Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Automotive retailer AutoNation, Inc. has appointed Jeff Parent as its new chief operating officer (COO). With extensive experience in senior executive roles spanning sales, supply chain management and business strategy, Parent brings a wealth of expertise to lead the company’s operational and strategic initiatives. His start date is expected to be Oct. 16, 2023. As COO, Parent will play a pivotal role in AutoNation’s continuous efforts to drive growth, enhance operational efficiency and provide exceptional customer experiences across its extensive network of locations. “Jeff Parent is …
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Dallas — French-founded and French-owned la Madeleine has appointed seasoned industry executive Mark Ramage as senior director of franchise development, effective immediately. The newly appointed executive wants to attract experienced restaurant operators and investors to the brand, with the ambitious goal to sign and develop 50-100 new locations in the next 5 years. Ramage has more than 20 years of experience in the franchise development industry, with success spearheading development strategy, sales and real estate across multiple franchise restaurant and quick service brands. He has held leadership titles at a …
Tucson, Ariz. — Bass Pro Shops plans to open a new destination retail store in Tucson, Ariz., in late 2024. The opening of the Outdoor World will mark the third Bass Pro Shops location in Arizona, as it continues to expand its presence in the Southwest. “We are very excited about this opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the sportsmen and women of southern Arizona,” says Johnny Morris, conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops. “This new store will make it easier for the people and families who love to …
Oakland, N.J. — Amerlux, an award-winning design-and-manufacture lighting company, has announced that its president and CEO, Chuck Campagna, has been appointed as the head of the Building Solutions Americas Business Unit (BSABU) at parent company Delta Electronics, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions. Campagna has achieved record growth at Amerlux since becoming the company’s top executive in 1999. He will maintain his current position at Amerlux while leading Delta’s BSABU. “With his vision, strong interpersonal skills and dedication, we are confident that BSABU will serve as a …
Lansing, Mich. — Erin Kaylor , a franchise veteran and finance leader, is joining BIGGBY® COFFEE as chief financial officer. As the brand approaches important growth milestones with over 360 units open and another 140 in development, Kaylor will serve a crucial role in supporting the entire system through its next stage of development. “I’m a CPA and an accountant by trade, but the vast majority of my career was spent in the finance organization of McDonald’s,” says Kaylor. “This new role fits very nicely because I have a lot …
North Brunswick, N.J. — This month, Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey (GSCSNJ) have unveiled a new Girl Scout DreamLab, a cutting-edge, one-of-a-kind space for girls to discover, create and collaborate. The GSCSNJ team becomes the third council in the nation and the first on the East Coast to open a DreamLab. (Earlier this year, DreamLabs opened in Denver and Gonzales, La.) A DreamLab is a state-of-the-art space designed to empower girls and provide endless opportunities for exploration. From engaging in STEM projects to podcasting, performing on stage …
Atlanta — Smalls Sliders, a fast-growing cheeseburger slider concept, has crossed 100 units under development. This milestone is also notable because the brand only just recently reopened franchising opportunities in early 2023. Smalls Sliders currently has nine locations open in Louisiana, with a solid pipeline of new locations set to open in states including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina and Texas. Smalls Sliders has consistently signed multi-unit agreements with prominent franchise groups and multi-brand operators alike, ultimately propelling the brand to cross the triple-digit unit mark. Leading …
Wilton, Conn. — Melissa & Doug, a highly rated preschool brand for wooden and sustainable toys, will open its first-ever retail store this fall. The 1,600-square-foot store is scheduled to open on Oct. 6, 2023, in The Westchester, a premium shopping mall in White Plains, N.Y., just outside New York City and near the Melissa & Doug headquarters in Wilton, Conn. As the company’s first brick-and-mortar location in its 35-year history, the store will feature a wide selection of the brand’s top-selling toys across categories including pretend play sets, learning …
San Diego — Jack in the Box Inc. has named Tom Rose as the new president of the Del Taco brand, effective immediately. He replaces Chad Gretzema, who has stepped down from the role to pursue a new opportunity. Rose is a 30-plus-year veteran in the restaurant business with a proven track record in various corporate and franchise leadership roles. Most recently, he consulted Jack in the Box on the recent initiative to improve the company-owned Kansas City market. Before supporting Jack in the Box, Rose spent a decade as …
Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty, Inc. has promoted its chief operating officer, Kecia L. Steelman, to president and chief operating officer. “Kecia is a talented executive with a proven track record of driving operational excellence while fostering a caring and inclusive culture and creating exceptional guest experiences,” says Dave Kimbell, chief executive officer. “Over the last year, Kecia has increased her scope and influence within our organization, and this expanded role recognizes her value to the company and her many contributions to our success, while also demonstrating our ongoing confidence …