Charlotte, N.C. — John R. Howe, executive vice president and chief financial officer of The Cato Corporation, plans to retire on January 17, 2022 following 35 years of service with the company. He will remain employed with Cato through May 1, 2022 to assist with the transition. Chuck Knight will succeed Howe as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective January 17, 2022. He joins the company following previous service with The Vitamin Shoppe, first as senior vice president, chief accounting officer, and then as executive vice president, chief …
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Los Angeles — Highview Capital, LLC has acquired Watterson, a leading national facility services company headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill. Following the close of the acquisition, Billy Watterson, Watterson’s founder, and Steve Peldiak, Watterson’s president, will both retain significant minority stakes in the business. Additionally, Peldiak will continue to serve as Watterson’s chief executive officer. Watterson provides a full suite of services, including facilities management, environmental services and emergency and disaster response. Over the last 20+ years, the company has built a strong base of long term corporate clients, which includes …
Crowley, Texas — Powerhouse, a national commercial infrastructure management services provider, has appointed Maria Clavijo-Demchalk as vice president of operations, facility maintenance. Clavijo-Demchalk is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience leading operations and service-focused teams. “Maria has a strong ability to build customer-focused teams and enhanced operational efficiencies,” says Robert Blake-Ward, principal, Powerhouse. “We are confident that Maria is the right leader to increase our facilities maintenance productivity and profitability and we are excited to have her join the team.” Prior to joining Powerhouse, Clavijo-Demchalk held …
Irving, Texas — Fuzzy’s Taco Shop has named franchise veteran Scott Shotter as its new chief operating officer. The Texas-based restaurant group is recognized for its Baja-style fare with nearly 150 franchise- and corporate-owned locations in 17 states. Most recently, Shotter served as president of Condado Tacos, and prior to that was CEO of Backyard Burgers. Notably, Shotter and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop CEO Paul Damico served together at Moe’s Southwest Grill as vice president and CEO, respectively, and led the team responsible for the explosive growth of the brand between …
Kansas City, Mo. — Service Management Group (SMG), a global customer, patient, employee and brand experience management partner to more than 500 brands, is working with specialty golf retailer Club Champion on a new customer experience management program. The nation’s top club fitter and builder chose SMG for its location-level insights, industry-leading professional services and focus on business outcomes. Established in 2010, Club Champion operates more than 85 locations in major markets across the United States. The specialty retailer offers club fitting and building, repair services, personalization and private events. …
Charlotte, N.C. — Clean Juice, a USDA-certified organic juice bar franchise and quick-service restaurant, has added five new franchise partners in five new states: Connecticut, West Virginia, Kentucky, Montana and Washington. Clean Juice expects fourth quarter 2021 to be the brand’s best Q4 yet as it doubles down on expansion plans heading into 2022. “We are proud and honored to welcome these new families into our Clean Juice family,” says Landon Eckles, CEO, Clean Juice. “Next to our more than 3 million guests, our franchise partners are the driving force …
Boston — Lifestyle retailer MINISO has hit yet another milestone. On December 18, the brand’s 5,000th store opened in Boston, bringing its variety of affordable plush toys and household items to the New England region for the first time. Three other stores opened in California, Pennsylvania and another Massachusetts city on the same day. MINISO’s expansion in North America is among the brand’s fastest in the world, reflecting the high priority the brand places on this market. Since its regional debut in North America, MINISO has expanded to key locations …
Mead, Colo. — Ziggi’s Coffee, the rapidly-growing Colorado-based franchise known for its fast and friendly drive-thru coffee service, has just signed its 150th franchise deal. New franchise owners Ron and Denise Cazares have joined the Ziggi’s Coffee franchise family with a multi-unit agreement. Their first Ziggi’s will open in Parker, Colo. Ziggi’s launched its national franchise program in 2016 and has since experienced great success. The company celebrated its 100th franchise signing in April and has already signed an additional 50 agreements. With 44 open locations nationwide and over 100 …
Lynnfield, Mass. — JM Electrical Company, Inc., has promoted Andrew Guarracino — a second-generation member of the Lynnfield, Mass.-based, family-owned electrical contracting firm — to the position of project manager. In his new role, Guarracino is responsible for estimating, negotiating and managing diverse electrical construction projects (including retail) throughout the Greater Boston area. Guarracino, who joined JM Electrical in 2006, now holds Master Electrician Licenses in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Prior to his promotion, Guarracino served as an assistant project manager, supporting the Operations team while drawing …
Moorestown, N.J. — A Pea in the Pod, the well-known designer and specialty retailer of luxe maternity apparel and accessories, is returning to its retail roots with the recent opening of two new concept stores in Chicago and New York City, in partnership with Leap. The new stores, which mark the company’s first physical retail presence since before the pandemic, also offer some of the most popular styles from Motherhood Maternity, sister brand of A Pea in the Pod. “We are excited to announce we will be opening a handful of …