News

Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza has opened its second Oregon location, in Roseburg. The new Roseburg location is owned by franchisee and area developer, Jim Smith, who owns the Mountain Mike’s in Medford, Ore., and plans to open two additional restaurants in the state in 2021. With dining rooms open at limited capacities throughout Oregon, Mountain Mike’s continues to adhere to the strictest health and safety guidelines set by the state and the CDC, such as employees wearing masks and gloves, and tamper-proof seals. Mountain Mike’s offers dine-in, …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Pittsburgh — The Pittsburgh-based company’s chief financial officer, Michael Mathias, announced plans to close 200 to 225 of the company’s 880 existing American Eagle locations over the next 2 to 3 years during a virtual investor meeting held Jan. 21. “Our primary focus for the next few years with American Eagle will be to build on our large cash-flow base by focusing on inventory efficiency, improving merchandise margins, managing expenses and closing stores to strengthen profit flow-through,” says Mathias.The company’s American Eagle banner anticipates roughly flat growth compared to 2019, …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

New York City — Greek Xpress, New York’s favorite Greek quick-service restaurant, is partnering with franchise development group Fransmart to bring its authentic, delicious and healthy Greek cuisine to customers nationwide through franchising. The brand has continued to build momentum despite challenges surrounding COVID-19, opening its seventh location in Manhattan last year and continuing construction on its eighth location in Staten Island. “Customers vote with their wallets, and Greek Xpress restaurants are busy,” says Fransmart CEO Dan Rowe. “We have full confidence that this concept could grow to become a Greek Five Guys or a …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Bloomfield Hills, Mich. — The Taubman Company LLC’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, Simon Leopold, will leave the company effective January 31. Taubman’s vice president, capital markets and treasurer, Benjamin Meeker, will be promoted to senior vice president, CFO and treasurer. Meeker will report to Taubman’s chairman, president and CEO, Robert Taubman. Leopold will remain an advisor to the company to assist with the transition. “Since joining the company in 2012, Simon Leopold has had a very positive impact on our business,” says Taubman. “During his tenure, he …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Knoxville, Tenn. — Pilot Company and its One9 Fuel Network have opened a new restaurant concept, Trucker Burger, located in the new Xpress Fuel travel center in Eloy, Ariz. Inspired by those who drive America and in collaboration with celebrity chef and restaurant owner Tim Love, Trucker Burger is a culinary roadside destination that offers a gourmet menu of diner classics. “We’re thrilled to open a new Xpress Fuel and our first Trucker Burger restaurant in Eloy, Arizona,” says Jason Nordin, chief operator of Pilot Company. “We welcome our neighbors, …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has named Mara Sirhal as senior vice president and general manager for Harmon Health and Beauty Stores, effective immediately. Sirhal will report to Joe Hartsig, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. and president of Harmon Health and Beauty Stores. Sirhal will be responsible for unlocking the potential of Harmon Health and Beauty Stores, leading all operational aspects of this value-driven business. This includes retail, online and distribution, as well as developing and implementing an improved customer value …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Coral Gables, Fla. — Fogo de Chão, the internationally-renowned steakhouse, has signed a lease agreement to open an all-new restaurant experience in Coral Gables, Fla. Slated to open by the end of 2021, the restaurant will be situated within The Plaza Coral Gables, South Florida’s highly anticipated mixed-use shopping, dining, office, hospitality and entertainment destination. In addition to a Fogo restaurant, the flagship location will feature The Butchery and Next Level Lounge, two destinations new to Fogo in the U.S. “Fogo de Chão is steeped in 40 years of rich …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Boca Raton, Fla. — ODP Corp., the parent company of Office Depot, has rejected USR Parent Inc.’s off-market transaction offer to acquire the Boca Raton, Fla.-based retailer. USR, the parent company of office products retailer Staples and affiliate of Sycamore Partners, offered to buy ODP for $40 per share in an all-cash deal that would equate to roughly $2.1 billion. In a letter to Stefan Kaluzny, managing director of Sycamore Partners and a member of the board of directors at USR, ODP’s chairman of the board of directors Joseph Vassalluzzo …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Menomonee Falls, Wis. — Alto-Shaam, a global leader and innovator in the foodservice equipment solutions industry, has entered into a new partnership agreement with Chrane Foodservice Solutions as its new manufacturer representative in Texas and Oklahoma. Chrane will promote Alto-Shaam’s full portfolio of commercial kitchen equipment, including its Vector® Multi-Cook ovens, Cook & Hold ovens, Combitherm® ovens, rotisserie ovens, heated holding solutions, QuickChiller™ blast chillers and more. The manufacturer representative will also host in-person and virtual ‘A Taste of Alto-Shaam’ events and demonstrations at its kitchens in Dallas-Fort Worth and …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Salt Lake City — Swig, the highly popular and fast-growing specialty drink shop, has appointed Chase Wardrop as president. In this position, Wardrop will oversee all company operations and the management team of Swig. He will be responsible for expanding the brand’s footprint into new geographies, which includes plans to open 18 new units in 2021. Wardrop has been instrumental in Swig’s rapid growth, and the expanding specialty soda culture as a whole. Today, under his leadership and teamwork with partners Dylan Roeder (vice president, marketing and innovation) and Nicole …

0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail