News

Wasilla, Alaska — Jersey Mike’s Subs has achieved a major milestone with the opening of its first restaurant in Alaska. The sub chain now offers its fresh sliced/fresh grilled sub sandwiches in all 50 states. “We now have more than 2,500 Jersey Mike’s locations in all 50 states,” says Hoyt Jones, president, Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. “From the beginning, we’ve believed in smart growth and our success is driven by franchise owners who are passionate about our brand and giving philosophy.” The new Jersey Mike’s is located at 1451 …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Davenport, Iowa — Von Maur Department Store plans to open a 90,000-square-foot store at West Acres Mall in Fargo, N.D. Scheduled to open in spring 2025, this will be the first Von Maur location in North Dakota as the family-owned company’s national growth strategy continues to build. “We look forward to opening the first Von Maur Department Store in North Dakota at such an exceptional location like West Acres Mall,” says Jim von Maur, president of Von Maur. “Fargo is a growing, vibrant metropolitan area in the Upper Midwest and …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Marina Del Rey, Calif. — Citing unprecedented growth over the past year, Pegnato, the leader in connecting national roofing portfolio managers with pre-vetted top contractors, has expanded its executive team with the addition of Jason Domecq as vice president of project management and technical services. His years of roofing and contracting expertise with a focus on delivering outstanding customer service will help Pegnato to continue its leadership as a one-stop source of roofing services for national portfolio managers. Domecq comes to Pegnato with several years of recognized commercial roofing experience. …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

St. Louis — Panera Brands Inc., which includes the fast-casual and hospitality brand Panera Bread as well as Einstein Bros. Bagels and Caribou Coffee, has established its next generation of CEO leadership and board governance in preparation for its eventual IPO. Current CEO Niren Chaudhary will become chairman of Panera Brands, handing the CEO reins to José Alberto Dueñas, currently president and CEO of Einstein Bros. Bagels, effective July 1, 2023. Former Starbucks CFO and independent director Patrick Grismer will become chairman of the audit committee. Over the last 4 …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Mountain View, Calif. — Lily AI, a retail technology platform specializing in AI solutions for retailers and brands, has hired Avnish Patel to its executive team as chief operating officer, effective immediately. In this new role, Patel will be responsible for overall organizational excellence, scaling cross-functional capabilities, and cultivating partnerships and alliances to accelerate growth. He will advance the company’s mission to transform the retail industry through AI solutions that help retailers and brands improve customer experiences throughout their digital commerce touchpoints. Before joining Lily AI, Patel served as senior …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Dallas — Bonchon, a global leader in fast-casual Asian fusion dining known for its Korean double-fried chicken, has appointed former global CFO Bryan Shin to lead Bonchon U.S. as CEO. Shin joined Bonchon as head of global finance in 2019 with more than 10 years in the global food and beverage space. He previously served in various top global leadership and senior positions with brands including Goose Island Beer Company, Yum! Brands and CJ Foodville (a subsidiary of Korean conglomerate CJ Group), where he implemented strategies for a global launch …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Minneapolis — Macy’s is expanding its restaurant portfolio with the opening of The Social Kitchen & Libations at Macy’s Ridgedale in Minnetonka, Minn. Its modern vibe and open kitchen concept connect traditions to trends, with a menu that pays tribute to Macy’s rich history in foodservice, spanning over 115 years. Macy’s has at least 15 store locations with various local and national restaurants included. “We are thrilled to announce the opening of The Social Kitchen & Libations, bringing a mix of traditional and modern flare to the Minneapolis and Saint …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart opened its first high-tech Market Fulfillment Center in Arkansas at Store 100 located at 406 S. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville in May, underlining the retailer’s strategic move toward expanding the use of its stores as fulfillment centers to enhance the shopping experience for customers everywhere. The market fulfillment center in Bentonville, Ark., is the first in the state. It’s the second nationwide, with the first being a proof of concept located at Store #2142 in Salem, N.H. Walmart plans to continue opening MFCs in select stores …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Miami — Vicky Bakery, South Florida’s original family-owned Cuban bakery since 1972, has named Mauricio Romero as its new chief executive officer. This announcement comes as Vicky Bakery is experiencing record-setting growth, continuous double-digit revenue gains, the opening of multiple new locations, and new strategic investments. Former CEO Alex Santiago will remain dedicated to his leadership role on Vicky Bakery’s board of directors. Romero comes to Vicky Bakery from his nearly 40-year career in the restaurant franchise industry where he has served in a variety of executive roles. Most recently, …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

New York City — Lifestyle retailer MINISO officially opened its new global flagship store in New York’s Times Square on May 19, 2023. The opening of the new flagship comes during the brand’s 10th anniversary year, and shortly after the announcement of a new global expansion strategy. With over 70 stores in the U.S., the American market has emerged as MINISO’s top-performing overseas market for two consecutive quarters. Located on the first floor of 5 Times Square, the new flagship has a bright and clean look, with the eye being …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail