Chicago — Wilson Sporting Goods Co. has opened its first-ever retail location in its hometown of Chicago. Wilson plans to open additional flagship stores in New York, Los Angeles, Beijing and Shanghai in the coming months. The Chicago store opened on July 15. “With 108 years of history here in Chicago, it was only right that we start this next chapter in our hometown,” says Joe Dudy, president of Wilson Sporting Goods Co. “Wilson is so proud to be Chicago-based, and we hope this new store brings our city that …
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Chicago — Chicago-based restaurant tech company 86 Repairs has closed an additional $5.3 million from investors including TDF Ventures, Gordon Food Service (GFS), MATH Venture Partners, Revolution and Cleveland Avenue. The new financing brings the company’s funding in this round to $7.3 million, and total capital raised to $8.8 million to date. Disrupting the $26 billion restaurant equipment repair and maintenance (R&M) industry, 86 Repairs automates the end-to-end repair and maintenance process for restaurants and provides actionable insights to improve back-of-house operations. The end result is significant time and cost …
Los Angeles — The Dolly Llama, the popular waffle and ice cream concept that currently dominates the Los Angeles dessert-scene with its own unique take on Hong Kong’s iconic Bubble Waffle, has inked two franchise deals for Tyler, Texas, and Jacksonville, Fla. The two deals are the first for the newly franchised concept, which was founded in 2017 by French restaurateur and entrepreneur Samuel Baroux and real estate leader Eric Shomof, since partnering with DCV Franchise Group in late 2019. The Tyler, Texas, deal includes one brick-and-mortar location with locals …
Montreal — Mackage, the luxury outerwear specialist, has appointed New York City fashion veteran Tanya Golesic as chief executive officer. She joins the Canadian retailer from Jimmy Choo. Golesic is a Canadian who has lived and worked in New York for over 20 years and brings a rare depth of global high fashion experience to Mackage, underscoring the company’s commitment to worldwide growth in the luxury space. “Tanya’s results-driven approach will build brand desirability through innovative digital marketing, focused product assortments and international expansion in key markets. All will serve …
Nashville, Tenn. — Carl’s Jr.® is turning 80 years old this year. Since Carl Karcher opened his first hot dog cart in Los Angeles in 1941, Carl’s Jr. has since grown into an innovative brand with an international footprint. “As a team member who has been with CKE Restaurants for more than 30 of Carl’s Jr.’s extraordinary 80-year history, I have had the honor to hold a front row seat to many iconic milestones this brand has achieved thanks to Carl Karcher’s dream,” says Ned Lyerly, CEO of CKE Restaurants …
Columbus, Ohio — Big Lots, Inc. has appointed Gurmeet Singh as executive vice president, chief technology officer of Big Lots, effective July 12, 2021. He succeeds Stew Wenerstrom, who will be officially retiring in October following a transition period. Singh will report directly to Bruce Thorn, president and chief executive officer of Big Lots. Singh has more than 30 years of experience in information technology. Most recently, he was the group chief digital officer at the Al Futtaim Group in Dubai, leading all technology, data and digital efforts for the …
Wichita, Kan. — JRI Hospitality, which operates four restaurant brands spread throughout the country, has opened a new 3,286-square-foot office in Wichita, Kan., to help continue its growth trajectory and added two senior-level executives who will work there. Mark Scholler has joined the company as its new chief development officer. Scholler previously served as senior vice president of franchise development for Freddy’s LLC — the parent company of the Freddy’s brand — since 2007. He has almost 50 years of restaurant experience over the course of his career. Scholler had …
North Plainfield, N.J. — Denise Ciaravino has been promoted to portfolio manager at Levin Management Corporation (LMC), according to Erika Toscani, vice president of property management. Ciaravino joined the North Plainfield, N.J.-based commercial real estate services firm in 2006 as property manager and was named senior property manager in 2009; for the past decade she has overseen the day-to-day operation of a shopping center portfolio totaling approximately 1 million square feet. In her new role as portfolio manager, Ciaravino will also be the single point of contact for a 9-property, …
San Francisco — Starbird Chicken, a super-premium fast food concept, has achieved its third year of positive same store sales growth, with 2021 YTD same store sales coming in at +75% over 2019 and +36% over 2020. The brand increased its location footprint by 28% in the first half of 2021 and is slated to enter multiple undisclosed locations in the Bay Area and Los Angeles within the next 24 months. This growth comes on the heels of a successful 2020 despite the pandemic, where Starbird Chicken reported a 36% …
Richardson, Texas — Fossil Group, Inc. continues to build on its industry-leading transformation to a digital-first retailer with the appointment of Holly Briedis to the company’s executive leadership team as executive vice president, chief digital officer. “The digital footprint of consumers continues to grow, and brands leaning into this evolution are the ones driving growth,” says Kosta Kartsotis, Fossil Group’s chairman and CEO. “Holly’s extensive leadership and expertise in driving customer-centered digital transformations for retail brands during her time with McKinsey & Company will help Fossil Group cement itself as …