guest engagement for restaurants and convenience stores, has named industry veteran and current Paytronix board member Jeff Hindman (pictured here) as its new chief executive officer. Paytronix’s founder and current CEO, Andrew Robbins, will assume the role of executive chairman. “Paytronix continues to revolutionize the way restaurants and convenience stores build and nurture guest relationships. Our exceptional team is driven by a passion to meet the growing industry hunger for more personalized guest experiences and accelerate the pace of innovation needed to do …

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Dave’s Hot Chicken Names Industry Veterans to CMO & CTO Roles

by Katie Lee

Pasadena, Calif. — Dave’s Hot Chicken, the Los Angeles-based street food sensation turned breakthrough fast-casual brand, has added to its leadership team. Building on current momentum, which includes robust 2023 growth initiatives, Dave’s Hot Chicken continues to invest in its best-in-class executive team, with the additions of Brad Haley, chief marketing officer (CMO), and Leon Davoyan, chief technology officer (CTO). Haley most recently led marketing initiatives for IHOP, including overseeing the “IHOb” campaign that garnered nationwide attention for the 1,800-unit chain. Prior to leading marketing at IHOP, Haley spearheaded campaigns …

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