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West Marine Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

by Katie Lee

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — West Marine, Inc., the nation’s leading omnichannel provider of products, services and expertise for the marine aftermarket, has appointed Eric Kufel to succeed Ken Seipel as chief executive officer. As part of this planned transition, Seipel will become lead independent director of the West Marine board of directors, effective August 23. Kufel brings West Marine over two decades of executive leadership experience. He most recently served as executive chairman of Leslie’s, Inc., where he partnered with the team to transform Leslie’s into the largest, most trusted …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

KFC Expands Urban Footprint with New Inline Design

by Katie Lee

Louisville, Ky. — Through 2022, KFC will accelerate development in more urban, metropolitan areas in an effort to serve a younger and more diverse customer. Traditionally a brand known for its suburban footprint, KFC will aggressively enter more densely populated areas, where the real estate doesn’t allow for a traditional drive-thru model, with its urban inline design. Following positive second quarter earnings results, KFC U.S. opened 19 new restaurant locations, resulting in a plus three net-new unit growth year-to-date for the first time since 2004. KFC will continue its aggressive …

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Newspeopleretailers

Retired Best Buy Executive Returns to Retail as Albertsons’ President and CFO

by Katie Lee

Boise, Idaho — Albertsons Companies has hired Sharon McCollam, who will join the company on September 7, 2021 as its president and chief financial officer. She will report to CEO Vivek Sankaran. McCollam will succeed Bob Dimond, who will be retiring and will remain with the company as an advisor through February 2022 to ensure a seamless transition. McCollam retired from Best Buy in 2016 where she served as executive vice president, chief administrative and chief financial officer. She is broadly recognized as the co-pilot of Best Buy’s Renew Blue …

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construction and designNewsvendors

Hy-Brid Lifts Debuts Online Ordering for Parts & Used Equipment

by Katie Lee

Richfield, Wis. — Hy-Brid Lifts, an industry leader in high-quality, low-level access equipment, has introduced an online Parts Service Center and used equipment offering on the company’s website. The added online tools enhance the customer experience by making it easy to order parts 24/7 and provide access to high quality used equipment. “We are continuing to implement technology and services to make customers’ lives easier,” says Marshall Shaver, Hy-Brid Lifts’ vice president of sales and marketing. “This year has presented a whole array of new challenges and opportunities. We are …

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Krystal Names Vice President, Information Technology

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Krystal Restaurants LLC, the original quick-service restaurant chain in the South, recently named Steve Patel its new vice president of information technology. Patel will lead information technology for the brand and its nearly 300 restaurants. He is a seasoned IT professional with more than 22 years of experience. “Steve’s extensive experience and proven results in IT paired with his innovative and strategic mindset makes him a valuable asset for our organization as we look to expand our brand with systems that will improve services and processes for our …

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franchise developmentNewsretailers

Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Crosses 500-Unit Mark

by Katie Lee

Trevose, Pa. — Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the franchise for affordable massage and facial services, has surpassed the 500-unit mark. Since 2004, Hand & Stone has become the premier massage and facial brand in the wellness space, with locations in 34 states and Canada. In the past 12 months, the brand has signed over 50 franchise agreements, including deals for 30 new spas in the first half of 2021. “This year, Hand & Stone is firing on all cylinders as the economy recovers and consumers increasingly look …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurants

Emerging Franchise Happy Joe’s Prepares for Expansion with Redesign by Harrison

by Katie Lee

Bettendorf, Iowa — Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream has partnered with global design consultant firm Harrison to utilize its award-winning strategic branding, interior design and architectural expertise to create a new image and brand design for the family-centric concept, in preparation for expansion. Through its strategic storytelling approach, Harrison is tasked to create a look and feel that connects Happy Joe’s nostalgic 49-year-long past with elements of today’s dining and “eatertainment” venues. With plans to expand across the U.S. and beyond, Harrison will also keep growth top-of-mind in order …

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franchise developmentNewsretailers

Batteries Plus Surpasses 50 Signed Agreements in First Half of 2021

by Katie Lee

Hartland, Wis. — Batteries Plus, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and repair franchise, is having its best development year in the almost three decades since it began franchising with 52 new signings to date for 2021 so far. In fact, Batteries Plus exceeded 2020 total store signings by mid-April this year. With the leadership of its newly promoted vice president of franchise development and relations, Joe Malmuth, Batteries Plus is on pace to surpass 75 franchise signings by the end of the year. The close …

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Church’s Chicken to be Acquired by Owners of Quiznos and Taco Del Mar

by Katie Lee

San Diego — High Bluff Capital Partners, supported by various alternative investment funds managed by FS Investments, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Church’s Chicken®, one of the world’s largest quick-service chicken restaurant chains, from FFL Partners. Subject to customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to be completed during third quarter 2021. Based in Atlanta and founded in 1952, Church’s® has more than 1,500 locations in 26 countries and international territories. Demonstrating considerable resiliency in the face of a devastating global pandemic, the brand in 2020 leveraged …

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Newspeopleretailers

RV Retailer Acquires Blue Dog RV, Adding 12 Stores in 7 New States

by Katie Lee

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — RV Retailer, LLC (RVR) has acquired Blue Dog RV. Blue Dog RV operates 12 stores in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, California and Pennsylvania.  The acquisition is expected to close in September 2021. “We are excited to announce the acquisition of Blue Dog RV, continuing our impressive growth with the addition of 32 stores in 2021,” says Jon Ferrando, president and CEO of RVR. “This acquisition provides us with major expansion in the western United States with our entry into 7 new states, giving us a …

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