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Kohl’s Appoints New CEO

by Katie Lee

Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Kohl’s Corporation and its board of directors have unanimously appointed Tom Kingsbury as chief executive officer, effective February 2, 2023. Kingsbury has served as interim CEO since December 2, 2022. He will continue to serve on the company’s board. “Tom’s exceptional track record growing retail businesses and his deep knowledge of Kohl’s makes him the right choice for Kohl’s next CEO. Since joining the board, Tom has added valuable insight and perspective, and as interim CEO, he has demonstrated strong leadership and made a meaningful and …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

FAT Brands Added 362 Stores to Development Pipeline in 2022

by Katie Lee

Los Angeles — FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc., a leading global franchising company that owns a number of restaurant brands, including Johnny Rockets, Fatburger, Round Table Pizza, Twin Peaks, Fazoli’s and 12 other concepts, has experienced a historic year of growth, opening 142 new stores in 2022 and adding a total of 362 stores to its development pipeline which spans 29 states and 17 countries. Leading the way in new store development amongst FAT Brands’ concepts was Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express with 86 stores, Fazoli’s with 61, Round Table …

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Newspeopleretailers

Gelson’s Promotes Several Executives, Including President/CEO

by Katie Lee

Encino, Calif. — Gelson’s has promoted John Bagan to president and CEO following the departure of Rob McDougall, who has retired from Gelson’s after 15 years with the Southern California-based brand. The new leadership position marks Bagan’s third promotion in 2 years, most recently moving from COO into the role of president in July 2022. As president and CEO, Bagan will assume greater responsibility for the company’s overall vision, business and growth strategy, as well as managing relationships with the board of directors and parent company Pan Pacific International Holdings …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Smoothie King to Open More Than 100 Stores in 2023

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Smoothie King, the world’s largest smoothie chain and the first health and fitness QSR brand of its kind, signed franchise and area development agreements in 2022 to add over 160 stores to new and existing markets. More than half of the signed agreements are with existing franchisees. In addition to bolstering its development pipeline, Smoothie King opened 77 new stores in 2022 in key target markets, including Albany, N.Y.; Cleveland, Ohio; and Washington, D.C. Smoothie King is forecasted to open more than 100 locations in 2023. “Over the …

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Presto Named Supplier of the Year for Innovation by Checkers & Rally’s

by Katie Lee

San Carlos, Calif. — Presto Automation Inc., the largest drive-thru automation technology provider in the hospitality industry, has been awarded the Supplier of the Year Innovation Award for 2022 by iconic drive-thru restaurant chain Checkers & Rally’s. Presto has been recognized for successfully delivering and scaling its A.I.-powered voice assistant, Presto VoiceTM, at hundreds of Checkers & Rally’s drive-thru restaurants nationwide. Over the past year, Presto Voice has consistently demonstrated that drive-thru A.I.-driven voice automation can significantly lower labor costs while simultaneously driving up revenue. “We announced a rollout of …

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ALDI Opens Distribution Center in Alabama to Support 100 Stores in Gulf Coast Region

by Katie Lee

Loxley, Ala. — On Jan. 31, 2023, ALDI unveiled a new regional headquarters and distribution center in Loxley, Ala., which will ultimately serve as many as 100 stores across the Gulf Coast. The 564,000-square-foot facility is the grocer’s 26th regional headquarters and distribution center. “At a time when inflation is putting pressure on American wallets, we believe our mission to save people money on the food and products they need is more important than ever,” says Heather Moore, ALDI divisional vice president for the Loxley region. “We are thrilled to …

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franchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Crisp & Green Inks Largest Multi-Unit Deal in Company History with 40 Units Sold

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — STEELE BRANDS®, a Minnesota-based company known for establishing and developing healthy lifestyle restaurants, including its flagship brand CRISP & GREEN®, has signed a record-breaking 40-unit Crisp & Green development deal franchise partner Salads & Smoothies, LLC. This milestone comes at a time when the brand is embarking on its busiest year yet with a goal of 50 locations slated to open across 15 additional states before the end of 2023. This new 40-unit development agreement adds to Salad & Smoothies’ existing 11-unit agreement with CRISP & GREEN, totaling …

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Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc. Names New COO

by Katie Lee

Chicago — Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc. (CBH) has hired Mike Brewer as the chief operating officer. Brewer brings a broad range of experience, including 20 years at Nike, Inc. where he served in a variety of roles spanning sourcing, manufacturing and supply chain. Starting February 1, 2023, Brewer will oversee operations for CBH’s entire portfolio of industry-leading brands that includes Crate & Barrel, CB2, Crate & Kids and Hudson Grace. “I look forward to the leadership and expertise Mike will bring to CBH with his customer-centric and purpose-driven mindset,” …

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construction and designNewsrestaurants

After Successful Pop-Up, pastaRAMEN to Open First Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant

by Katie Lee

Montclair, N.J. — After gaining a cult following during its 2-year run as an exclusive, invite-only pop-up, pastaRAMEN is debuting its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in Montclair, N.J., in early February. The first-ever Italian ramen shop marries Japanese and Italian cuisines in a style called “Wafu-Italian,” which blends ingredients, textures and techniques from both worlds. “The response we received from our pop-ups in Seattle, Jersey City, Miami and Los Angeles was overwhelmingly positive, so when it became clear that there was an appetite for pastaRAMEN and this new type of cuisine, …

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Williams-Sonoma Updates Leadership Team with 4 Key Promotions

by Katie Lee

San Francisco — Williams-Sonoma, Inc. has made 4 internal leadership updates that will further strengthen the business strategy and efficiencies of the Pottery Barn brands as well as the company’s global business and marketing departments. “Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is known for developing leaders and attracting the best talent in the industry,” says Laura Alber, president and CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. “These leadership moves, coupled with our recent appointment of Day Kornbluth as the new president of West Elm, positions us with an incredibly strong team.” Pottery Barn’s president, Marta Benson, will …

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